# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=787 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 788 --- ## [Why do Americans know so little about Canada?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-know-so-little-about-canada/358159)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-know-so-little-about-canada/358159 "2006-06-04T20:10:31Z")
I consider myself fairly sophisticated about politics and current events. Yet, when I came across the title of this thread – Do you still support Harper? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board – I had to think a … --- ## [Is grammar instruction really important when teaching children to write?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-grammar-instruction-really-important-when-teaching-children-to-write/358338)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-grammar-instruction-really-important-when-teaching-children-to-write/358338 "2006-06-04T19:51:03Z")
Believe it or not, the predominant theory in American education is that that drilling children on grammar not only doesn’t improve their writing skills, in many cases it is detrimental. I discovered this while doing grad… --- ## [We are becoming too pro-military in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-becoming-too-pro-military-in-the-us/358602)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-becoming-too-pro-military-in-the-us/358602 "2006-06-04T15:15:03Z")
This has been bothering me for a bit. I hope this thread doesn’t turn sour and end up in the pit, but you never know. The fact that I’m posting this on memorial day weekend is a coincidence, for the record. Its not meant… --- ## [Is it time to seriously consider Colonialism again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-seriously-consider-colonialism-again/359130)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2006, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-seriously-consider-colonialism-again/359130 "2006-06-04T10:10:58Z")
I’m sure most of you are at least peripherally aware of the chaos engulfing the tiny nation of East Timor, and the fact that Australia, NZ, Malaysia, and Portugal have had to deploy military or police units to the countr… --- ## [Is the WADA Necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-wada-necessary/359239)
**Author:** [@brianjedi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brianjedi)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2006, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-wada-necessary/359239 "2006-06-04T03:01:05Z")
The World Anti-Doping Agency sets standards for performance-enhancing drug testing, ostensibly. In reality, it seems that their primary function is carping about how inadequate every sanctioning body’s testing program i… --- ## [Kennedy's Rollong Stone article](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedys-rollong-stone-article/359279)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2006, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedys-rollong-stone-article/359279 "2006-06-04T01:43:41Z")
I read Robert Kennedy Jr’s article in the Rolling Stone about the 2004 election and the unethical illegal proceedings in Ohio. It is a riveting and frightening article about the willingness of those in power to subver… --- ## [Can the swastika be reclaimed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-swastika-be-reclaimed/358810)
**Author:** [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2006, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-swastika-be-reclaimed/358810 "2006-06-04T01:21:20Z")
This post by jsgoddess from the Pit thread about the symbolism of 88 made me decide to finally start this thread. This idea has been bouncing around my head since January, but I haven’t had the time to devote a thread t… --- ## [Bush on Greenhouse Gases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-on-greenhouse-gases/358117)
**Author:** [@Rufus\_Xavier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rufus_Xavier)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-on-greenhouse-gases/358117 "2006-06-03T22:51:03Z")
Today, President Bush spoke at a nuke plant in PA. He said: “As a matter of fact I try to tell people let’s quit the debate about whether greenhouse gases are caused by mankind or by natural causes. Let’s just focus on … --- ## [What about Jesus' Dad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-jesus-dad/358837)
**Author:** [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-jesus-dad/358837 "2006-06-03T21:53:13Z")
I mean his real Dad… The progenitor of God. The physical zygotic donor. The bees of the birds? The worst gig in history IMHO. Jesus’ Dad is really a more tragic figure. All of humanity in that wad. --- ## [God Hiding His Face - What does it mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-hiding-his-face-what-does-it-mean/358008)
**Author:** [@Jebus\_H.Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebus_H.Christ)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-hiding-his-face-what-does-it-mean/358008 "2006-06-03T18:54:34Z")
Deuteronomy 31:17 Deuteronomy 31:18 Deuteronomy 32:20 What does God mean when he says that he will hide his face? At no time in the Bible is God said to have revealed his face or allowed his face to be seen. In fac… --- ## [Fighting the War on Terror in the long term](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-the-war-on-terror-in-the-long-term/358928)
