# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=805 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 806 --- ## [A Meditation on the Speed Limit - your thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-meditation-on-the-speed-limit-your-thoughts/347416)
**Author:** [@TommyTutone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TommyTutone)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-meditation-on-the-speed-limit-your-thoughts/347416 "2006-03-12T22:51:02Z")
This might belong in Great Debates, we’ll see if a debate stirs. The link below leads to a 5-minute film made by what appears to be college students who live in the Atlanta area (as I do) who decided one day to ‘obey th… --- ## [Is an H5N1 Pandemic inevitable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-h5n1-pandemic-inevitable/347257)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-h5n1-pandemic-inevitable/347257 "2006-03-12T17:13:21Z")
Bird flu is still getting a lot of press, with new reports every time an infected avian species is discovered in another country. This raises the danger to humans simply by increasing the population potentially exposed … --- ## [Do you think Bush was promised a fortune...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-bush-was-promised-a-fortune/347703)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2006, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-bush-was-promised-a-fortune/347703 "2006-03-12T01:04:31Z")
…to ram the DPW port deal through? First he claims he didn’t know anything about it until it passed through the foreign investment committee. But when the rank and file start kicking up a fuss, George throws the full we… --- ## [Can we come to a consensus on the differences between ethics and morality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-come-to-a-consensus-on-the-differences-between-ethics-and-morality/347166)
**Author:** [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-come-to-a-consensus-on-the-differences-between-ethics-and-morality/347166 "2006-03-11T15:35:25Z")
Inspired by another thread. We’ll call this one “the somewhat more serious attempt to arrive at an answer.” I’m positing this argument partly because I’m trying to wrap my head around what’s considered “ethical” and “mo… --- ## [Soloman Amendment Upheld - Law Schools Cannot Ban Military Recruiters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soloman-amendment-upheld-law-schools-cannot-ban-military-recruiters/347276)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2006, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soloman-amendment-upheld-law-schools-cannot-ban-military-recruiters/347276 "2006-03-11T01:04:50Z")
The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Soloman Amendment, Congress’ requirement that law schools that receive federal funds must permit military recruiters access to their campuses. This is, of course… --- ## [If the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-supreme-court-overturns-roe-v-wade/347349)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-supreme-court-overturns-roe-v-wade/347349 "2006-03-10T22:18:17Z")
From a practical point of view, if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, how will it do it? That is, what legalistic machanisms can it use to overturn it? Are there any legal maneuvers that enable the court to overtu… --- ## [Overweight People Online.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overweight-people-online/347771)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overweight-people-online/347771 "2006-03-10T17:59:03Z")
Not trying to start a Pit thread so lets try to keep it civil please. Going through random chatrooms, out of boredom. (really) I noticed a lot, and I mean a lot of profiles which had an overweight person in it. Now I k… --- ## [Executing Convicted Murders No Different Than Gassing Jews and Gypsies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executing-convicted-murders-no-different-than-gassing-jews-and-gypsies/347799)
**Author:** [@The\_Faceless\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Faceless_King)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executing-convicted-murders-no-different-than-gassing-jews-and-gypsies/347799 "2006-03-10T17:25:30Z")
In a closed thread in Comments on Cecil’s Columns, the OP characterized this remark by Cecil as offensive and uncalled for: “\[Regarding swabbing off a prisoner’s arm before execution,\] Nazi death camp guards observed no… --- ## [Is someone else responsible for 9/11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-someone-else-responsible-for-9-11/347657)
**Author:** [@mrrealtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrrealtime)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-someone-else-responsible-for-9-11/347657 "2006-03-10T16:08:35Z")
9/11 conspiracy seems pretty good…but hey, you can manipulate anything to say anything these days… --- ## [The GWAT is now the "Long War"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gwat-is-now-the-long-war/347575)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gwat-is-now-the-long-war/347575 "2006-03-10T16:08:30Z")
I missed this until Steve Colbert did a piece on it last night, but it appears the Admin has now changed the designation of the “Global War Against Terrorism” to the “Long War.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/cont… --- ## [Alcoholism and divorce: the morality of divorcing an alcoholic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-divorce-the-morality-of-divorcing-an-alcoholic/347565)
