# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=806 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 807 --- ## [If the Democratic party dies, who's next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-democratic-party-dies-whos-next/347280)
**Author:** [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2006, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-democratic-party-dies-whos-next/347280 "2006-03-08T05:04:37Z")
\[Disclaimer: Please keep in mind that I am getting most of information in the next paragraph from an interview of Jon Stewart by Larry King. I am well aware that my source is not a great one.\] Right now, Bush has a, wh… --- ## [Anyone with the Wedding Crashers DVD?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-with-the-wedding-crashers-dvd/340505)
**Author:** [@FlyingCowOfDoom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingCowOfDoom)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-with-the-wedding-crashers-dvd/340505 "2006-03-07T17:09:06Z")
Hi. My wife and I would like to watch this movie, but we do not like to see nudity. Can someone with the DVD tell me the exact times where there is nudity in the film so we can skip the scenes? TIA! –FCOD --- ## [Explain to me predestination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-predestination/346750)
**Author:** [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-predestination/346750 "2006-03-07T16:41:55Z")
Also known as: if our fate is already determined, why try? I don’t get it. Not that I don’t think this is possible, but if you belong to a branch of Christianity that believes this, why bother trying to convert people? … --- ## [Why don't the Vietnamese hate us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-vietnamese-hate-us/347081)
**Author:** [@luke77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luke77)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2006, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-vietnamese-hate-us/347081 "2006-03-07T07:50:03Z")
Vietnam was a pretty much unprovoked war where we invaded, brought chaos to the country, killed thousands of civilians, and then abruptly left. I would expect that the average Vietnamese citizen that was alive during tha… --- ## [Hospitals and their outrageous costs!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospitals-and-their-outrageous-costs/346529)
**Author:** [@iluvurmom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iluvurmom)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2006, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospitals-and-their-outrageous-costs/346529 "2006-03-07T06:52:46Z")
Hospitals are charging people without insurance different prices than people who are insured, up to 5 times more than what they would charge Medicare for a procedure. Its one thing if a private hospital is overcharging b… --- ## [Are we meant to mate for life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-meant-to-mate-for-life/347172)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2006, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-meant-to-mate-for-life/347172 "2006-03-07T04:33:28Z")
After the kids are bred and raised, is there any biological reason for a couple to stick together? I’m not going to bother finding a cite for the exact % (I’ve heard different figures), but we all have heard that the di… --- ## [Control of U.S. Ports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-of-u-s-ports/345553)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2006, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/control-of-u-s-ports/345553 "2006-03-07T00:42:08Z")
I don’t quite understand letting Dubai manage U.S. Ports. There must be some rhyme or reason for doing this! Has President Bush become (even more) unhinged? We he let Abu Dhabi control the toll bridges next??? --- ## [Finally bought that Greenwich Village Brownstone? Better tie a rowboat to the roof..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-bought-that-greenwich-village-brownstone-better-tie-a-rowboat-to-the-roof/347184)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2006, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-bought-that-greenwich-village-brownstone-better-tie-a-rowboat-to-the-roof/347184 "2006-03-06T23:58:17Z")
“Some US home insurers have recently said they will not offer further cover in densely-populated coastal cities such as New York as experts put the risk of a major hurricane hitting the US Eastern Seaboard as high as 81 … --- ## [Hillary Clinton "Unaware" Husband Paid $450Grand By Dubai?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-unaware-husband-paid-450grand-by-dubai/347275)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-unaware-husband-paid-450grand-by-dubai/347275 "2006-03-06T20:27:51Z")
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11657573/ So who is advising hillary these days? she lambastes the Bush administration 9for allowing the UAE-based firm) to run US ports..but forgets that husband bill was a paid advisor to the U… --- ## [Bush wants to beef up America's nuclear arsenal. Why?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-wants-to-beef-up-americas-nuclear-arsenal-why/346807)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-wants-to-beef-up-americas-nuclear-arsenal-why/346807 "2006-03-06T17:44:49Z")
