# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=784 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 785 --- ## [Al Jazeeras Legacy in Iraq: Good or Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-jazeeras-legacy-in-iraq-good-or-bad/360839)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-jazeeras-legacy-in-iraq-good-or-bad/360839 "2006-06-19T19:51:39Z")
Was Al Jazeera the source for unbiased news in the country? Why is the news service unpopular in Iraq? --- ## [Why are Iraqi insurgents attacking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-iraqi-insurgents-attacking/359955)
**Author:** [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-iraqi-insurgents-attacking/359955 "2006-06-19T18:34:46Z")
I must not understand the situation over there. Let me state it the way I understand it, and perhaps some of you can explain where the hole is in my logic. The U.S. has troops in Iraq ostensibly to keep the peace. Whe… --- ## [Islam is a Violent Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-is-a-violent-religion/359497)
**Author:** [@speakingmythoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/speakingmythoughts)\ **Replies:** 276\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islam-is-a-violent-religion/359497 "2006-06-19T16:35:33Z")
I haven’t read the whole Koran, but have read a good portion of it. I’ve also studied it quite a bit. I’ve come to the conclusion that Islam (as a religion), is a little too quick to see violence as a solution to solve… --- ## [Should interracial marriage have been kept illegal until Congress acted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-interracial-marriage-have-been-kept-illegal-until-congress-acted/359615)
**Author:** [@Tripwire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripwire)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2006, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-interracial-marriage-have-been-kept-illegal-until-congress-acted/359615 "2006-06-19T15:54:06Z")
Hearing the President’s recently released speech for today on marriage was an interesting experience. Word for word, you could have placed his speech into the context of opposing interracial marriage. At the time, it w… --- ## [Do moonlighting off-duty police officers have special rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-moonlighting-off-duty-police-officers-have-special-rights/360861)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2006, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-moonlighting-off-duty-police-officers-have-special-rights/360861 "2006-06-19T10:20:19Z")
First off, I have no problem at all with police officers or with them having second jobs. They have a hard job, and often get paid way to little for it. Over in this pit thread, there is a discussion about a case of an … --- ## [Miami-Dade school board bans children's book on Cuba](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miami-dade-school-board-bans-childrens-book-on-cuba/360866)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miami-dade-school-board-bans-childrens-book-on-cuba/360866 "2006-06-18T18:33:03Z")
The Miami-Dade School Board, overruling two review committees and the superintendent, has just voted to remove a book titled Vamos a Cuba or A Visit to Cuba from elementary school libraries. (They’re also going to ban e… --- ## [Guns Germs & Steel = Nurture over Nature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-germs-steel-nurture-over-nature/361174)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2006, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-germs-steel-nurture-over-nature/361174 "2006-06-18T14:51:20Z")
I did a quick scan of threads discussing GG&S and couldn’t find one on this topic - if I missed it, please help me out with a link and we can shut this one down straight away. Anyway, the Thread Title sums it up. Given… --- ## [Is minimum wage detrimental to the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-minimum-wage-detrimental-to-the-economy/361153)
**Author:** [@Peg\_Leg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peg_Leg)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2006, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-minimum-wage-detrimental-to-the-economy/361153 "2006-06-18T12:49:47Z")
With the recent political hoo-hah regarding the possiblity of raising the minimum wage, I’ve begun to question the seemingly “common knowledge” belief that a rise in the minimum wage would have an adverse effect on emplo… --- ## [Self-policing and credibility problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-policing-and-credibility-problems/361088)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2006, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-policing-and-credibility-problems/361088 "2006-06-18T09:37:24Z")
After hearing a news story on the radio where Israeli Defense Forces declared they weren’t to blame for the deaths of Palastinian civilians who were blown up while enjoying a day out at the beach, I couldn’t help but thi… --- ## [What would have happened had Saddam died of natural cuses, or deposed by Iraqis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-had-saddam-died-of-natural-cuses-or-deposed-by-iraqis/361001)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2006, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-had-saddam-died-of-natural-cuses-or-deposed-by-iraqis/361001 "2006-06-17T09:26:04Z")
