# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=827 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 828 --- ## [Should there be a double standard WRT to sex with minors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-double-standard-wrt-to-sex-with-minors/335285)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-double-standard-wrt-to-sex-with-minors/335285 "2005-12-16T03:30:24Z")
I raised this question in this thread – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=346127 – but it was never really answered. Suppose, on the one hand, we have an adult woman who had sex with a 14- or 15-year-… --- ## [Are We Here for a Purpose?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-here-for-a-purpose/334922)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2005, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-here-for-a-purpose/334922 "2005-12-16T02:17:02Z")
And if so, was the suffering that got us here worth it? Inspired by this thread which got into why’s, I wondered about the chain of events that led to each of us. For me, I’m here because my great grandparents fled Ru… --- ## [Man Made Flood Damages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-made-flood-damages/335841)
**Author:** [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-made-flood-damages/335841 "2005-12-16T02:00:18Z")
How does the failure of a pumped hydro storage resevoir in the Ozarks compare with the Johnstown flood of 1889? Amount of water? Loss of life? Property damage? Other factors? --- ## [Please criticize my position on whether God exists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-criticize-my-position-on-whether-god-exists/335749)
**Author:** [@Johnegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnegee)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-criticize-my-position-on-whether-god-exists/335749 "2005-12-15T23:47:52Z")
As you can see from my Guest status, I’m still tiptoeing around trying to learn about the SDMBs. If I commit a fayux pass, please tell me what it is and forgive me. I have written an article I propose to add to the pag… --- ## [President in 08](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-in-08/333939)
**Author:** [@2centsworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2centsworth)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-in-08/333939 "2005-12-15T22:11:08Z")
Who do you think will (and/or should) be elected President in 2008? And let me be the first to say, Thank God for the 22nd Amendment I vote for Gov. Mark Warner (D-VA) --- ## [Should natural disasters kill proportionately?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-natural-disasters-kill-proportionately/335760)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-natural-disasters-kill-proportionately/335760 "2005-12-15T20:38:45Z")
Let’s assume we have a city called Antville. The city has evolved over the centuries in the midst of huge colonies of fire ants. They keep the fire ants at bay and have learned to live with the occassional spikes in fi… --- ## [What would happen if women were as horny as men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-women-were-as-horny-as-men/334912)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-women-were-as-horny-as-men/334912 "2005-12-15T19:21:31Z")
Inspired by this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=348774 The male sex drive might not really be any more powerful than the female, but it is definitely more urgent. The Sexual Revolution cha… --- ## [EPA relaxing reporting rules. Is this at all necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epa-relaxing-reporting-rules-is-this-at-all-necessary/335661)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epa-relaxing-reporting-rules-is-this-at-all-necessary/335661 "2005-12-15T15:29:52Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051214/ap\_on\_sc/toxic\_pollutants\_2;\_ylt=AgztUpXJsl9ldml1uLNAhmqB9YMB;\_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUlApparently the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is pursuing a less exhaustive rep… --- ## [Forged ballots seized at Iraq-Iran border?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forged-ballots-seized-at-iraq-iran-border/335625)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forged-ballots-seized-at-iraq-iran-border/335625 "2005-12-15T15:07:07Z")
According to one report, Iraqi border police have seized several thousand forged ballots being smuggled in from Iran; the Iranian truck driver told them at least three other trucks full of ballots had made it across the … --- ## [Ronald Reagan: Success or Failure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ronald-reagan-success-or-failure/335178)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ronald-reagan-success-or-failure/335178 "2005-12-15T12:47:47Z")
I’ll have to say that I consider Reagan a massive failure as president for the 8 years he was in office. The Bad: Iran Contra Scandal Nomination of Robert Bork and Antonio Scalia to the Supreme Court Appointment of R… --- ## [Gangsta Rap music, bad for children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gangsta-rap-music-bad-for-children/335401)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2005, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gangsta-rap-music-bad-for-children/335401 "2005-12-15T06:59:29Z")
