# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=794 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 795 --- ## [What has been Rush Limbaugh's take on plea bargaining?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-been-rush-limbaughs-take-on-plea-bargaining/354735)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2006, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-been-rush-limbaughs-take-on-plea-bargaining/354735 "2006-05-03T03:01:40Z")
I must confess to a good bit of Schadenfreude in the current state of affairs with Rush Limbaugh copping a plea over “doctor shopping” where he allegedly obtained several thousand pain pills from many doctors in a few mo… --- ## [Is it financially advantageous to leave oil in the ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-financially-advantageous-to-leave-oil-in-the-ground/354157)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-financially-advantageous-to-leave-oil-in-the-ground/354157 "2006-05-03T02:57:44Z")
I was just thinking that with the recent jump in crude oil prices, Iraq probably got richer as a nation because recent events led to reduced oil production. Thus, there is more oil still in their land, which is worth mo… --- ## [Are voters responsible for governments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-voters-responsible-for-governments/355121)
**Author:** [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2006, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-voters-responsible-for-governments/355121 "2006-05-02T17:35:59Z")
A thread in the BBQ Pit (Texas - An Evil State) is so far off the rails in a flame war that I really don’t want to go there. But it raises at least one interesting question: To what extent are voters responsible for the… --- ## [Is there some reason we tolerate money laundering via tiny island banks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-reason-we-tolerate-money-laundering-via-tiny-island-banks/354617)
**Author:** [@Purl\_little\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purl_little_me)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-some-reason-we-tolerate-money-laundering-via-tiny-island-banks/354617 "2006-05-02T16:19:45Z")
There are banking standards for all of European (even once secret Swiss) and mainland Americas banks, so what good does it do to let tiny island nations launder money for drug and arms dealers? Can’t we just park an air… --- ## [God or Satan: Who's winning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-or-satan-whos-winning/354941)
**Author:** [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-or-satan-whos-winning/354941 "2006-05-02T16:16:55Z")
Or, if you prefer: Good or Evil? I’d have to say I think it’s close, but I’m going to give the edge to Evil. What do you think, fellow Dopers? Feel free to cite the specifics upon which you base your opinion, but if al… --- ## [What makes identity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-identity/355085)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2006, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-identity/355085 "2006-05-02T12:22:02Z")
When a person has a sense of themself as a definite identity, what makes it up? How does it come into existence? Does it arise from innate tendencies, or from external influence? Nature or nurture? (As for the question … --- ## [was the Israeli attack on USS Liberty only an accident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-israeli-attack-on-uss-liberty-only-an-accident/354626)
**Author:** [@Minotaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minotaurus)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2006, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-israeli-attack-on-uss-liberty-only-an-accident/354626 "2006-05-02T12:21:30Z")
first let me say that I have never heard about this case since about 2-3 years ago - and I find a bit strange that I have never seen it covered in any main-steam media or documentary, even if I don’t live in USA. the of… --- ## [Air India bombing: forgotten due to racism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-india-bombing-forgotten-due-to-racism/354793)
**Author:** [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-india-bombing-forgotten-due-to-racism/354793 "2006-05-01T17:59:56Z")
On June 23, 1985, the largest mass murder of Canadians in history, and the largest single terrorist incident in the world prior to September 11, occured when Air India Flight 182 was blown up over the Atlantic Ocean whil… --- ## [The Piraha: Counting, Language, and Culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-piraha-counting-language-and-culture/354705)
**Author:** [@bitwise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bitwise)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-piraha-counting-language-and-culture/354705 "2006-05-01T17:48:18Z")
This page discusses the Piraha, a primitive tribe that lacks the ability to count. First, I would like some of the claims made in the linked page confirmed. I am especially incredulous of the following: … \[A\]dult P… --- ## [Rethinking notions of children getting hit by cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rethinking-notions-of-children-getting-hit-by-cars/354173)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2006, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rethinking-notions-of-children-getting-hit-by-cars/354173 "2006-05-01T13:43:15Z")