**Author:** [@whole\_bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whole_bean)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alcoholism-and-divorce-the-morality-of-divorcing-an-alcoholic/347565 "2006-03-10T13:29:51Z")
We’ve all heard it, “alcoholism is a disease.” If this truly be the case (i.e. if “disease” is not being employed metaphorically), if alcoholism is a disease, then I submit that divorcing an alcoholic because of his or h… --- ## [James Hoffa-was He a Crook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-hoffa-was-he-a-crook/347673)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-hoffa-was-he-a-crook/347673 "2006-03-10T07:29:33Z")
Was the late James Hoffa a real crook? I was watching the 1983 movie about him, which portrays him as a man totally devoted to the teamsters union…and painfully aware that he was getting into big time trouble with the m… --- ## [Conservatives plan major military expansion in Canada. Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-plan-major-military-expansion-in-canada-thoughts/345899)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-plan-major-military-expansion-in-canada-thoughts/345899 "2006-03-10T05:36:02Z")
I knew the Conservatives planned to spend more money on the military, but I didn’t see this coming: Personnel increased by 40% (!!) by recruiting 33,000 new soldiers. (the cite below says 13,000 new full-time soldiers … --- ## [Modern Euorpe: Freedom of Religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-euorpe-freedom-of-religion/347485)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-euorpe-freedom-of-religion/347485 "2006-03-10T04:47:23Z")
Just wondering… At least in Western Europe, is religious practice free? Did this kinda silently evolved out of the lessons learned from WWII? - Jinx --- ## [The Most Liberal/Conservative Supreme Ct. Member To-Date.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-liberal-conservative-supreme-ct-member-to-date/347365)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-liberal-conservative-supreme-ct-member-to-date/347365 "2006-03-10T02:30:10Z")
There’s something I’ve wondered for some time now. By general consensus, who is considered the most liberal U.S. Supreme Court member to-date, and who is the most conservative. Thank you in advance to all who reply … --- ## [effect of outsourcing on america's economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-outsourcing-on-americas-economy/345950)
**Author:** [@AllahFearer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AllahFearer)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-outsourcing-on-americas-economy/345950 "2006-03-10T01:59:37Z")
some people are saying that we shouldn’t worry about america losing jobs, that it just means people need to improve their skill set. well at what point does it end? we can’t have a country made up of nothing but executiv… --- ## [Being born in the ghetto = "being born into a version of genocide"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-born-in-the-ghetto-being-born-into-a-version-of-genocide/347030)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2006, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-born-in-the-ghetto-being-born-into-a-version-of-genocide/347030 "2006-03-09T22:57:15Z")
I just read Roger Ebert’s review of a new movie, “The Boys of Baraka.” The movie is about a group of young, African-American boys from inner-city Baltimore who are taken to an experimental school in Kenya where they get… --- ## [Controversial MS drug endorsed by scientists-liability?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-ms-drug-endorsed-by-scientists-liability/347598)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controversial-ms-drug-endorsed-by-scientists-liability/347598 "2006-03-09T15:22:46Z")
FDA Advisers Endorse Return of Multiple Sclerosis Drug Now, naturally, the FDA has to approve this action, but generally they go with the scientists. So here’s the problem: In the not-so-distant past drug manufacture… --- ## [Now Bush loses the Cato institute conservatives.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-bush-loses-the-cato-institute-conservatives/347602)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-bush-loses-the-cato-institute-conservatives/347602 "2006-03-09T15:11:44Z")
Not a debate but more suited for this forum than elsewhere. Apparently Bush is losing/has lost the more libertarian conservatives. The level of acrimony toward the Bush Administration is astounding. This is one pissed of… --- ## [Does the Bible explicity mention abortion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-explicity-mention-abortion/347375)
**Author:** [@Arjuna34](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arjuna34)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-bible-explicity-mention-abortion/347375 "2006-03-09T15:10:31Z")
Does the Bible explicitly mention abortion anywhere? If so, does it prohibit it? How about birth control? Both abortion and birth control methods were available at least in New Testament times (of uncertain effectiven… --- ## [Loose Change video: 9/11 conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-change-video-9-11-conspiracy/342998)