**Author:** [@b5d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/b5d)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-the-war-on-terror-in-the-long-term/358928 "2006-06-03T16:45:55Z")
Whew. this is a bit of a long one. I’m definitely saving it after this is done. Also BTW, I’m not as new as my post count would indicate - I switched names from David, God of Frogs. The War on Terror is an epic strugg… --- ## [What if Aaron Burr's conspiracy had succeeded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-aaron-burrs-conspiracy-had-succeeded/359238)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-aaron-burrs-conspiracy-had-succeeded/359238 "2006-06-03T16:09:10Z")
In 1805, Aaron Burr and a few other leading Americans plotted to make an independent state out of the new Western territories of the U.S. Burr probably meant to rule it as his own empire. He even dreamed of conquering … --- ## [or how being gay might be proof for the Existence of God the creator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/or-how-being-gay-might-be-proof-for-the-existence-of-god-the-creator/358908)
**Author:** [@V\_neef\_Massoud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/V_neef_Massoud)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/or-how-being-gay-might-be-proof-for-the-existence-of-god-the-creator/358908 "2006-06-03T15:56:03Z")
Hello, here’s something I have been wondering about for some time now: If evolution is all about passing gene’s by creating children, and in my perhaps simplistic view , the only gene’s that would be passed down would … --- ## [Is legally recognized polygamy even practical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-legally-recognized-polygamy-even-practical/359203)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-legally-recognized-polygamy-even-practical/359203 "2006-06-03T11:13:33Z")
Are state sanctioned polygamous unions even practical? Family law would get a lot more complex if they were legal. Since it would probally be unconstitutional to allow onlymen to have multiple wives women would be all… --- ## [Unity08 - Can it make a difference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unity08-can-it-make-a-difference/358894)
**Author:** [@spazattak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spazattak)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2006, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unity08-can-it-make-a-difference/358894 "2006-06-03T05:34:45Z")
Unity08 is a movement to elect one Democrat and one Republican (both) to the President/Vice-President of the United States. They contend that the current parties are pandering to their extremes and addressing only side-i… --- ## [How much does white guilt still affect the race debate and race relations in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-white-guilt-still-affect-the-race-debate-and-race-relations-in-the-us/358604)
**Author:** [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-white-guilt-still-affect-the-race-debate-and-race-relations-in-the-us/358604 "2006-06-02T21:59:09Z")
A couple of mods have asked that I start a thread here, and given the tremendous interest the original thread generated, I’m willing to do that. However, I would ask that personal comments, and attempts to guess at the s… --- ## [Judas - As part of the Twelve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judas-as-part-of-the-twelve/358962)
**Author:** [@Jebus\_H.Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebus_H.Christ)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judas-as-part-of-the-twelve/358962 "2006-06-02T21:53:11Z")
What is Judas’ part in the twelve? In mainstream Christianity is he considered to sit in on a throne in Heaven as a part of the Twelve (see Matt. 19:28, Luke 22:30)? In Acts (1:21 - 26) Judas is replaced by Matthias for… --- ## [Zeus=Jove=Jupiter=Jehova?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeus-jove-jupiter-jehova/358841)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zeus-jove-jupiter-jehova/358841 "2006-06-02T21:23:16Z")
I was going to post this on the Jesus’ dad thread, but then I realized my mistake, it was going to mention God’s father: Kronos-Saturn! If the World Wide Words guy is correct: But, how it is linked? is Michael Quini… --- ## [Hate Crimes and Gang Warfare Appropriate Legal Responses \[Haditha massacre\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-crimes-and-gang-warfare-appropriate-legal-responses-haditha-massacre/359044)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-crimes-and-gang-warfare-appropriate-legal-responses-haditha-massacre/359044 "2006-06-02T20:03:06Z")
So a gang discovers that one of their members has been taken out by their opposing gang- a gang of different ethnicity and rules. They go to that gang’s 'hood and they “snapped after seeing one of their own killed”. Th… --- ## [Iran's nukes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irans-nukes/359038)
**Author:** [@seoulsoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seoulsoul)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irans-nukes/359038 "2006-06-02T19:00:21Z")
Can we believe Iran? AHGH My gut says no, but I remember listening to Colin tell me the truth…wow the scars still linger. :frowning: --- ## [Presidential Immunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-immunity/358838)
