# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=801 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 802 --- ## [Yankee pitcher Randy Johnson balks at a car & college expenses for his "love child"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-pitcher-randy-johnson-balks-at-a-car-college-expenses-for-his-love-child/350308)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yankee-pitcher-randy-johnson-balks-at-a-car-college-expenses-for-his-love-child/350308 "2006-03-31T15:53:57Z")
I was prepared to think he was being a greedy SOB but in reading the story I kinda think the Mom is over-reaching a bit. The short version - Randy Johnson has a relationship 16 years ago & the woman gets pregnant - She … --- ## [The legacy of Herbert Hoover.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-legacy-of-herbert-hoover/350538)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-legacy-of-herbert-hoover/350538 "2006-03-31T14:39:37Z")
And no, this isn’t a joke thread. I just feel that if we’re honoring presidents for their humanitarian efforts, then we have to give some recognition to Hoover, likely the greatest of our humanitarian presidents. Hoove… --- ## [Conservatism comes with paranoia on the side ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatism-comes-with-paranoia-on-the-side/349856)
**Author:** [@Rashak\_Mani](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rashak_Mani)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatism-comes-with-paranoia-on-the-side/349856 "2006-03-31T12:56:08Z")
I don’t mean this thread to be a pit or offensive… but recently I just can’t ignore how paranoia seems a staple with some conservatives. Especially some Brazilian conservatives I’ve been having contact in the net. Obvio… --- ## [Evolution/Introduction of the Soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-introduction-of-the-soul/349211)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-introduction-of-the-soul/349211 "2006-03-31T07:17:48Z")
For those theists who believe in evolution, the existence of a Creator/God, and that humans possess a soul which differentiates them from all other animals: When and how did this soul first manifest? I ask this because… --- ## [Zany Massachusetts Supreme Court Now Says Defense Must Reveal X-exam Material](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zany-massachusetts-supreme-court-now-says-defense-must-reveal-x-exam-material/349154)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2006, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zany-massachusetts-supreme-court-now-says-defense-must-reveal-x-exam-material/349154 "2006-03-31T05:45:08Z")
This is outrageous. The Massachusetts Supremes have decided, in their infinite wisdom, that defense attorneys must reveal their cross-examination evidence to the prosecution ahead of time. One of the few effective tool… --- ## [Is economics an empirical or an "axiomatic-deductive" science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-economics-an-empirical-or-an-axiomatic-deductive-science/349583)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-economics-an-empirical-or-an-axiomatic-deductive-science/349583 "2006-03-30T19:02:27Z")
In this thread – Vincente Fox To Americans: Welcome the Huddled masses! - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board – I asked WillMagic to come up with proof for his argument (based purely on logic) that a minimum wage… --- ## [What are the problems with Religions? What about your ideal religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-problems-with-religions-what-about-your-ideal-religion/348458)
**Author:** [@MFIL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MFIL)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-problems-with-religions-what-about-your-ideal-religion/348458 "2006-03-30T18:56:55Z")
Please list in point form what you think are the major problems with religions. Either in general or specificly about a religion. Basically what are the adverse effects on individual/society religions might cause/have a… --- ## [When Indians reservations end, how will it happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-indians-reservations-end-how-will-it-happen/350091)
**Author:** [@specie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/specie)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-indians-reservations-end-how-will-it-happen/350091 "2006-03-30T17:38:56Z")
Everything comes to an end. The Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, the Soviet empire. When the Indian reservations end, how will it happen? With a bang or a wimper? Gradually or all at once? I personally think it will … --- ## [Minimum Size of U.S. Armed Forces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-size-of-u-s-armed-forces/349177)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-size-of-u-s-armed-forces/349177 "2006-03-30T17:22:23Z")
Taking into account the world situation at the time (from relative calm to total war), what would the absolute minimum size and strength (of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) be, to … --- ## [Bush says Islam is a great religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-says-islam-is-a-great-religion/350241)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-says-islam-is-a-great-religion/350241 "2006-03-30T16:46:57Z")
