# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=833 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 834 --- ## [What would happen if we pull out of Iraq tomorrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-we-pull-out-of-iraq-tomorrow/331974)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2005, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-we-pull-out-of-iraq-tomorrow/331974 "2005-11-27T08:20:55Z")
Inspired by other threads, I was wondering what would happen if we just close up shop and leave Iraq. I really can’t see any benefit to the US. Yes some troops will not die in Iraq, but destabilizing that area and the … --- ## [Tookie Williams--Guilty beyond a reasonable doubt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tookie-williams-guilty-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt/332839)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2005, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tookie-williams-guilty-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt/332839 "2005-11-27T03:16:44Z")
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/25/AR2005112500950.html I’ve always rolled my eyes at the “free Tookie” crowd, but this Post article makes the evidence for his conviction seem pretty thin, t… --- ## [Asafa Powell closer to Michael Johnson's WR than you think?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asafa-powell-closer-to-michael-johnsons-wr-than-you-think/332641)
**Author:** [@dakota\_19.32](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dakota_19.32)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asafa-powell-closer-to-michael-johnsons-wr-than-you-think/332641 "2005-11-27T02:32:04Z")
In the fifteen years after Mexico City Tommie Smith’s 200m world record proved far more vulnerable than the 100m record of Jim Hines. Smith’s mark took three years to be approached (Quarrie 19.86) and Hines’s took nine (… --- ## [What does it mean to "worship God"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-worship-god/332665)
**Author:** [@Muad\_Dib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muad_Dib)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-worship-god/332665 "2005-11-27T02:29:40Z")
This is a letter that I just wrote to a Catholic friar. In it, I imply that I am far more religous than is true ( I have not stepped foot in a church for years) but the sentiment of the question is still true. A few ho… --- ## [Can a person say he's a Christian if he doesn't believe in the Old Testiment stories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-say-hes-a-christian-if-he-doesnt-believe-in-the-old-testiment-stories/332600)
**Author:** [@Angels\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angels_Flight)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-say-hes-a-christian-if-he-doesnt-believe-in-the-old-testiment-stories/332600 "2005-11-26T22:08:51Z")
Can you say you believe in what Christ said, especially about being pacifist and turning the other cheek, but that Lot’s wife never turned to salt? And that Noah never was able to fit all the animals into a single boat? … --- ## [Death Penalty and Irreperable Harm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-and-irreperable-harm/332322)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2005, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty-and-irreperable-harm/332322 "2005-11-26T21:00:30Z")
In this thread, the case of a Texas man who was executed is being discussed. In the case, one of the witnesses has come forward and recanted his testimony, leading the authorities to question whether or not the case sho… --- ## [A joke that will undoubtedly start a debate...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-joke-that-will-undoubtedly-start-a-debate/332336)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2005, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-joke-that-will-undoubtedly-start-a-debate/332336 "2005-11-26T17:30:50Z")
…undoubtedly because I shall start it. :cool: First, the joke: Now for the debate: The moral of this joke is that our priorities for criticizing our elected leaders are probably misguided at best. The question the… --- ## [Evolution Wars: The Battle Continues!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-wars-the-battle-continues/332691)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2005, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-wars-the-battle-continues/332691 "2005-11-26T07:36:09Z")
The battle rages on On the one side while on the other. First: I support evolution as fact. I am not a Christian. I would not call what I’ve seen of Intelligent Design a science. Now, where to start? Corporations… --- ## [The Republicans’ long term strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-long-term-strategy/332368)
**Author:** [@David\_God\_of\_Frogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_God_of_Frogs)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republicans-long-term-strategy/332368 "2005-11-26T04:13:02Z")
I figured I should do this one in fairness after my thread on the Democrats’ long term strategy. I’ll state right off the bat that this is a devil’s advocate thread for me, and a little bit harder to think out than the … --- ## [Is the Bush Administration partly to blame for the failure of the New Orleans levees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bush-administration-partly-to-blame-for-the-failure-of-the-new-orleans-levees/332114)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2005, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bush-administration-partly-to-blame-for-the-failure-of-the-new-orleans-levees/332114 "2005-11-26T03:43:43Z")
