# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=799 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 800 --- ## [Bush can "legally" declassify. So what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-can-legally-declassify-so-what/351863)
**Author:** [@Soylent\_Gene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Gene)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2006, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-can-legally-declassify-so-what/351863 "2006-04-09T19:11:19Z")
The Bush administration response to the latest Libby revelation is that POTUS can legally declassify anything he wants so its not illegal (and so can Cheney now as of a recent law change). This is similar to them claimin… --- ## [Could a Mormon get elected POTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-mormon-get-elected-potus/348613 "2006-04-09T17:47:52Z")
Might as well get this one out of the way, especially in light of Mitt Romney’s expected run. I don’t know much about him-- is he a practicing Mormon? I think a lot of Americans are a little leery of Mormans, thinking … --- ## [Texas police sweep bars & arrest intoxicated patrons in hotel bars- Isn't this wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-police-sweep-bars-arrest-intoxicated-patrons-in-hotel-bars-isnt-this-wrong/349500)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-police-sweep-bars-arrest-intoxicated-patrons-in-hotel-bars-isnt-this-wrong/349500 "2006-04-09T17:24:37Z")
To go into a hotel bar hunting for intoxicated people to arrest. Isn’t that just wrong somehow? Via Fark Bar Sweep Sparks Controversy --- ## [WHY did Illegal Immigration become an Issue Now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-illegal-immigration-become-an-issue-now/351709)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2006, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-illegal-immigration-become-an-issue-now/351709 "2006-04-09T11:10:19Z")
The ability to move things on and off the political front burner is a very powerful tool. Remember how Bill Clinton somehow made eveyone talk about cigarette machines? I do not follow US politics too closely anymore, b… --- ## [Why do we still have Daylight Saving Time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-still-have-daylight-saving-time/350959)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2006, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-still-have-daylight-saving-time/350959 "2006-04-09T10:03:31Z")
Daylight Saving Time seems kind of bassackwards. It gives us an extra hour of daylight in the summer, when the days are longer anyway. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight\_savings\_time: “This is intended to provide a… --- ## [How important are foreign students to the country in which they study?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-foreign-students-to-the-country-in-which-they-study/351564)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2006, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-are-foreign-students-to-the-country-in-which-they-study/351564 "2006-04-08T04:48:24Z")
I’ve gotten to thinking a lot recently about the current situation in France. Being an exchange student here, I look at the university blockages much differently than French students do. That’s not to say that there’s … --- ## [Are there too many global problems for civilization to survive intact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-too-many-global-problems-for-civilization-to-survive-intact/351688)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-too-many-global-problems-for-civilization-to-survive-intact/351688 "2006-04-08T02:57:38Z")
Here’s an argument I was pondering recently: between such potentially catastrophic problems as terrorism and nuclear proliferation, global warming, potable water shortages, bird flu, and impending oil shortages (among ma… --- ## [Can America trust atheists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-america-trust-atheists/349906)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 447\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-america-trust-atheists/349906 "2006-04-08T00:09:52Z")
At the moment, it looks like it doesn’t. As an atheist, it just leaves me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. These survey results don’t shock me, and it probably won’t shock many other Dopers. See this recent thread,… --- ## [Should women rule the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-women-rule-the-world/351044)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-women-rule-the-world/351044 "2006-04-07T23:19:19Z")
I think it’s a very good thing that there are more and more women presidents/prime ministers around the world. What I’d like to know is if there has been a distinct difference in the way these women govern, as opposed t… --- ## [Using Someone Else's Wireless Network \*Is\* Illegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-someone-elses-wireless-network-is-illegal/351633 "2006-04-07T22:03:16Z")
In several past threads… this one and this one, for example, the issue of whether or not using someone else’s wireless network without their permission was illegal was hotly debated. Some participants in those threads st… --- ## [The Meliorism Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-meliorism-thread/351443)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-meliorism-thread/351443 "2006-04-07T17:25:38Z")