Bush is asking Congress for $27 million to jumpstart a new nuclear weapons program, the “reliable replacement warhead” program. http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/03/02/148233; http://www.lasg.org/PressReleas… --- ## [What is gravity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gravity/346087)
**Author:** [@ritchpope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ritchpope)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2006, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-gravity/346087 "2006-03-06T15:36:06Z")
What do you think gravity is? What I believe: Gravity is a result of cohesion and adhesion. While it is an invisible force it is not an independent one. The molecules of an object extend beyond what is immediately tang… --- ## [Colorado teacher Jay Bennish suspended after anti-Bush/anti-capitalism rant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 213\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2006, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-teacher-jay-bennish-suspended-after-anti-bush-anti-capitalism-rant/346778 "2006-03-06T05:59:27Z")
Thus spake Mr. Jay Bennish, an Overland High School geography teacher, to his 10th grade class in 20-minute lesson captured on tape by one of his students and available here. Other gems included: And of course there’s… --- ## [Use of "bigot" in all context's?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-bigot-in-all-contexts/347176)
**Author:** [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/use-of-bigot-in-all-contexts/347176 "2006-03-06T03:38:54Z")
In a thread in Cafe Society discuss a recent country release, someone used the term “bigot” to describe those that would bash the song. In a misguided attempt to steer the conversation, I mentioned that the dictionary d… --- ## [review Lee Strobel's A Case For Faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/review-lee-strobels-a-case-for-faith/347135)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/review-lee-strobels-a-case-for-faith/347135 "2006-03-05T17:27:19Z")
Someone recommended this book to me recently. Apparently, it claims to answer the following questions: If there’s a loving God, why does this pain-wracked world groan under so much suffering and evil? If the miracles … --- ## [Are long mortgages and reverse mortgages going to lead to disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-long-mortgages-and-reverse-mortgages-going-to-lead-to-disaster/346844)
**Author:** [@12\_buzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/12_buzz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-long-mortgages-and-reverse-mortgages-going-to-lead-to-disaster/346844 "2006-03-05T16:04:28Z")
Greenspan, in his final official days said 50 year mortgages were coming, and didn’t see anything wrong with them. Americans are in hock at a greater rate than any time in the past, even the great depression. Reverse mor… --- ## [For those who believe Hell is an actual place, was it part of the original creation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-believe-hell-is-an-actual-place-was-it-part-of-the-original-creation/346582)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-believe-hell-is-an-actual-place-was-it-part-of-the-original-creation/346582 "2006-03-05T15:49:55Z")
Did God forsee that man was going to fall into sin and there would need to be a place of eternal punishment? Thus did He create Hell in the first seven days so as to be ready when the time came? Or was he taken by surp… --- ## [Heretic or Orthodox: the winner writes the history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heretic-or-orthodox-the-winner-writes-the-history/347094)
**Author:** [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heretic-or-orthodox-the-winner-writes-the-history/347094 "2006-03-05T12:08:17Z")
Just been watching a show about the “forbidden bible”. Something I’ve read and been interested in for a long time. Obviously there have been “heretical” texts since…the beginning. Certainly Polycarp’s teacher (can’t rem… --- ## [Is it ethical NOT to eat the placenta?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-not-to-eat-the-placenta/346891)
**Author:** [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-not-to-eat-the-placenta/346891 "2006-03-05T06:55:56Z")
I’m positing this argument partly because I’m trying to wrap my head around what’s considered “ethical” and “moral.” I see a difference between the two where others don’t – I can’t be alone. I see waaaaay too many debate… --- ## [Bye bye nonestablishment clause?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-nonestablishment-clause/347047)
**Author:** [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bye-bye-nonestablishment-clause/347047 "2006-03-05T06:26:56Z")
http://www.kmov.com/topstories/stories/030206ccklrKmovreligionbill.7d361c3f.html \[QUOTE=KMOV\] State bill proposes Christianity be Missouri’s official religion Missouri legislators in Jefferson City considered a bill t… --- ## [Is teaching toddlers scientific words for 'unmentionable' body parts the answer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-teaching-toddlers-scientific-words-for-unmentionable-body-parts-the-answer/345884)
**Author:** [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-teaching-toddlers-scientific-words-for-unmentionable-body-parts-the-answer/345884 "2006-03-05T06:26:02Z")
I don’t believe so myself, since it may well engender an unwanted earnestness and even a fear of or repulsion for sex in children. C.S. Lewis addressed this matter in his own inimitable style in an article in The Specta… --- ## [Is the U.S. a democracy or a republic? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-u-s-a-democracy-or-a-republic-edited-title/345860)
