# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=818 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 819 --- ## [What works to cut down on sex offenses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-works-to-cut-down-on-sex-offenses/340912)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2006, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-works-to-cut-down-on-sex-offenses/340912 "2006-01-25T00:48:18Z")
Since most sex offenses are never reported and most sex offenders do not reoffend http://www.ci.fargo.nd.us/Police/NewWebSite/CitizenResources/mythsfacts.htm What are some proven ways to actually cut down on sex offens… --- ## [It's not terrorism if Bush does it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-terrorism-if-bush-does-it/339958)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-terrorism-if-bush-does-it/339958 "2006-01-24T22:44:55Z")
A lot of Bush apologistas were up in arms when Harry Belafonte called Bush the “greatest terrorist”, but last nights events are lending unfortunate support for that statement. In a bungled attack against Al Qaeda target… --- ## [Did National Endowment for Democracy foment 2004 coup in Haiti?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-national-endowment-for-democracy-foment-2004-coup-in-haiti/341354)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-national-endowment-for-democracy-foment-2004-coup-in-haiti/341354 "2006-01-24T20:38:02Z")
Today on the Democracy Now! radio show, I heard some truly astonishing news: The 2004 coup in Haiti that ousted President Aristide was backed, possibly even stirred up, by right-wing American political organizations: The… --- ## [Wal\*Mart bank: yea or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-bank-yea-or-nay/340297)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-mart-bank-yea-or-nay/340297 "2006-01-24T19:36:07Z")
According to Money, Wal\*Mart wants to open an Industrial Bank to lower the cost/stabilize their internal credit. They claim that they have no interest in opening branches, and have pre-existing commitments to pre-exist… --- ## [Who got the phone tap two days late?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-got-the-phone-tap-two-days-late/127405)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-got-the-phone-tap-two-days-late/127405 "2006-01-24T14:34:01Z")
I’m seeking help answering a question that requires a rather clumsy “operational definition”. Stay with me on this. All through July and August of 2001, the CIA was tapping phone calls originating at a variety of Afgha… --- ## [India vs. Pakistan...who wins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-vs-pakistan-who-wins/341058)
**Author:** [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-vs-pakistan-who-wins/341058 "2006-01-24T09:51:38Z")
This almost makes a GD. Almost. Ah, well… Anyway, I was just wondering…are there any estimates about who would win\* if India and Pakistan finally decided to wage total war against each other? Any idea what kind of casua… --- ## [Pipelines and Grid Towers:the pump don't work cause the vandals took the handle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pipelines-and-grid-towers-the-pump-dont-work-cause-the-vandals-took-the-handle/249419)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pipelines-and-grid-towers-the-pump-dont-work-cause-the-vandals-took-the-handle/249419 "2006-01-24T07:46:37Z")
we learn per the cite that two successful attacks per day are launched on the electric grid in Iraq pipelines and water supplies are vulnerable the cpa and its successor government pronounce themselves unable to sec… --- ## [Churchgoers - how different are your beliefs from the next church over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churchgoers-how-different-are-your-beliefs-from-the-next-church-over/341190)
**Author:** [@Ty\_Cobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ty_Cobb)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churchgoers-how-different-are-your-beliefs-from-the-next-church-over/341190 "2006-01-24T04:04:33Z")
When I’ve dated women who were into church (I’m not) they would always know the fine distinctions between their church and the ones that last split from it. “Oh, the \_\_\_\_ branch is like ours but don’t believe in dancing … --- ## [Stem cell medical advances, moral implications -- would you accept them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cell-medical-advances-moral-implications-would-you-accept-them/341207)
**Author:** [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2006, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cell-medical-advances-moral-implications-would-you-accept-them/341207 "2006-01-24T00:21:47Z")
I’d swear I’ve seen a thread like this somewhere on here before, but I can’t find it. I also can’t decide whether to put it in IMHO or GD but it seems fairly GD-worthy. Imagine that stem-cell research was legal and thr… --- ## [Patrick Henry...Nathan Hale....The Lollipops Gentlemens' Club...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-henry-nathan-hale-the-lollipops-gentlemens-club/341229)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patrick-henry-nathan-hale-the-lollipops-gentlemens-club/341229 "2006-01-23T21:36:42Z")
Patriots on Parade… "Let’s get naked! A federal judge struck down Daytona Beach’s anti-nudity laws, saying they’re unconstitutional." Making the world safe for girls to go wild. Many states have used alcoholic beve… --- ## [Calling a fictional book non-fiction. Does it matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-a-fictional-book-non-fiction-does-it-matter/339317)