You’ve all heard that before. In this thread, I ask posters to refrain from commenting negatively on Islam or comparing Islam to other religions. What I like to see here are clean examples of the positive contributions… --- ## [Are nation-states becoming obsolete? World government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nation-states-becoming-obsolete-world-government/350535)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-nation-states-becoming-obsolete-world-government/350535 "2006-03-30T15:43:43Z")
I’ve been thinking a lot about how much other countries are having to act in their own interests in other countries. Things like: One-quarter of California’s pollution comes from China failed states are hotbeds for t… --- ## [Drink spiking - a reality or urban myth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-spiking-a-reality-or-urban-myth/350062)
**Author:** [@Galaxyhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galaxyhorse)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drink-spiking-a-reality-or-urban-myth/350062 "2006-03-30T14:24:18Z")
I would like to know people’s opinions. http://www.abc.net.au/centralvic/stories/s907377.htm http://www.spiked-online.com/Printable/0000000CAEB7.htm --- ## [Why do people get late term abortions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-late-term-abortions/349529)
**Author:** [@Mayo\_Speaks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mayo_Speaks)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-get-late-term-abortions/349529 "2006-03-30T10:34:52Z")
The pro-life people were on campus today, and got into an argument with some pro-choicers about late term abortions. And it got me to wondering: why do women get late term abortions? It seems to me that a woman who is … --- ## [Evolution, subtopic = mutation (GQ and GD content)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-subtopic-mutation-gq-and-gd-content/350426)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2006, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-subtopic-mutation-gq-and-gd-content/350426 "2006-03-30T07:06:14Z")
In this thread I would like some help teasing out the thinking & visceral-dislike reactions that cause some people to reject the theory of evolution. I’d like to bracket off and ignore the ones whose reasoning amounts t… --- ## ["American Theocracy," by Kevin Phillips](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-theocracy-by-kevin-phillips/350013)
**Author:** [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2006, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-theocracy-by-kevin-phillips/350013 "2006-03-29T13:37:23Z")
I picked this up a few days ago and started reading it yesterday. Is there anyone else out there reading it or that’s already read it and who’s interested in discussing it? --- ## [Is Bush manipulating us again? \[Russia giving Iraqis intel on U.S. troop movements\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bush-manipulating-us-again-russia-giving-iraqis-intel-on-u-s-troop-movements/349863)
**Author:** [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2006, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bush-manipulating-us-again-russia-giving-iraqis-intel-on-u-s-troop-movements/349863 "2006-03-29T08:00:06Z")
Do you think the administation is making up or exaggerating the facts in the “revelation” about the Russians giving information to Iraq about troop movements during the invasion in order to yet again try to get the Ameri… --- ## [Can we go now? Iraq parties demand U.S. cede control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-go-now-iraq-parties-demand-u-s-cede-control/350211)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-go-now-iraq-parties-demand-u-s-cede-control/350211 "2006-03-29T02:14:27Z")
http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-03-27T191932Z\_01\_L27605414\_RTRUKOC\_0\_UK-IRAQ.xml I thought the Shiites were going to be tired of the American presence much later, since I thou… --- ## [The nature of man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-man/350043)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2006, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-man/350043 "2006-03-29T00:47:43Z")
Fair warning: The OP is drunk so what is typed below may be fairly incoherent. You may want to bolt now. :stuck\_out\_tongue: Ok. So, I was having a discussion tonight with some friends tonight (large quantities of s… --- ## [Proposed IRS rule change: allow accountants to sell your tax return to data brokers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-irs-rule-change-allow-accountants-to-sell-your-tax-return-to-data-brokers/349324)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-irs-rule-change-allow-accountants-to-sell-your-tax-return-to-data-brokers/349324 "2006-03-28T23:49:47Z")
From this article (no reg required in the short term): More information in the linked article. Good idea? Bad idea? Looks to me like yet another quiet giveaway to the big data collation houses and private marketeers w… --- ## [Why do we trade with China but not Cuba?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-trade-with-china-but-not-cuba/349729)
