# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=777 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 778 --- ## [Should (or can) Lebanon militarily defend itself against Israel's bombardment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-or-can-lebanon-militarily-defend-itself-against-israels-bombardment/365427)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-or-can-lebanon-militarily-defend-itself-against-israels-bombardment/365427 "2006-07-26T03:21:07Z")
It dawned on me the other day that Israel is actually bombing targets inside the soverign nation of Lebanon. Now, regardless of whether one sees Israel as the aggressor or the aggrieved, it occurs to me that most sovreig… --- ## [Activism run insane: NAACP to boycott Target](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/activism-run-insane-naacp-to-boycott-target/365114)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2006, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/activism-run-insane-naacp-to-boycott-target/365114 "2006-07-26T03:08:51Z")
I heard this news on the radio today, and I was kind of surprised. I rather like Target, they’re usually cleaner than Wally World, and in my experience their staff is generally friendlier. I wondered what they had done … --- ## [Effect of Julie and Hillary Goodridge’s separation on same-sex debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-julie-and-hillary-goodridge-s-separation-on-same-sex-debate/365774)
**Author:** [@kjckjc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjckjc)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2006, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-julie-and-hillary-goodridge-s-separation-on-same-sex-debate/365774 "2006-07-25T22:36:44Z")
I don’t really have an answer or particularly care to take a side in this debate (if it even is one), but I figured that if I put it in IMHO it might get moved here anyway. How do you think that Julie and Hillary Goodri… --- ## [Why is God even worthy of our worship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-god-even-worthy-of-our-worship/365455)
**Author:** [@LeftFootRightFoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeftFootRightFoot)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-god-even-worthy-of-our-worship/365455 "2006-07-25T16:19:58Z")
What kind of god would do this to their people (unless god doesn’t count Egyptians as people). Murdering all first-borns? Most of the Egyptians were probably living in poor conditions and hating the Pharoah for their… --- ## [Why the USA opposes the rule of law.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-usa-opposes-the-rule-of-law/365689)
**Author:** [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2006, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-usa-opposes-the-rule-of-law/365689 "2006-07-24T19:40:34Z")
War crimes prosecutions that will never happen I stated it before to some mild disagreement, which bears fleshing out: Either - Prosecution of thousands of US troops for war crimes or The USA opposes the rule of la… --- ## [Human rights for apes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-for-apes/364795)
**Author:** [@TitoGrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TitoGrey)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-for-apes/364795 "2006-07-24T18:04:49Z")
Hello guys, Here is something interesting and controversial. Spanish government wants to grant human rights to monkeys. Monkeys would not anymore be anyone’s property and would be placed under legal guardianship similar… --- ## [Do "Normal People" have any chance of being elected El Presidente/Prime Minister?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-normal-people-have-any-chance-of-being-elected-el-presidente-prime-minister/365152)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2006, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-normal-people-have-any-chance-of-being-elected-el-presidente-prime-minister/365152 "2006-07-24T15:47:09Z")
Inspired by this thead asking who the last non-millionaire US President was, I have to ask: Do “Normal People”- ie, people who don’t have lots of Connections With Important People and the backing of People With Lots Of M… --- ## [Bush "thinks he is playing in a longer-term game than the tacticians"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-thinks-he-is-playing-in-a-longer-term-game-than-the-tacticians/365697)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2006, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-thinks-he-is-playing-in-a-longer-term-game-than-the-tacticians/365697 "2006-07-24T09:29:51Z")
Or, the insanity of doing the same thing over and over again and expecting it to work this time. Two things: How’s that “long-term game” of yours working out so far, Mr. President? After five and a half years, where… --- ## [Biblical Liberalism (2006)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-liberalism-2006/365454)
**Author:** [@badchad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badchad)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2006, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-liberalism-2006/365454 "2006-07-24T05:31:29Z")
Polycarp; I shall try to continue out discussion, as effectively as possible, and edit out any of my characteristic elements of style. \[QUOTE=Polycarp\] chad, I’m more than willing to continue discussions if you will g… --- ## ["JFK and SAM" New Light on Kennedy Assassination?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfk-and-sam-new-light-on-kennedy-assassination/362932)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jfk-and-sam-new-light-on-kennedy-assassination/362932 "2006-07-24T00:13:36Z")
