# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=815 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 816 --- ## [Genuine 'not guilty by reason insanity' case - Do you accept "He's cured?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-not-guilty-by-reason-insanity-case-do-you-accept-hes-cured/342692)
**Author:** [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-not-guilty-by-reason-insanity-case-do-you-accept-hes-cured/342692 "2006-02-04T17:20:08Z")
I was doing my normal web wander for odd news, and saw this item. Obviously, while the gory details are there, the ones that I’d think are most important for determining whether this James Yang is a hazard to the commun… --- ## [The Federalist #1 or Can Americans Still Read?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federalist-1-or-can-americans-still-read/341975)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federalist-1-or-can-americans-still-read/341975 "2006-02-04T16:24:55Z")
INTRODUCTION: 200 and some years ago, the United States found itself being torn apart as each state became more and more and independent nation, and having no way to coordinate itself as a nation, nor to respond to othe… --- ## [Is there more anti-black racism among white Republicans than white Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-more-anti-black-racism-among-white-republicans-than-white-democrats/342562)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-more-anti-black-racism-among-white-republicans-than-white-democrats/342562 "2006-02-04T06:10:47Z")
This potentially valuable thread – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=356492 – quickly and regrettably got hijacked into pointless semantic quibbles about what is or is not “racism.” Let’s start over.… --- ## [Did Correta King die in a fake hospital?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-correta-king-die-in-a-fake-hospital/342508)
**Author:** [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-correta-king-die-in-a-fake-hospital/342508 "2006-02-04T02:47:17Z")
Well, this is weird… According to this story, the widow of MLK died in a mexican fake hospital practicing various quackeries. Maybe she was so far gone that someone decided that a one in a billion chance was better tha… --- ## [Worshipping Graven Images](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worshipping-graven-images/341315)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worshipping-graven-images/341315 "2006-02-04T02:41:06Z")
Why is it that this commandment gets ignored so often by all three Abrahamic religions? The Wailing Wall is a Graven Image The Rock in Mecca is a Graven image The Crucifix is a Graven Image The American Flag is a Gra… --- ## [Hamas wins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamas-wins/341687)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hamas-wins/341687 "2006-02-04T00:53:56Z")
Hamas wins in the PA election. Predictions? Comments? My WAG is that it is bad. But it leaves Israel a clear path. Finish that fence quickly and seal the PA out as well as you can as quickly as you can. --- ## [Should the U.S. Congress be more like the British House of Commons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-u-s-congress-be-more-like-the-british-house-of-commons/342582)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-u-s-congress-be-more-like-the-british-house-of-commons/342582 "2006-02-04T00:46:11Z")
I’m not talking about replacing the American separation-of-powers system with a parliamentary system (executive branch elected by legislature). I mean in matters of form, procedure and decorum. In the Westminster Parli… --- ## [Americans saving less money. Discuss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-saving-less-money-discuss/342307)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2006, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-saving-less-money-discuss/342307 "2006-02-04T00:35:20Z")
We’ve all heard the news, and some have taken it to be an indictment on Bush and economic policy. This isn’t a defense of Bush, nor an attack on Democrats. This is intended more as a debate on the responsibility of indi… --- ## [Republicans and Independant: What did you think of the SOTU address last night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-independant-what-did-you-think-of-the-sotu-address-last-night/342525)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-independant-what-did-you-think-of-the-sotu-address-last-night/342525 "2006-02-03T21:46:47Z")
I only see one thread on the SOTU address in GD right now and it is a prediction thread, speculating on what folks thought Bush would have to say. Well, we’ve seen what he said now and I was wonder if I could get the re… --- ## [Unintended consquences of restricting exective pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintended-consquences-of-restricting-exective-pay/342139)
**Author:** [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintended-consquences-of-restricting-exective-pay/342139 "2006-02-03T20:11:19Z")
I recently read about a stock investor who made their investment choices based mainly on the ratio of highest executive pay to lowest intern pay… the closer the two values were, the better this person liked the company (… --- ## [Google to block some searches in China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-to-block-some-searches-in-china/341556)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-to-block-some-searches-in-china/341556 "2006-02-03T17:50:17Z")
