# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=810 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 811 --- ## [Is this a valid reason to use Ethanol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-valid-reason-to-use-ethanol/345417)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-valid-reason-to-use-ethanol/345417 "2006-02-21T17:57:38Z")
Yes, I’ve heard the reasons not to use E85. It’s expensive and subsidized. It has less “bang for the buck”. You need to buy a car that uses it. Using it may cause more carbon to be emitted into the atmosphere. Howev… --- ## [When the sun burns out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-sun-burns-out/344797)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-sun-burns-out/344797 "2006-02-21T17:34:53Z")
Not to bum anybody out, but we all know the sun can’t last forever. Another five billion years or so, and we’re toast. Or are we? I, for one, am feeling pretty optimistic. Five billion years is a long time for us to … --- ## [If we spent more time teaching our kids the word of God...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-spent-more-time-teaching-our-kids-the-word-of-god/344742)
**Author:** [@Bag\_of\_Mostly\_Water](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bag_of_Mostly_Water)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-spent-more-time-teaching-our-kids-the-word-of-god/344742 "2006-02-21T16:09:40Z")
As quoted in a column by Patty Fisher in today’s San Jose Mercury News. The column summarizes responses to her column Saturday on the debate over evolution. I find Paula Wolf’s comment disturbing on many levels. Feel f… --- ## [Love and Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-and-truth/344273)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-and-truth/344273 "2006-02-21T12:42:01Z")
From here: In responding to this, it occured to me that the potential for semantical gamesmanship is extremely high. Continuing to discuss it there likely would have hijacked Mines’ thread. (You see? Even old dogs like… --- ## [Ask the Seminary Student](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-seminary-student/343825)
**Author:** [@Mines\_Mystique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mines_Mystique)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-seminary-student/343825 "2006-02-21T12:29:08Z")
As the title says, I am a first-year Seminary student at Denver Seminary. I will answer questions to the best of my ability, but be aware that I probably won’t have all the answers to questions that might come up. For … --- ## [How (Un)Lucky that Military Abuse in Iraq has always been photographed and published](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-un-lucky-that-military-abuse-in-iraq-has-always-been-photographed-and-published/344865)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-un-lucky-that-military-abuse-in-iraq-has-always-been-photographed-and-published/344865 "2006-02-21T07:47:12Z")
With the prisoner abuse Abu Ghraib surfacing again (soon after the second set pictures of British soldiers beating and otherwise maltreating Iraqi civilians surfaced) I was struck by the common response that in all case… --- ## [The government should fund think tanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-government-should-fund-think-tanks/345351)
**Author:** [@David\_God\_of\_Frogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_God_of_Frogs)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-government-should-fund-think-tanks/345351 "2006-02-21T02:50:38Z")
Of course, if the think tanks ask for funding themselves, it looks really transparent, so we here at the SDMB have to play the role of a think tank. I’ve always thought the economy of ideas is more important than the ec… --- ## [I am a multiple felon: the overcriminalization of America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-multiple-felon-the-overcriminalization-of-america/344342)
**Author:** [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-a-multiple-felon-the-overcriminalization-of-america/344342 "2006-02-21T02:10:07Z")
Loosely inspired by this thread, and by an incident in my office over the weekend. We are painting the office, and so we have a crew in working on the place. Being a law office, one of the painters couldn’t resist tryi… --- ## [Does religion need to stop scientific research?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-religion-need-to-stop-scientific-research/343119)
**Author:** [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-religion-need-to-stop-scientific-research/343119 "2006-02-21T01:59:24Z")
After reading this thread, I started thinking about how religions throughout history have attempted to stop scientific discoveries from being shared. From heliocentric theory to intelligent design, various churches have… --- ## [Does Cheney have the power to declassify?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cheney-have-the-power-to-declassify/344800)
**Author:** [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2006, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-cheney-have-the-power-to-declassify/344800 "2006-02-20T21:43:53Z")
On CNN.com they are repeating Cheney’s claims that he can declassify information under an executive order. This is the first I’ve heard of any such claim by any VP. Is this an extension of the unitary claim? Is there … --- ## [Is Conservatism vs. Bushism finally coming to a head? Glen Greenwalds' rising storm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-conservatism-vs-bushism-finally-coming-to-a-head-glen-greenwalds-rising-storm/344408)