In this thread, Magellan takes the position that a five year old child listening to gangsta (gangster) rap music will somehow be harmed by it. He is being piled on by the more liberal in the thread who take the position… --- ## [Incident in Miami: Do air marshals trust the baggage security?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incident-in-miami-do-air-marshals-trust-the-baggage-security/334949)
**Author:** [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incident-in-miami-do-air-marshals-trust-the-baggage-security/334949 "2005-12-14T22:41:21Z")
Two days ago (on Dec. 7), air marshals in Miami shot and killed a passenger who (apparently) claimed to have a bomb in his bag. There was no bomb. The fact that the marshals seemed to be rather quick to believe him mig… --- ## [Is a real predictive social/political science possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-real-predictive-social-political-science-possible/335481)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-real-predictive-social-political-science-possible/335481 "2005-12-14T22:22:17Z")
My brother the engineer tells me that engineering, in practice, is largely a matter of policy decisions. E.g., the Navy wants a fighter jet that can go twice as fast as anything they’ve got now. The engineers answer: … --- ## [Al-Masri held, tortured, 150 days;60 AFTER cleared; are we shitheads yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-masri-held-tortured-150-days-60-after-cleared-are-we-shitheads-yet/334645)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/al-masri-held-tortured-150-days-60-after-cleared-are-we-shitheads-yet/334645 "2005-12-14T21:47:27Z")
http://www.forbes.com/business/services/feeds/ap/2005/12/07/ap2375481.html A german citizen was kidnapped, “\*rendered”, and interrogated aggressively for 5 months. (\*this being Germany, prudence dictates a reference to… --- ## [Roman Catholic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-catholic/16652)
**Author:** [@jazzmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jazzmine)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-catholic/16652 "2005-12-14T18:09:54Z")
On this board, in several threads, I have seen the term “Roman Catholic” used by several people. I have also just seen the word “Catholic” used. Is there a difference between them, or are some people just shortening it … --- ## [The price of Gas at the pump: Good that its going down?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-gas-at-the-pump-good-that-its-going-down/334799)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-price-of-gas-at-the-pump-good-that-its-going-down/334799 "2005-12-14T16:50:18Z")
I’ve noticed in the past few months that the price of gas at the pump where I live has dropped rather sharply. At one time it was up around $3 per gallon (sometimes higher, sometimes a touch lower). Today I can general… --- ## [Is it really Clinton's fault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-clintons-fault/331791)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-really-clintons-fault/331791 "2005-12-14T16:49:36Z")
Every time the “War on Terror” is criticized by a liberal, concervatives argue that we wouldn’t have the problem in the first place if Clinton had done something about Osama. I was in elementary school when Clinton was … --- ## [How offensive is "Merry Christmas" to a Jew? (Bill O'Riley situation)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008)
**Author:** [@Race\_Bannon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Race_Bannon)\ **Replies:** 236\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-offensive-is-merry-christmas-to-a-jew-bill-oriley-situation/334008 "2005-12-14T14:41:41Z")
The other day Bill O’Riley was gloating about some stores/towns that have renamed their “holiday” celebrations back to “Christmas” events. He included a clip from Comedy Central (which he called “Secular Central”). At … --- ## [\[Sen. Joe Lieberman\] What is wrong with people in Connecticut?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039)
**Author:** [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-joe-lieberman-what-is-wrong-with-people-in-connecticut/335039 "2005-12-14T13:35:49Z")
While Jesse Helms was a Senator, I refused to set my foot in North Carolina. After all, who wanted to mix with people who voted for Jesse Helms? Yaak!! Now it is Connecticut. Who are the yobos who are voting for Lieb… --- ## [Should the red cross/crescent/star/diamond just find a neutral symbol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-red-cross-crescent-star-diamond-just-find-a-neutral-symbol/334649)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-red-cross-crescent-star-diamond-just-find-a-neutral-symbol/334649 "2005-12-14T11:38:17Z")
I heard on the news today that the organisations comprising the International Red Cross and Red Crescent have agreed that Israel can contribute under the banner of the ‘Red Diamond’ (or ‘Red crystal’). (link) Thinking … --- ## [Atheists and Hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-and-hell/334059)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-and-hell/334059 "2005-12-14T09:22:57Z")
