# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=814 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 815 --- ## [The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and the "unitary executive"/Gitmo/"black prisons"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fabulous-furry-freak-brothers-and-the-unitary-executive-gitmo-black-prisons/343453)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fabulous-furry-freak-brothers-and-the-unitary-executive-gitmo-black-prisons/343453 "2006-02-08T13:45:07Z")
In Gilbert Shelton’s classic underground comix series The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freak\_brothers), there was a story, “Mexican Odyssey,” where Our Antiheroes go to Mexico to try to sco… --- ## [Muslim boycott of Danish goods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslim-boycott-of-danish-goods/342209)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2006, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslim-boycott-of-danish-goods/342209 "2006-02-08T11:55:16Z")
A thread in GQ mentions that (The thread asks what Arab products are imported to Denmark, so as to reciprocate the boycott.) An item at the link on this says: “12 satirical drawings, published by the danish newspaper… --- ## [What would it mean to LOSE the "war on terror"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-mean-to-lose-the-war-on-terror/342587)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2006, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-mean-to-lose-the-war-on-terror/342587 "2006-02-08T06:23:53Z")
Let us suppose that in 2009 president Gore surrenders to Al Queda. We officially lose the war on terror. What does the world look like?: What is an “operational definition” for “losing”? Presumably, an operational de… --- ## [Monroe, Terrorists and the New World Order](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monroe-terrorists-and-the-new-world-order/343163)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2006, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monroe-terrorists-and-the-new-world-order/343163 "2006-02-08T04:11:08Z")
This might seem like trolling, on a U.S. based board. I can only assure you that it’s not and hope that you take my word for it and accept my sincerity. For 75 % of my life, the boogy man was communists in general and s… --- ## [Valid but Unanswerable Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valid-but-unanswerable-questions/343338)
**Author:** [@piggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piggy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2006, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/valid-but-unanswerable-questions/343338 "2006-02-08T03:49:54Z")
Some people cry when they consider their mortality, or the mortality of their loved ones. What makes me weep are the limitations on our knowledge implicit in the Heisenberg/uncertainty principle, and the impossibility o… --- ## [Can we come to a consensus what racism is, and what a racist believes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-come-to-a-consensus-what-racism-is-and-what-a-racist-believes/342616)
**Author:** [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2006, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-come-to-a-consensus-what-racism-is-and-what-a-racist-believes/342616 "2006-02-08T03:18:22Z")
There have been a couple of recent threads in which I’ve happily helped derail by nitpicking whether racism was accurately described, or whether the behavior was simply racial bias, bigotry or discrimination – which are … --- ## [Tell me about the "federal Britain" idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-federal-britain-idea/342689)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2006, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-the-federal-britain-idea/342689 "2006-02-07T20:56:13Z")
Every once in a while I encounter some talk about a “federal Britain.” I’ve heard the Liberal Democrats favor the idea, but it’s not mentioned here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal\_Democrats\_(UK)#Policies Who supp… --- ## [Canadian Electoral Reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-electoral-reform/341429)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-electoral-reform/341429 "2006-02-07T19:08:48Z")
The last couple of elections (in particular) have raised this question. The Greens say, “Hey, we got 4½% of the vote, we should have 4½% of the seats.” The NDP agree, adding how can a candiate rightly represent a ridin… --- ## [Is Saudi Arabia behind the "Cartoon Riots"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saudi-arabia-behind-the-cartoon-riots/343335)
**Author:** [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2006, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-saudi-arabia-behind-the-cartoon-riots/343335 "2006-02-07T03:46:50Z")
(This may get transferred quick to GD, but I was hoping to get facts ;)) Basically, the author is stating that Saudi Arabia failed to prevent death of several hundred Muslims during Hajj in January, and was being brou… --- ## [The Coming (or continuing) WWIII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coming-or-continuing-wwiii/343288)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2006, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-coming-or-continuing-wwiii/343288 "2006-02-07T02:18:19Z")
