# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=774 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 775 --- ## [Could cockroaches ever evolve into a master race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cockroaches-ever-evolve-into-a-master-race/367767)
**Author:** [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-cockroaches-ever-evolve-into-a-master-race/367767 "2006-08-09T13:43:29Z")
Assuming a nuclear holocaust or plague wiped out all human life, or all mammals, could another species, liberated from the pressures of predation and territorial encroachment, evolve into a state of human-like intelligen… --- ## [Bush and the Cuban Military Forces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-and-the-cuban-military-forces/367663)
**Author:** [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-and-the-cuban-military-forces/367663 "2006-08-09T11:46:23Z")
Yesterday on Meet the Press, Tim Russert said that USA Today said that the Bush Administration has dedicated assistance “to prepare the Cuban military forces to adjust to an appropriate role in a democracy.” He asked Se… --- ## [But, how do I decide? \[Critical thinking\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-how-do-i-decide-critical-thinking/367765)
**Author:** [@coberst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coberst)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-how-do-i-decide-critical-thinking/367765 "2006-08-09T10:18:05Z")
But, how do I decide? For a 12 to 18 years period from the age of 6 to our mid twenties we have lived constantly in an educational system wherein we seldom if ever learned to function intellectually independent of outsi… --- ## [Is the anti-smoking movement taking steam away from the fight against obesity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-anti-smoking-movement-taking-steam-away-from-the-fight-against-obesity/367599)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-anti-smoking-movement-taking-steam-away-from-the-fight-against-obesity/367599 "2006-08-09T04:33:52Z")
My girlfriend and I took my younger sister to Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN for her birthday yesterday. I was struck by two things: first of all, the whole park is now smoke-free with the exception of one small smokin… --- ## [Do we need a new term for "guilty by reason of insanity"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-a-new-term-for-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity/367749)
**Author:** [@borowsally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borowsally)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2006, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-need-a-new-term-for-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity/367749 "2006-08-09T03:18:47Z")
I’d actually like to see the “reason” phase separated from the “who did what” phase. That is, not consider insanity a defense against presecution, but just something to be considered at the end, at the penalty phase of … --- ## [Computer security: Should you be accountable for your own system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-security-should-you-be-accountable-for-your-own-system/367783)
**Author:** [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-security-should-you-be-accountable-for-your-own-system/367783 "2006-08-08T23:04:50Z")
For the moment, let’s ignore being held legally accountible and focus more on ethically/morally accountable. I mean we can talk about legal stuff too, but I imagine the answer is that it hasn’t been adequately tested in … --- ## [Are soldiers no longer thought expendable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-soldiers-no-longer-thought-expendable/367684)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-soldiers-no-longer-thought-expendable/367684 "2006-08-08T22:49:55Z")
Israel came down on Lebanon like a ton of bricks because Hizbollah captured two of its soldiers, triggering a war that has killed hundreds of people, including many Israeli soldiers. Popular culture and people here and … --- ## [Air America and Clear Channel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-and-clear-channel/367687)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-and-clear-channel/367687 "2006-08-08T18:02:10Z")
I recently discovered there is an Air America Radio station in the Miami area: WINZ 940 AM. But at the bottom of the home page of the station’s website, it says, “Clear Channel Broadcasting, Inc.” Did I read that right… --- ## [Are there any "natural urges" humanity has overcome through willpower?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-natural-urges-humanity-has-overcome-through-willpower/367375)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-natural-urges-humanity-has-overcome-through-willpower/367375 "2006-08-08T17:43:04Z")
This is going to be a little rambly. I apologize in advance. My question is pretty simple: Are we looking at overeating in entirely the wrong way? In many weight/diet/weightloss/overeating/nutrition threads, the idea… --- ## [Was this cop justified? (with video)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-cop-justified-with-video/366883)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-this-cop-justified-with-video/366883 "2006-08-08T16:33:27Z")
