# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=800 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 801 --- ## [Easy Numeric Rating of US President? (like QB Rating)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-numeric-rating-of-us-president-like-qb-rating/351103)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/easy-numeric-rating-of-us-president-like-qb-rating/351103 "2006-04-04T08:18:55Z")
If the NFL can rate quarterbacks down to a single number with an easy formula, can the same be done with the US President? I’d like the rating to reflect things the US President has actual control over with his actions.… --- ## [Could a US president be taken for war crimes when on travel outside the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-us-president-be-taken-for-war-crimes-when-on-travel-outside-the-us/350607)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-us-president-be-taken-for-war-crimes-when-on-travel-outside-the-us/350607 "2006-04-04T06:16:11Z")
Version 2. It IS an interersting question that unfortunately got derailed (by the OP of course) in this thread, now train wrecking nicely (and not unexpectedly) in The Pit. The premise though has at its core an interes… --- ## [Tom DeLay beats three primary challengers for his House seat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-beats-three-primary-challengers-for-his-house-seat/347574)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-beats-three-primary-challengers-for-his-house-seat/347574 "2006-04-04T03:05:21Z")
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking\_news/14046300.htm :eek: How did he do that?! Is there no morality in Houston?! --- ## [What if Reagan was assassinated 25 years ago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-reagan-was-assassinated-25-years-ago/350596)
**Author:** [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2006, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-reagan-was-assassinated-25-years-ago/350596 "2006-04-04T01:09:40Z")
Exactly 25 years ago,on March 30, 1981, just 69 days into the United States Presidency … President Reagan, and 3 others were shot and wounded What if Reagan didn’t survive? What would be the consequences? I think not … --- ## [Rice, Straw to Iraqis: 'The time has come'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-straw-to-iraqis-the-time-has-come/351003)
**Author:** [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rice-straw-to-iraqis-the-time-has-come/351003 "2006-04-03T22:08:32Z")
CNN.com article: “Iraqness…one of the strngths of this country?” Whiskey tango…Condoleeza Rice is supposed to be a historical scholar (albeit of a different region), and yet she demonstrates no conception of the histo… --- ## [If you could live indefinitely, and in good health, would you choose to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-indefinitely-and-in-good-health-would-you-choose-to/350298)
**Author:** [@drmark2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drmark2000)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-live-indefinitely-and-in-good-health-would-you-choose-to/350298 "2006-04-03T21:08:44Z")
An Aubrey de Grey, perhaps I should say THE Aubrey de Grey, has proposed that, within about 25-30 years, we should be able to extend the human lifespan almost indefinitely. Google his name if you want to find out more. T… --- ## [The Israel Lobby](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-israel-lobby/350502)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-israel-lobby/350502 "2006-04-03T20:54:41Z")
http://www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/mear01\_.html This article from the London Review of books. has been floating around for a while and I was curious to see what dopers thought of it. Basically it paints a pretty damning portr… --- ## [Does 'tolerance' extend to keeping one's yap shut?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tolerance-extend-to-keeping-ones-yap-shut/350886)
**Author:** [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-tolerance-extend-to-keeping-ones-yap-shut/350886 "2006-04-03T19:49:13Z")
This was partly inspired by a post by Updike in this Pit thread in which he accuses the SF Board of Supervisors of hypocrisy for simultaneously proclaiming their city’s “tolerant” reputation and condemning an event spon… --- ## [What benifit do Scientologists get from being Scientologists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-benifit-do-scientologists-get-from-being-scientologists/350624)
**Author:** [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-benifit-do-scientologists-get-from-being-scientologists/350624 "2006-04-03T19:37:31Z")
Few people do anything without it being of direct apparent benifit to themselves. Whilst many people find benifit in being a member of a religion, and also many are mambers of a religion because they were brought up wi… --- ## [Illegal strikes and involuntary servitude](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-strikes-and-involuntary-servitude/350924)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-strikes-and-involuntary-servitude/350924 "2006-04-03T18:49:31Z")
