# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=790 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 791 --- ## [What possible purpose would male pregnancy serve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-possible-purpose-would-male-pregnancy-serve/357720)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2006, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-possible-purpose-would-male-pregnancy-serve/357720 "2006-05-23T03:24:52Z")
In theory it would be possible for a man to get pregnant and carry a baby to term; (ectopic pregnancy or some sort of womb transplant). But why? With artificial wombs would be useful for women who can’t bear childre… --- ## [Is lawyer licensing necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lawyer-licensing-necessary/356694)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-lawyer-licensing-necessary/356694 "2006-05-23T00:11:17Z")
Should you have to attend law school, and pass a bar exam to practice law? It seems to me like lawyering is not much different than being an accountant or financial advisor, or at least not different enough to justify a … --- ## [If all the illegal workers up and left the US what would really happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2006, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-illegal-workers-up-and-left-the-us-what-would-really-happen/354800 "2006-05-22T20:37:28Z")
On the downside you’d essentially be removing a layer of low cost, relatively efficient labor that the economy in many sectors has grown to heavily depend on, on the positive you’d be removing whatever tax drain it costs… --- ## [OK: who is best? - men or women ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-who-is-best-men-or-women/357773)
**Author:** [@Minotaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minotaurus)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2006, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-who-is-best-men-or-women/357773 "2006-05-22T18:21:31Z")
when it comes to work, science, creativity, skills etc Let’s have a real debate about it I go for the men how about you --- ## [Nepal: What exactly does "Maoist" mean, nowadays, outside China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nepal-what-exactly-does-maoist-mean-nowadays-outside-china/357528)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2006, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nepal-what-exactly-does-maoist-mean-nowadays-outside-china/357528 "2006-05-22T14:31:46Z")
News reports of recent political events in Nepal always refer to the principal rebel group as “Maoists.” What exactly does that mean in this context? I find it unlikely they have anything in common with the Chinese Com… --- ## [What is the UN Good For? What Should it be Good For?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-un-good-for-what-should-it-be-good-for/357420)
**Author:** [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2006, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-un-good-for-what-should-it-be-good-for/357420 "2006-05-22T14:19:40Z")
Kofi Annan once put the order of threats that the UN deals with into 6 clusters (his order, from The Economist, December 2004): \[ol\] \[li\]Economic and social threats, including poverty and infectious disease\[/li\]\[li\]Int… --- ## [Bush, worst president in history according the Rolling Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-worst-president-in-history-according-the-rolling-stone/354511)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2006, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-worst-president-in-history-according-the-rolling-stone/354511 "2006-05-22T03:37:45Z")
Ok, so Rolling Stone isn’t exactly a credible source for who is or is not the worst president in history. Nor are they exactly unbiased. According to this story though: Now, this doesn’t exactly say that they conside… --- ## [Do tax cuts help the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-tax-cuts-help-the-economy/356234)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2006, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-tax-cuts-help-the-economy/356234 "2006-05-22T02:56:14Z")
Tax cut proponents argue that the lower capital gain rates encourage businesses to invest more in capital equipment, building and infrastructure. This in turn results in an expansion of business and creates more jobs. I… --- ## [how common were US war crimes in Vietnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-were-us-war-crimes-in-vietnam/356711)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2006, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-common-were-us-war-crimes-in-vietnam/356711 "2006-05-22T01:18:12Z")
I’ve heard of the My Lai massacre but I never really knew what it was all about (the US military killed about 500 unarmed civilians, and a US military helicopter pilot who was flying overhead and saw what was going on la… --- ## [Can the Marketplace of Ideas Be Free?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-marketplace-of-ideas-be-free/357651)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2006, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-marketplace-of-ideas-be-free/357651 "2006-05-21T23:29:12Z")
Dad forwarded me this fascinating New York Times article on the future of intellectual property, as a concept. With Google, etc. rapidly scanning books into a searchable database, and more and more information becoming f… --- ## [Humans and Chimps Interbreding - What does this mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-and-chimps-interbreding-what-does-this-mean/357298)