**Author:** [@chuckczrx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chuckczrx)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-u-s-a-democracy-or-a-republic-edited-title/345860 "2006-03-05T02:52:56Z")
Excuse me? I was reading about the ownership of the Federal Reserve Bank and came across this little gem - “One may make the argument that we need the Fed because we’re a democracy.” I got ten bucks here that says you c… --- ## [What is heat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-heat/346850)
**Author:** [@smurfslappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smurfslappa)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-heat/346850 "2006-03-05T00:35:55Z")
We can measure it, we know it makes particles vibrate. What is it exactly, though? Discuss. --- ## [Livingstone and the Danish Cartoons - Jews vs Muslims](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/livingstone-and-the-danish-cartoons-jews-vs-muslims/346715)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2006, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/livingstone-and-the-danish-cartoons-jews-vs-muslims/346715 "2006-03-05T00:29:14Z")
I did a search and was surprised to find no coverage on the dope about Ken Livingstone’s recent suspension as the Mayor of London due to supposedly “anti-semitic” remarks. I thought the contrast between the handling of t… --- ## [Presidential Recall? A Constitutional Amendment whose time has come...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-recall-a-constitutional-amendment-whose-time-has-come/346834)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2006, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-recall-a-constitutional-amendment-whose-time-has-come/346834 "2006-03-04T23:50:36Z")
http://www.usconstitution.net/constam.html#process “The second method prescribed is for a Constitutional Convention to be called by two-thirds of the legislatures of the States, and for that Convention to propose one or… --- ## [Color vs. Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-vs-race/346758)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/color-vs-race/346758 "2006-03-04T21:06:25Z")
This is a serious thread considering whether we should abandon “race” as an indentity standard and move to a somewhat more useful “color” standard (with certain caveats: see below). Specifically, race is somewhat useles… --- ## [Dubai Ports World issue: why only controversial in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dubai-ports-world-issue-why-only-controversial-in-the-us/346694)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2006, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dubai-ports-world-issue-why-only-controversial-in-the-us/346694 "2006-03-04T18:53:50Z")
So, the hotest news item in the US (at least since Cheney’s hunting accident) is that Dubai Ports World (DPW) is buying P&O (a British company). Consequently, P&O’s port terminal operations will come under the managemen… --- ## [Electricity and Hurricanes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricity-and-hurricanes/346906)
**Author:** [@smurfslappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smurfslappa)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2006, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electricity-and-hurricanes/346906 "2006-03-04T04:48:47Z")
:dubious: So how many people believe hurricanes are simply warm water reactions? HaHaHa! You fools, they are electric phenomena as well! Sorry I like doing that, but seriously they are. Let me point you to this artic… --- ## [Sovereignty over the Northwest Passage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereignty-over-the-northwest-passage/346641)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2006, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sovereignty-over-the-northwest-passage/346641 "2006-03-04T04:26:24Z")
In several recent threads on Canadian politics, it has been mentioned that Canada intends to re-assert its sovereignty and control over the Northwest Passage sea route from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Up to now the NWP… --- ## [Are both sides totally mucking up the psychological war on terrorism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-both-sides-totally-mucking-up-the-psychological-war-on-terrorism/346956)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-both-sides-totally-mucking-up-the-psychological-war-on-terrorism/346956 "2006-03-04T02:07:58Z")
Both sides seem to be mucking up the psychological aspect of this war. The US is accused of being a self absorbed bully, a pawn of Israel and wanting to turn the mideast into a colonial gas station. we respond to this b… --- ## [May 2016: Former President George W. Bush, primarily remembered for ....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-2016-former-president-george-w-bush-primarily-remembered-for/346516)
**Author:** [@al129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al129)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2006, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/may-2016-former-president-george-w-bush-primarily-remembered-for/346516 "2006-03-04T01:10:53Z")
fill in the blanks … what will be a more historic p.o.v. of George W.??? cheers alfred [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=805) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=807)