**Author:** [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2006, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-conservatism-vs-bushism-finally-coming-to-a-head-glen-greenwalds-rising-storm/344408 "2006-02-20T16:26:15Z")
As Bush nears the end of his term as President and thus the end of his time as an active force for conservatism, it’s inevitable that there will be some consideration amongst conservatives whether the dogged defense of h… --- ## [Iraq War Supporters: How is Iran Different?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-supporters-how-is-iran-different/344963)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2006, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-supporters-how-is-iran-different/344963 "2006-02-20T10:25:00Z")
Let’s go over the invasion checklist: X Developing WMDS X Virulently anti-American XX Aiding and abetting terrorists X Destablizing force in a vitally important region Why is Iran getting off with some strong langua… --- ## [Another "Meaning of Life" thread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-meaning-of-life-thread/344754)
**Author:** [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2006, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-meaning-of-life-thread/344754 "2006-02-20T05:28:58Z")
At certain points within the universe’s history, matter has exhibited behaviors that produce spectacular “universe changing” results. Since humanity is also matter, those behavior patterns remain as an integral part of … --- ## [Is there much difference between Chinese and American citizens' perspectives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-much-difference-between-chinese-and-american-citizens-perspectives/345075)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2006, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-much-difference-between-chinese-and-american-citizens-perspectives/345075 "2006-02-19T23:44:18Z")
I had a recent conversation with a Chinese student, Ling, who studies with my girlfriend here in Paris. Long story short, though I spend a lot of time with Chinese people here in Paris, I’ve never gotten the nerve to sp… --- ## [Places from which energy could be harnessed but isn't....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-from-which-energy-could-be-harnessed-but-isnt/344302)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2006, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/places-from-which-energy-could-be-harnessed-but-isnt/344302 "2006-02-19T21:29:13Z")
I got to thinking about all the people in the world who are sitting on exercise bikes churning away and I wondered, “What if someone hooked them up to some electricity producing whachamadoohicky thing?” There’s so much … --- ## [Can one be a christian if they convert for the wrong reasons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-be-a-christian-if-they-convert-for-the-wrong-reasons/345005)
**Author:** [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-be-a-christian-if-they-convert-for-the-wrong-reasons/345005 "2006-02-19T16:54:48Z")
I’m sure I’m not the first one to ever come up with this line of thought, and no doubt it’s been posted on the dope before. I am not a bible scholar, or an expert on religious history, so some of these ideas may be erron… --- ## [What can I do to save the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-save-the-world/345073)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2006, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-to-save-the-world/345073 "2006-02-19T15:13:25Z")
There’s so much stuff happening right now, and knowing about it usually just makes you feel worse if you don’t know what you as a person can do. For instance, what can I do about corruption in Washington? What can I do… --- ## [Crime and bail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crime-and-bail/345114)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2006, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crime-and-bail/345114 "2006-02-19T10:52:57Z")
By how much would the crime rate be affected if bail were not available for those with previous criminal records? --- ## [We knew it was coming:$1 mill. bounty on danish cartoonist....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-it-was-coming-1-mill-bounty-on-danish-cartoonist/345020)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-knew-it-was-coming-1-mill-bounty-on-danish-cartoonist/345020 "2006-02-18T23:32:30Z")
Probably to no one’s surprise, a pakistani imam has offered a million dollar bounty for the murder of one of the danish cartoonists. Unlike other solicitations to murder, such as the bounty on Rushdie posted by Khomenei… --- ## [In the Pocket of the Saudis...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-pocket-of-the-saudis/344469)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-pocket-of-the-saudis/344469 "2006-02-18T18:04:57Z")
I thought it was George Bush who was dancing on the strings pulled by the Saudis. Given that a majority of the 9/11 murderers were Saudi, and the amount of venom directed at the President for his ties to the Saudis, and… --- ## [Why are people getting taller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-getting-taller/344991)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2006, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-getting-taller/344991 "2006-02-18T15:15:29Z")