In this thread on America’s “crumbling national infrastructure” – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=345372 – Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor mentioned the New Orleans levees as an example, and smiling bandit ju… --- ## [The sex lives of the mentally handicapped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sex-lives-of-the-mentally-handicapped/332394)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sex-lives-of-the-mentally-handicapped/332394 "2005-11-25T23:39:42Z")
This thread got me thinking. Suppose you have a mentally handicapped 25 year old who has been officially diagnosed as having the mental capacity of a 12 year old. Would/should having sex with that person constitute sta… --- ## [Does longer lifespan = smarter animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-longer-lifespan-smarter-animals/332431)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-longer-lifespan-smarter-animals/332431 "2005-11-25T23:35:59Z")
In other words (and feel free to correct me), let’s say there’s a species of ape that only lives 10 years, for whatever reason. Another lives 20. Will the 20-years have a more complex brain to deal with all of the new i… --- ## [Whatever Happened to the Rapture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-the-rapture/332142)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatever-happened-to-the-rapture/332142 "2005-11-25T20:23:13Z")
I’m sure all of us old-timers remember the Rapture. And I’m sure that even those who have arrived more recently are aware of the concept. Briefly, it’s a theological event made up by a pair of 19th-century American pre… --- ## [Can a person believe in evolution but not Darwinism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-believe-in-evolution-but-not-darwinism/332608)
**Author:** [@VegaBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VegaBean)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-person-believe-in-evolution-but-not-darwinism/332608 "2005-11-25T19:35:11Z")
Evolution seems obvious to me. There are more breeds of dogs and cattle every year, not to mention flu strains. But survival of the fittest seems wrong. If only the strong survive, then why are there enough weak born ev… --- ## [Is the time ripe for another third party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-ripe-for-another-third-party/332619)
**Author:** [@Angels\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angels_Flight)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-time-ripe-for-another-third-party/332619 "2005-11-25T15:49:40Z")
When Ross Perot came to the fore, it was because there was dissatisfaction with Washington and a vague sense that changing to the opposite party wouldn’t do anything. People like rabble rousers. As Ross Perot proved, you… --- ## [Is a manned Mars flight worth canceling Hubble and other non-manned programs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-manned-mars-flight-worth-canceling-hubble-and-other-non-manned-programs/332617)
**Author:** [@Angels\_Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angels_Flight)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-manned-mars-flight-worth-canceling-hubble-and-other-non-manned-programs/332617 "2005-11-25T10:59:10Z")
It seems to me the only excuse for manned missions has been the national pride angle. And since nobody else is in a space race to a manned Mars expedition, we ought to go back to deciding what to fund based on the scienc… --- ## [Is legalized gambling good for an economy or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-legalized-gambling-good-for-an-economy-or-not/331361)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-legalized-gambling-good-for-an-economy-or-not/331361 "2005-11-25T04:41:28Z")
I live in a state where there are no casinos however there is an Indian group that is trying to get land so they can build one. Of course, to make their points, they show lots of neat statistics about how many people ar… --- ## [America needs a Conservative Party. Discuss.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-needs-a-conservative-party-discuss/332377)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-needs-a-conservative-party-discuss/332377 "2005-11-25T04:11:41Z")
I wish I could write a manifesto. I wish I could write to raise the rabble, to start a movement. But I cannot. Someone else must. I am a Libertarian. Some call that a Liberal doctrine, some say it is conservative. Call … --- ## [Some questions on torture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-on-torture/332120)
**Author:** [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-questions-on-torture/332120 "2005-11-24T18:22:16Z")
So the confused rhetoric of the administration in dragging our country down the torture rabbit-hole is continuing. We now use “unique” methods that are not “torture.” http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051121/ts\_nm/security\_… --- ## [Bush attacks critics claim pre-war intel was manipulated. Huge balls or delusional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-attacks-critics-claim-pre-war-intel-was-manipulated-huge-balls-or-delusional/330676)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 407\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-attacks-critics-claim-pre-war-intel-was-manipulated-huge-balls-or-delusional/330676 "2005-11-24T17:31:46Z")