**Author:** [@Jebus\_H.Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jebus_H.Christ)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2006, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-and-chimps-interbreding-what-does-this-mean/357298 "2006-05-21T19:56:09Z")
So if this hypothesis is proven to be true what would it mean for how we think about mankind? Is this likely to be proven? http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19025525.000-did-humans-and-chimps-once-interbreed.html --- ## [People should have free access to taxpayer-funded lawyers for civil situations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-should-have-free-access-to-taxpayer-funded-lawyers-for-civil-situations/356479)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-should-have-free-access-to-taxpayer-funded-lawyers-for-civil-situations/356479 "2006-05-21T18:04:29Z")
We all know what happens when you get arrested and cannot afford a lawyer; a public defender is provided for you. And while they may not be the greatest legal representation - let’s face it, O.J. would have gone to the c… --- ## [How can we keep international humanitarian aid from being stolen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-keep-international-humanitarian-aid-from-being-stolen/357271)
**Author:** [@Can\_I\_change\_my\_answer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Can_I_change_my_answer)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2006, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-keep-international-humanitarian-aid-from-being-stolen/357271 "2006-05-21T06:22:48Z")
A recent talk on C-Span Book-TV makes the point that there is plenty of aid going to countries to cure things like child deaths from dehydration, where the cure is 10cent doses of sugar/salt mixture. And every time the w… --- ## [Evidence for the resurrection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evidence-for-the-resurrection/356594)
**Author:** [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evidence-for-the-resurrection/356594 "2006-05-21T01:55:29Z")
I had a conversation with an elderly scholar about evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. He claims, more from a scientific than a religious perspective, that there is more evidence than there ever has been that Jesus… --- ## [I guess I should have expected this: Bible-based geocentrism proponents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-i-should-have-expected-this-bible-based-geocentrism-proponents/356749)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2006, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-guess-i-should-have-expected-this-bible-based-geocentrism-proponents/356749 "2006-05-20T23:57:30Z")
I guess I should have expected that if attacks on Darwin and evolution are getting stronger, then attacks on that ol’ heretic Copernicus and his solar system wouldn’t be far behind: Another theology vs. science dust-up: … --- ## [Xena: The Moche Warrior Princess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xena-the-moche-warrior-princess/357460)
**Author:** [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2006, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/xena-the-moche-warrior-princess/357460 "2006-05-20T22:56:59Z")
Here I go again…about to hurl myself once more into the breach of GD. I don’t have an official OP position to debate, as the only information I have is in the article linked below, but I do have some biases and wishful … --- ## [nanny state vs. societal vested interest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nanny-state-vs-societal-vested-interest/357425)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2006, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nanny-state-vs-societal-vested-interest/357425 "2006-05-20T04:40:35Z")
This discussion on mandatory motorcycle helmets gets me wondering about the more abstract question of balancing the “right to do stupid things” vs. society’s interest in protecting its citizenry. Let us eliminate any dir… --- ## [So is it a big deal that the next CIA head is a military man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-it-a-big-deal-that-the-next-cia-head-is-a-military-man/355865)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2006, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-it-a-big-deal-that-the-next-cia-head-is-a-military-man/355865 "2006-05-20T02:09:23Z")
(Before I start I want to state that I’m Canadian so I don’t have a dog in this fight aside from fighting the bitch that is ignorance of course. And nothing in this post is meant to prop up, support, condone, endorse or … --- ## [Tolerance or Intolerance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolerance-or-intolerance/357294)
**Author:** [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2006, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tolerance-or-intolerance/357294 "2006-05-20T01:36:19Z")
\[QUOTE=Calvin & Hobbes\] On not making New Year’s Resolutions. Calvin: "See, in order to improve oneself, one must have some idea of what’s good.That implies certain values.But as we all know, values are relative. Every… --- ## [What generation of young people had the best time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-generation-of-young-people-had-the-best-time/356615)
**Author:** [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2006, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-generation-of-young-people-had-the-best-time/356615 "2006-05-18T23:06:23Z")
Last night, while I was watching Lords of Dogtown, I was thinking to myself: the kids from twenty years agi did a lot of the same things that we do today, but with fewer means. So I asked myself: what generation of the p… --- ## [Is Cheney insane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cheney-insane/355775)