**Author:** [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2006, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-change-video-9-11-conspiracy/342998 "2006-03-09T07:50:23Z")
I just watched the Loose Change video and am more intrigued than ever about some of the events surrounding 9/11: The Pentagon appears to have been hit by a missle, with a 16’ diameter hole and no evidence of wings or … --- ## [Has a strategic alliance been concluded between the United States and India?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-strategic-alliance-been-concluded-between-the-united-states-and-india/347530)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2006, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-a-strategic-alliance-been-concluded-between-the-united-states-and-india/347530 "2006-03-09T03:54:05Z")
Bombs Rock a City Holy to Hindus, Killing at Least 15 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/i...r=1&oref=slogin From outward appearances, a strategic decision has been made that India is ou rlogical ally in the “long w… --- ## [The Right to have children? - IVF and Europe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-to-have-children-ivf-and-europe/347363)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-to-have-children-ivf-and-europe/347363 "2006-03-08T21:42:29Z")
In this case: the European Court of Human Rights has decided that a woman whose eggs were fertilized by her fiance’s sperm before she had an operation that made her sterile, may not now be implanted without the donor’… --- ## [US Ambassador to Iraq, "We have opened Pandora's Box."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-ambassador-to-iraq-we-have-opened-pandoras-box/347386)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-ambassador-to-iraq-we-have-opened-pandoras-box/347386 "2006-03-08T17:06:21Z")
He, at least, isn’t engaging in happy talk about how wonderful it will be when Iraq is a shining beacon of democracy in the Middle East. The Ambassador believes that we don’t dare leave until somehow bridges in communic… --- ## [Why should incest be an exception for pro-lifers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-incest-be-an-exception-for-pro-lifers/346537)
**Author:** [@AFAIKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AFAIKnow)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-incest-be-an-exception-for-pro-lifers/346537 "2006-03-08T14:58:31Z")
I just saw a blurb on the new that Bush doesn’t like the SD proposal on banning abortion because it doesn’t make some acception, and on of them being incest. I also often here the phrase “unless rape, incest, etc.”. I un… --- ## [France to Legalise File Sharing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-to-legalise-file-sharing/347208)
**Author:** [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-to-legalise-file-sharing/347208 "2006-03-08T12:29:45Z")
It December French MPs backed a move to allow internet users to download as much material as they want in exchange for a small fee. Story here. The MPs are due to vote again on the issue next week. If this actuall… --- ## [European tolerance for multi-culturalism coming to an end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-tolerance-for-multi-culturalism-coming-to-an-end/346700)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-tolerance-for-multi-culturalism-coming-to-an-end/346700 "2006-03-08T09:28:14Z")
This article puts forth the thesis that the cartoon riots are forcing the Dutch (and the rest of Europe) to come to grips with the limits of liberal multiculturalist attitudes when some mutli-cultural values and European… --- ## [Durand Line in Doubt:G-dub readies strategic fallback;DC-Dekhi axis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/durand-line-in-doubt-g-dub-readies-strategic-fallback-dc-dekhi-axis/347511)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/durand-line-in-doubt-g-dub-readies-strategic-fallback-dc-dekhi-axis/347511 "2006-03-08T07:18:10Z")
Bombs Rock a City Holy to Hindus, Killing at Least 15 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/international/asia/08india.html?\_r=1&oref=slogin From outward appearances, the prez has made a strategic decision that India is ou… --- ## [Should we take hope that President Bush is at least addressing renewable energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-take-hope-that-president-bush-is-at-least-addressing-renewable-energy/345467)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-take-hope-that-president-bush-is-at-least-addressing-renewable-energy/345467 "2006-03-08T06:07:27Z")
Should we take hope that President Bush is at least addressing renewable energy and reduced Oil consumption? He is an oilman and yet he is calling for Plug-in hybrids that run on ethanol. This is quite a change from 5… --- ## [Operation Iraqi Freedom Jumps the Shark: Super primo top General gunned down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-iraqi-freedom-jumps-the-shark-super-primo-top-general-gunned-down/347364)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-iraqi-freedom-jumps-the-shark-super-primo-top-general-gunned-down/347364 "2006-03-08T05:18:59Z")
BAGHDAD, March 6 – The top commander of the Iraqi army division in Baghdad was killed Monday when his car came under small-arms fire while traveling through the capital, the U.S. military said.http://www.washingtonpost.c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=804) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=806)