How does punishing workers for stiking not violate the 13th amendment? During the recent NYC tranist strike workers were fined 2 days pay for each day they didn’t work. Union leaders were threatened with jail time. … --- ## [\*The\* greatest U.S. President](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-u-s-president/348965)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-u-s-president/348965 "2006-04-03T16:31:56Z")
Here’s the deal: you can only pick one. I admit that I admire different Presidents for different reasons. There are several with a fair claim to the title of “greatest.” But if you had to pick just one, who would it b… --- ## [Question for statisticians about new prayer study.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-statisticians-about-new-prayer-study/350721)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-statisticians-about-new-prayer-study/350721 "2006-04-03T13:46:16Z")
Maybe this should be in GQ but I think a debate could easily ensue so I’ll start it here. And … Yes, I know there is a thread about this already. However, I have a different question. This story in the Los Angeles Ti… --- ## [Israeli election: Likud out, Qadima in. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-election-likud-out-qadima-in-now-what/350391)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-election-likud-out-qadima-in-now-what/350391 "2006-04-03T12:29:10Z")
Yesterday’s Israeli election made the new Qadima (or Kadima – news reports spell it both ways) Party the largest in the Knesset (28 seats out of 120). Well short of a majority, it probably will form a governing coalitio… --- ## [Going from closed/oppressive societies to open societies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-from-closed-oppressive-societies-to-open-societies/351048)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-from-closed-oppressive-societies-to-open-societies/351048 "2006-04-03T11:45:17Z")
I’m sure many people are familiar with the young 18-20 year old Americans who come to Europe and go crazy getting wasted because they can. I’ve had several occassions where an American is celebrating his/her 21st birthd… --- ## [Separatism and hatred](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separatism-and-hatred/350456)
**Author:** [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separatism-and-hatred/350456 "2006-04-03T01:00:01Z")
The theme of this thread comes via my late awareness of an event in New York City a couple of weeks back, where a 7-year old poet/activist by the name of Autum Ashante got up and performed two bitter, factfully distorted… --- ## [with liberty and justice for all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-liberty-and-justice-for-all/349873)
**Author:** [@rwjefferson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwjefferson)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2006, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-liberty-and-justice-for-all/349873 "2006-04-03T00:49:38Z")
A letter to my uncle has ended up in great debates. So be it. Devout “Christians” would place the ten commandments over our courthouses and roll back liberty. I propose an alternative. We clearly need to remind our j… --- ## [What would happen if Palestinians were declared to be Israeli citizens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-palestinians-were-declared-to-be-israeli-citizens/349464)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-palestinians-were-declared-to-be-israeli-citizens/349464 "2006-04-02T19:21:13Z")
Palestinians are not currently Israeli citizens, correct? If not, why not? What would happen if the Israeli government made them all citizens tomorrow? What would the ramifications of this be? Just curious. Thanks f… --- ## [Illegal recruits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-recruits/350925)
**Author:** [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-recruits/350925 "2006-04-02T17:46:41Z")
What if we offered the chance for citizenship to any illegal alien who could pass the physical and speak and read English; and pass a basic citizenship test, if they served in the armed forces for three years? The servi… --- ## [Should we remake swine with omega-3 fatty acids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-remake-swine-with-omega-3-fatty-acids/349994)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-remake-swine-with-omega-3-fatty-acids/349994 "2006-04-02T17:02:39Z")
So some scientists in my home state have engineered pigs to produce an enzyme that will turn their omega-6 fatty acids into omega-3 fatty acids. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060326/sc\_nm/pigs\_dc Um… so there has to be … --- ## [Scientologists and Thetans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientologists-and-thetans/350441)
**Author:** [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientologists-and-thetans/350441 "2006-04-02T16:52:40Z")
What do Scientologists do with body thetans? Where do they go to once they have been removed? What are the differences between body thetans and mind thetans? --- ## [Tell me why my son should not join the Marines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-my-son-should-not-join-the-marines/347622)
