# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=825 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 826 --- ## [Jewish history month.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-history-month/336396)
**Author:** [@lonesome\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lonesome_loser)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-history-month/336396 "2005-12-24T19:04:19Z")
Do we really need a Jewish history month? I am not the least anti semitic but this is ridiculous. http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/fl20\_schultz/AJHMpassage.html We don’t even have an Amerind day let alone month. Ye… --- ## [Brazil, ethanol and...the future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brazil-ethanol-and-the-future/336578)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brazil-ethanol-and-the-future/336578 "2005-12-24T18:09:59Z")
Was watching a show on the History Channel tonight where they were touting Brazil and its flex fuel cars and ethanol production. They called it ‘The Brazilian Energy Miricle’. I was wondering if this is perhaps the wav… --- ## [Share your experiences of the miraculous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-your-experiences-of-the-miraculous/337025)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2005, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/share-your-experiences-of-the-miraculous/337025 "2005-12-24T17:29:27Z")
I think the title’s pretty clear. I actually think this is better situated for IMHO, but since it seems likely that this will involve some witnessing I’ll start it off here. Mods, if you want to move it, knock yourselv… --- ## [Why isn't Pope Leo XIII a candidate for sainthood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-pope-leo-xiii-a-candidate-for-sainthood/337043)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2005, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-pope-leo-xiii-a-candidate-for-sainthood/337043 "2005-12-24T13:54:19Z")
Looking over the accomplishments of recent popes, it seems that Leo XIII did the most to support liberalism (e.g. Rerum Novarum, French Revolution) while maintaining the Catholic Church’s conservative philosophies. He b… --- ## [I knew Lenny Bruce.He was a friend of mine.Jon Stewart IS Lenny Bruce.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-knew-lenny-bruce-he-was-a-friend-of-mine-jon-stewart-is-lenny-bruce/336745)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2005, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-knew-lenny-bruce-he-was-a-friend-of-mine-jon-stewart-is-lenny-bruce/336745 "2005-12-24T08:31:54Z")
To mis-paraphrase Lloyd Bentsen. I am listening to a fuckin’ RERUN and collapsing in laughter despite the absence of anyone else in room. It’s just like a Lenny Bruce record used to do me. I conclude, therefore, that… --- ## [Bolivia's next president is a coca farmer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolivias-next-president-is-a-coca-farmer/335964)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2005, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolivias-next-president-is-a-coca-farmer/335964 "2005-12-24T07:04:48Z")
Evo Morales, candidate of the Movement Toward Socialism party, is leading in the polls in the December 18 presidential election in Bolivia. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=aDd\_2jJNqnQ4&refer=latin\_am… --- ## [Stephen Harper: Canada A Welfare State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-harper-canada-a-welfare-state/336042)
**Author:** [@Jotun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jotun)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2005, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-harper-canada-a-welfare-state/336042 "2005-12-24T06:57:56Z")
From the LPC (Liberal Party of Canada) website For a man who wants to become Prime Minister of Canada, he sure does seem to dislike the country. :stuck\_out\_tongue: If true, this confirms my worst fear about the guy. … --- ## [What if King Edward VIII had insisted on marrying Wallis Simpson?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-king-edward-viii-had-insisted-on-marrying-wallis-simpson/334939)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-king-edward-viii-had-insisted-on-marrying-wallis-simpson/334939 "2005-12-23T20:24:53Z")
… and keeping his Crown, of course. The Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, gave the King three options as crisis loomed in late 1936: give up any hope of marrying Mrs. Simpson, who as an American divorcee was anathema to … --- ## [Should the police \[infiltrate protest groups\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-police-infiltrate-protest-groups/336843)
**Author:** [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-police-infiltrate-protest-groups/336843 "2005-12-23T20:20:23Z")
Infiltrate protest groups. From The New York Times (registration required) That doesn’t sound so bad but, That seems over the line to me. So the undercover officers are trying to get people to protest violently s… --- ## [UCLA scientist says media bias is real and quantifiable](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ucla-scientist-says-media-bias-is-real-and-quantifiable/336460)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ucla-scientist-says-media-bias-is-real-and-quantifiable/336460 "2005-12-23T20:11:46Z")