**Author:** [@BoBettie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BoBettie)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-a-fictional-book-non-fiction-does-it-matter/339317 "2006-01-23T20:16:17Z")
I’ve been interested in the recent saga of James Frey and wondered about the ethics and consequences of writing a book and saying it’s 100% true, then having someone point out that key parts of it are not only inaccurate… --- ## ["Social Security and Medicare...pose the greatest threat to America's global role..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-and-medicare-pose-the-greatest-threat-to-americas-global-role/341228)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-and-medicare-pose-the-greatest-threat-to-americas-global-role/341228 "2006-01-23T20:04:21Z")
For anyone who followed this thread, I was going to post this article for Foreign Policy magazine’s take on the subject. (Basically, what would happen if the US did not, as is often claimed, pay for the defense of the … --- ## [What's a fairer legal system, US/English Common Law or France’s Napoleonic system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-fairer-legal-system-us-english-common-law-or-france-s-napoleonic-system/340889)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-fairer-legal-system-us-english-common-law-or-france-s-napoleonic-system/340889 "2006-01-23T18:57:24Z")
We often beat on the US legal system for its many failings but this news story gave the flip side of some pretty serious problems with the Napoleonic system. Which system is fairer overall? Outrage over innocent 13 jai… --- ## [Federal Health Court: Viable alternative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-health-court-viable-alternative/341281)
**Author:** [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-health-court-viable-alternative/341281 "2006-01-23T18:43:25Z")
There’s a story featured in today’s SF Chronicle about the city’s behavioral health court. It’s apparently being used as an alternative for some repeat offenders with mental health issues who would ordinarily get lost in… --- ## [Technology and happiness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-and-happiness/340408)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-and-happiness/340408 "2006-01-23T14:13:22Z")
The other day, while observing my daughter and nephew playing, I thought that they don’t look any happier (or less happy) than me and my cousins when we were kids in the 80’s. So, I asked my dad to tell me, compared to … --- ## [Should the US Constitution be amended more frequently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-constitution-be-amended-more-frequently/341143)
**Author:** [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-constitution-be-amended-more-frequently/341143 "2006-01-23T05:59:24Z")
I am a strong social liberal. I believe that consenting, competent, adults ought to have the right to have sex with each other in whatever method and combination they choose without government interferance or discrimina… --- ## [Why do we suffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-suffer/340739)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-suffer/340739 "2006-01-23T02:14:06Z")
In the reincarnation thread there was some talk about reincarnation being responsible for our suffering. Fair enough. I don’t agree with that, but what is your view on why suffering exists? For me I have tried the philo… --- ## [Where will the thugs be in 20 years...40 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-the-thugs-be-in-20-years-40-years/340959)
**Author:** [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-the-thugs-be-in-20-years-40-years/340959 "2006-01-23T01:48:18Z")
You’ve seen them. Males in baggy pants, no shirts, and an apparent total disinterest in learning the skills to succeed in our society. Maybe it’s my imagination, but there seems to be more of them than ever. Livin… --- ## [On what basis does Iran deny the Holocaust?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-basis-does-iran-deny-the-holocaust/340126)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2006, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-what-basis-does-iran-deny-the-holocaust/340126 "2006-01-23T00:52:22Z")
I know there have been threads on this subject before but I was wondering if anyone knows WHY Iran denies so forcefully the Holocaust. Appearently they are getting ready to launch a “Holocaust conference” to look more d… --- ## [Another anti-abortion measure overturned due to lack of provision for health of woman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-anti-abortion-measure-overturned-due-to-lack-of-provision-for-health-of-woman/340543)
**Author:** [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2006, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-anti-abortion-measure-overturned-due-to-lack-of-provision-for-health-of-woman/340543 "2006-01-22T23:35:38Z")
I just heard the news that once again, an anti-abortion/parental notification law has been struck down by SCOTUS because there was no provision for when the woman’s life is in danger, etc. What’s up with this happening o… --- ## [Does the U.S. have the military strength to conquer/regime-change Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-have-the-military-strength-to-conquer-regime-change-iran/340553)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-have-the-military-strength-to-conquer-regime-change-iran/340553 "2006-01-22T20:53:09Z")