**Author:** [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-why-my-son-should-not-join-the-marines/347622 "2006-04-02T15:01:55Z")
My 19 year old son decided against college. Worked for a year. Intelligent, not BA/BS material(at this point anyway), but not dumb either. Needs some maturity. Just this last week he decided(I think because a friend … --- ## [Could a Scientologist get elected POTUS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-scientologist-get-elected-potus/348714)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-scientologist-get-elected-potus/348714 "2006-04-02T14:44:17Z")
While these threads are in fashion, thought I’d throw this one out… A bit more far fetched but not impossible. According to the gossip sheets (gotta read something in the bathroom :slight\_smile: ) the mayor of SF (a bi… --- ## [25 Year Presidential terms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-year-presidential-terms/350312)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25-year-presidential-terms/350312 "2006-04-02T05:57:44Z")
I was mulling the subject of this thread. The briefest of studies of history shows that society benefits from stability. So imagine that the Presidential term were a very long time - say 25 years. Your vote becomes incre… --- ## [Why must the US Defense Secretary be a civilian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-must-the-us-defense-secretary-be-a-civilian/350816)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-must-the-us-defense-secretary-be-a-civilian/350816 "2006-04-02T04:25:46Z")
I understand that the constitutional issue behind this requirement is civilian control of the military, but why specifically must the SecDef be a civilian? The SecDef is approved by the Senate and the President trumps h… --- ## [Are legislators really in a conspiracy to perplex the people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-legislators-really-in-a-conspiracy-to-perplex-the-people/350588)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-legislators-really-in-a-conspiracy-to-perplex-the-people/350588 "2006-04-01T15:21:40Z")
I once read a scene in one of John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee novels where the detective McGee is trying to squeeze information out of a bar or restaurant owner. He threatens to get his friend in the sheriff’s office t… --- ## [Is there something we can all agree on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-we-can-all-agree-on/349911)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2006, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-something-we-can-all-agree-on/349911 "2006-04-01T04:04:18Z")
Let’s say I die tomorrow, and find myself facing Orlya, Owl God of Questioning. Before I’m allowed to pass on to the afterlife, it asks me to answer one question - what one piece of knowledge have I gained from my time o… --- ## [What is the happy medium between social benefits and economic growth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-happy-medium-between-social-benefits-and-economic-growth/350550)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-happy-medium-between-social-benefits-and-economic-growth/350550 "2006-04-01T00:27:18Z")
Well, when I first came to Europe, I loved what I saw as a popular ideology that seemed to say that people work so that they can live a comfortable life. They don’t work to be filthy rich, etc. I liked the long lunches… --- ## [Is differentiating some crimes as "hate crimes" really legally or socially useful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-differentiating-some-crimes-as-hate-crimes-really-legally-or-socially-useful/350400)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-differentiating-some-crimes-as-hate-crimes-really-legally-or-socially-useful/350400 "2006-03-31T23:32:15Z")
I was reading the news stories below regarding the efforts by homeless advocates to get crimes against the homeless designated as “hate crimes”, and it occurred to me that the entire notion of making special categories… --- ## [Questions about Christianity from a confused agnostic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-christianity-from-a-confused-agnostic/346300)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 354\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-christianity-from-a-confused-agnostic/346300 "2006-03-31T19:49:10Z")
Hey folks. I have a few questions about Christianity that have been bugging me for a while. My limited Search abilities failed to find me relevant threads, so apologies in advance if these questions have been asked and… --- ## [What if France had won the First Indochina War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-france-had-won-the-first-indochina-war/350548)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-france-had-won-the-first-indochina-war/350548 "2006-03-31T16:45:01Z")
Yes, one of my interests as a military historian are the myriad “What If?” scenarios that pop up when I’ve got too much spare thinking time on my hands (which is pretty much whenever I’m not asleep), and today I found my… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=799) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=801)