There’s been a lot of doom and gloom on the boards lately, notably in this thread. There seem to be a lot of people thinking that war, famine, and pestilence are right around the corner. I’d like to offer a different … --- ## [Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy - ok to lie to children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easter-bunny-santa-claus-tooth-fairy-ok-to-lie-to-children/350245)
**Author:** [@Stainz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stainz)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easter-bunny-santa-claus-tooth-fairy-ok-to-lie-to-children/350245 "2006-04-07T17:12:17Z")
I’ve never given it much thought before, but with Easter coming up, it made me think of the stories we tell our children about the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus. I started wondering if it’s fair to lie t… --- ## [cell tissue memory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-tissue-memory/351248)
**Author:** [@Lynwood\_Slim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynwood_Slim)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-tissue-memory/351248 "2006-04-07T13:56:54Z")
The idea that when a person receives a transplant, that the new tissue carries over “memory” that influences a person tastes, personality, etc. I have seen this theory on a few websites that I would define, for lack of … --- ## [Do guns make a home safer or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-guns-make-a-home-safer-or-not/351577)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-guns-make-a-home-safer-or-not/351577 "2006-04-07T05:20:40Z")
I’m opening this so this thread stays in IMHO. I’m not an anti-gun nut; I agree with Cecil’s POV - the second amendment says any infringement on gun ownership is illegal, and to enact anti-gun legislation fairly would … --- ## [How is LA Mayor Villaraigosa doing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-la-mayor-villaraigosa-doing/350076)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-la-mayor-villaraigosa-doing/350076 "2006-04-07T03:17:26Z")
I know he hasn’t been in office all that long - but how do our LA and Calif. Dopers think he’s doing? He’s been held up (by Newsweek and other MSM sources) as a possible Latino star on the national political scene. Do … --- ## [Whats the SD on the Dead Sea Scrolls ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-the-dead-sea-scrolls/351640)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-sd-on-the-dead-sea-scrolls/351640 "2006-04-07T01:59:31Z")
You often hear people discuss the Dead Sea Scrolls in the context of trying to prove or disprove the authenticy to New Testament dogma. Most recently in this thread concerning the authenticy of 666 being the number of t… --- ## [Scalia dismisses idea Gitmo detainees have right to trial. Grounds for recusal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-dismisses-idea-gitmo-detainees-have-right-to-trial-grounds-for-recusal/350271)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2006, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-dismisses-idea-gitmo-detainees-have-right-to-trial-grounds-for-recusal/350271 "2006-04-06T18:40:26Z")
The SCOTUS is about to hear the case of Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, in which Osama bin Laden’s former chaffeur, now detained at Guantanamo Bay, is challenging the legality of the military commission that seeks to try him for war… --- ## [AIDS in Africa wildly overestimated - Is epidemiological science really this poor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aids-in-africa-wildly-overestimated-is-epidemiological-science-really-this-poor/351591)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aids-in-africa-wildly-overestimated-is-epidemiological-science-really-this-poor/351591 "2006-04-06T17:37:08Z")
Looks like a lot of not too reliable modeling assumptions were made re the epidemiological spread of AIDS in Africa. Are epidemiologists really his clueless or were the overstatements politically driven? Does it really t… --- ## [Do majority votes or opinions have any inherent moral authority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-majority-votes-or-opinions-have-any-inherent-moral-authority/351535)
**Author:** [@Gladstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gladstone)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-majority-votes-or-opinions-have-any-inherent-moral-authority/351535 "2006-04-06T17:34:04Z")
The saying “if everyone went and jumped off a bridge, would you jump off too?” is pretty common, in numerous variations and permutations. But do the opinions of the majority carry automatic moral weight? For example, t… --- ## [Did the government recently reclassified Golf Courses as wetlands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-government-recently-reclassified-golf-courses-as-wetlands/351407)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-government-recently-reclassified-golf-courses-as-wetlands/351407 "2006-04-06T15:15:36Z")
Full Question: \*\*Is it true the Federal government has recently reclassified Golf Course Water Hazards as Wetlands? \*\* I heard this on the Colbert Report last night and I am taking it with a grain of salt. I have not f… --- ## ["Guns Germs & Steel" published 9 years ago - Are its conclusions still standing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-germs-steel-published-9-years-ago-are-its-conclusions-still-standing/351253)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2006, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-germs-steel-published-9-years-ago-are-its-conclusions-still-standing/351253 "2006-04-06T02:24:35Z")
