# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=839 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 840 --- ## [Nudity everywhere: does it make everything worse or better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nudity-everywhere-does-it-make-everything-worse-or-better/327795)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2005, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nudity-everywhere-does-it-make-everything-worse-or-better/327795 "2005-11-06T10:17:45Z")
One of the things that shocked me most when I first came to Europe was the different attitude toward nudity. I’ve noticed it especially in France, where there is nudity on billboards, in movie previews, and on televisio… --- ## [Is Latin America's strong leftward tilt toward socialism a threat to the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-latin-americas-strong-leftward-tilt-toward-socialism-a-threat-to-the-us/329566)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2005, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-latin-americas-strong-leftward-tilt-toward-socialism-a-threat-to-the-us/329566 "2005-11-06T06:59:14Z")
Per the linked article I had no idea that Latin America was so leftist/socialist these days. Is socialism a threat to the US politically & economically as communism was said to be, or is it relatively benign and will pea… --- ## [The "L" word (Liberal) - I need help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-word-liberal-i-need-help/329468)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-l-word-liberal-i-need-help/329468 "2005-11-05T23:50:46Z")
It seems to me that most on the right who are “conservatives” are proud of the label while those on the left run away from the term"liberal"… or if proud of being “liberal” think that anyone to their right are “moderate… --- ## [Do you agree with this statement? \[Compassion is weakness, ruthlessness is power\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-agree-with-this-statement-compassion-is-weakness-ruthlessness-is-power/329607)
**Author:** [@euphemism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/euphemism)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-agree-with-this-statement-compassion-is-weakness-ruthlessness-is-power/329607 "2005-11-05T21:48:20Z")
Compassion is weakness, ruthlessness is power. Why or why not? --- ## [Does a woman contemplating adoption owe any notice to the father of the baby?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-woman-contemplating-adoption-owe-any-notice-to-the-father-of-the-baby/328989)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-woman-contemplating-adoption-owe-any-notice-to-the-father-of-the-baby/328989 "2005-11-05T20:48:22Z")
As per title. --- ## [How did Feminism become synonymous with hating men in the pop culture mindset?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-feminism-become-synonymous-with-hating-men-in-the-pop-culture-mindset/328174)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-feminism-become-synonymous-with-hating-men-in-the-pop-culture-mindset/328174 "2005-11-05T20:39:07Z")
Re Feminists and the Feminism movement, where are they days outside the universities? In talking with young women they will go about how the hiked they Mojave in sandals, killed a rabid coyote with a slingshot, marched … --- ## [When should releasing classified information be prosecutable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-releasing-classified-information-be-prosecutable/329547)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-releasing-classified-information-be-prosecutable/329547 "2005-11-05T17:24:37Z")
Libby has been indicted for nothing more than making a false statement, but the underlying alleged crime that some think he committed was releasing classified information to the press. Of course, a few moments’ reflecti… --- ## [New Progressive Media thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-progressive-media-thread/329506)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-progressive-media-thread/329506 "2005-11-05T14:55:57Z")
Now that I know better than to use the “L” word I think I have the question … How biased or deceitfully agenda-driven is that segment of the national media that purports to be fair? And which direction does that bias/a… --- ## [Why Couldn't this System be Used to Deter Aircraft Hijackings/Terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-couldnt-this-system-be-used-to-deter-aircraft-hijackings-terrorism/329193)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-couldnt-this-system-be-used-to-deter-aircraft-hijackings-terrorism/329193 "2005-11-05T10:39:17Z")
When I was driving to work today, I started thing about modern commercial aircraft. Most of them have “autoland” capability via a Category III Instrument Landing System. This is usually used in very bad whether or just t… --- ## [Americans, who would you be happy to vote for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-would-you-be-happy-to-vote-for/328874)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-who-would-you-be-happy-to-vote-for/328874 "2005-11-05T09:01:55Z")
