# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=821 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 822 --- ## [Should the minimum wage be raised to it's original value?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-minimum-wage-be-raised-to-its-original-value/339363)
**Author:** [@Ty\_Cobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ty_Cobb)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2006, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-minimum-wage-be-raised-to-its-original-value/339363 "2006-01-13T15:04:08Z")
By which I mean indexed for inflation. I don’t see why not. I think that in itself would rectify much of the growing disparity between the haves and have-nots. --- ## [Should ‘Gorgeous’ George Galloway MP be allowed to look like a lemon on Big Brother?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gorgeous-george-galloway-mp-be-allowed-to-look-like-a-lemon-on-big-brother/339810)
**Author:** [@Fortean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fortean)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gorgeous-george-galloway-mp-be-allowed-to-look-like-a-lemon-on-big-brother/339810 "2006-01-13T14:56:59Z")
Here’s a jolly debate for a Friday afternoon. :slight\_smile: UK Member of Parliament and vociferous Hitchens-baiter George Galloway decided, rather bafflingly, to be a contestant on the UK’s Celebrity Big Brother, alon… --- ## [If the Palestinians got independence, would hostility to Israel fade?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-palestinians-got-independence-would-hostility-to-israel-fade/339497)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2006, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-palestinians-got-independence-would-hostility-to-israel-fade/339497 "2006-01-13T13:32:22Z")
A lot of Arab and Muslim governments, including many who do not even share a border with Israel, are ideologically committed, and have been for decades, to the proposition that “the Zionist entity” has no right to exist … --- ## [Unisex bathrooms - the time has come!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unisex-bathrooms-the-time-has-come/339359)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2006, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unisex-bathrooms-the-time-has-come/339359 "2006-01-13T03:17:07Z")
Years ago I was shocked, shocked, when visiting a buddy on-res that the University’s residence had a common bathroom, and it was co-ed. I mean, showers, stalls, sink, the works. Don’t know what triggered the thought to… --- ## [If you could change the Republican party...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-the-republican-party/339558)
**Author:** [@Serket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serket)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-could-change-the-republican-party/339558 "2006-01-13T02:57:55Z")
What changes would you like to see? Are there issues they should change their position on, or have no position at all? Could they still win elections with the changes? We already have the LP. --- ## [Reconciling Physics and Buddhism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconciling-physics-and-buddhism/339221)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconciling-physics-and-buddhism/339221 "2006-01-13T01:39:55Z")
This article on both Buddhism and Physics articulates very well, the problem I have had dealing with materialists here on this board. So I am going to present the article, and let people say what they think about it. A… --- ## [Let's Rank the US Presidents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-rank-the-us-presidents/339505)
**Author:** [@Renato\_Marmaduque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renato_Marmaduque)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2006, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-rank-the-us-presidents/339505 "2006-01-12T23:05:28Z")
After being really bored one day just after finishing The Complete Book of U. S. Presidents, I decided to make my own ranking of American chief executives. I decided not to rank GWB and Clinton because their impact has y… --- ## [Retention Elections for Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retention-elections-for-congress/339451)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2006, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retention-elections-for-congress/339451 "2006-01-12T19:55:23Z")
I’m toying with the idea of holding retention elections for Congress. For those who aren’t familiar with the term it means that instead of incumbants running against challengers the voters just vote in favor or against k… --- ## [Should we be deferential to the elderly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-deferential-to-the-elderly/339464)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2006, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-deferential-to-the-elderly/339464 "2006-01-12T18:59:26Z")
I feel almost stupid even asking this question, since it was so ingrained in me while growing up that the answer is YES. But I notice that many people my age (twenty-something) seem to feel absolutely no need to afford … --- ## [Does Abortion Get Too Much Attention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-abortion-get-too-much-attention/339584)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2006, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-abortion-get-too-much-attention/339584 "2006-01-12T16:15:01Z")