Company says it will censor politically sensitive terms to comply with Beijing’s policies. I think this sucks. Godwin be damned: I think that if Google was around during the Nazi regime and blocked searches about “Jews… --- ## [How Is This So Different From Suicide Bombers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-so-different-from-suicide-bombers/342090)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-this-so-different-from-suicide-bombers/342090 "2006-02-03T17:05:37Z")
This morning’s (29 Jan) Lost Angeles Times has this article on the CIA’s assination by drone program. This is the program that carried out the drone attack in Pakistan to attempt to get a high Al Qaeda mucky-muck. Our … --- ## [Military service and its effect on gangs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-service-and-its-effect-on-gangs/342141)
**Author:** [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-service-and-its-effect-on-gangs/342141 "2006-02-03T14:47:23Z")
Would enacting a compulsory miliary service in the U.S. (perhaps similar to what Israel has) have a postive effect on gangs problems or would members and potential members simply come back from service with a better accu… --- ## [What animal-human hybrids should be prohibited?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animal-human-hybrids-should-be-prohibited/342557)
**Author:** [@Jeeves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeeves)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animal-human-hybrids-should-be-prohibited/342557 "2006-02-03T13:00:40Z")
And, what was that in reference to in the SOTU speech by the president? I am not aware of any controversy over animal human hybrids. The only AHHs that could fit remotely are bacteria modified with human genetic inform… --- ## [Is "Magic of the Future" unscientific?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-magic-of-the-future-unscientific/342646)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-magic-of-the-future-unscientific/342646 "2006-02-03T06:38:35Z")
This is a free ebook called magic of the future… http://www.hscti.com/magicofthefuture.pdf is it a hoax? BTW if you get tense or sweaty when thinking about it, I do too. --- ## [Study says Republican voters more likely to be racist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-says-republican-voters-more-likely-to-be-racist/342254)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-says-republican-voters-more-likely-to-be-racist/342254 "2006-02-03T01:47:13Z")
The story is here: This agrees with a lot of my impressions of many Republican voters in this area. Though I was a Republican voter not long ago, the tendency toward racism that I thought I saw was always a sore point… --- ## [Brokeback Mountain: Will It Have Any Carry Over Effect On Homophobia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brokeback-mountain-will-it-have-any-carry-over-effect-on-homophobia/341537)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brokeback-mountain-will-it-have-any-carry-over-effect-on-homophobia/341537 "2006-02-03T00:23:02Z")
The film, Brokeback Mountain has expanded to a wider market and has been doing very good boxoffice outside of the traditional (Gay) SF, LA and NY markets. In one respect, you could say the film is preaching to the choir… --- ## [Have you ever lost your faith?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-lost-your-faith/341833)
**Author:** [@Obsidian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obsidian)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-lost-your-faith/341833 "2006-02-02T22:07:21Z")
I’ve always believed there was some point guiding my existance. Not really religion, but a very strong belief in fate. I felt everything happened for a reason. I was so sure of this. I was sure something out there was wa… --- ## [Are Hindus guilty of idolatory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hindus-guilty-of-idolatory/342442)
**Author:** [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-hindus-guilty-of-idolatory/342442 "2006-02-02T19:44:22Z")
Inspired somewhat by this thread. Hindus believe in the a single God, the Brahman, the three aspects of which are represented by the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. In addition they have a sizeable collection of le… --- ## [Is the PRC government right to fear Falun Gong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-prc-government-right-to-fear-falun-gong/341891)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-prc-government-right-to-fear-falun-gong/341891 "2006-02-02T16:54:38Z")
The Chinese government has actively suppressed the Falun Gong religion since 1998. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falun\_Gong#Government\_crackdown) I would not try to defend that, but I think it is possible to understand … --- ## [Is it fair to use the labels Red State / Blue State when the dichotomy is](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-fair-to-use-the-labels-red-state-blue-state-when-the-dichotomy-is/342441)
