# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=823 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 824 --- ## [Will Elton John Disgrace UK Gay Marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-elton-john-disgrace-uk-gay-marriage/337434)
**Author:** [@DougC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DougC)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2006, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-elton-john-disgrace-uk-gay-marriage/337434 "2006-01-05T12:04:01Z")
So if you had not read/heard, The UK very recently legalized gay marriage, and Elton John and his boyfriend were first in line. It was Big News. …Some friends and I commented on this, and got to wondering–what … --- ## [Why did men ever give up the power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-men-ever-give-up-the-power/337584)
**Author:** [@gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardener)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2006, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-men-ever-give-up-the-power/337584 "2006-01-05T04:15:18Z")
As all thinking persons know, the past was a dark time for women in our civilization. They were routinely beaten, raped, sold into slavery, and always and everywhere kept in total bondage to men so that men could act ou… --- ## [Did Bush actually call the Constitution "just a goddamned piece of paper"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-actually-call-the-constitution-just-a-goddamned-piece-of-paper/338156)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-actually-call-the-constitution-just-a-goddamned-piece-of-paper/338156 "2006-01-04T20:59:50Z")
From Doug Thompson’s “Capitol Hill Blue” webzine, 12/9/05 – http://www.capitolhillblue.com/artman/publish/article\_7779.shtml: This for real? Did Bush really say this? Did he really mean it? What does this, well, sig… --- ## [Paying for Pollution: TerraPass and Emissions Trading](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-pollution-terrapass-and-emissions-trading/338289)
**Author:** [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-pollution-terrapass-and-emissions-trading/338289 "2006-01-04T20:49:13Z")
Several states, the U.S. Government and the EU set pollution standards that industry must meet or face fines. They’ve also developed systems whereby high-pollution operations may buy credits from other companies that mee… --- ## [Sulla or Marius?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sulla-or-marius/338287)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sulla-or-marius/338287 "2006-01-04T17:28:15Z")
Was Marius actually the threat to the Republic that the Senate seemed to think he was? Was Sulla justified in marching his legions into Rome in 88 BC? Was Marius a power-hungry populist, or a good Roman who stood in th… --- ## [Should we seek to change racist atitudes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-seek-to-change-racist-atitudes/337134)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-seek-to-change-racist-atitudes/337134 "2006-01-04T15:17:27Z")
This thought occured to me when reasing a post by Askia in this thread. Askia states: Which begs the question: Should we as a society seek to supress or change a racist individual’s thought, or do people have the right… --- ## [More Freakonomics: Roe V. Wade reduced 90's crime? Catholic crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-freakonomics-roe-v-wade-reduced-90s-crime-catholic-crime/337915)
**Author:** [@jocularjason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jocularjason)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-freakonomics-roe-v-wade-reduced-90s-crime-catholic-crime/337915 "2006-01-04T14:17:31Z")
I just read Steven Levitt and Stephan Dubners “Freakonomics”. I have perused the SD message boards related to this topic and heard some debate about Levitt’s very controversial but convincing findings that indicate Roe … --- ## [What's the Russia-Ukraine natural gas dispute really about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-russia-ukraine-natural-gas-dispute-really-about/338138)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-russia-ukraine-natural-gas-dispute-really-about/338138 "2006-01-04T09:19:36Z")
Russia has cut off all sales of natural gas to the Ukraine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia-Ukraine\_gas\_dispute Is this simply a business negotiation gone wrong? Or is there some political motivation? If so, what… --- ## [North Korea – what to do about it, if anything](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-what-to-do-about-it-if-anything/337709)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-what-to-do-about-it-if-anything/337709 "2006-01-04T07:34:59Z")
Should we do something? Ought we do something? Can we do anything (that will make a difference)? Here’s a video on North Korean children: Children of The Secret State Here are some links on North Korea: Death, terror… --- ## [Law, Justice & Politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-justice-politics/338265)
**Author:** [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-justice-politics/338265 "2006-01-04T07:12:51Z")
As is common news by now, Jack Abramoff has plead guilty to three federal felony charges, with more (Florida state) expected. However, that is not the subject of this debate. Talking Points Memo has been covering this c… --- ## [I do X because people died so I could.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-x-because-people-died-so-i-could/337901)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2006, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-do-x-because-people-died-so-i-could/337901 "2006-01-04T01:30:24Z")