Whenever a new Supreme Court nominee comes along it seems like 80% of the debate is centered around abortion and Roe v. Wade. Yes, other things are discussed but it seems to be background noise…states rights, indivividu… --- ## [Grocer Whole Foods going "all green." Um, actually it's buying wind power credits.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocer-whole-foods-going-all-green-um-actually-its-buying-wind-power-credits/339498)
**Author:** [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grocer-whole-foods-going-all-green-um-actually-its-buying-wind-power-credits/339498 "2006-01-12T13:19:10Z")
From yesterday’s news, we learn that environmentally attuned Whole Foods, Inc.–a US purveyor of sustainable, organic food products–is now trumpeting itself as the nation’s ultimate “green” grocer. Admirable goal, but act… --- ## [What is the argument in favor of gay marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-argument-in-favor-of-gay-marriage/338448)
**Author:** [@Serket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serket)\ **Replies:** 289\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2006, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-argument-in-favor-of-gay-marriage/338448 "2006-01-12T08:35:08Z")
Why should gay marriage be legalized? --- ## [Selecting gender through abortion in India](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selecting-gender-through-abortion-in-india/339154)
**Author:** [@Ensign\_Edison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ensign_Edison)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selecting-gender-through-abortion-in-india/339154 "2006-01-11T21:01:09Z")
In this article it is claimed that: For those who believe in a woman’s right to choose abortion, what do you think of this? It seems the ‘10 million’ number is an estimate, but it’s certain that large numbers of female… --- ## [Should the US have mandatory vacation days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-have-mandatory-vacation-days/339514)
**Author:** [@Ty\_Cobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ty_Cobb)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-have-mandatory-vacation-days/339514 "2006-01-11T17:46:46Z")
Many countries do. I think Mexico starts everyone at 4 weeks a year. CMIIW. --- ## [Should The US Add New States?- Take Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-add-new-states-take-two/339065)
**Author:** [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-add-new-states-take-two/339065 "2006-01-11T17:15:07Z")
The previous thread on this subject seems to have disappeared, so I’ll revive it for those that were interested in the subject. The question is as before: Should the US add new states, either by making areas not current… --- ## [Should the Democrats go negative in '06?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-democrats-go-negative-in-06/339179)
**Author:** [@Stentor\_2.5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stentor_2.5)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-democrats-go-negative-in-06/339179 "2006-01-11T15:23:34Z")
Imagine this commercial: A young man amputee speaks about Iraq. He wonders if we’re accomplishing anything there. He wonders why we went there in the first place. He wonders where the WMD’s were. For about thirty se… --- ## [One of the London Bombers leaves an estate in excess of $200,000](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-london-bombers-leaves-an-estate-in-excess-of-200-000/338928)
**Author:** [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-the-london-bombers-leaves-an-estate-in-excess-of-200-000/338928 "2006-01-11T01:49:23Z")
Not sure if this should go into General Questions or Great Debates. It appears that one of men responsible for recent suicide bombings in London left behind a not inconsiderable estate. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060… --- ## [When Come Back, Bring Foil; Abu Musab Al-zarquai, Agent Provacateur](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-come-back-bring-foil-abu-musab-al-zarquai-agent-provacateur/288741)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-come-back-bring-foil-abu-musab-al-zarquai-agent-provacateur/288741 "2006-01-11T01:05:58Z")
assume, arguendo, the following to be true: on four occasions before the invasion of Iraq bombing raids on zarqawi’s compoud were vetoed. zarquawi, who “trained with Al-Q in afghanistan” opererated an independent group… --- ## [Is it wise to assume God is benevolent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wise-to-assume-god-is-benevolent/338388)
**Author:** [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2006, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wise-to-assume-god-is-benevolent/338388 "2006-01-11T00:27:56Z")
I was thinking about Pascal’s wager the other day and came up with a more interesting version - suppose we assume that God, Heaven and Hell all exist and God can be anything from a complete pansy who lets everyone into H… --- ## [Can satellite radio succeed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-satellite-radio-succeed/338856)