**Author:** [@Soylent\_Gene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Gene)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-trade-with-china-but-not-cuba/349729 "2006-03-28T22:31:16Z")
Do we not trade with Cuba because of Communism, or is it something they did? Are we still trying to prove that marxism/communism is bad? I didn’t understand this during the cold war, and I still dont get it. I know he … --- ## [Global Climactic Change (Global Warming): Is it upon us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-climactic-change-global-warming-is-it-upon-us/350049)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-climactic-change-global-warming-is-it-upon-us/350049 "2006-03-28T21:36:56Z")
I was reading through this article today and thought I’d post it here to continue the ongoing debate on Global Warming (or Global Climate Change). Are these things indicated in the article enough data to definitively s… --- ## [sex roomates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-roomates/350142)
**Author:** [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-roomates/350142 "2006-03-28T19:50:06Z")
Did a little searching and came up blank with this spin on the world of prostitution here or here Sex roommates. Is this a form of prostitution, or little different than many a live in girlfriend. Its not like you a… --- ## [A call for EVIDENCE regarding human caused global warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-call-for-evidence-regarding-human-caused-global-warming/345912)
**Author:** [@intention](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/intention)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-call-for-evidence-regarding-human-caused-global-warming/345912 "2006-03-28T19:35:44Z")
Everyone’s going on about “The Earth is warming! The Earth is warming!” … and it is, you know. Overall, it has been warming since the depth of the “Little Ice Age” in about 1700. During the Little Ice Age, the Thames Riv… --- ## [Airline Pilot Open Letter: Take Sides](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-pilot-open-letter-take-sides/350193)
**Author:** [@jawdirk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jawdirk)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-pilot-open-letter-take-sides/350193 "2006-03-28T18:43:21Z")
I received this letter by chain email. I thought we might enjoy debating it point by point. My take on it is that it is a thinly veiled call-to-arms for bigots across America. But I’d like to know if anyone here will … --- ## [Standards For Free Speech In Other Countries...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standards-for-free-speech-in-other-countries/350161)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/standards-for-free-speech-in-other-countries/350161 "2006-03-28T07:31:06Z")
I think we in the U.S. sometimes take our freedoms too much for granted. Our Supreme Court has ruled consistently that even unpopular opinions are protected by the First Amendment. After all, what meaning would free spee… --- ## [What the Bleep Do We Know? (the movie)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-bleep-do-we-know-the-movie/339181)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-bleep-do-we-know-the-movie/339181 "2006-03-28T04:49:10Z")
This thread is about the film 2004 film What the Bleep Do We Know? starring Marlee Matlin. First of all, if there has already been a thread about this, I’d thankee for a link (I couldn’t find one). Second, while I unde… --- ## [What would Grover Cleveland Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-grover-cleveland-do/350063)
**Author:** [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-grover-cleveland-do/350063 "2006-03-28T04:11:37Z")
I’ve posted this here because it seemed a little too “topical” for IHMO, but please feel free to move it to wherever it best belongs. Recently there was a very interesting debate on The Greatest American President and, … --- ## [Bush has saved the US from terrorist attacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-has-saved-the-us-from-terrorist-attacks/349393)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-has-saved-the-us-from-terrorist-attacks/349393 "2006-03-28T04:08:10Z")
Yep…President Bush seems to have delivered on keeping the United States (territory anyway) free from terrorist attack. That said it seems to me it is more of an unintended result of his policies than by anything he has … --- ## [Invading Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invading-canada/349764)
**Author:** [@furnishesq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furnishesq)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2006, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invading-canada/349764 "2006-03-28T00:40:01Z")
Assume the United States, right now, invaded Canada. Assuming that no other country becomes involved in our invasion – and set aside the political and economical fall out of such a move – how hard would it be for the U.… --- ## [How biased are we in thinking the mind is in the brain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-biased-are-we-in-thinking-the-mind-is-in-the-brain/346626)
**Author:** [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-biased-are-we-in-thinking-the-mind-is-in-the-brain/346626 "2006-03-27T20:16:54Z")
I suspect it has to do with where our eyes are located and how thought seems to be localized in the head. But every now and then I can sense things lower down in my body, not necessarily in the area of the heart, but cer… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=800) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=802)