For President, that is. Confining the answers to political figures. I’m sorry to end a thread title with a preposition. :wink: Anyway, people seem to complain every four years that both nominees are lame, I can’t beli… --- ## [Has anyone read "Dying for a Hamburger"? Alzheimer's and mad cow disease](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-read-dying-for-a-hamburger-alzheimers-and-mad-cow-disease/329350)
**Author:** [@tiltypig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiltypig)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-read-dying-for-a-hamburger-alzheimers-and-mad-cow-disease/329350 "2005-11-05T06:43:52Z")
Has anyone read the book “Dying for a Hamburger,” which tries to show a causal link between modern meat-processing techniques and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in industrialized societies? Basically, the theory i… --- ## [Cecils answer why H in J H Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-answer-why-h-in-j-h-christ/328419)
**Author:** [@DavidWaite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidWaite)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-answer-why-h-in-j-h-christ/328419 "2005-11-05T01:44:01Z")
I came across Cecils answer why there is an H in Jesus H Christ at http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_033 with a link to comment on the answer that brought me here. Personally I don’t know what IHS has to do with … --- ## [Is the concept of a technological singularity valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concept-of-a-technological-singularity-valid/328905)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concept-of-a-technological-singularity-valid/328905 "2005-11-05T00:53:19Z")
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological\_singularity I find the methods used to prove the trend towards such a singularity to be flimsy at best; the “list of innovations” is heavily skewed towards t… --- ## [UFO's in History](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-in-history/329517)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2005, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufos-in-history/329517 "2005-11-05T00:53:16Z")
I dont know how I get into these debates with some people…really I dont. however, my freshman college brother insists that UFO’s are real, and that they have been depicted throughout history, and largely ignored. He se… --- ## [Supreme Court Defends Hallucinogenic Sacrament](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-defends-hallucinogenic-sacrament/329508)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-defends-hallucinogenic-sacrament/329508 "2005-11-04T23:16:52Z")
http://www.scotusblog.com/movabletype/archives/2005/11/herbal\_tea\_case.html In this article it talks about individual exceptions for religious practice and how the justices argue that it might cause a proliferation of … --- ## [Was it a good idea for Jimmy Carter to give a blanket amnesty to draft evaders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-a-good-idea-for-jimmy-carter-to-give-a-blanket-amnesty-to-draft-evaders/329290)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-a-good-idea-for-jimmy-carter-to-give-a-blanket-amnesty-to-draft-evaders/329290 "2005-11-04T21:06:54Z")
My opinion is no. By the mid-1970’s, some kind of amnesty program was obviously needed, to heal the divisions left by a very unpopular war. However, this did not change the fact that draft evaders and deserters had bro… --- ## [How irreligious is Europe/British Isles really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-irreligious-is-europe-british-isles-really/328056)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-irreligious-is-europe-british-isles-really/328056 "2005-11-04T15:26:23Z")
I’m Assembly of God, a liberal by AoG standards but far to the right of many Dopers :smiley: . We occasionally have missionaries & articles in our weekly magazine speaking of the irreligiousness of Europe & the British … --- ## [Whence the lefty hardon for McCain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-the-lefty-hardon-for-mccain/329320)
**Author:** [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whence-the-lefty-hardon-for-mccain/329320 "2005-11-04T14:50:58Z")
Really. I’ve seen it on the SDMB, on other boards I frequent, and among people I know in real life: ostensible Democrats, leftists, pro-choice types, dope smoking hippies, anti-warriors, and other presumed progressives … --- ## [Another Bird Flu thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-bird-flu-thread/328920)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-bird-flu-thread/328920 "2005-11-04T13:04:26Z")
I noticed today that Bush is asking for $7.1 billion in order to prepare the country for a possible bird flu epidemic. This will include several hundred million doses of vaccine for the current strain of flu, anti-viral… --- ## [What if Bush had died on 9/11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bush-had-died-on-9-11/329058)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bush-had-died-on-9-11/329058 "2005-11-04T11:32:56Z")