Here. I am not surprised. Even an item that the report lists as “surprising” – that NPR is not particularly biased – isn’t a surprise to me, since I’ve always said NPR was very close to being neutral. So – what to atta… --- ## [Why doesn't a tough reporter just cowboy up, challenge Bush's BS, & call him a liar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-a-tough-reporter-just-cowboy-up-challenge-bushs-bs-call-him-a-liar/336300)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-a-tough-reporter-just-cowboy-up-challenge-bushs-bs-call-him-a-liar/336300 "2005-12-23T18:20:25Z")
Re tonights Pres conference Why is the US press so craven and timid in questioning the President at live press conferences? Is it really a career ending move to call the President a liar? What would be the real world r… --- ## [Did Jesus only eat kosher? When did Christians stop eating only kosher foods?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-only-eat-kosher-when-did-christians-stop-eating-only-kosher-foods/336875)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-only-eat-kosher-when-did-christians-stop-eating-only-kosher-foods/336875 "2005-12-23T16:47:11Z")
Did the ending of kosher rules for Christians start with Jesus himself? Did He nosh a nice ham and cheese with his goyim buddies? If not, when did Christians stop following the kosher rules? --- ## [Direct legal implications for Dover ID descision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direct-legal-implications-for-dover-id-descision/336639)
**Author:** [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/direct-legal-implications-for-dover-id-descision/336639 "2005-12-23T02:55:07Z")
(I imagine this is actually a General Question, but I am sure it will turn into a Great Debate…) My housemates know that I’ve been following this trial, and the two other grad students agree that ID shouldn’t be taught … --- ## [Female Chauvinist Pigs : Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-chauvinist-pigs-women-and-the-rise-of-raunch-culture/336586)
**Author:** [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2005, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-chauvinist-pigs-women-and-the-rise-of-raunch-culture/336586 "2005-12-23T02:22:58Z")
Female Chauvinist Pigs : Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture I came across this book today, which apparently discusses a pet peeve of my own, having come of age during the feminist movement of the early 1970’s. I’ll qu… --- ## [Advent: Somber or Joyous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advent-somber-or-joyous/336710)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advent-somber-or-joyous/336710 "2005-12-22T15:22:15Z")
My question is mostly related to Christian doctrine and dogma: should Advent be a joyous event as it is in the United States or should it be somber and reflective? I am not very religious per se. But my family and I do c… --- ## [Westboro Baptist Church protesting military funerals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/westboro-baptist-church-protesting-military-funerals/336095)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2005, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/westboro-baptist-church-protesting-military-funerals/336095 "2005-12-22T06:51:26Z")
I’m not sure where to post this thread. Chose GQ by default, but it could go in GD, the Pit, IMHO or MSPIMS. Mods, move if you think appropriate. I just heard on the radio that Fred Phelps’ fiercely homophobic Westbor… --- ## [Why do conservatives like school vouchers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-like-school-vouchers/336595)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2005, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-like-school-vouchers/336595 "2005-12-22T05:28:18Z")
Mallard Fillmore today ran a comic strip talking about school vouchers. The idea of school vouchers is pretty much a conservative item. But why do conservatives like the concept? On the surface it seems like the kind of … --- ## [Should white people be offended when a person of mixed race calls themselves .......?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-white-people-be-offended-when-a-person-of-mixed-race-calls-themselves/335276)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-white-people-be-offended-when-a-person-of-mixed-race-calls-themselves/335276 "2005-12-22T02:33:59Z")
I never thought much about it before, and I’m not offended personally, but I do wonder why people who are 50/50 (half caucasion and half minority of choice) still refer to themselves as the minority. Why doesn’t it seem… --- ## [A question for (religious) pro-life folks: abortion and the afterlife](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-religious-pro-life-folks-abortion-and-the-afterlife/336132)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-religious-pro-life-folks-abortion-and-the-afterlife/336132 "2005-12-21T23:01:43Z")
This is a question for people who believe that abortion is or is something like murder, and who believe in God. Chiming in to bluster about the fact that you don’t believe in one or both things isn’t going to make for a … --- ## [Let's debate "distributism"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-distributism/330468)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-distributism/330468 "2005-12-21T22:44:20Z")