This is a strictly theoretical question, of course, but I can’t help but think that the current power struggle and regional violence would still have happened no matter what. Saddam held Iraq together through fear, intim… --- ## [Would Heinlein's "Coventry" work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-heinleins-coventry-work/360252)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2006, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-heinleins-coventry-work/360252 "2006-06-17T01:58:12Z")
In his short story “Coventry,” Robert Heinlein postulates a “reservation” where criminals are exiled. Exile imposed on those who act to harm others, to a “reservation” where the Covenant is not observed. Coventry is sur… --- ## [So what does conservative mean these days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-conservative-mean-these-days/360856)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-does-conservative-mean-these-days/360856 "2006-06-16T21:43:32Z")
I don’t think I understand the term anymore. For years, I considered myself fairly conservative. I believe in limiting the power of the State to only that granted in the Constitution. I believe in keeping the governme… --- ## [Peru: Garcia beats Humala. What does this portend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peru-garcia-beats-humala-what-does-this-portend/359817)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peru-garcia-beats-humala-what-does-this-portend/359817 "2006-06-16T17:12:22Z")
In April it appeared likely that Ollanta Humala (Ollanta Humala - Wikipedia) would be Peru’s next president. (See this thread: Tell me about Ollanta Humala (Peru's likely next president) - Great Debates - Straight Dope … --- ## [What would you say if this happened? \[if a Christian dies and meets the God of Islam\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-say-if-this-happened-if-a-christian-dies-and-meets-the-god-of-islam/359215)
**Author:** [@steven01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steven01)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2006, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-say-if-this-happened-if-a-christian-dies-and-meets-the-god-of-islam/359215 "2006-06-16T08:37:19Z")
Hello everyone, just joined this forum. I’m from England. Anyway, for quite a while I was a vehement aetheist. But after years of slowly mulling the question over I gradually came to believe that there is some kind of… --- ## [Sperm, egg and consciousness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-egg-and-consciousness/360726)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sperm-egg-and-consciousness/360726 "2006-06-16T02:27:35Z")
I’m pretty sure there isn’t a factual answer to this, so I’ll put this here. If I’m wrong, feel free to move in to GQ. So, the wife and I are finally getting around to conceiving. And one thing that continues to freak… --- ## [Nature vs. Nurture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-vs-nurture/359593)
**Author:** [@Digital\_Stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_Stimulus)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2006, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-vs-nurture/359593 "2006-06-16T01:38:06Z")
In this thread about children and pornography, the following exchange occurred: My reply referenced another thread: \[QUOTE=Digital Stimulus, post #39\] Sure. If anyone is interested, DSeid is referring to a thread st… --- ## [3 Guantanamo Bay inmates commit suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-guantanamo-bay-inmates-commit-suicide/360224)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3-guantanamo-bay-inmates-commit-suicide/360224 "2006-06-16T00:30:01Z")
So 3 detainees commit suicide in the prison. What next? (I’ve no link yet because I’ve just seen the info no Sky News) --- ## ["Wet Foot, Dry Foot" Policy: Good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wet-foot-dry-foot-policy-good-idea/360882)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wet-foot-dry-foot-policy-good-idea/360882 "2006-06-16T00:04:41Z")
For the uninitiated: I was not familiar with this policy until I moved to Miami. It seems like every week, there’s news of folks washing up on the shore and using the “wet foot, dry foot” policy as a “get out of jail … --- ## [Wherein Quartz has a bit of an epiphany on same-sex marriage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-quartz-has-a-bit-of-an-epiphany-on-same-sex-marriage/360504)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wherein-quartz-has-a-bit-of-an-epiphany-on-same-sex-marriage/360504 "2006-06-15T18:26:08Z")
And proposes the concept of a solution which helps out with some other issues too. First off, this is a bit of a broad brush: nitpickers can assume that trivial and minor issues are squared away by clever civil servants… --- ## [5yo trans girl: "I want the fairy princess to come and make my penis into a vagina"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5yo-trans-girl-i-want-the-fairy-princess-to-come-and-make-my-penis-into-a-vagina/360263)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2006, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5yo-trans-girl-i-want-the-fairy-princess-to-come-and-make-my-penis-into-a-vagina/360263 "2006-06-15T18:24:24Z")
Village Voice: Nicole (née Nicholas) has been insisting she’s female since she could talk. Note the shifting pronouns in the mother’s speech. The whole article is a pretty good read. The reporter Julia Reischel covered… --- ## [Atlantic free trade zone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantic-free-trade-zone/360416)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atlantic-free-trade-zone/360416 "2006-06-15T17:28:52Z")
