# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=807 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 808 --- ## [\[If\] Bush \[were\] Assassinated In pakistan: likely Result? \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-were-assassinated-in-pakistan-likely-result-ed-title/346902)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-were-assassinated-in-pakistan-likely-result-ed-title/346902 "2006-03-03T21:45:51Z")
Suppose Al-queda has a high level mole inside the pakistani military, and succeeds in penetrating the sucurity arrangements. a massive bomb demolishes the presidential motorcade, taking out Musharrif as well. What would … --- ## [Are colors causally effacious in non-conscious interactions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-colors-causally-effacious-in-non-conscious-interactions/345077)
**Author:** [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-colors-causally-effacious-in-non-conscious-interactions/345077 "2006-03-03T21:45:26Z")
–Prologue– As some on this board may be aware, there is a lively debate over whether colors exist in the world, or are a psychological entity (“in the head”). We don’t normally debate the same aspect over shapes or size… --- ## [Should sedition be decriminalized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sedition-be-decriminalized/346803)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2006, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-sedition-be-decriminalized/346803 "2006-03-03T20:18:49Z")
A VA nurse who wrote a letter to the editor criticizing the Bush Administration and the war was recently investigated by the VA for “sedition.” http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/03/02/148237 Ridiculous, of … --- ## [Is competitive eating ethical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-competitive-eating-ethical/346583)
**Author:** [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-competitive-eating-ethical/346583 "2006-03-03T18:18:54Z")
Is it ethical to make a sport of consuming mass quantities of food while people around the world still regularly die of malnutrition? Or is it every capitalist’s right to consume as much as he pleases (or can afford) reg… --- ## [Why is there no statute of limitations on murder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-statute-of-limitations-on-murder/346840)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2006, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-statute-of-limitations-on-murder/346840 "2006-03-03T17:24:01Z")
There’s no statute of limitations on murder. As far as I’ve heard, that’s the only crime that works that way. Tell me if I’m wrong, but I think treason gets ignored when the administration changes once or twice. And ma… --- ## [Is the very concept of a "miracle" contradictory to Christianity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-very-concept-of-a-miracle-contradictory-to-christianity/346724)
**Author:** [@Soapbox\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soapbox_Monkey)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2006, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-very-concept-of-a-miracle-contradictory-to-christianity/346724 "2006-03-03T03:15:56Z")
The word miracle is most often used with a religious or spiritual connotation, but I was thinking the other day, doesn’t that seem a bit contradictory? Most followers of monotheistic religions believe that life is on a s… --- ## [How Does a Libertarian Society Deal with Monopolies and Trusts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-libertarian-society-deal-with-monopolies-and-trusts/346627)
**Author:** [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-a-libertarian-society-deal-with-monopolies-and-trusts/346627 "2006-03-02T23:10:11Z")
How can a Libertarian society deal with anti-competitive behavior? Particularly as it pertains to “essentials” - gasoline, electricity, water, natural gas, telephone service… Genuinely curious, can’t think of a terribly… --- ## [Bank refuses to loan money to eminent domain profiteers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-refuses-to-loan-money-to-eminent-domain-profiteers/346464)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bank-refuses-to-loan-money-to-eminent-domain-profiteers/346464 "2006-03-02T23:03:00Z")
From Forbes: Ought private businesses to express their political views through policy? Is there any sort of discrimination claim that prospective borrowers could make against the bank? Can the federal government proh… --- ## [Ten Worst Presidential Blunders... What do you think?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-worst-presidential-blunders-what-do-you-think/345152)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 223\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-worst-presidential-blunders-what-do-you-think/345152 "2006-03-02T21:56:13Z")
According to a survey of Presidential scholars: James Buchanan mishandles Southern secession, leads to Civil War Andrew Johnson opposes laws to improve treatment of Southern blacks post-Civil War Lyndon Johnson … --- ## [If a fetal incubator were invented...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-fetal-incubator-were-invented/346526)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-fetal-incubator-were-invented/346526 "2006-03-02T19:01:33Z")