What if President George W Bush was visiting the World Trade Center on that fateful day in September 2001, instead of the school in Florida? Would the added security of a presidential prevented the attacks? If he bel… --- ## [Should our leaders be required to take drug tests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-our-leaders-be-required-to-take-drug-tests/329232)
**Author:** [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-our-leaders-be-required-to-take-drug-tests/329232 "2005-11-04T06:53:06Z")
AFAIK, candidates for public office are not subjected to drug screening. Why not? After all, your average Jo\[e\] has to pee in a cup before getting a job in a lot of places these days. Atheletes all over the world are … --- ## [An open letter to my Democratic friends, regarding the current political season.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-my-democratic-friends-regarding-the-current-political-season/328349)
**Author:** [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-open-letter-to-my-democratic-friends-regarding-the-current-political-season/328349 "2005-11-04T03:59:22Z")
Greetings. I’m not posting this thread as any defense of any Republicans caught in any illegal or unethical acts. Nor do I want to deny anyone their day of gleeful gloating, if that’s what they wish to do. Have at it … --- ## [Do We Invent Our Lives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-invent-our-lives/329395)
**Author:** [@Trust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trust)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-invent-our-lives/329395 "2005-11-04T03:49:56Z")
I have always been a person that examines just about everything on a routinely basis. What I have seemed to notice is that I make up the things that happen in my life. As a very terrible example, say for instance I hear… --- ## [Implications of Nanotechnology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-nanotechnology/328648)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-nanotechnology/328648 "2005-11-04T03:08:25Z")
What do you think the implications of nanotechnology are? As we move into an era of increasing understanding of AI and Genomics, what will the implications of microscopic robots bring about? To me the idea of nanotechn… --- ## [DeLay in Black Hat and White](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-in-black-hat-and-white/329237)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/delay-in-black-hat-and-white/329237 "2005-11-04T02:04:31Z")
Note to mods: I’m not even sure if this thread is appropriate for the boards, or if it is, whether it’s appropriate to this forum. It is, after all, a request for help with my homework. However, I’ve got the structure… --- ## [Did Iran just declare Israel war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-iran-just-declare-israel-war/327990)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-iran-just-declare-israel-war/327990 "2005-11-03T22:58:14Z")
The president of Iran has called for the destruction of Israel – for Israel to be “wiped off the map”. E.g. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051026/ap\_on\_re\_mi\_ea/iran\_israel Can this, under international law, be considere… --- ## [So Denver votes to decriminalize marijuana](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-denver-votes-to-decriminalize-marijuana/329291)
**Author:** [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-denver-votes-to-decriminalize-marijuana/329291 "2005-11-03T21:15:01Z")
Linky(USA Today article, maybe someone less lazy than me can find a better article to link to) Because of state and federal laws Denver PD still have to arrest for possession. So what’s the point. I’m all for decrimin… --- ## [Is it time to get tough with Iran and end Anti-Semitism in the MENA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-get-tough-with-iran-and-end-anti-semitism-in-the-mena/329165)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-get-tough-with-iran-and-end-anti-semitism-in-the-mena/329165 "2005-11-03T14:14:25Z")
Thanks to Iran and its crazy Almadinejad, I’m happy to be the first person in 60 years to be able to mention Hitler in a debate. The saddest thing about Almadinejad’s remarks was not that he was calling for the death of… --- ## [Now Iraqis can't even go NEAR Americans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-iraqis-cant-even-go-near-americans/327809)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-iraqis-cant-even-go-near-americans/327809 "2005-11-03T12:47:46Z")
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,7374-1841443,00.html I understand the logic, here, but how exactly is this going to endear American forces to the Iraqis? It’s one thing being asked to like another country’s “pea… --- ## [Fair Tax Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-tax-plan/329273)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fair-tax-plan/329273 "2005-11-03T11:52:20Z")
Read the book yesterday and seems to have some merit but way too drastic a change to ever happen … What are the arguments against it’s facts/assumptions? Are there any obvious holes in the reasoning? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=838) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=840)