# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=840 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 841 --- ## [Does a woman contemplating abortion owe any notice to the father of the baby?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-woman-contemplating-abortion-owe-any-notice-to-the-father-of-the-baby/328900)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-woman-contemplating-abortion-owe-any-notice-to-the-father-of-the-baby/328900 "2005-11-03T08:38:16Z")
This is more of a moral question than a legal one. Assuming a non-abusive relationship where the partners are together and in good health, and the pending baby is in the first or second trimester, and the probability tha… --- ## [What exactly is computer science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-computer-science/328612)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-computer-science/328612 "2005-11-03T06:40:36Z")
Is it a science or is it a branch of mathematics (or maybe even engineering)? It could arguably be all of those. The study of algorithms and computability, one of the most important aspects of CS is definitely mathemat… --- ## [What is evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-evil/328184)
**Author:** [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-evil/328184 "2005-11-03T05:56:45Z")
or… How do you define an “evil” act versus one that’s just “bad”? I got in a heated argument about this last night and had real trouble pinpointing what my definition of evil really was. For example, I wouldn’t necessa… --- ## [People trashing books for inaccuracies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-trashing-books-for-inaccuracies/329114)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-trashing-books-for-inaccuracies/329114 "2005-11-03T05:37:13Z")
There are quite a few well-read and worldly intellectuals in this community, and I respect that. But a recent pit thread about the inaccuracies of a certain book got me wondering about something. If you know a lot about… --- ## [How much would taxes be in a progressive US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-taxes-be-in-a-progressive-us/328908)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-taxes-be-in-a-progressive-us/328908 "2005-11-03T03:53:57Z")
I use the word progressive because democratic and liberal may not be good choices. Right now ‘tax freedom day’ falls on April 17th, which means the tax rate is about 29%, roughly 29% of income goes to taxes in 2005. H… --- ## [Is a Muslim vs non-Muslim WWIII on the horizon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-muslim-vs-non-muslim-wwiii-on-the-horizon/328508)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-muslim-vs-non-muslim-wwiii-on-the-horizon/328508 "2005-11-03T02:49:49Z")
I’ve contemplated posing this question for discussion for some time now. This article ended my procrastination. An excerpt: My question is—and let’s make believe that both Bush and Clinton were never in the White House… --- ## [Bird flu hypothesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-hypothesis/329224)
**Author:** [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bird-flu-hypothesis/329224 "2005-11-03T02:04:19Z")
Okay, I’m typing this on the fly with no regard whatsoever for grammar, syntax, spelling, or coherence. I am also high on life, love, and, most of all, beer. Apologies in advance. Basically, I have a plan to resolve b… --- ## [Judicial activism and conservative judges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-activism-and-conservative-judges/328835)
**Author:** [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-activism-and-conservative-judges/328835 "2005-11-03T01:08:40Z")
From the NY Times: Is voting to overturn a law passed by Congress a reasonable measure of “legislating from the bench”? If not, how does one define “activist judge”? Or is this just one of those conservative facts th… --- ## [Now serving #3... Samuel Alito](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-serving-3-samuel-alito/328702)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-serving-3-samuel-alito/328702 "2005-11-02T21:06:46Z")
Bush is expected to nominate his third choice candidate to replace Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court: Samuel Alito. --- ## [Female Ejaculation: Is it pee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-ejaculation-is-it-pee/329107)
**Author:** [@Rouge\_Mod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rouge_Mod)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-ejaculation-is-it-pee/329107 "2005-11-02T19:11:43Z")
It’s pee. --- ## [Gomery and Martin's exhoneration-- A Canadian Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gomery-and-martins-exhoneration-a-canadian-question/329072)