**Author:** [@ombre3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre3)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-satellite-radio-succeed/338856 "2006-01-10T20:51:13Z")
I have had Sirius for about 4 months. I like it a lot. The $13 a month cost for mostly commercial free radio and tremendous diversity in programming seems like a bargain to me. As compared to the cable TV service I ha… --- ## [Utah Theater Cancels 'Brokeback Mountain', reneges licensing agreement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utah-theater-cancels-brokeback-mountain-reneges-licensing-agreement/339072)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/utah-theater-cancels-brokeback-mountain-reneges-licensing-agreement/339072 "2006-01-10T19:45:03Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060108/ap\_en\_mo/brokeback\_canceled What is the nature of the licensing agreements between theaters and distributors? Is it like a contract? What are or could be the penalties for renegin… --- ## [Cyber stalking/annoyance unlawful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-stalking-annoyance-unlawful/339330)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-stalking-annoyance-unlawful/339330 "2006-01-10T17:13:27Z")
From this link. A good law? I dont know everything about this, but on the face I just dont get this. The internet is not a US owned property, how do you enforce something like this in a world wide web? Besides which… --- ## [Unipolar vs. multipolar world: Which is better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unipolar-vs-multipolar-world-which-is-better/337603)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unipolar-vs-multipolar-world-which-is-better/337603 "2006-01-10T16:49:28Z")
This issue is often brought up in debates about the U.S.’ current military/political role on the post-Cold-War world, but I don’t think we’ve ever had a thread actually debating it. What are the relative advantages and … --- ## [Backwards speech - I'm skeptical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backwards-speech-im-skeptical/339203)
**Author:** [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/backwards-speech-im-skeptical/339203 "2006-01-10T16:37:53Z")
I just stumbled onto this website and I recall hearing something about this phenomenon on the radio a few years ago. I was highly skeptical then and remain so now. I suspect the people who support this are experiencing… --- ## [60 days for sexual assaulting a 6 year old?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-days-for-sexual-assaulting-a-6-year-old/338815)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/60-days-for-sexual-assaulting-a-6-year-old/338815 "2006-01-10T15:49:43Z")
Judge sentences man to 60 days for sexual assault on young girl. This started when the girl was 6 and ended when she was 10. According to judge Cashman, incarceration without rehabilitation will do nothing but harden t… --- ## [Liberals are not serving in the military enough. What ought to be done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-not-serving-in-the-military-enough-what-ought-to-be-done/338403)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-are-not-serving-in-the-military-enough-what-ought-to-be-done/338403 "2006-01-10T12:18:50Z")
Right off the bat, I ought to spell out that this is a very long term trend that seems to be unrelated to the current war. So Bush-bashing needn’t enter into the equation. And the facts don’t really seem to be in dispu… --- ## [Can Epicureans have a public life? a political theory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-epicureans-have-a-public-life-a-political-theory/338916)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-epicureans-have-a-public-life-a-political-theory/338916 "2006-01-10T05:01:59Z")
Well, reading Epicurus, it’s a pretty enticing theory. You know, the whole pleasure without things. Just pure, unhedonistic pleasure. I agree with it, too, to the extent that I understand it. There’s one catch: It se… --- ## [Does the second amendment protect the manufacture or import of guns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-second-amendment-protect-the-manufacture-or-import-of-guns/339253)
**Author:** [@Ty\_Cobb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ty_Cobb)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-second-amendment-protect-the-manufacture-or-import-of-guns/339253 "2006-01-10T03:33:01Z")
Is there a constitutional reason we can’t stop these look-alike military weapons from being made or imported? The ones that always get around detailed weapons laws. --- ## [Why is the environment a "liberal" issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-environment-a-liberal-issue/338386)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-environment-a-liberal-issue/338386 "2006-01-10T01:21:16Z")
Living in Europe, I see what seems to me is a total difference to the United States in the way energy consompution is viewed by the population in general. Hallways often have lights with timers, cars are smaller, etc. e… --- ## [Ceramic Body Armor, privately bought. Ass for Glass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceramic-body-armor-privately-bought-ass-for-glass/338986)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2006, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceramic-body-armor-privately-bought-ass-for-glass/338986 "2006-01-10T00:51:14Z")
(Disclaimer:This thread was an outgrowth of a recent post in a “companion” pit thread, which I made in a burst of (unaccustomed) hyperbole… On further reflection, I have concluded that what first seemed to me absurd an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=820) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=822)