Since this could get contentious, I’m putting this in GD rather than IMHO or MPSIMS. Mods feel free to move it. Like (I think) most people, I’ve previously pretty much come down against the driver when a child is hit by… --- ## [How would the US Economy be affected if Tipping was abolished?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-economy-be-affected-if-tipping-was-abolished/354275)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-the-us-economy-be-affected-if-tipping-was-abolished/354275 "2006-04-30T21:59:30Z")
Inspired, in part, by this thread on tipping/delivery charges… As an Australian, I find the US custom of tipping to be, well, disturbingly close to bribery, or at least a semi-optional form of taxation, and one I’m not … --- ## [Could I undergo a Scientology "Auditing" and remain in control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-undergo-a-scientology-auditing-and-remain-in-control/354343)
**Author:** [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-i-undergo-a-scientology-auditing-and-remain-in-control/354343 "2006-04-30T21:38:15Z")
I know cults are supposedly strong, but they’re usually dealing with very vulnerable people who are sincerely searching for a meaning to life. I wonder how far someone who is of sound mind, skeptical, and terribly cynica… --- ## [Christians and L.D.S.- given the cite provided, how can anyone throw stones??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-and-l-d-s-given-the-cite-provided-how-can-anyone-throw-stones/351658)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-and-l-d-s-given-the-cite-provided-how-can-anyone-throw-stones/351658 "2006-04-30T19:39:13Z")
Jesus died in 33 C.E. And, according to this document Let us say this is entirely accurate, and true. (Not always the same thing). If we presume accuracy and truth, then 127 years after the death of Jesus the four Gos… --- ## [had USA plans to invade Canada in the 1930's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-usa-plans-to-invade-canada-in-the-1930s/354846)
**Author:** [@Minotaurus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Minotaurus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2006, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/had-usa-plans-to-invade-canada-in-the-1930s/354846 "2006-04-30T18:48:00Z")
I heard that not too long a go, but im unsure if this was a joke or not - that the US government had plans drawn up in the 1930s to invade Canada. WW2 got in the way however. --- ## [Indian Nuke Deal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indian-nuke-deal/354486)
**Author:** [@Just\_a\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_a_Guy)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2006, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indian-nuke-deal/354486 "2006-04-30T04:33:25Z")
This is with regard to the Indian civil nuke deal currently making the rounds in the US Senate and the Indian parliament. I've seen reports on both sides now saying that the deal is a half-measure. US reports seem to in… --- ## [Karl Rove half-resigns -- what does this mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-rove-half-resigns-what-does-this-mean/353349)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2006, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-rove-half-resigns-what-does-this-mean/353349 "2006-04-30T02:22:39Z")
Karl Rove is resigning as WH Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, but he will remain in the Administration, focusing his efforts on electoral-political matters. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/… --- ## [Why aren't sex crimes capital offenses in more jurisdictions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-sex-crimes-capital-offenses-in-more-jurisdictions/354012)
**Author:** [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-sex-crimes-capital-offenses-in-more-jurisdictions/354012 "2006-04-30T01:48:47Z")
Inspired by this Pit thread in which the OP is outraged by the presence of a convicted and paroled rapist of a child in his workplace. In the above-linked thread, several people express dismay that we as a nation have a… --- ## [What role does avoiding terrorism play in the int. comm. response to Darfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-does-avoiding-terrorism-play-in-the-int-comm-response-to-darfur/354667)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-role-does-avoiding-terrorism-play-in-the-int-comm-response-to-darfur/354667 "2006-04-29T21:27:47Z")
Seeing how Darfur is an Arab group declaring war on a non arab people is the international community dragging its feet out of fear of being portrayed as crusders. Is there fear Bin Ladin will latch onto a response by the… --- ## [Christians who believe in evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-who-believe-in-evolution/354347)
**Author:** [@Acqua\_Minerale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acqua_Minerale)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-who-believe-in-evolution/354347 "2006-04-29T21:21:19Z")
I don’t want to debate the evidence for evolution but only assuming the theory is correct what does mean for Christianity. If evolution is true, what was the Fall? Is it merely symbolic? What exactly is Jesus saving us … --- ## ["No Child Left Behind" Studies Are Slanted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-child-left-behind-studies-are-slanted/353718)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-child-left-behind-studies-are-slanted/353718 "2006-04-29T18:41:15Z")