**Author:** [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gomery-and-martins-exhoneration-a-canadian-question/329072 "2005-11-02T16:35:09Z")
I’m not sure what to think anymore. Gomery’s report actually uses the word exhonerate in regards to Martin’s involvement or knowledge of Adscam. Now he claims he is the only one that can clean Ottawa of courruption. I… --- ## [How can the US fight moral support for terrorism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-us-fight-moral-support-for-terrorism/328934)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-us-fight-moral-support-for-terrorism/328934 "2005-11-02T15:23:42Z")
Support for terrorism and sympathy for terrorism are gigantic problems for the US. What effective ways to fight it does the US actually have that it can do? When the Tsunami hit the US’s support did alot to cut down on … --- ## [What is Libby's Defense/Exit Strategy? \[3 questions\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-libbys-defense-exit-strategy-3-questions/328523)
**Author:** [@Noctolator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noctolator)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-libbys-defense-exit-strategy-3-questions/328523 "2005-11-02T15:00:26Z")
Libby’s crime is alleged and for the sake of this thread I don’t care what he’s done wrong. I have 3 questions about the legal strategy he will employ and other aftermath issues. That bastion of fine reporting, CNN, ha… --- ## [Do you (happily) expect less from the government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-happily-expect-less-from-the-government/328991)
**Author:** [@19ForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19ForMe)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-happily-expect-less-from-the-government/328991 "2005-11-02T14:22:56Z")
There have been many threads on transforming the US healthcare system to a single payer / nationalized system. Could this make people happier by simply lowering the expectations? When I renew my driver’s license I expe… --- ## [Christians: is the idea that Christ married and/or had kids blasphemous to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-is-the-idea-that-christ-married-and-or-had-kids-blasphemous-to-you/327541)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-is-the-idea-that-christ-married-and-or-had-kids-blasphemous-to-you/327541 "2005-11-02T14:08:13Z")
Christians: is the idea that Christ married and/or had kids blasphemous to you? This subject came up during a discussion with my Christian Mom and she considers the idea very blasphemous. Do any of the Christians here … --- ## [Leftist U.S. Military Personnel???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftist-u-s-military-personnel/328870)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftist-u-s-military-personnel/328870 "2005-11-02T13:24:42Z")
Are there any U.S. senior military officers or NCO’s known to hold (or have held) leftist political views or sympathies, rather than right wing political views or sympathies? (I don’t mean as communists, but rather as s… --- ## [Did Princess Diana and JFK Jr. deserve all that news coverage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-princess-diana-and-jfk-jr-deserve-all-that-news-coverage/328961)
**Author:** [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-princess-diana-and-jfk-jr-deserve-all-that-news-coverage/328961 "2005-11-02T10:37:19Z")
I remember all the coverage those celebrities had recieved but I never understand why. Did they deserve the entire week? Is it significant that Diana was buried in Wales instead of Westminister Abbey? Is she as good as t… --- ## [Anti-Latino Racism in New Orleans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-latino-racism-in-new-orleans/328919)
**Author:** [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-latino-racism-in-new-orleans/328919 "2005-11-02T06:41:50Z")
While watching ABC News last night, I saw an interesting story about how some blacks in New Orleans are fighting against the Mexican and other Latino workers who are doing most of the clean up work in the city. It showed… --- ## [Underground wiring](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underground-wiring/327940)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underground-wiring/327940 "2005-11-02T03:13:53Z")
All the new subdivisions being built in my part of the world in British Columbia have no telephone poles. There are even some sections of my town that are getting ripped up to retrofit underground wiring. So why don’t … --- ## [Is it morally wrong to buy a bootleg CD in a store?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-morally-wrong-to-buy-a-bootleg-cd-in-a-store/328982)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-morally-wrong-to-buy-a-bootleg-cd-in-a-store/328982 "2005-11-02T00:47:39Z")
A few days ago, I went to MicroCenter to browse for a new game (hopefully Civ 4). At one point I saw a paper CD case marked “Bootleg City of Heroes”; the odd thing is, it had a UPC and listed price – $1. Is it morally wr… --- ## [Was Harriet Miers a Smoke Screen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-harriet-miers-a-smoke-screen/328185)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-harriet-miers-a-smoke-screen/328185 "2005-11-02T00:21:35Z")
