# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=778 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 779 --- ## [Israeli Warship Attacked by Iranian Missile?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-warship-attacked-by-iranian-missile/364865)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-warship-attacked-by-iranian-missile/364865 "2006-07-20T13:57:25Z")
The latest info is that the ship was heavily damaged, and 4 sailors were killed. This must be very worrying for the IDF-a modern warship, with some of the best anti-missile technolgy available, hit with a llow -tech iran… --- ## [The Great White Fleet and the Imperial Japanese Navy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-white-fleet-and-the-imperial-japanese-navy/364809)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2006, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-white-fleet-and-the-imperial-japanese-navy/364809 "2006-07-20T00:22:02Z")
Edmund Morris and other biographers of Theodore Roosevelt have suggested that TR’s dispatch of the Great White Fleet on its around-the-world voyage was intended, in large part, as a demonstration to Japan of the U.S. Nav… --- ## [Define "terrorist".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-terrorist/364424)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2006, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/define-terrorist/364424 "2006-07-19T23:47:03Z")
First, I want to make it clear that I am not Israel-bashing here. Part of my family and half my friends are Jewish, and I wish Israel and other countries in the middle east could work things out. But many newspapers in … --- ## [Would Christianity have existed without a Roman Empire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-christianity-have-existed-without-a-roman-empire/365204)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2006, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-christianity-have-existed-without-a-roman-empire/365204 "2006-07-19T20:22:34Z")
Would Christianity be a major religion today if it did not come to be during the time it did (Roman rule)? How big a part did the Roman Empire play (both directly and indirectly)? Was timing everything? I’m convinced … --- ## [Who is naive about war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-naive-about-war/365097)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-naive-about-war/365097 "2006-07-19T18:04:58Z")
The meme that supporters of peace are hopelessly “naive” has been pounded into our heads so many times that most people never bother to question it. They should. Like many bits of supposedly conventional wisdom that th… --- ## ["Life's Not Fair" = a defense of the status quo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifes-not-fair-a-defense-of-the-status-quo/364688)
**Author:** [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2006, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifes-not-fair-a-defense-of-the-status-quo/364688 "2006-07-19T11:13:10Z")
Ever been told, “Life’s not fair,” when something hacked you off? Ever take it personally? Would you be surprised to be told you might not be totally off base to feel that way? The following was written 10 years ago by … --- ## [Bush and Blair's candid discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-and-blairs-candid-discussion/364866)
**Author:** [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2006, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-and-blairs-candid-discussion/364866 "2006-07-19T01:12:49Z")
Hmm interesting quite a few articles on this “private conversation” go on about George’s use of teh venacular and few grasp onto the actual significenece of What George was saying. Specifiically: from this transcript h… --- ## [Menezes shooters not to be prosecuted. Discuss.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menezes-shooters-not-to-be-prosecuted-discuss/364880)
**Author:** [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/menezes-shooters-not-to-be-prosecuted-discuss/364880 "2006-07-18T22:31:10Z")
The London police officers who shot and killed Jean Charles de Menezes a year ago will not be facing any charges. Personally, I can’t understand how shooting a man eight times, mostly likely within a span of over thirty… --- ## [Does Big/Strong Government Make Us Less Free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-big-strong-government-make-us-less-free/364575)
**Author:** [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-big-strong-government-make-us-less-free/364575 "2006-07-18T20:11:18Z")
I’ve heard people saying that government is best that governs least (yeah, I’m great friends with Jefferson) and that Big Government, by nature, takes our freedoms. Now, what’s the difference (if any) between Big Govern… --- ## [Do poor immigrants WANT to be here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-poor-immigrants-want-to-be-here/365034)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-poor-immigrants-want-to-be-here/365034 "2006-07-18T16:21:44Z")