… would you support its use in lieu of abortion? Say that an embryo or fetus could be extracted alive and healthy. This procedure is just as safe, if not safer, than a surgical abortion. The embryo or fetus is placed … --- ## [Ethical considerations for superheroes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-considerations-for-superheroes/345469)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-considerations-for-superheroes/345469 "2006-03-02T18:38:40Z")
OK, this thread is not, perhaps, as weighty as many that grace this forum. Noentheless, I believe GD is the correct home for it. A six-hour road trip over the weekend leads to all sorts of interesting conversations. One… --- ## ["There is no such thing as metaphysics."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-such-thing-as-metaphysics/345825)
**Author:** [@Tevildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tevildo)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-such-thing-as-metaphysics/345825 "2006-03-02T13:05:07Z")
From this thread: While I’m sure the subject of this quotation is the only person who can confirm or deny his personal views, I’d still like to discuss the issue. As I see it, this statement is as ridiculous as saying… --- ## [Why has the press abandoned its role as spokesman for the people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-press-abandoned-its-role-as-spokesman-for-the-people/346334)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-press-abandoned-its-role-as-spokesman-for-the-people/346334 "2006-03-02T12:50:01Z")
I did a quick search for a debate on this and didn’t see one. Why has have the media stopped asking members of the government to explain themselves? Why are they so willing to accept the p.r. answers and spin? At one p… --- ## [$300.000 for a year in jail? Extortionate, or does that seem about right to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/300-000-for-a-year-in-jail-extortionate-or-does-that-seem-about-right-to-you/346437)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/300-000-for-a-year-in-jail-extortionate-or-does-that-seem-about-right-to-you/346437 "2006-03-02T07:24:20Z")
Faced with an unsympathetic reception to its argument the Government paid money to settle the case. We may believe their assertion that no guilt is implied by this payment, and thatt forcing the government, in the p… --- ## [Is the Imposition of Ashes Against Christ's Teachings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-imposition-of-ashes-against-christs-teachings/346597)
**Author:** [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-imposition-of-ashes-against-christs-teachings/346597 "2006-03-02T05:36:09Z")
Like a lot of Christians, later today I’ll be sporting a dot made of ashes on my forehead after attending Ash Wednesday services. It occurred to me recently, however, that this may go against Christ’s teachings, specifi… --- ## [Are undercover cops psycopaths?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-undercover-cops-psycopaths/346569)
**Author:** [@deevee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deevee)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-undercover-cops-psycopaths/346569 "2006-03-02T05:24:25Z")
I just finished watching a Sopranos repeat where an FBI agent befriends Andrea, initializing a chain of events that eventually leads to her murder, sure it’s just TV drama but there’s an ugly underlying truth. My ex g/f… --- ## [How would rationing work if it was reinstated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-rationing-work-if-it-was-reinstated/346270)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-rationing-work-if-it-was-reinstated/346270 "2006-03-02T04:31:15Z")
How would the US government go about rationing gasoline (or food) today? Are there contigency plans in place (that are public)? Would all licenced driver get an electronic ration card (similiar to EBT cards)? Is it … --- ## [SCOTUS says RICO's not meant for abortion clinic protestors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-says-ricos-not-meant-for-abortion-clinic-protestors/346484)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-says-ricos-not-meant-for-abortion-clinic-protestors/346484 "2006-03-02T01:01:57Z")
The Court ruled 8-0 (Alito did not vote) that RICO cannot be used against abortion clinic protest groups: The Court gets it resoundingly right. RICO was never intended to apply to groups like abortion protestors, the S… --- ## [Will the Iran standoff lead to a new Cold War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-iran-standoff-lead-to-a-new-cold-war/346355)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-iran-standoff-lead-to-a-new-cold-war/346355 "2006-03-01T23:40:31Z")
From “Kennan’s Comeback,” by James Pinkerton, in Tech Central, 2/22/06 – http://www.newamerica.net/index.cfm?pg=article&DocID=2896: Is this outcome probable? --- ## [Zogby Poll: Not a debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zogby-poll-not-a-debate/346536)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zogby-poll-not-a-debate/346536 "2006-03-01T22:14:02Z")
I received an email today from Zogby and thought I’d share some of the poll findings here. There really isn’t a debate in this that I can think of right now, so I suppose this is more along the line of ‘witnessing’ (so … --- ## [9/11 Conspiracy Theories (Not the pentagon plane)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-conspiracy-theories-not-the-pentagon-plane/346556)