Watch this video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8987337564896952728 . Be warned, there might be sound, but it isn’t that important. Was this cop justified in what he did? I say yes: he had no idea what this… --- ## [Self-Protection versus Rescue - Where do obligations lie?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-protection-versus-rescue-where-do-obligations-lie/367759)
**Author:** [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-protection-versus-rescue-where-do-obligations-lie/367759 "2006-08-08T14:12:08Z")
Based on this pit thread, I propose the following scenario: You are a school teacher, CPR trained and certified, supervising kids during recess. A child suddenly drops to the ground, in full cardiac arrest. You rush t… --- ## [Another abortion debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-abortion-debate/367245)
**Author:** [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Replies:** 222\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-abortion-debate/367245 "2006-08-08T12:56:57Z")
In light of this thread , I would like to ask a more (I hope) well thought out version of the question. I’m sure it has been discussed ad naseum but: At what point, if any, would you consider abortion murder? Babies bo… --- ## [Iraq: Why did We get it wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-why-did-we-get-it-wrong/366281)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2006, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-why-did-we-get-it-wrong/366281 "2006-08-08T05:38:29Z")
here is a list of things that we did wrong, in removing Saddam Hussein: 10 We failed to keep the Iraqi army in one piece-had we kept them on, and paid them, much fewer weapons would be available to attack Us troops. 2)… --- ## [Is It Time to Impeach Bush for Incompetence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-impeach-bush-for-incompetence/365442)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 253\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-impeach-bush-for-incompetence/365442 "2006-08-07T23:41:13Z")
Whether you agree with Bush’s policies or not, he looks like a deer caught in the headlights lately. Iraq is going to hell, the mid-east has erupted, and it seems like he has no plan. Is it time to impeach him just to ge… --- ## [Should the rules of war apply to the aggressor only?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-rules-of-war-apply-to-the-aggressor-only/367615)
**Author:** [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-rules-of-war-apply-to-the-aggressor-only/367615 "2006-08-07T21:30:54Z")
If a nation is the subject of a pre-emptive / unprovoked invasion, are their troops and civilians absolved from a moral responsibility to follow “rules of war”? I would suggest that there is a greater moral imperative t… --- ## [Does Israel have the miltary manpower to hold Lebanon long term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-israel-have-the-miltary-manpower-to-hold-lebanon-long-term/367371)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-israel-have-the-miltary-manpower-to-hold-lebanon-long-term/367371 "2006-08-07T19:55:27Z")
Just curious. I thought Israel was relatively small are & population wise. Total population is less than many large metropolitan cities @ just over 7 million people. How far and how long can they extend themselves into L… --- ## [Why haven't Syria and Iran given Hizbollah any Stingers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-syria-and-iran-given-hizbollah-any-stingers/367327)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-syria-and-iran-given-hizbollah-any-stingers/367327 "2006-08-07T17:19:08Z")
We know Iran has US-built “Stinger” handheld anti-aircraft missiles because…(awkward pause)…well, you know. And Syria is said to have received the equivalent Russian “Igla” missiles. Both countries are believed to be p… --- ## [Prisoners Rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-rights/367540)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-rights/367540 "2006-08-07T16:13:03Z")
Apart from the basics such as food/drink.toilet/washing facilities/medical care, what, if any, rights are prisoners entitled to? IMHO…none! When a person breaks the law and is sent to prison for his/her crime then I fe… --- ## [False Rape Accusations Revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/false-rape-accusations-revisited/367227)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/false-rape-accusations-revisited/367227 "2006-08-07T14:21:57Z")
Tamara Anne Moonier drove to the Fullerton, California police station on June 6, 2004, and reported a chilling tale – she had been kidnapped at gunpoint from the parking lot of a local bar, taken to a nearby home, and ga… --- ## [Mexican immigrants back in Mexico](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexican-immigrants-back-in-mexico/366459)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexican-immigrants-back-in-mexico/366459 "2006-08-07T14:09:52Z")