**Author:** [@Ty\_Cobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ty_Cobb)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-fair-to-use-the-labels-red-state-blue-state-when-the-dichotomy-is/342441 "2006-02-02T15:40:34Z")
really one of rural and urban? All the states are internally divided fairly consistently along those lines, lokking at the county-by-county red/blue/purple maps. --- ## [You lost on Alito, what next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-lost-on-alito-what-next/342332)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-lost-on-alito-what-next/342332 "2006-02-02T10:05:17Z")
Unless GWB picks someone on the left side of the real mainstream… and the conservatives let him get away with it, the Dems will definately fillibuster the next nominee. They like being the whining victim party. If… --- ## [Bush didn't provoke Iran's and North Korea's nukes, did he?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-didnt-provoke-irans-and-north-koreas-nukes-did-he/341701)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-didnt-provoke-irans-and-north-koreas-nukes-did-he/341701 "2006-02-02T04:49:38Z")
Some people think that Iran and North Korea restarted their nuclear weapons program in response to Bush’s “axis of evil” speech and his aggressive foreign policy, but wouldn’t they have done it anyway? Wouldn’t they hav… --- ## [Is it time for an actual World Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-an-actual-world-government/341557)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-an-actual-world-government/341557 "2006-02-02T04:44:37Z")
In general, the world has moved on from a time in which the only times a government/power would interact with another was in times of war. We have interdependent economies. Governments no longer merely make decisions tha… --- ## [Economic sanctions: are they ever a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-sanctions-are-they-ever-a-good-idea/342101)
**Author:** [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-sanctions-are-they-ever-a-good-idea/342101 "2006-02-02T02:41:18Z")
Last week I went to see what Paul Bremer had to say about his year in Iraq. He spent a lot of time talking about how horrible things were before he got there (as if we didn’t know, which was kind of annoying), and about… --- ## [Does a socioeconomic elite class have value to people who aren't in it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-socioeconomic-elite-class-have-value-to-people-who-arent-in-it/341434)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2006, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-socioeconomic-elite-class-have-value-to-people-who-arent-in-it/341434 "2006-02-02T01:11:11Z")
Bertrand Russell, in Power, wrote something to the effect (can’t recall the quote verbatim or put my hands on the book) that, whatever one’s politics might be, there can be no defense for an aristocratic ethic – these fe… --- ## [Can W be impeached for something that is illegal but has public support?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-w-be-impeached-for-something-that-is-illegal-but-has-public-support/342118)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-w-be-impeached-for-something-that-is-illegal-but-has-public-support/342118 "2006-02-01T22:48:45Z")
Unless you buy the whole “unitary executive” theory, I don’t think there’s any doubt that Bush acted illegally when he authorized the NSA to wiretap phone calls to foreign countries without first obtaining FISA warrants.… --- ## [Did Abe Lincoln start corporate America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-abe-lincoln-start-corporate-america/342411)
**Author:** [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-abe-lincoln-start-corporate-america/342411 "2006-02-01T22:35:57Z")
Well, down in the pit mswas came along with this response at some point: When asked for clarification, his elaboration was: Now, rather than remain in the pit and get all messy, I figured this would be something perh… --- ## [Political "Mainstream"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-mainstream/342072)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-mainstream/342072 "2006-02-01T22:35:19Z")
Let’s define it by example: Name me some right-wing groups or people that are just barely inside or outside that line … NRA, Scalia, Limbaugh? In or out? Same with the left … Move-On, Sheehan, NOW? --- ## [I stumbled onto the FATIGUE of CFIDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-stumbled-onto-the-fatigue-of-cfids/342060)
**Author:** [@Mother-Margaret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mother-Margaret)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-stumbled-onto-the-fatigue-of-cfids/342060 "2006-02-01T22:07:15Z")
I didn’t realize when I started my study on 2-butoxyethanol over 3 years ago … that that’s what I’d find, but I do believe I have made a major medical discovery … and I’m neither a medical person nor a researcher. I bel… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=814) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=816)