I’ve witness several generations of Canadians and one thing is clear. People are getting taller. Although I myself don’t qualify, I’ve seen a vast majority of my male peers achieve height significantly in excess of the… --- ## [UN to U.S.: Shut down Guantanamo Bay prison now!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-to-u-s-shut-down-guantanamo-bay-prison-now/344837)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-to-u-s-shut-down-guantanamo-bay-prison-now/344837 "2006-02-18T14:47:23Z")
A report filed by five independent investigators working for the UN Human Rights Commission alleges violations amounting to torture at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. It demands the U.S. immediately try or release … --- ## [British Double Whammy for Guantanamo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-double-whammy-for-guantanamo/344926)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2006, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-double-whammy-for-guantanamo/344926 "2006-02-18T12:18:57Z")
"A high court judge yesterday delivered a stinging attack on America, saying its idea of what constituted torture was out of step with that of “most civilised nations”. The criticism, directed at the Bush administrati… --- ## [Boycotting artists is wrong; unless it's my cause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycotting-artists-is-wrong-unless-its-my-cause/344717)
**Author:** [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2006, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycotting-artists-is-wrong-unless-its-my-cause/344717 "2006-02-18T07:19:59Z")
Following a current thread in Cafe Society, the subject is boycotting artists. Boycotting artists because of their political statements is censorship, it’s trying to shut down debate, it’s an attempt at conformity or els… --- ## [Poll: will Cheney step down as veep before 2009?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-will-cheney-step-down-as-veep-before-2009/344484)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2006, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-will-cheney-step-down-as-veep-before-2009/344484 "2006-02-18T00:39:20Z")
If so, when? And who will replace him as veep? I’m going out on a limb with: Yes, 2006, and Sen. George Allen. Just got a hunch that the PTB are starting to see him as too much of a liability. --- ## [Biological difference between blacks and whites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biological-difference-between-blacks-and-whites/344011)
**Author:** [@zp1005](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zp1005)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2006, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biological-difference-between-blacks-and-whites/344011 "2006-02-17T22:52:10Z")
I have heard that the reason blacks tend to(seem to?) be faster than whites is because they have more fast twitch muscle fibers. Or an extra tendon/muscle etc. Now I don’t think that is the case, I think it has more to… --- ## [At what point in Iran's pursuit of a nuclear bomb are we justified in attacking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-in-irans-pursuit-of-a-nuclear-bomb-are-we-justified-in-attacking/344082)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2006, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-in-irans-pursuit-of-a-nuclear-bomb-are-we-justified-in-attacking/344082 "2006-02-17T21:27:00Z")
What’s the most appropriate measure to use for determining when the use of military force is necessary & justified in stopping Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear bomb? --- ## [How important is CPAC? Is this where the Republican party is headed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-cpac-is-this-where-the-republican-party-is-headed/344986)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2006, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-cpac-is-this-where-the-republican-party-is-headed/344986 "2006-02-17T20:34:28Z")
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=72&ItemID=9732 -FrL- --- ## [Google news, NPR, and Katrina (anecdotal)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-news-npr-and-katrina-anecdotal/344930)
**Author:** [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2006, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-news-npr-and-katrina-anecdotal/344930 "2006-02-17T18:53:49Z")
I’m far from a news hound. Most of the time I belly up to the pre-digested online troughs of Google News Top Stories and the Dope. I suppliment that with watching snippets of various national mainstream morning shows (… --- ## [Does anyone really really care....? (News of Cheney shooting vs "real" news) \[Ed.\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-really-really-care-news-of-cheney-shooting-vs-real-news-ed/344380)
**Author:** [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-really-really-care-news-of-cheney-shooting-vs-real-news-ed/344380 "2006-02-17T15:38:45Z")
Today’s White House Press converence was taken up with a lot of time devoted as to why a property owner released the news regarding the veep and his good friend being involved in a more or less minor hunting (shooting) i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=809) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=811)