# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=816 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 817 --- ## [What's wrong with human cloning anyway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-human-cloning-anyway/342564)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-human-cloning-anyway/342564 "2006-02-01T21:21:46Z")
There’s been a ban on human cloning research in the U.S. since the Clinton Administration. And Bush expressly mentioned it, stating clear opposition, in his SOTU adress last night. I’ve never understood why. What has … --- ## [Should the US jail the wives of Iraqi insurgents to coerce their surrender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-jail-the-wives-of-iraqi-insurgents-to-coerce-their-surrender/341907)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-jail-the-wives-of-iraqi-insurgents-to-coerce-their-surrender/341907 "2006-02-01T17:49:04Z")
This tactic has apparently been used more than once: Is this tactic justified under the circumstances? Can the threat of the violence and instability posed by the insurgency justify any and all tactics, no matter how … --- ## [Latest Iraq poll: 47% approve attacks on US forces](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-iraq-poll-47-approve-attacks-on-us-forces/342518)
**Author:** [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/latest-iraq-poll-47-approve-attacks-on-us-forces/342518 "2006-02-01T17:29:43Z")
If the latest poll can be believed even half of our nominal allies (the Shia) want us to leave. 70% overall. 41% of them approve of attacks (47% of population overall). If Kurds are excluded the figures are much worse… --- ## [Is telling someone suicidal how to commit suicide wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-telling-someone-suicidal-how-to-commit-suicide-wrong/341673)
**Author:** [@Corporate\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corporate_Hippie)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-telling-someone-suicidal-how-to-commit-suicide-wrong/341673 "2006-02-01T17:11:51Z")
A Virtual Path to Suicide A part of me wants to agree with the online groups’ premise that suicide is a decision people should be able to make, but the idea of an online group that acts like “a flytrap for suicidal peop… --- ## [Frist: Gov't Unwanted in End-of-Life Cases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-govt-unwanted-in-end-of-life-cases/342288)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-govt-unwanted-in-end-of-life-cases/342288 "2006-02-01T16:44:42Z")
Frist: Gov’t Unwanted in End-of-Life Cases However, it seems that when Frist was visited by the Clue Fairy, the Bullshit Fairy was tagging along for the ride: --- ## [Should Superheroes be Regulated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-superheroes-be-regulated/341956)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-superheroes-be-regulated/341956 "2006-02-01T16:16:21Z")
So I know this could go either in Cafe Society of Great Debates, but since I am not discussing a particular work I figured I would put it here and see what happens. So, if suddenly we discovered that there were people w… --- ## [SOU address tonight -- what will W say?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sou-address-tonight-what-will-w-say/342384)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sou-address-tonight-what-will-w-say/342384 "2006-02-01T11:30:08Z")
We’ve already got a Pit thread going – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=356505 – but handicapping the State of the Union address is GD material, too. What will Bush most likely cover in tonight’s add… --- ## ["Secretary of Defense" should be "Secretary of War"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-defense-should-be-secretary-of-war/342027)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secretary-of-defense-should-be-secretary-of-war/342027 "2006-02-01T00:55:24Z")
According to Wikipedia, I have no objection to the combining of portfolios, but I do object to the name change. “Secretary of Defense” and “Defense Department” is not only a euphamism, it’s self-deceiving propaganda. … --- ## [United Airlines Flight 93, the movies are starting....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-airlines-flight-93-the-movies-are-starting/342373)
**Author:** [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/united-airlines-flight-93-the-movies-are-starting/342373 "2006-02-01T00:11:36Z")
I’m torn, part of me thinks it’s in bad taste to create movies about the doomed UA 93 flight on 9/11/2001, the other part of me says withhold judgement until the final product is “in the can”… i was watching the A&E pro… --- ## [Will China attack Taiwan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-china-attack-taiwan/342133)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-china-attack-taiwan/342133 "2006-01-31T16:35:27Z")
I’m just curious what the “new” developements (over %9 growth, fourth largest economy in the world, etc) in China mean for Taiwan. My girlfriend’s from Taiwan, and she never seems too worried about China attacking. How… --- ## [Is China going to continue on this course?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-going-to-continue-on-this-course/342135)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-going-to-continue-on-this-course/342135 "2006-01-31T16:24:36Z")