Danish PM, Fogh Rasmussen, is on an official visit to SDMB’s all time favourite president: Mr. Bush. Today at Berkeley University Fogh will propose a trans-Atlantic free trade zone, build on the form and experience gaine… --- ## [Have you ever seen anybody burn a flag?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-seen-anybody-burn-a-flag/359879)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2006, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-seen-anybody-burn-a-flag/359879 "2006-06-15T17:14:42Z")
Forty million Americans without healthcare. Our troops battling insurgencies in two Middle Eastern countries. Illegal wire-tapping, illegal CIA prisons, rampant corruption in the government, the poverty rate rising for… --- ## [Is saving lives overrated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saving-lives-overrated/359422)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2006, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saving-lives-overrated/359422 "2006-06-15T08:07:03Z")
Almost all major policy issues revolve around saving lives. People frame their arguments in terms of the number of lives that can be saved. On the surface level this makes perfect sense. No one likes premature deaths,… --- ## [God = a baby's parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-a-babys-parents/360130)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2006, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-a-babys-parents/360130 "2006-06-15T02:37:33Z")
I was hanging out with my friends and their two-year-old twins recently, and I had a bit of an epiphany. To the two year olds, their parents are pretty damn awesome. They are omnipresent. They are all-knowing. They can s… --- ## [English as the National Language, a good thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-as-the-national-language-a-good-thing/360011)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-as-the-national-language-a-good-thing/360011 "2006-06-14T18:34:58Z")
Today I read this Time Magazine essay which discusses the merits of making English officially the national language. The article itself is pretty well stated in my opinion and as someone who had basically no opinion on t… --- ## [Were the genocidal actions of the Old Testament God justifiable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-genocidal-actions-of-the-old-testament-god-justifiable/360579)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2006, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-genocidal-actions-of-the-old-testament-god-justifiable/360579 "2006-06-14T17:53:52Z")
Inspired by this thread and opened at the behest of Johanna. In post #22 of this thread, FriarTed wrote: sparking a fairly emotional response by a hothead from Memphis, in post 24: As Johanna observed in the next po… --- ## [Should funding anti-aging technology be a major health initiative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-funding-anti-aging-technology-be-a-major-health-initiative/360657)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2006, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-funding-anti-aging-technology-be-a-major-health-initiative/360657 "2006-06-14T08:35:46Z")
Anti-aging technology is designed to hold off aging on a cellular level. The eventual goal is to have designs that allow a person to live to 500+ years but maintain the body of a 40 year old. This sounds unrealistic, and… --- ## [Should NAMBLA be treated different from other political groups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nambla-be-treated-different-from-other-political-groups/359677)
**Author:** [@Jebus\_H.Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebus_H.Christ)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2006, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-nambla-be-treated-different-from-other-political-groups/359677 "2006-06-14T05:37:59Z")
Some things to consider: NAMBLA does not advocate any illegal activity. They advocate changing the law. No member of NAMBLA has ever been convicted of a crime in their official capcity. This is something we can’t s… --- ## [Would you accept liberty as just reparation for slavery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-liberty-as-just-reparation-for-slavery/360330)
**Author:** [@rwjefferson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwjefferson)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2006, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-accept-liberty-as-just-reparation-for-slavery/360330 "2006-06-14T03:40:24Z")
Juneteenth is recognized as the day that the last of the legal slaves were finally freed. So far, the only just reparation for this crime of law is found in the blood given and taken by patriots and tyrants alike. Yet … --- ## [How much should we parents worry about our kids seeing internet porn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-we-parents-worry-about-our-kids-seeing-internet-porn/359374)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2006, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-should-we-parents-worry-about-our-kids-seeing-internet-porn/359374 "2006-06-14T02:27:45Z")
This has come up in a pediatric forum and the conclusion of the docs is that we, as a gut reaction, feel strongly about limiting childhood access to pornography (talking the 13 and above, who as a normal function activel… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=783) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=785)