This is not a question about immigration, per se, but about people living far away from home. In my travels I’ve met people from all over the world, a good many coming from countries most of us wouldn’t consider to be f… --- ## [Is $18,400/year (for 4) a fair or realistic "poverty line"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-18-400-year-for-4-a-fair-or-realistic-poverty-line/363724)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-18-400-year-for-4-a-fair-or-realistic-poverty-line/363724 "2006-07-18T13:24:12Z")
I think official figures on poverty in America might be grossly underestimated. The Department of Health and Human Services \[url=\]Poverty Guidelines put the poverty line at $18,400 a year for a family of four. Is that … --- ## [New U.S.-Russia Cold War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-u-s-russia-cold-war/364652)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-u-s-russia-cold-war/364652 "2006-07-18T04:39:30Z")
I just finished an article by Stephen Cohen, arguing that U.S. relations with Russia have been veering toward a new Cold War for some time, and this time the U.S. is the clear aggressor. Key points: Since 1991 the U.… --- ## [How to think correctly about Israel and Palestine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-think-correctly-about-israel-and-palestine/364429)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-think-correctly-about-israel-and-palestine/364429 "2006-07-18T04:34:01Z")
Personally, I’m philosemitic. Jews are cool, and Israel is a pretty cool country with cool people in it. If Israel didn’t have the Palestinians constantly pissing and moaning and making trouble, it would just sit there a… --- ## [What was/is the point of the ERA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-is-the-point-of-the-era/363730)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-is-the-point-of-the-era/363730 "2006-07-18T03:01:12Z")
In another GD thread about the nature of freedom in America, the topic of the Equal Rights Amendment came up, and not wanting to hijack that threat i’ve decided to launch this one. The ERA reads as follows: Being of th… --- ## [G8 to discuss passing declaration on Middle East Crisis today](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g8-to-discuss-passing-declaration-on-middle-east-crisis-today/364709)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/g8-to-discuss-passing-declaration-on-middle-east-crisis-today/364709 "2006-07-18T01:00:28Z")
Israel’s bombing of Lebanon is now at the top of the agenda. The G8 are said to be working on passing a declaration but it is doubtful that they will reach a consensus. “We need to make utmost efforts to solve this with… --- ## [North Korea: What is Kim trying to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-what-is-kim-trying-to-do/363707)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-what-is-kim-trying-to-do/363707 "2006-07-18T00:35:43Z")
I just happened across this article and found it simply amazing. For those of you who don’t want to go read it, basically China has been sending aid (food and fuel) to North Korea on trains. Well, China sent a train ful… --- ## [What if GW Busch and crew refused to step down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-gw-busch-and-crew-refused-to-step-down/364016)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-gw-busch-and-crew-refused-to-step-down/364016 "2006-07-17T23:25:17Z")
Let’s say that GW and his staff and all the personel he’s appointed over the years are in it together. They agree, as a group, that they will not step down no matter who wins the next election. Screw it, let’s assume t… --- ## [What if Al Gore had been elected president in 2000?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-al-gore-had-been-elected-president-in-2000/363367)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-al-gore-had-been-elected-president-in-2000/363367 "2006-07-17T21:27:28Z")
(Leaving aside the debate over whether Al Gore actually was elected president in 2000 . . .) What would have gone differently? Considering that the man he chose for his running mate, \[url=\]Joe Lieberman, has supported … --- ## [Even Freaking Montenegro Is Independent- Why Not Quebec?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-freaking-montenegro-is-independent-why-not-quebec/362890)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-freaking-montenegro-is-independent-why-not-quebec/362890 "2006-07-17T20:37:46Z")
Dear Quebecois: I've been hearing you TALKING about independence from Canada since I was a little kid. And yet, 40 plus years later, you're no closer to independence than you were in 1961, when I was born. Now, in tha… --- ## [Mother Theresa a fraud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-theresa-a-fraud/364672)
**Author:** [@LeftFootRightFoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeftFootRightFoot)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-theresa-a-fraud/364672 "2006-07-17T19:27:20Z")
So I was watching an episode of Penn and Teller’s Bullshit tv series, and in it they said that Mother Theresa (not her real name, nor is she an actual mother) is a catholic fundamentalist fraud. They also said that her … --- ## [Left-wing bloggers are just as mad as the right-wingers are at the MSM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-wing-bloggers-are-just-as-mad-as-the-right-wingers-are-at-the-msm/364522)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-wing-bloggers-are-just-as-mad-as-the-right-wingers-are-at-the-msm/364522 "2006-07-17T18:20:43Z")