**Author:** [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-immunity/358838 "2006-06-02T14:03:41Z")
It is my understanding that the President of the USA can refuse to have his office searched no matter what the expected crime may be…He does not have to answer questions and in the case of Bush he has extended the “refu… --- ## [Is Jap a perjorative in this day and age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jap-a-perjorative-in-this-day-and-age/358526)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jap-a-perjorative-in-this-day-and-age/358526 "2006-06-02T11:13:22Z")
Rather than further derail this thread and specifically this post maybe we should clear the air here. Jap as a demunitive for Japanese was clearly a derogatory racist term used in WW2 to whip up anti-Japanese sentiment … --- ## [Al Gore: Environmental superhero or Chicken Little?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gore-environmental-superhero-or-chicken-little/359082)
**Author:** [@Sunrazor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunrazor)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-gore-environmental-superhero-or-chicken-little/359082 "2006-06-02T11:03:11Z")
Al Gore’s movie, An Inconvenient Truth, is apparently busting the proverbial block, much to the astonishment of entertainment pundits and the chagrin of anti-enviros. Slate’s Jacob Weisberg writes: “One cannot leave the … --- ## [The state of Marriage and fathers in urban poor Black America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-marriage-and-fathers-in-urban-poor-black-america/358301)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-marriage-and-fathers-in-urban-poor-black-america/358301 "2006-06-02T05:22:54Z")
Let me make my position very clear from the get-go. I believe that there are systems in our country that have significant racist effects, even if no individual participant had a racist intent. And some do. These issue mu… --- ## [Starting war under "false pretenses" actually illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-war-under-false-pretenses-actually-illegal/358969)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starting-war-under-false-pretenses-actually-illegal/358969 "2006-06-02T02:20:44Z")
Ok… I know I’m stirring up a gigantic hornets’ nest here, but I’m really curious about the answer to this one. As shown in this thread on why the President hasn’t been impeached , many people believe that President Bush… --- ## [Ritually Clean Requirements - Jews, Non-Jews, and a Red Heifer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ritually-clean-requirements-jews-non-jews-and-a-red-heifer/358839)
**Author:** [@Jebus\_H.Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebus_H.Christ)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2006, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ritually-clean-requirements-jews-non-jews-and-a-red-heifer/358839 "2006-06-01T20:59:12Z")
What is required for a Jew to be considered ritually clean under Jewish law? Can a non-Jew be considered ritually clean? Are there different requirements for Jews and non-Jews? What does a red heifer have to do with ritu… --- ## [Global Warming. Let's do it again.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-lets-do-it-again/352185)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2006, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-lets-do-it-again/352185 "2006-06-01T20:43:23Z")
A C&P of a post to the Comments forum: \*\*\*I know man will create massive world-wide flooding that will destroy up to 3 feet of coastline based on 2 or 3 centuries of industrialization in the US. It’s proven by the ice c… --- ## [Canadian Fixed Elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-fixed-elections/358782)
**Author:** [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2006, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-fixed-elections/358782 "2006-06-01T15:51:16Z")
The Conservative Government has introduced a bill to provide for fixed election dates (see Bill C-16: An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act) and a related CBC News report . What do Canadian Dopers see as the signific… --- ## [Jewish cultural questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-cultural-questions/358608)
**Author:** [@kurahee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kurahee)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2006, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-cultural-questions/358608 "2006-06-01T13:35:42Z")
First, the disclaimers. I’m not trying to get a rise out of anyone. This is a serious inquiry; I am not drunk. In fact, I do not drink and even though it is a holiday weekend, I still did not imbibe; I’m not Jewish (… --- ## [EU Court of Justice doesn't trust Department of Homeland Security - airlines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-court-of-justice-doesnt-trust-department-of-homeland-security-airlines/358723)
**Author:** [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2006, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-court-of-justice-doesnt-trust-department-of-homeland-security-airlines/358723 "2006-06-01T09:53:59Z")
The vast amount of data - ~30 items per passenger, including credit card details - required by the Department of Homeland Security of airlines flying to the US within 15 minutes of takeoff, has been ruled illegal by the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=786) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=788)