Are we currently fighting WWIII? This is not so much nation -vs- nation as it is beliefs -vs- beliefs. Or lack of beliefs for that matter. In Europe alone you have a good size Muslim population. With these recent cartoo… --- ## [Can proof by picture be made rigorous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-proof-by-picture-be-made-rigorous/342971)
**Author:** [@bitwise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bitwise)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-proof-by-picture-be-made-rigorous/342971 "2006-02-06T23:00:01Z")
I’ve wondered about this before, but encountering the page below prompted me to write this post. (Note: I have not read the book.) http://cslipublications.stanford.edu/site/1575862948.html For centuries, we’ve had info… --- ## [Are we still fighting the U.S. Civil War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-still-fighting-the-u-s-civil-war/343257)
**Author:** [@XaMcQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XaMcQ)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-still-fighting-the-u-s-civil-war/343257 "2006-02-06T22:42:55Z")
I came upon these two maps in the blogosphere yesterday and they’ve got me baffled. There is a map of pre-Civil War U.S. showing the slave states, the free states and the contested territories. Then there is a map of t… --- ## [Vote against Alito, or I'll reveal that you're a closeted gay man!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-against-alito-or-ill-reveal-that-youre-a-closeted-gay-man/342697)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-against-alito-or-ill-reveal-that-youre-a-closeted-gay-man/342697 "2006-02-06T20:35:55Z")
So threatens the blogger here. We’ve discussed the general proposition before of the morality of “outing” someone. As I recall, there were a substantial number of posters who felt this was a morally acceptable thing to … --- ## [Is one government system/type by definition better than another?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-one-government-system-type-by-definition-better-than-another/343230)
**Author:** [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-one-government-system-type-by-definition-better-than-another/343230 "2006-02-06T19:54:53Z")
I can’t help but feel when I read about the differences between East and West in modern politics that the concept of democratic government is seen as in some way more advanced or, by definition, better than autocratic/no… --- ## [Why don't we do mandatory minimum car insurance in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-do-mandatory-minimum-car-insurance-in-the-us/342930)
**Author:** [@Leviscomte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leviscomte)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-do-mandatory-minimum-car-insurance-in-the-us/342930 "2006-02-06T19:06:56Z")
I know in most places it is the law that you must have mandatory minimum car insurance in the US. But uninsured/underinsured motorists are a pretty big problem despite this. An idea that I recently came across seems to… --- ## [Hitler's strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitlers-strategy/343114)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitlers-strategy/343114 "2006-02-06T17:17:49Z")
(This is more of a GQ, but I can’t see it turned into anything other than a debate.) I’ve read a lot about WWII in my life, starting when I was a child. I’m currently reading the memoirs of Adolf Galland, who was a hig… --- ## [...how America's War has hurt the global fight against terrorism...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-americas-war-has-hurt-the-global-fight-against-terrorism/342161)
**Author:** [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-americas-war-has-hurt-the-global-fight-against-terrorism/342161 "2006-02-06T12:25:52Z")
…it has been argued by some that The War Against Terror that the United States is currently persuing is the best option for America, and that unfortunate incidents like the Pakistani bombing, while sad for those involved… --- ## [Bush wanted to provoke Saddam by disguising US spyplanes in UN colours](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-wanted-to-provoke-saddam-by-disguising-us-spyplanes-in-un-colours/342812)
**Author:** [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-wanted-to-provoke-saddam-by-disguising-us-spyplanes-in-un-colours/342812 "2006-02-06T09:32:41Z")
Guardian link An in-depth Channel 4 news report confirmed this story, having been able to obtain a copy of the memo. Remember this when somewhere down the line it is claimed Syria or Iran have done something outrageo… --- ## [Ignorance of the law = Executive "Get out of Jail Free Card"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignorance-of-the-law-executive-get-out-of-jail-free-card/342722)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ignorance-of-the-law-executive-get-out-of-jail-free-card/342722 "2006-02-06T06:39:28Z")
It has always been my understanding that ignorance of the law was no defense. Reading an article recently in The Economist magazine I am forced to think this may not strictly be true. (Note the quote below is not linked… --- ## [Big Al Q prisoners tunnel out. Oops.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-al-q-prisoners-tunnel-out-oops/343138)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2006, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-al-q-prisoners-tunnel-out-oops/343138 "2006-02-06T05:41:44Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Interpol-Yemen-Escape.html?hp&ex=1139202000&en=1b9f9adff3bc9482&ei=5094&partner=homepage "at least 13 of the 23 escapees were convicted al-Qaida fighters, who escaped via… --- ## [Aristotle Onasis 'FLU?' Jackie - JFK, Jr](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aristotle-onasis-flu-jackie-jfk-jr/343132)