I just read a new book about an old topic-by the daughter of the late Mafia Boss Sam Giancana (Antonette Giancana). The book is a refutaion of Oswald as the assassin, and raises some interesting points. One that I find i… --- ## [Maliki's Peace and Reconciliation Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malikis-peace-and-reconciliation-plan/362069)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2006, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malikis-peace-and-reconciliation-plan/362069 "2006-07-23T19:29:06Z")
Maybe, just maybe, this might work. We can hope. Let’s hope a comprehensive peace treaty between the government and the insurgents is one of them. It’s a very good sign that (a) so many different insurgent groups ha… --- ## [WW1 refought 1918 style](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww1-refought-1918-style/362861)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2006, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww1-refought-1918-style/362861 "2006-07-23T17:55:28Z")
Just as a thought exercise, suppose that at the end of 1914, the generals and war planners of the warring powers could somehow by magic gain four years experience instantly, and immediately begin using the tactics and we… --- ## [Can we get men to mars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-men-to-mars/365407)
**Author:** [@mr\_wired](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr_wired)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2006, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-get-men-to-mars/365407 "2006-07-23T16:40:02Z")
Do we currently have the technology to land men on Mars? I wanted to open this up on the great debates thread, because we have been discussing this at great length in the General Discussions thread, and there are vast… --- ## [New Ice age triggered by Global Warming: What could we do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ice-age-triggered-by-global-warming-what-could-we-do/364579)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2006, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-ice-age-triggered-by-global-warming-what-could-we-do/364579 "2006-07-23T06:08:52Z")
Watched a rather scary show on the Science Channel last night that was discussing the possibility of a new ice age triggered by global warming. One ‘scientist’ on the show said that there is as much as a 50% chance(!) t… --- ## [Israel crosses into Lebanon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-crosses-into-lebanon/364696)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-crosses-into-lebanon/364696 "2006-07-22T18:31:33Z")
You’ve all heard this news by now, so I won’t bother providing details, which will change every hour. This is probably a counsel of perfection, but I hope in this thread, we will try to avoid discussion of who’s “right”… --- ## [Bush may make use of his first veto on a critical stem cell bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-may-make-use-of-his-first-veto-on-a-critical-stem-cell-bill/364948)
**Author:** [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2006, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-may-make-use-of-his-first-veto-on-a-critical-stem-cell-bill/364948 "2006-07-22T16:14:05Z")
From here: Look here, you dim-witted, block-headed, blinded by your damn “superior morals,” pieces of crap: No one, I repeat, NO ONE will be destroying any more embryos then what are not already geting destroyed to gi… --- ## [Are black people better off?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-people-better-off/364354)
**Author:** [@LeftFootRightFoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeftFootRightFoot)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-people-better-off/364354 "2006-07-22T15:17:07Z")
We all know what happened a few hundred years ago to bring black people over here to plow the fields, etc. My question is, are they better off living in North America then the current Africa? Of course, if the slave tr… --- ## [Is the Lebanese government serious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-lebanese-government-serious/364940)
**Author:** [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2006, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-lebanese-government-serious/364940 "2006-07-22T14:38:55Z")
They released a statement today saying they have nothing to do with the Hezbollah shelling and that Israel should cease fire. Hmmm. If a “group” on the US-Mexican border (on the US side) started grabbing Mexican soldie… --- ## [Does Microsoft innovate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-microsoft-innovate/364141)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2006, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-microsoft-innovate/364141 "2006-07-22T05:26:46Z")
Has MS ever come up with an original product, or do they merely buy or copy other company’s successful products? Thanks, Rob --- ## [What is a Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-christian/363117)