There was lots of slamming of the mainstream media at the recent Yearly Kos conference in Dallas – just as fierce as anything you’ll hear from right-wingers like Bernie Goldberg or Hugh Hewitt or Accuracy in Media. But … --- ## [Why are Pakistan and India on bad terms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-pakistan-and-india-on-bad-terms/364868)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-pakistan-and-india-on-bad-terms/364868 "2006-07-17T17:40:32Z")
I mean, they had an ugly divorce back in 1947, but most people personally affected by the population relocations are dead now. And are Jammu and Kashmir really worth fighting over? What’s the deal here? --- ## [Soccer - Is it as irrational as religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-is-it-as-irrational-as-religion/363992)
**Author:** [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-is-it-as-irrational-as-religion/363992 "2006-07-17T12:44:28Z")
Religion has no rational basis. But it appeals succesfully to some other aspect of our psyche. Do you think it is fair to say being a soccer fan is the same? I dont think it makes any difference if some people you don’t… --- ## [Why didn't the U.S. support Castro from the start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-u-s-support-castro-from-the-start/363913)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-u-s-support-castro-from-the-start/363913 "2006-07-17T08:40:10Z")
Castro’s revolution won power in Cuban in 1959. Castro was not at that time a Communist. In April 1961 the U.S. (using Cuban exile volunteers) attempted the Bay of Pigs invasion. It became clear that the U.S. was neve… --- ## [Donating organs against a person's wishes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-organs-against-a-persons-wishes/364578)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donating-organs-against-a-persons-wishes/364578 "2006-07-17T05:40:16Z")
Hypothetically, let’s say my husband does not wish to be an organ donor at the time of his death, but I disagree with that decision. I have talked to him about it, and he just doesn’t want to do it. Now he is dead. Can I… --- ## [Presidend, Congressional leaders, & Cabinet are all killed, who leads us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidend-congressional-leaders-cabinet-are-all-killed-who-leads-us/364445)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidend-congressional-leaders-cabinet-are-all-killed-who-leads-us/364445 "2006-07-17T02:25:27Z")
There is no provision in law to deal with the simultaneous deaths of the President, Vice-President, House Speaker, Senate President pro term, or the Cabinet Secretaries. So if terrorists managed to kill all of them at … --- ## [Would you refuse to vote for a candidate based solely on his/her religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-refuse-to-vote-for-a-candidate-based-solely-on-his-her-religion/363109 "2006-07-17T01:56:00Z")
A new poll shows that while most Americans would not refuse to vote for a Jewish or Catholic candidate based solely on his/her Judaism/Catholicism, many still would never under any circumstances vote for a Muslim or a Mo… --- ## [Would it be possible to clean up air pollution with giant outdoor filters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-possible-to-clean-up-air-pollution-with-giant-outdoor-filters/364220)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-possible-to-clean-up-air-pollution-with-giant-outdoor-filters/364220 "2006-07-17T00:55:27Z")
I was reading Cecil’s recent column on what happens to the rubber that wears off tires. Apparently a lot of it winds up in our lungs! :eek: Would it be possible to clean up particulate air pollution of this kind by e… --- ## [Mother Theresa: Good, bad or indifferent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-theresa-good-bad-or-indifferent/128593)
**Author:** [@robertliguori](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robertliguori)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2006, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-theresa-good-bad-or-indifferent/128593 "2006-07-16T23:48:21Z")
Since the issue came up, and a search revealed no such thread, what do us Dopers think of Mother Theresa? --- ## [Gas prices: how high will they get? \[renamed\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-prices-how-high-will-they-get-renamed/364523)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-prices-how-high-will-they-get-renamed/364523 "2006-07-16T16:45:27Z")
I know it’s been debated before, but how high will the cost of gas get? And will it have a noticable effect (at least in the short-term) our drivinf habits? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=777) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=779)