Modern theologiand tend not to believe in a literal lake of fire burning condemned sould for eternity, rather, Hell is a state of knowing you are forever cut off from God. Since Atheists already live quite comfortable l… --- ## [Harper Makes No confidence motion. Canadian government likely to fall. Election time!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harper-makes-no-confidence-motion-canadian-government-likely-to-fall-election-time/332591)
**Author:** [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Replies:** 224\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harper-makes-no-confidence-motion-canadian-government-likely-to-fall-election-time/332591 "2005-12-14T06:13:33Z")
Well we knew it was coming. And I’m certain the vote in the house on Monday will topple the government. This may be too soon for some but I’m ready for it. We can’t go on like this any longer. We either make the MPs al… --- ## [Moratorium on Hispanic Immigration=Good for Assimilation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moratorium-on-hispanic-immigration-good-for-assimilation/335483)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moratorium-on-hispanic-immigration-good-for-assimilation/335483 "2005-12-14T05:43:24Z")
I was gonna post this on this thread, but it seemed like it deserved a debate of its own. On that thread, lochdale said: Local radio host the other day was talking about the same thing. He proposed a moratorium on al… --- ## [To what extent where the forefather's Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-where-the-forefathers-christian/335329)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-where-the-forefathers-christian/335329 "2005-12-14T03:42:49Z")
Lately, with the whole seperation of church and state debate, people in support of less division between the two often cite how we are “Christian nation” and that the forefather’s were Christians. I went to Baptist, epi… --- ## [Placating Deaniacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placating-deaniacs/334739)
**Author:** [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/placating-deaniacs/334739 "2005-12-14T02:21:23Z")
I called Howard Dean a potential ‘little Lenin’ in this Pit thread, arousing anger of some resident Dean supporters, it seems. My comment was based on my perception of Mr. Dean as an angry, divisive and extremely inflam… --- ## [Hypothetical fleeing America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-fleeing-america/335496)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-fleeing-america/335496 "2005-12-14T00:10:05Z")
This could start as a poll in IMHO but will probably get into a debate. Hypothetically speaking, let’s say you had enough of the U.S. and decided to take your family permanently to a foreign country to set new roots, ra… --- ## [Will anyone from the Bush administration be tried](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-anyone-from-the-bush-administration-be-tried/334374)
**Author:** [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-anyone-from-the-bush-administration-be-tried/334374 "2005-12-13T18:26:17Z")
for allowing the torture of prisoners? Should the Bush administration be allow to get away with such hypocrisy? Or is it: United States torture is good, but the rest of the world’s torture is bad? --- ## [Their WOMEN are blowing themselves up. They are too hard core. Give up.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/their-women-are-blowing-themselves-up-they-are-too-hard-core-give-up/334339)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2005, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/their-women-are-blowing-themselves-up-they-are-too-hard-core-give-up/334339 "2005-12-13T12:31:23Z")
The latest incident involving a female suipyrocide makes, what four out of five running? These girls apparently WERE the real sleepers–they were students at the police academy–so are we to infer that they have been walk… --- ## [Female Teachers And Adolescent Boys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-teachers-and-adolescent-boys/335081)
**Author:** [@Argo84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argo84)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2005, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-teachers-and-adolescent-boys/335081 "2005-12-13T12:25:34Z")
A 25 year old female middle school teacher in Florida has pleaded guilty to charges that she had sex with a 14 year old boy who was one of her students. There are pictures of her on internet news sites and she is quite a… --- ## [Do farm subsidies hurt high tech and movie industries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-farm-subsidies-hurt-high-tech-and-movie-industries/335332)
**Author:** [@Metronome\_of\_the\_Silver\_Hayes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metronome_of_the_Silver_Hayes)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2005, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-farm-subsidies-hurt-high-tech-and-movie-industries/335332 "2005-12-13T12:24:11Z")
And should we just back off the farm subsidies? There was an editorial yesterday that basically said that we want internation support for copyright piracy enforcement, but the countries involved, like China and India an… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=826) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=828)