**Author:** [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2006, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-christian/363117 "2006-07-21T23:20:47Z")
Dictionaries tell us: My beliefs are a mixture of evolution, creation, and agnosticism: I believe the Big Bang was not an accident and that if God exists He doesn’t oversee our day-to-day lives. I believe that a reall… --- ## [Would post-colonial nations be better or worse off if they had never been colonized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-post-colonial-nations-be-better-or-worse-off-if-they-had-never-been-colonized/364856)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-post-colonial-nations-be-better-or-worse-off-if-they-had-never-been-colonized/364856 "2006-07-21T23:01:40Z")
Sort of inspired by this thread, where the question came up WRT Africa. Let’s leave out of the discussion “settler states” like the U.S. and Australia, which would not even exist as nations without colonization. I’m ta… --- ## [Christians: If Jesus Died For Our Sins...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-if-jesus-died-for-our-sins/365208)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-if-jesus-died-for-our-sins/365208 "2006-07-21T15:36:15Z")
then why are we still born into sin? --- ## [Women are better than Men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-better-than-men/363844)
**Author:** [@BorderFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorderFox)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2006, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-are-better-than-men/363844 "2006-07-21T07:36:50Z")
Several weeks ago I was watching a round-table political debate on television when one of the members of the discussion casually stated that, ‘It is becoming increasingly clear that women are better than men’. Waiting f… --- ## [The Ancient Bimini Road is not all natural](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ancient-bimini-road-is-not-all-natural/365411)
**Author:** [@ChainGangis2Sweet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChainGangis2Sweet)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ancient-bimini-road-is-not-all-natural/365411 "2006-07-20T23:19:53Z")
The Ancient Bimini Road is not all natural Here is an rrticle on how Sketptics perpetrated a hoax to claim the Bimini Road was only natural formations. Deliberately ignoring evidence and being dishonest about the actual… --- ## [Re-Dating the Sphinx of Egypt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-dating-the-sphinx-of-egypt/365408)
**Author:** [@ChainGangis2Sweet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChainGangis2Sweet)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-dating-the-sphinx-of-egypt/365408 "2006-07-20T23:12:52Z")
Re-Dating the Sphinx of Egypt Video about it a bit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpk9ez\_\_rHo&search=sphinx Video on an Archaeology cover-up http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5644481843574621580&q=atlantis In … --- ## [Graham Hancock is one of the best researchers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graham-hancock-is-one-of-the-best-researchers/365361)
**Author:** [@ChainGangis2Sweet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChainGangis2Sweet)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/graham-hancock-is-one-of-the-best-researchers/365361 "2006-07-20T21:43:38Z")
Graham Hancock is one of the best researchers Here’s a video with Graham Hancock in it, explaining the basics of history and research http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=916512397391844400&q=atlantis&pl=true Has a… --- ## [Is there a reason we still don't trade with Cuba?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-reason-we-still-dont-trade-with-cuba/364768)
**Author:** [@Surbey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surbey)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-reason-we-still-dont-trade-with-cuba/364768 "2006-07-20T15:38:11Z")
I don’t want to get into the politics of “should we/ shouldn’t we” but I’m just curious if anyone in this administration or recent ones have offered any reason to still dislike Cuba. --- ## [Orgasms: Which is better... Male or Female?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasms-which-is-better-male-or-female/364961)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgasms-which-is-better-male-or-female/364961 "2006-07-20T15:28:38Z")
This thread got me thinking about faking orgasms… a ruse that I just can’t see men having to do. As a man, I can attest that an orgasm is one of the easiest things to achieve (thank og). This line of thought led to the c… --- ## [CT Dopers: What's the Lieberman-Lamont Debate Fallout Up Your Way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ct-dopers-whats-the-lieberman-lamont-debate-fallout-up-your-way/363656)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ct-dopers-whats-the-lieberman-lamont-debate-fallout-up-your-way/363656 "2006-07-20T14:13:12Z")
I’d be interested in hearing how people in CT (including in-state press, TV, radio, etc.) are reacting to it, what’s your opinion of the candidates now that you’ve had time to reflect on it, and all that. Also, feel fre… --- ## [How about "outing" gay Catholic Priests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-outing-gay-catholic-priests/364376)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-outing-gay-catholic-priests/364376 "2006-07-20T14:09:35Z")
As anyone knows, the Catholic Church, has been dumping on gay people for centuries, but more since gay rights really began in the 1970s and especially now under the former Cardinal Joe Ratzinger aka Pope Benedict . By th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=776) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=778)