I’m just curious if China is going to be able to continue this incredible growth. First, it seems like an economy that grows at this rate is band to hit a wall at some point. Second, isn’t there a huge imbalance in Chi… --- ## [Suicide, Christianity, and "Thou Shalt Not Kill/Murder"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-christianity-and-thou-shalt-not-kill-murder/342029)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-christianity-and-thou-shalt-not-kill-murder/342029 "2006-01-31T13:03:53Z")
My Christian relatives consider suicides to be damned, because they are killing themselves, and have no chance of redemption. I learned later in life, perhaps on this very board, the commandment “Thou Shalt Not Kill” is… --- ## [Please, help me sort out France and globalization....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-sort-out-france-and-globalization/342330)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-sort-out-france-and-globalization/342330 "2006-01-31T11:26:09Z")
I’ve been living in France now for about six months. It’s my second time living here, though the first time was to learn French so I didn’t understand too much. It’s pretty safe to say that my perspective has changed n… --- ## [Harper; this will be fun to watch ! (Canadian)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harper-this-will-be-fun-to-watch-canadian/341479)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harper-this-will-be-fun-to-watch-canadian/341479 "2006-01-31T04:34:58Z")
I woke up this morning and reality finally hit me. Canada is in for change ! But how successful can the conservatives be if they insist on implementing their platform. All the other parties are to the left. Thats right f… --- ## [Abramoff prosecutor offered federal judgeship: coincidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abramoff-prosecutor-offered-federal-judgeship-coincidence/341894)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abramoff-prosecutor-offered-federal-judgeship-coincidence/341894 "2006-01-30T22:23:26Z")
Today I was listening to Al Franken. As usual, I take a lot of what he says with a healthy sodium dose; but one thing he said seemed a little odd to me. The Chief Prosecutor in the Abramoff Case is stepping down next w… --- ## [Alaska Div. of Elections refuses to disclose Diebold electronic voting files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alaska-div-of-elections-refuses-to-disclose-diebold-electronic-voting-files/341761)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alaska-div-of-elections-refuses-to-disclose-diebold-electronic-voting-files/341761 "2006-01-30T21:53:51Z")
The Alaska Democratic Party is trying to get access to the electronic voting files (as distinct from printouts) from the 2004 election, to verify the results and clear up apparent discrepancies. The state Division of El… --- ## [Ways you were more likely to die than by terrorism in 2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-you-were-more-likely-to-die-than-by-terrorism-in-2001/341927)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ways-you-were-more-likely-to-die-than-by-terrorism-in-2001/341927 "2006-01-30T17:56:25Z")
So what are some ways were you more likely to die in America than by terrorism statistically in 2001. You are more than 100 times more likely to die of Colon, Bronchial, Lung or Prostate cancer if you are a white male … --- ## [Are people too willing to pull life support?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-too-willing-to-pull-life-support/340648)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-too-willing-to-pull-life-support/340648 "2006-01-30T17:19:34Z")
I thought after the Florida incident, that pulling life support was only used when there was no hope of recovery. Is this an isolated incident or are we as a nation so believing in what doctors say that we do not believe… --- ## [Do any Diebold Defenders Think this is Worth Investigating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-diebold-defenders-think-this-is-worth-investigating/341700)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-any-diebold-defenders-think-this-is-worth-investigating/341700 "2006-01-30T13:56:51Z")
http://www.bbvforums.org/cgi-bin/forums/board-auth.cgi?file=/1954/17305.html …or is this more tin-foil hattery, on the order of crazy people wondering how exit polls could be so different from results? --- ## [Should this man be charged with 1st degree intentional homicide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-man-be-charged-with-1st-degree-intentional-homicide/341776)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2006, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-man-be-charged-with-1st-degree-intentional-homicide/341776 "2006-01-30T13:20:39Z")
Here’s the story. Basically, the guy caught some punks trying to break into his girlfriends car and shot one of them dead wounded a second and missed the third. He’s being charged with 1st degree intentional homicide e… --- ## [Pinochet stripped of immunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pinochet-stripped-of-immunity/340935)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pinochet-stripped-of-immunity/340935 "2006-01-29T23:34:20Z")