**Author:** [@Mother-Margaret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mother-Margaret)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aristotle-onasis-flu-jackie-jfk-jr/343132 "2006-02-05T23:52:17Z")
Aristotle Onasis - came down with a ‘flu?’ Did Aristotle Onasis have 'the pattern’ of 2-butoxyethanol harm? He had surgery for gall bladder not long before he died. Later Jackie Kennedy Onasis dies of NHL cancer - at … --- ## [How American are American cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-american-are-american-cars/342846)
**Author:** [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-american-are-american-cars/342846 "2006-02-05T23:32:23Z")
Detroit. Motor City. Home to GM, Ford and Chrysler. The last of which is actually owned by a consortium of international businessmen. Toyota. Nissan. Honda. Asian cars built right here in North America by non-unionized … --- ## ["Battle-Hardened" Cartoon -- Offensive??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-hardened-cartoon-offensive/342766)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-hardened-cartoon-offensive/342766 "2006-02-05T17:14:23Z")
I made the mistake of watching the first bit of the O’Reilly Factor again today; one of their top stories was a debate over this)) cartoon was offensive. The ex-general who was arguing that it was offensive was incensed… --- ## [Is There An 8th Sense Called: GAYDAR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-8th-sense-called-gaydar/342981)
**Author:** [@Intrepid\_Pencil\_Pusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intrepid_Pencil_Pusher)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-an-8th-sense-called-gaydar/342981 "2006-02-05T15:56:45Z")
Is There An 8th Sense Called: GAYDAR? Do you think it’s true that some individuals have “gaydar, or do you think it’s a founding concept for an urban legend?” Why is it that some individuals are better at identifying … --- ## [Reasons for belief and disbelief in God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-belief-and-disbelief-in-god/341964)
**Author:** [@Trust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trust)\ **Replies:** 303\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasons-for-belief-and-disbelief-in-god/341964 "2006-02-05T15:35:56Z")
After reading quite a few personal reasons for people believing in what they do, I am quite shocked at how many of these reasons are completely unjustified. This threads purpose is not to argue about belief or disbelief … --- ## [Do State of the Union Speeches serve any usefull purpose anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-state-of-the-union-speeches-serve-any-usefull-purpose-anymore/342948)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-state-of-the-union-speeches-serve-any-usefull-purpose-anymore/342948 "2006-02-05T03:28:26Z")
There’s no Constitutional Requirement that the President address Congress in an actual spoken speech. “The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their … --- ## [What if America Made a Law ro ban Islamic Caricatures ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-america-made-a-law-ro-ban-islamic-caricatures/342832)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-america-made-a-law-ro-ban-islamic-caricatures/342832 "2006-02-05T02:05:07Z")
I’m surprised that there has been no report of the American media republishing the Danish pictures that has the Islamic world in an uproar. After all, the American media is a bastion of freedom of expression. Perhaps the… --- ## [Is the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) constitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-foreign-intelligence-surveillance-act-fisa-constitutional/342555)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-foreign-intelligence-surveillance-act-fisa-constitutional/342555 "2006-02-05T02:03:16Z")
In this thread – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=356354 – Martin Hyde expressed doubt that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is “proper law.” But he has not backed that up with any ar… --- ## [Iranian Nuclear Weapons and Israel's Response - A diferent approach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-nuclear-weapons-and-israels-response-a-diferent-approach/343037)
**Author:** [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-nuclear-weapons-and-israels-response-a-diferent-approach/343037 "2006-02-04T22:24:22Z")
With all the saber rattling going on regarding Iran’s development of nuclear weapons could we be missing the bigger picture? Iran has a very large young population who appear to be growing discontented with the Iranian … --- ## [Is it fair/OK to demand faithfulness if one witholds sex?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-fair-ok-to-demand-faithfulness-if-one-witholds-sex/342661)
**Author:** [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-fair-ok-to-demand-faithfulness-if-one-witholds-sex/342661 "2006-02-04T21:55:42Z")
Dan Savage, the sex columnist, answered a few letters last month about spouses involved in sexless marriages. His general view is that witholding sex can be/is often a form of “emotional violence” He has received many … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=813) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=815)