I’ll preface this debate by admitting that I used to think that Pres Bush was the dumbest man on Earth. But then I watched a documentary that proposed just the opposite–that ol’Dubya is a carefully constructed act, with… --- ## [Business 2.0 on immigration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-2-0-on-immigration/328981)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/business-2-0-on-immigration/328981 "2005-11-01T23:43:57Z")
Yesterday I was trapped in a doctor’s office for a substantial length of time, and decided that the current copy of Business 2.0 was the available publication that would be least offensive to my intelligence. This month… --- ## [Eternal Damnation....Eep.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-damnation-eep/327344)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eternal-damnation-eep/327344 "2005-11-01T21:55:02Z")
Ok, first off, Hi! Secondly, I wasn’t sure whether to put this in IMHO or GD…so a move wouldn’t surprise me. Ok, so. The way I understand the Christian judgement system is this: You’re good. Into Heaven you go, my fr… --- ## [Do 95% of all lotto winners go broke?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-95-of-all-lotto-winners-go-broke/328124)
**Author:** [@Standup\_Karmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Standup_Karmic)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-95-of-all-lotto-winners-go-broke/328124 "2005-11-01T19:48:53Z")
I’ve heard numerous times from numerous sources that 95% (or 75% or 50%, or whatever random percentage the speaker chooses) of million-plus lottery winners are in a worse financial state than prior to winning within five… --- ## [In God They Trust](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-they-trust/328412)
**Author:** [@Fritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fritz)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-god-they-trust/328412 "2005-11-01T18:26:33Z")
In response to an NBC special report airing tonight, which I haven’t seen yet… I’ve been wondering for some time now, what would happen if a politician that was running for President had a clearly stated agenda that was… --- ## [Not Voting : A Right or Irresponsible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-voting-a-right-or-irresponsible/328345)
**Author:** [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-voting-a-right-or-irresponsible/328345 "2005-11-01T17:46:47Z")
In this thread, I started to repond to this comment by mswas, but didn’t want to hijack the thread. I strongly disagree. Not voting is stupid and irresponsible, not “sacred”. Frankly, the idea that it’s OK not to vote… --- ## [For those who don't believe in God, what happens after we die, then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-dont-believe-in-god-what-happens-after-we-die-then/327459)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-dont-believe-in-god-what-happens-after-we-die-then/327459 "2005-11-01T16:51:53Z")
I know I’m starting this in GD, but my intention is not to debate about the existence of God or not. It’s more or less just a question to all the members out there who don’t believe in God; basically, what do you believe… --- ## [Fisher DeBerry and the Elephant in the Locker Room (sports and race related)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fisher-deberry-and-the-elephant-in-the-locker-room-sports-and-race-related/328023)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fisher-deberry-and-the-elephant-in-the-locker-room-sports-and-race-related/328023 "2005-11-01T16:10:03Z")
Fisher DeBerry is Head Coach of the Air Force Academy football team. He’s not having a very good year. Yesterday he said that part of the reason is that he just doesn’t have enough black guys on his team: Not surprisin… --- ## [Are Out of Body Experiences real or imaginary experiences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-out-of-body-experiences-real-or-imaginary-experiences/328203)
**Author:** [@qbeac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qbeac)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-out-of-body-experiences-real-or-imaginary-experiences/328203 "2005-11-01T10:36:12Z")
Hello everybody: Has anybody ever wondered whether Astral Travelling (or OBE, Out of Body Experiences) are real or imaginary experiences? Do you think there is any scientific way to find out the difference for sure? In… --- ## [Applying the GST tax to food sales - good or bad idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-the-gst-tax-to-food-sales-good-or-bad-idea/328725)
**Author:** [@scule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scule)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2005, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/applying-the-gst-tax-to-food-sales-good-or-bad-idea/328725 "2005-11-01T08:11:42Z")
On the CBC (Canada’s public broadcaster) news this morning there was a story about a recommendation from the Agricultural Institute of Canada to have the GST tax added to food. The idea is that the money collected on fo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=839) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=841)