With all of the Mexican immigrants in America (legal and illegal) that are here to escape the poor living conditions of Mexico and to give their children a chance at an education I was wondering what obstacles stood in t… --- ## [Cryonics, as currently extant, is snake-oil.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryonics-as-currently-extant-is-snake-oil/366949)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cryonics-as-currently-extant-is-snake-oil/366949 "2006-08-07T09:37:46Z")
Or so I will argue here: Cryonic preservation, as currently offered, has not the slightest chance of preserving the treated individual in a manner fit for revival by even the most amazing advances in medical technology.… --- ## [Would you call me a bigot if I said homosexuality was disgusting and perverted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-call-me-a-bigot-if-i-said-homosexuality-was-disgusting-and-perverted/366155)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-call-me-a-bigot-if-i-said-homosexuality-was-disgusting-and-perverted/366155 "2006-08-07T05:57:06Z")
Well, would you? How about homophobic? Would you call me a closeted homosexual? How about if I said the same thing about furries? Would you call me a bigot or a closeted furry? I ask this because this seems to be th… --- ## [Please explain the Middle East crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-middle-east-crisis/365487)
**Author:** [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-the-middle-east-crisis/365487 "2006-08-07T03:36:24Z")
Isreal & the Hezbollah are going at it, hammer and tongs. All I know is that everyone in the Middle East seems to be mad at everyone else. Could someone please explain to me what the crisis all about, why Isreal always s… --- ## [Is it responsible to RAFFLE a gun?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-responsible-to-raffle-a-gun/367530)
**Author:** [@Bam\_Boo\_Gut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bam_Boo_Gut)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-responsible-to-raffle-a-gun/367530 "2006-08-07T02:49:56Z")
A post on Mundane Pointless Stuff mentions winning a gun in a raffle in the United States. I’m shocked. I live in the West Indies where people can carry guns lawfully - but I’ve never heard of one being raffled here. … --- ## [Should western sahara be independant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-sahara-be-independant/367506)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-sahara-be-independant/367506 "2006-08-07T01:59:09Z")
Western sahara (WS) is a smallish region situated northwest of Africa. 700 miles of atlantic coast. Lots of sand. Morocco took back control of the region from the Spanish in 1956. Ever since, its status has been of grea… --- ## [Mike Shermer's SciAm Column = Skeptics' Glurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-shermers-sciam-column-skeptics-glurge/366980)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mike-shermers-sciam-column-skeptics-glurge/366980 "2006-08-06T21:22:49Z")
Oh, it had to happen eventually, I guess: Glurge for skeptics, atheists, and other cosmic party poopers. Let’s call it “sklurge.” Sklurge replaces the dimwitted and sentimental tone of glurge with the bitter, depressing… --- ## [Murder or Heroism? or ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-or-heroism-or/365688)
**Author:** [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2006, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/murder-or-heroism-or/365688 "2006-08-06T05:55:41Z")
A New Orleans MD and 2 nurses were accused of being principals to 2nd degree murder in the deaths of 4 patients at Memorial Medical Center 3 days after Hurricane Katrina hit. The charge carries a mandatory life sentence… --- ## [Is the Earth overpopulated? How do we decide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-earth-overpopulated-how-do-we-decide/367318)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2006, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-earth-overpopulated-how-do-we-decide/367318 "2006-08-06T05:18:24Z")
\*\*(Suggested) Rules of this thread: Please read! I had half a mind to start this new thread on Great Debates because so many questions that appear neutral in character and content turn out to be minefields of liberal/co… --- ## [Israel and Jerusalem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-and-jerusalem/367484)
**Author:** [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2006, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-and-jerusalem/367484 "2006-08-05T23:48:23Z")
This was sent to me by my sister in law. I don’t know the truth of these statements - can anyone point out the falsehoods so she doesn’t spread more BS? ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM FACTS ISRAEL BECAME A STATE IN 1312 B.C.,… --- ## [FL Senate race - Will/Could Katherine Harris quit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fl-senate-race-will-could-katherine-harris-quit/367040)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fl-senate-race-will-could-katherine-harris-quit/367040 "2006-08-05T17:50:39Z")
What’s the possibility of her pulling a Torricelli and Jeb Bush or another big name stepping in? Was a precedent set when Toricelli did it and Lautenberg stepped in? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=773) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=775)