**Author:** [@EvilHamsterOnCrack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilHamsterOnCrack)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-conspiracy-theories-not-the-pentagon-plane/346556 "2006-03-01T20:56:16Z")
We’ve beaten the pentagon plane thing to death here, and that’s not what I’m asking about, before you close the thread. A friend of mine has recently been caught up in all this 9/11 conspiracy stuff that says that the U… --- ## [Drugs, Alcohol and Mental Illness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-alcohol-and-mental-illness/346593)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-alcohol-and-mental-illness/346593 "2006-03-01T19:45:13Z")
Inspired by this thread. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=360700 Posting this in GD although as although I am looking for factual information, I am sure there will be something of a debate about the… --- ## [Well that didn't take long. SD Senate votes 23-12 to ban nearly all abortions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-that-didnt-take-long-sd-senate-votes-23-12-to-ban-nearly-all-abortions/345712)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-that-didnt-take-long-sd-senate-votes-23-12-to-ban-nearly-all-abortions/345712 "2006-03-01T17:47:54Z")
The South Dakota Senate has voted to ban nearly all abortions, including those resulting from incest or rape. The only exceptions would be cases where it’s necessary to protect the mother’s life. The House passed a si… --- ## [Contemporary philosophers denying "the real world"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporary-philosophers-denying-the-real-world/346462)
**Author:** [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemporary-philosophers-denying-the-real-world/346462 "2006-03-01T16:53:55Z")
Are there any contemporary philosophers who claim the world doesn’t exist in a form similar to what we think? Or any who claim the world could as well be created 2 mins ago? Or anything that results in historical facts… --- ## [What WILL God Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-god-do/346195)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-god-do/346195 "2006-03-01T11:26:07Z")
…when men start usurping god-like powers? For example, suppose scientists find a way to synthesize living organisms…and find a way to extend human lifespans indefinitely? Suppose further, that hunger, disease, poverty ar… --- ## [border control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/border-control/346184)
**Author:** [@taxpayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxpayer)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/border-control/346184 "2006-03-01T09:48:12Z")
I run a construction biz down south and the open border is killing me and has been for about 15 years. I can’t compete with 25 guys living in one house, but to get to the question. Once a week now I get beat out of a $50… --- ## [Why is the NFL allowed to use IQ tests during its hiring process?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-nfl-allowed-to-use-iq-tests-during-its-hiring-process/346385)
**Author:** [@RadioMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioMagic)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-nfl-allowed-to-use-iq-tests-during-its-hiring-process/346385 "2006-03-01T07:18:06Z")
First, from wikipedia. Second, I thought using IQ tests during the hiring process has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (Greggs v Duke Power?). Is this wrong or has the NFL, being the powerful organiz… --- ## [William F. Buckley Jr concedes defeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-f-buckley-jr-concedes-defeat/346454)
**Author:** [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2006, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-f-buckley-jr-concedes-defeat/346454 "2006-03-01T00:09:51Z")
William F. Buckley Jr is the founder of The National Review and one of the most influential conservative thinkers in the US. In an opinion piece published yesterday under the headline “It Didn’t Work” , he wrote I vote… --- ## [The White House must really be worried](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-house-must-really-be-worried/346279)
**Author:** [@suezeekay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suezeekay)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-house-must-really-be-worried/346279 "2006-02-28T21:43:38Z")
I see on Drudge tonight that Bush and his cronies have already started in on Hillary. They must have decided she has a real chance of being successful in winning the primary, and even the presidency. So, they have to s… --- ## [Best Presidential Successes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-presidential-successes/345514)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-presidential-successes/345514 "2006-02-28T21:09:19Z")
There is a thread in GD here about the ten biggest political blunderrs. Very interesting reading (once I get past the back and forth about Clinton et al). But I was wondering if there is much too much focus on the nega… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=806) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=808)