Per the main hypotheses of Jared Diamonds “Guns Germs and Steel”. Are it’s hypotheses still considered the best explanation for European domination or have any powerful critiques put a hole in his conclusions? The wiki… --- ## [Future of Iraq without US invasion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-iraq-without-us-invasion/351039)
**Author:** [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2006, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-iraq-without-us-invasion/351039 "2006-04-06T01:43:50Z")
So said Scott Ritter, UN chief weapons inspector in Iraq and staunch opponent of Iraq invasion, in his book “Endgame” (closing paragraphs in Chapter 9). Well, then, ruling out the invasion, how should have “the United … --- ## [How does Christianity explain suffering? (Or any other religions?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-christianity-explain-suffering-or-any-other-religions/350945)
**Author:** [@MFIL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MFIL)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2006, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-christianity-explain-suffering-or-any-other-religions/350945 "2006-04-05T19:51:42Z")
How does Christianity explain suffering? Especially when it’s from no fault of your own? For easy discussion, let’s separate suffering into 2 categories: Human caused suffering. (For example: you were unfortunately bo… --- ## [How do Mormons reconcile marriage in the afterlife with Matthew 22:23-33?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-mormons-reconcile-marriage-in-the-afterlife-with-matthew-22-23-33/351244)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2006, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-mormons-reconcile-marriage-in-the-afterlife-with-matthew-22-23-33/351244 "2006-04-05T16:26:26Z")
In this thread – – it was mentioned that although the LDS Church has renounced polygamy, they believe in polygamy in the afterlife. And I have sometimes read of Mormons getting “sealed for eternity” when they get marri… --- ## [My friend may be asking a question of President Bush](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-may-be-asking-a-question-of-president-bush/348596)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-friend-may-be-asking-a-question-of-president-bush/348596 "2006-04-05T13:05:45Z")
My friend and colleague Diane will be in the audience when President Bush speaks to the City Club of Cleveland this Monday, March 20. It’s been announced that there will be a Q&A session. What question would you sugges… --- ## [So what is "getting off on a technicality"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-getting-off-on-a-technicality/349416)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-is-getting-off-on-a-technicality/349416 "2006-04-04T22:10:08Z")
I’m not sure of where to put this but I keep on hearing in sensationalist news stories that And I was always quite sceptical about those reports, especially after reading a bit about how the media distorts criminal cas… --- ## [Religion- Is It Useful to Society and the Individual?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-is-it-useful-to-society-and-the-individual/350331)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Clam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Clam)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-is-it-useful-to-society-and-the-individual/350331 "2006-04-04T21:07:50Z")
I was flicking through my December issue of the Economist when I came across an article titled “Wealth from Worship”. Essentially, a gentleman named Gruber, from M.I.T., has done some research suggesting that church-goin… --- ## [Any human supremacists out there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-human-supremacists-out-there/350024)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-human-supremacists-out-there/350024 "2006-04-04T20:11:55Z")
I would use the words humanist or humanitarian but they both mean something else. Human supremacist means exactly that, people whose primary loyalties lie with the survival of our species. If necessary to the expense of… --- ## [A Superhero acting Illegally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-superhero-acting-illegally/351177)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-superhero-acting-illegally/351177 "2006-04-04T17:06:33Z")
A superhero, Superguy, is active and working in the present day. Saving lives, defeating criminals, saving the Earth from giant meteors, and so on. Doing all the things that are impossible for law enforcement, or at the … --- ## [A question for catholics regarding changes in church law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-catholics-regarding-changes-in-church-law/351182)
**Author:** [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-catholics-regarding-changes-in-church-law/351182 "2006-04-04T12:15:42Z")
Prompted by this thread, back when I was an alter boy, Catholics were not allowed to eat meat on Friday except in certain circumstances, for example, I think the elderly and/or ill were exempt, among others. When the ru… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=798) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=800)