I thought the fact that the intelligence used to justify going to was in Iraq was manipulated, cherry picked and massaged (based on numerous accounts of what actually went on) was more or less a given fact at this point.… --- ## [No Child Left Behind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-child-left-behind/332509)
**Author:** [@brownie55](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brownie55)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-child-left-behind/332509 "2005-11-24T16:36:45Z")
ThisYahoo story discusses today’s ruling regarding the federal No Child Left Behind law. In his opinion the judge, Chief U.S. District Judge Bernard A. Friedman, claimed that \[Quote\] “Congress has appropriated signific… --- ## [The Pit Thread Made Me Curious... (Death Penalty Question)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pit-thread-made-me-curious-death-penalty-question/332488)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pit-thread-made-me-curious-death-penalty-question/332488 "2005-11-24T16:17:36Z")
To those who support the Death Penalty: It seems to me that there is overwhelming evidence that people who are innocent of their crimes are either being executed, getting off after years on death row thanks to DNA testi… --- ## [Is this a failure of the "French Model"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-failure-of-the-french-model/331789)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-failure-of-the-french-model/331789 "2005-11-24T15:24:32Z")
I’ve been keeping up as best I can with everything that’s going on here in the France. My problem is that I don’t really know much about modern French economic history. People from the States tell me all the time, “Wel… --- ## [Would YOU support driving restrictions for the elderly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-driving-restrictions-for-the-elderly/329260)
**Author:** [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-driving-restrictions-for-the-elderly/329260 "2005-11-24T06:35:45Z")
It happened again. An 80-year-old man mistook the gas pedal for the brake and plowed into four parked cars (link). I think it’s time that state DMV’s start doing a bit more rigorous and frequent testing for those ove… --- ## [Why can't we celebrate our similaritys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-celebrate-our-similaritys/332526)
**Author:** [@nd\_n8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nd_n8)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-celebrate-our-similaritys/332526 "2005-11-24T05:16:06Z")
Here’s my question: I understand the “Celebrate our differences” concept. My skin is a different color than his skin which is different from her skin, or my personal beliefs are different than his, or any other obvious… --- ## [Bush: Let's Bomb our friends now- True? Justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-lets-bomb-our-friends-now-true-justified/332395)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-lets-bomb-our-friends-now-true-justified/332395 "2005-11-24T04:29:08Z")
So Bush was thought to be planning to bomb a friendly state out of pique: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm\_objectid=16401707%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=law-chief-gags-the-mirror-on-bush-leak--name\_page.html … --- ## [Getting your aunt to write your master's thesis for you: Ethical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-your-aunt-to-write-your-masters-thesis-for-you-ethical/331677)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-your-aunt-to-write-your-masters-thesis-for-you-ethical/331677 "2005-11-24T02:58:49Z")
Not-so-hypothetical situation: Suppose you are a grad student trying to write your master’s thesis. You have a mild form of aphasia. While you can think great thoughts, and speak great sentences, you cannot deal with pap… --- ## [John Roberts...not an Ideologue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-roberts-not-an-ideologue/332521)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-roberts-not-an-ideologue/332521 "2005-11-24T02:07:28Z")
I saw part of \[new U.S. Supreme Court Chief\] John Roberts’ Senate hearing on the news. And I think like most people, I am a little confused. He seemed to be evading alot of the questions–even when he agreed to answer the… --- ## [To what extent could the Supreme Court steer a war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-could-the-supreme-court-steer-a-war/332284)
**Author:** [@Uncommon\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncommon_Sense)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-could-the-supreme-court-steer-a-war/332284 "2005-11-24T00:27:35Z")
Maybe this belongs in the GQ forum, but I kind of doubt it has a single correct answer. If the SC was liberal/conservative enough and sufficiently anti-(whichever POTUS happens to be in power at the time) could they, in… --- ## [An Ethical Question: Comedians Ask for Money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ethical-question-comedians-ask-for-money/331731)
**Author:** [@TrivTriv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TrivTriv)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ethical-question-comedians-ask-for-money/331731 "2005-11-24T00:15:41Z")
Please give your ethical opinions of the following scenario in which I currently find myself: My roommate is a member of a performance comedy troupe. They stage a series of shows about once a year, each time charging ab… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=832) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=834)