This came up in this thread – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=354548 – but I think it deserves a thread of its own. Assuming the U.S. decided on all-out war with Iran – not fomenting subversion or s… --- ## [A 600-ship Navy no more....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-600-ship-navy-no-more/341070)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-600-ship-navy-no-more/341070 "2006-01-22T19:47:22Z")
During the Reagan military buildup of the '80s, Secretary of the Navy John Lehman set a specific goal for the U.S. to have a 600-ship Navy. With the end of the Cold War and the virtual dominance of the U.S. Navy on the … --- ## [Would a "binational" or "one-state solution" be best for Israel/Palestine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-binational-or-one-state-solution-be-best-for-israel-palestine/339698)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2006, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-binational-or-one-state-solution-be-best-for-israel-palestine/339698 "2006-01-22T15:46:46Z")
Some commentators think that, instead of Palestinian independence, the best way for Israel to solve the “Palestinian problem” would be to annex the Territories outright and extend full Israeli citizenship to all the Pale… --- ## [The demographic death of Europe.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-demographic-death-of-europe/338706)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2006, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-demographic-death-of-europe/338706 "2006-01-22T15:08:55Z")
Here’s rule number one for this thread: if you mention George Bush, you’re an asshole. It is not (mirabile dictu) about the US at all, or at least not in a primary sense. This is about long-term trends that have been i… --- ## [What will be effects if Jill Carroll is killed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-effects-if-jill-carroll-is-killed/340967)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2006, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-effects-if-jill-carroll-is-killed/340967 "2006-01-22T09:16:22Z")
I realize many people have been abducted in Iraq and none deserved their fate. But if central casting had been asked to pick somebody whose death would most outrage the American public, they would have picked Jill Carrol… --- ## [4 yrs. of widespread wiretaps, torture, infiltrations. Domestic Al-Q caught:1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-yrs-of-widespread-wiretaps-torture-infiltrations-domestic-al-q-caught-1/337269)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/4-yrs-of-widespread-wiretaps-torture-infiltrations-domestic-al-q-caught-1/337269 "2006-01-22T00:56:13Z")
Now that the staggering volume of data mined by the NSA has been revealed what inference are we to draw from the following facts? The number of “sleepers”(eg, the Erie County Yemenis) or eager recruits (eg, the Lodi Pa… --- ## [China to pass U.S. as technology leader?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-to-pass-u-s-as-technology-leader/340766)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2006, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-to-pass-u-s-as-technology-leader/340766 "2006-01-21T21:38:32Z")
Lou Dobbs had a segment of tonight’s program discussing China’s technology industry and how it seems to be getting bigger and bigger as we watch it in our rear-view mirror. Full transcript here, about half-way down the… --- ## [Should/can the Security Council do something about Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-can-the-security-council-do-something-about-iran/340383)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-can-the-security-council-do-something-about-iran/340383 "2006-01-21T18:44:24Z")
Iran is reviving its nuclear-enrichment program. Again. The U.S. and its European allies want the matter referred to the UN Security Council. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060116/ap\_on\_re\_mi\_ea/europe\_iran\_15 Iran thr… --- ## [At what point should police use lethal force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-police-use-lethal-force/340514)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2006, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-police-use-lethal-force/340514 "2006-01-21T17:09:38Z")
Spawned by two trainwrecks of pit threads, I’m interested in hearing folks’ thoughts on this question: at what point should police use lethal force? More specifically, should the parameters for the use of lethal force … --- ## [How big a problem is pedophilia, really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-problem-is-pedophilia-really/339435)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2006, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-big-a-problem-is-pedophilia-really/339435 "2006-01-21T08:53:16Z")
Not sure if this should go in GQ or GD . . . Mods, move as appropriate . . . I’m a big fan of the Law & Order shows, especially SVU. These shows are supposed to be very well-researched and realistic – but, of course, t… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=817) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=819)