Why is this a good reason for anything? People died so that I could have the freedom to do what I want, that’s great I have the freedom to do what I want, that means I have the freedom to do X or the freedom NOT to do X… --- ## [The End of Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-truth/338276)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-end-of-truth/338276 "2006-01-03T21:26:44Z")
So I just got this article sent to me about the “End of Truth”. This article bothers me because what it appears to me as, is someone suddenly becoming aware of a problem in society and then labelling it as new and attac… --- ## [When is Christ coming back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-christ-coming-back/333753)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-christ-coming-back/333753 "2006-01-03T19:37:38Z")
(I’m asking this mostly tongue-in-cheek as a non-believer, but I do sincerely wonder what well-reasoned speculation there is) When is the Second Coming of Christ? Okay, so maybe we “know not the day nor the hour” in wh… --- ## [You're at home and someone breaks in. Do you shoot/kill them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-at-home-and-someone-breaks-in-do-you-shoot-kill-them/337019)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-at-home-and-someone-breaks-in-do-you-shoot-kill-them/337019 "2006-01-03T19:04:17Z")
Let’s say you’re at home and you hear (in another part of the house) loud, unknown noises. Taking a weapon (gun if you have one or something else like a knife or heavy blunt object if you don’t) you go investigate and ru… --- ## [Winning Pascal's Wager](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winning-pascals-wager/338072)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/winning-pascals-wager/338072 "2006-01-03T18:20:48Z")
Pascal’s Wager essentially posits that it is better to bet that there is a god, because you really have nothing to lose. One major flaw is that this fails to take in to account the sheer plethora of gods to choose from.… --- ## [Redeemed by the Dark Christ of Flight 123](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redeemed-by-the-dark-christ-of-flight-123/337698)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redeemed-by-the-dark-christ-of-flight-123/337698 "2006-01-03T17:37:17Z")
Happy are they who can use the hells of others to avoid their own. The Dark Christ does not take our sins away; he rubs our faces in them and shows us the circumstances whereby we might come to regret them. In this way H… --- ## [Why do we always talk about "atheism" and not "materialism"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-always-talk-about-atheism-and-not-materialism/337808)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-always-talk-about-atheism-and-not-materialism/337808 "2006-01-03T06:06:37Z")
I mean, of course, “materialism” as in the philosophical viewpoint, not the greed for cash definition. It seems to me that in most of the threads talking about religion vs. atheism, it would be MUCH more accurate to rep… --- ## [Reciting Pledge of Allegiance in public schools ruled unconstitutional. Discuss.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reciting-pledge-of-allegiance-in-public-schools-ruled-unconstitutional-discuss/321644)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 589\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reciting-pledge-of-allegiance-in-public-schools-ruled-unconstitutional-discuss/321644 "2006-01-03T06:03:29Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050914/ap\_on\_re\_us/pledge\_of\_allegiance I find it odd that the court referred to precedent from a circuit court, when the SCotUS ruled the other way (on a technicality). Karlton’s previous … --- ## ["Funny" studio accounting practices and taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-studio-accounting-practices-and-taxes/337737)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2006, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funny-studio-accounting-practices-and-taxes/337737 "2006-01-03T00:11:26Z")
In a thread about King Kong’s box office grosses, this fact was brought forth: There have been many other allegations in the press that movies studios use some very creative accounting to define obviously successful pr… --- ## [Morgan Freeman: Black History Month "Ridiculous" \[corrected title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-black-history-month-ridiculous-corrected-title/336374)
**Author:** [@EvilHamsterOnCrack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilHamsterOnCrack)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2006, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morgan-freeman-black-history-month-ridiculous-corrected-title/336374 "2006-01-02T23:31:27Z")
I’m surprised there hasn’t been a GD or pit thread about this yet, (unless I missed it), so I thought I’d point it out to the dopers of the world. Morgan Freeman on 60 minutes I have to say I agree with him. It’s what … --- ## [empiricism vs intuition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empiricism-vs-intuition/337838)