“Distributism” or “distributivism” is a doctrine formulated by Catholic intellectuals in the early 20th Century as an alternative to both socialism and capitalism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributivism In essence… --- ## [Why Latin America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-latin-america/336395)
**Author:** [@bathory\_s\_sainthood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bathory_s_sainthood)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-latin-america/336395 "2005-12-21T20:49:42Z")
Latin American nations, because they achieved political independence early on steered a different course than asian and african nations into the modern world. But the outcome, prolonged dependency, was mostly the same. … --- ## [Time's Person of the Year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/times-person-of-the-year/335106)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/times-person-of-the-year/335106 "2005-12-21T17:21:07Z")
Well it’s that time of year again. Cold winds are blowing, Christmas carols are belting out from department store sound systems, and Time Magazine will soon pick one person (or two or three people, or one organization o… --- ## [UK's first gay marriages today. What negative consequences can we expect to see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315)
**Author:** [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uks-first-gay-marriages-today-what-negative-consequences-can-we-expect-to-see/336315 "2005-12-21T15:51:49Z")
The UK’s first gay marriages took place today. Are any opponents of gay marriage willing to propose some objectively measurable negative (eg. rise in heterosexual divorce rate, or something) which they believe will be co… --- ## [Dyslexia vs Stupidity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dyslexia-vs-stupidity/336139)
**Author:** [@marrakech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marrakech)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dyslexia-vs-stupidity/336139 "2005-12-21T12:56:52Z")
Certainly if you consider, what, 30 years ago they would have been one and the same… the latest I’ve heard of is discalculia, essentially math dyslexia. Are we now classifying different types of stupidity? --- ## [Evolution, and Intelligent design. What comes in third?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-and-intelligent-design-what-comes-in-third/336173)
**Author:** [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-and-intelligent-design-what-comes-in-third/336173 "2005-12-21T12:48:12Z")
This is all that’s ever talked about these days. Just wondering what the runner up theory is to these two? Something that has a little weight to it. I put it in GD, just in case, but not really looking for a GD. But thes… --- ## [Should Stanley "Tookie" Williams Die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-stanley-tookie-williams-die/332863)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-stanley-tookie-williams-die/332863 "2005-12-21T11:53:59Z")
Here are excerpts from a recent news story about Stanley “Tookie” Williams. He has been on death row in California for most of his life and his execution date is in December: Personally I do not think he should be exe… --- ## [Decision in Dover ID trial expected to come down tomorrow.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decision-in-dover-id-trial-expected-to-come-down-tomorrow/336353)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decision-in-dover-id-trial-expected-to-come-down-tomorrow/336353 "2005-12-21T10:58:14Z")
Link On the positive side, the defense (the pro-ID side) was consistently demolished and embarrassed throughout this case. On the facts alone, this should be a slam dunk for the plaintiffs. On the other hand, Judge Jon… --- ## [Global warming again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-again/336244)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-again/336244 "2005-12-21T05:49:52Z")
So the thread mysteriously has disappeared … apparently a sock was involved. As we left off I had made the point that it matters not if we know for certain exactly how much of current global warming is anthropogenic, it… --- ## [Why the fuss over the "relocating Israel to Germany" comment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-fuss-over-the-relocating-israel-to-germany-comment/334843)
**Author:** [@marky33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marky33)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-fuss-over-the-relocating-israel-to-germany-comment/334843 "2005-12-21T04:03:58Z")
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has called for the relocation of Israel to Germany. "An outrageous gaffe, " said Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel. “I condemn \[the comments\] unreservedly. They have no place … --- ## [Is the alternative minimum tax really a bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-alternative-minimum-tax-really-a-bad-thing/335793)
**Author:** [@flintlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flintlock)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2005, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-alternative-minimum-tax-really-a-bad-thing/335793 "2005-12-20T19:45:33Z")
Right now it gets a lot of coverage because “It was originally intended to keep the rich from not paying any taxes. But now with inflation it means that the upper middle class also has to pay taxes.” What’s so bad about… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=824) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=826)