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4632562.stm I’m worried by this. What happenned while he was in power is well documented, but he stepped down peacefully on certain conditions. Now those conditions are being br… --- ## [Underage Actors and Sex Scenes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underage-actors-and-sex-scenes/341310)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underage-actors-and-sex-scenes/341310 "2006-01-29T22:32:10Z")
Inspired by this thread, I was wondering about underage actors in sex scenes. Quite a few people in the thread referenced seem to be of the opinion that there is no harm done to any minor who is involved in a simulated … --- ## [What defines life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-defines-life/340557)
**Author:** [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-defines-life/340557 "2006-01-29T13:53:54Z")
A tossup between here and GQ. What defines life? What quality or behavior is exhibited by something so that we call that thing alive if this behavior occurs, and call it dead if it does not? I would prefer to keep thi… --- ## [Post-Roe v Wade and Voting with your Feet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-roe-v-wade-and-voting-with-your-feet/341629)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-roe-v-wade-and-voting-with-your-feet/341629 "2006-01-29T08:59:12Z")
The consensus seems to be that if Roe v Wade is indeed overturned, the impact would not be wholesale ban on abortion, but that it would be up to the states to determine how to handle the issue. If this were to happen…an… --- ## [Physician-assisted suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physician-assisted-suicide/341969)
**Author:** [@mrald](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrald)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physician-assisted-suicide/341969 "2006-01-29T03:04:53Z")
I am doing a research paper on this topic for the University of phoenix(don’t go there that place is one for the pit) and I have hit a wall somewhat. People don’t really has a solid opinion here. Very wishy-washy. I don’… --- ## [John Kerry tries to organize support for Alito filibuster: Help or hurt in '08?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-tries-to-organize-support-for-alito-filibuster-help-or-hurt-in-08/341772)
**Author:** [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-kerry-tries-to-organize-support-for-alito-filibuster-help-or-hurt-in-08/341772 "2006-01-29T01:53:38Z")
Senator John Kerry is trying to organize support for a Democratic filibuster of Judge Alito’s confirmation, according to CNN. Though it isn’t mentioned in the story, Wolf Blitzer said Kerry may be trying to gain ground f… --- ## [Why haven't falling populations sparked a Darwinian increase in birth rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-falling-populations-sparked-a-darwinian-increase-in-birth-rates/341526)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-falling-populations-sparked-a-darwinian-increase-in-birth-rates/341526 "2006-01-29T00:27:00Z")
There has been a lot of discussion about falling birth rates and the accompanying population decline in various parts of the world. But why haven’t all these gloom and doom forecasts inspired, on some sub-conscious leve… --- ## [Rural People and Incest.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rural-people-and-incest/341480)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2006, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rural-people-and-incest/341480 "2006-01-29T00:20:39Z")
Rural people are often satirized as taking part in incest, esp. incestuous (or near-incestuous) marriages. It’s a very common insult, so I’m sure I don’t need a cite. Where did this insult originate? And like many insult… --- ## [Are most Americans stupid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-americans-stupid/339846)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2006, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-americans-stupid/339846 "2006-01-28T15:50:50Z")
By “stupid,” I mean not informed and/or intelligent enough to make reasoned political decisions. Why do you feel this way? Anecdotal interaction? Polls and evidence? Also, is it a false premise that reasoned voting r… --- ## [Ford layoffs: how much responsibility does the UAW have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-layoffs-how-much-responsibility-does-the-uaw-have/341466)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2006, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ford-layoffs-how-much-responsibility-does-the-uaw-have/341466 "2006-01-28T10:29:33Z")
30,000 people are to be laid off by Ford in the near future as Ford fights for its existence. There are many factors in this, foremost of which is the diminution of market share that Ford has suffered at the hands of for… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=815) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=817)