**Author:** [@comrade33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/comrade33)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2006, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empiricism-vs-intuition/337838 "2006-01-02T20:43:38Z")
if any of you have read ‘the tao of physics’, then you will be well prepared for this debate. after reading "the tao of physics’ (coupled with my own knowledge/intuition) i came to the conclusion that empiricism/intuiti… --- ## [Are there any religious people who aren't happy about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-religious-people-who-arent-happy-about-it/337882)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2006, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-religious-people-who-arent-happy-about-it/337882 "2006-01-02T18:44:08Z")
I wasn’t really sure where this would go…so i’m dumping it in GD, and I won’t start a Pit thread if it gets moved or anything. I’m talking about people who have certain beliefs, in which they are convinced, but are not … --- ## [FCC and religious broadcasting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-and-religious-broadcasting/338087)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2006, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-and-religious-broadcasting/338087 "2006-01-02T18:20:55Z")
The Federal Communications Commission, an agency of the US federal government clearly owns the air waves and distributes licenses on their use. Couldn’t a case be made that the uses of public airwaves for religious br… --- ## [What is China's attitude toward North Korea nowadays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-chinas-attitude-toward-north-korea-nowadays/337977)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-chinas-attitude-toward-north-korea-nowadays/337977 "2006-01-02T14:42:15Z")
I raised this question twice in this thread – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=351746 – but nobody bit, so I’m starting a new one. What is the current attitude of the government of the People’s Repub… --- ## [Why are teachers considered intellectually inferior?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-teachers-considered-intellectually-inferior/337367)
**Author:** [@gooftroopag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gooftroopag)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-teachers-considered-intellectually-inferior/337367 "2006-01-02T06:13:55Z")
I found the following quote in Are Really Smart People as Pissy in Real Life as They Are Online?: In addition to this I have heard a couple other comments from people I’ve worked with over the years including; "Those w… --- ## [Liberties vs. security: where to draw the line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberties-vs-security-where-to-draw-the-line/337392)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2006, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberties-vs-security-where-to-draw-the-line/337392 "2006-01-01T13:39:37Z")
Liberals argue that the security of the country is meaningless if concern about it turns this country it some sort of miltaristic, oppressive parody of its former self. Many also argue that the threat isn’t big enough t… --- ## [Is this the time for a third party to have a shot at the Presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-time-for-a-third-party-to-have-a-shot-at-the-presidency/337213)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2006, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-time-for-a-third-party-to-have-a-shot-at-the-presidency/337213 "2006-01-01T10:18:06Z")
I’m not finding much to like or be inspred by on either side of the spectrum. It all seems like a giant wallow of cynicism, ineffectiveness, and incompetence. Is the American two party system too entrenched for any thi… --- ## [Legalizaion of Marijuana?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalizaion-of-marijuana/337617)
**Author:** [@hockey3540](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hockey3540)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2006, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalizaion-of-marijuana/337617 "2006-01-01T01:50:13Z")
Why do you all think that Marijuana has such a bad reputation? Do you think it really harms you in ways the Government wants you to believe? Is this just another version of Prohibition? In most states in America, why is … --- ## [Will we live to see a permanent human presence in outer space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-live-to-see-a-permanent-human-presence-in-outer-space/337606)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2005, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-live-to-see-a-permanent-human-presence-in-outer-space/337606 "2005-12-31T04:50:59Z")
Will any of us live to see the day when there is a permanent human presence in outer space? Defining “permanent human presence” as a state of affairs where we can always be sure there are, say, more than 50 humans (pure… --- ## [Do the American public really want a balanced budget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-american-public-really-want-a-balanced-budget/337111)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-american-public-really-want-a-balanced-budget/337111 "2005-12-31T01:15:59Z")
Right now we are running about 300 billion dollars in deficits. Almost 10% of all tax income (3% of everyone’s paycheck) goes to paying off interest on the debt. However I don’t know if the public really wants a balanced… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=822) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=824)