I heard a news story on the radio where a US Rep, IIRC, announced how “No Child Left Behind” scoring (or however success is measured) does not count the lower eshelon. Did anyone else hear this report? If so, can you h… --- ## [If there are so many unneeded illegal immigrants, why do we need guest workers too?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-are-so-many-unneeded-illegal-immigrants-why-do-we-need-guest-workers-too/354306)
**Author:** [@Iris\_Rings](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iris_Rings)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-are-so-many-unneeded-illegal-immigrants-why-do-we-need-guest-workers-too/354306 "2006-04-29T17:29:42Z")
I just don’t get that part. Either there’s already too many people for the country to absorb or there isn’t. --- ## [Al Qaeda Admits Defeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-qaeda-admits-defeat/354558)
**Author:** [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-qaeda-admits-defeat/354558 "2006-04-29T14:39:38Z")
Interesting read from The Strategy Page regarding Al Qaeda. Not right-wing nut job stuff (unless of course you’re a left-wing nut job) but rather very matter-of-fact, clear, concise, and logical like all of James Dunniga… --- ## [From a conservative friend, an email history from WWII to Iraq....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-conservative-friend-an-email-history-from-wwii-to-iraq/354479)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-conservative-friend-an-email-history-from-wwii-to-iraq/354479 "2006-04-29T13:12:02Z")
Okay, I’m no historian, but I’ve got some serious doubts about the stuff you’re about to read. A very conservative friend of mine passed on this word document in an mass email which claims to “present the ‘Big Picture’ … --- ## [Let's analyze a modern fortune teller](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-analyze-a-modern-fortune-teller/354538)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-analyze-a-modern-fortune-teller/354538 "2006-04-29T12:52:56Z")
I said I would stop writing about the N-guy, but I did not say I would stop writing about the Jeanne Dixons and other charlatans. Skeptics who do research on psychics sometimes videotape the actual conversation with tar… --- ## [Elected officials: Repond to the will of the people, or vote their own minds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elected-officials-repond-to-the-will-of-the-people-or-vote-their-own-minds/354192)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elected-officials-repond-to-the-will-of-the-people-or-vote-their-own-minds/354192 "2006-04-29T11:37:32Z")
If a politician changed their stance on a subject, they risk getting labeled as flip-flopping. If they hold firm, they risk being called out of touch with their electorate. What do we expect from our elected officials.… --- ## [Forget Nostradamus, let's talk rationality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forget-nostradamus-lets-talk-rationality/354314)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forget-nostradamus-lets-talk-rationality/354314 "2006-04-29T06:30:52Z")
First of all, I thank you all for your warm welcome to this newbie in my other thread about Nostradamus. We know-it-all nerd geeks have to stick together. After all, who is going to tape our glasses, hem our pants up ab… --- ## [Do subscriptions make sense when you may not always get the product? Should we ban?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-subscriptions-make-sense-when-you-may-not-always-get-the-product-should-we-ban/354675)
**Author:** [@Purl\_little\_me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purl_little_me)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-subscriptions-make-sense-when-you-may-not-always-get-the-product-should-we-ban/354675 "2006-04-29T02:16:11Z")
Every time I get an ad in the mail for Netflix I recall all the people I know who signed up. They got DVD fever for a while, stayed on the treadmill a couple of months, and then went for months without getting anything. … --- ## [The Blank Slate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blank-slate/351091)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2006, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blank-slate/351091 "2006-04-28T18:26:55Z")
For the past month, in between schoolwork and regular work, I’ve been working my way through Steven Pinker’s book The Blank Slate. Its thesis, broadly speaking, is laid out int he preface: (Hopefully I retyped that wi… --- ## [The walls of Jericho](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walls-of-jericho/353967)
**Author:** [@Can\_Handle\_the\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Can_Handle_the_Truth)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2006, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walls-of-jericho/353967 "2006-04-28T08:29:54Z")
I was watching Mythbusters the other day and they were testing the idea that in ancient China, the cities used large pots of water placed in underground tunnels around the city to detect the vibrations made by enemy sapp… --- ## [Oil questions, why no new US wells, refineries, why just light and sweet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-questions-why-no-new-us-wells-refineries-why-just-light-and-sweet/354122)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-questions-why-no-new-us-wells-refineries-why-just-light-and-sweet/354122 "2006-04-28T01:09:37Z")
It seems to me that not only did the environmentalists shoot us all in the foot by being successful in limiting our domestic oil sources, refineries and the use of ‘cleaner oil’ meaning that we need the more expensive li… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=793) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=795)