**Author:** [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cheney-insane/355775 "2006-05-18T16:44:29Z")
(from a former Republican, but not yet a Democrat :slight\_smile: ) Cheney just made another speech blasing Russia. Does he think we don’t have enough enemies already so that we should alienate as many more nations as p… --- ## [Whole Foods to curtail crab cruelty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-foods-to-curtail-crab-cruelty/357156)
**Author:** [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whole-foods-to-curtail-crab-cruelty/357156 "2006-05-18T16:24:36Z")
As you can read here, Whole Foods has decided to discontinue the sale of live soft-shell crabs after some of their customers complained of animal cruelty. They will continue to sell frozen crabs. It’s certainly their r… --- ## [The Man's got your phonecalls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mans-got-your-phonecalls/356382)
**Author:** [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2006, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mans-got-your-phonecalls/356382 "2006-05-18T12:46:50Z")
All of ‘em. Well, not all, but they’ve sure got a lot. From CNN.com. So, Uncle Sam knows how often I call my girlfriend. I don’t personally feel too violated because I haven’t got a thing to hide, but I do feel a gro… --- ## [What is the logic behind being ok with alcohol and tobacco and not with marijuana?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-being-ok-with-alcohol-and-tobacco-and-not-with-marijuana/356243)
**Author:** [@RumbleFeature](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RumbleFeature)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2006, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-behind-being-ok-with-alcohol-and-tobacco-and-not-with-marijuana/356243 "2006-05-18T04:37:07Z")
Some statistics for causes of death in the year 2000 Tobacco- 435,000 Deaths Alcohol- 85,000 Deaths Incidents Involving Firearms- 29,000 Marijuana- 0 Deaths Now many conservative I have known were of the belief that… --- ## [IF Hillary Clinton got the Dem nomination in '08, could she win the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-clinton-got-the-dem-nomination-in-08-could-she-win-the-election/356244)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2006, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-clinton-got-the-dem-nomination-in-08-could-she-win-the-election/356244 "2006-05-18T01:16:07Z")
Followup on this thread: Attention Dems - They WANT Hillary as our Candidate - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board Discussion of Hillary’s POTUS prospects is always confused by considerations of the two-step pro… --- ## [Does Venezuelan Weapons Ban Seem Extreme To Anyone Else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-venezuelan-weapons-ban-seem-extreme-to-anyone-else/356892)
**Author:** [@Mr.Slant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Slant)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2006, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-venezuelan-weapons-ban-seem-extreme-to-anyone-else/356892 "2006-05-18T00:48:38Z")
"The US is imposing a ban on arms sales to Venezuela. The US state department said the decision was taken because of what it said was Venezuela’s lack of support for counter-terrorism efforts." Source: BBC NEWS | Ameri… --- ## [The Man has Your DNA Too](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-has-your-dna-too/356474)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-has-your-dna-too/356474 "2006-05-17T22:14:18Z")
This contemplation was inspired by an article in Wired. It concerned a hacker who (for religious reasons) to give blood to The Man for their database. Everyone convicted of a Felony (only?) is required to provide their… --- ## [US Incarceration Rates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-incarceration-rates/356026)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2006, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-incarceration-rates/356026 "2006-05-17T07:13:02Z")
I’ve just read on Andrew Sullivan about a new study that shows that the US has by far the highest incarceration rates in the world: What are we to make of this? Especially given the fact that, in spite of our incarcer… --- ## [Should This Hip-Hop D.J. Be Arrested? I'm Doubtful](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-hip-hop-d-j-be-arrested-im-doubtful/356751)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2006, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-hip-hop-d-j-be-arrested-im-doubtful/356751 "2006-05-17T06:58:52Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/12/nyregion/12cnd-dj.html?hp&ex=1147492800&en=0014b94690943cb8&ei=5094&partner=homepage The guy’s clearly being an ass. And hip-hop rivalries, while full of empty boasting, also do have a… --- ## [Free, state-paid Universities v. expensive (American) universities.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-state-paid-universities-v-expensive-american-universities/356503)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2006, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-state-paid-universities-v-expensive-american-universities/356503 "2006-05-17T03:56:27Z")
I’m wondering what the common knowledge is on education systems like those here in Europe which are significantly less expensive than even public universities in the US. The reason I’m asking is because I read this art… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=789) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=791)