# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=842 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 843 --- ## [What are the Economic System Foundations of the Kyoto Protocol?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-economic-system-foundations-of-the-kyoto-protocol/328370)
**Author:** [@GreyMatters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreyMatters)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-economic-system-foundations-of-the-kyoto-protocol/328370 "2005-10-29T04:17:34Z")
In this thread Jshore, Evil Captor and I are trying to debate the economic system foundations of the Kyoto Protocol. My contention is that it is founded on Socialist economic principles. I thought it deserved its own … --- ## [The Pledge of Allegiance should not be recited every day in school](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pledge-of-allegiance-should-not-be-recited-every-day-in-school/328266)
**Author:** [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pledge-of-allegiance-should-not-be-recited-every-day-in-school/328266 "2005-10-29T02:38:36Z")
I believe that the Pledge of Allegiance should be taught to American schoolchildren but should not be used as part of the rote routine that starts every day in school. I would argue that it should be reserved for solemn… --- ## [How did they get away with this? (Firing workers for things done on free time)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-get-away-with-this-firing-workers-for-things-done-on-free-time/328075)
**Author:** [@Doc\_Sarvis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Sarvis)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-they-get-away-with-this-firing-workers-for-things-done-on-free-time/328075 "2005-10-29T00:48:04Z")
I was recently talking to a friend of mine who works at a Miller Beer distribution center. One of the rules they have there is that you can only drink Miller products. My friend proceeded to tell me that one of his co-wo… --- ## [Is obstruction as bad as outing a CIA agent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obstruction-as-bad-as-outing-a-cia-agent/328385)
**Author:** [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2005, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obstruction-as-bad-as-outing-a-cia-agent/328385 "2005-10-29T00:04:23Z")
OK. So we’ve got obstruction of justice, perjury and false statements. It’s clear from Fitzgerald’s statements that Scooter did reveal Valerie (Plame) Wilson’s name to reporters, but what we can’t know, because of the a… --- ## [Should the Democrats Set Up a Shadow Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-democrats-set-up-a-shadow-government/328379)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-democrats-set-up-a-shadow-government/328379 "2005-10-28T23:34:35Z")
The criticism by many that while the current Administration is screwing the pooch, the opposition doesn’t seem to be offering a lot seems reasonably well taken. I’m sure that to some extent they don’t want to give Rove … --- ## [Essence (Part II)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essence-part-ii/327531)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/essence-part-ii/327531 "2005-10-28T21:51:56Z")
This is a resumption of a discussion that was ongoing at the time of my suspension. There were too many private e-mail correspondences that followed over the thirty days to recap here, but I think that one from Otherwise… --- ## [Libby, but not Rove says NYT.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libby-but-not-rove-says-nyt/328286)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libby-but-not-rove-says-nyt/328286 "2005-10-28T19:50:51Z")
So, it looks like Rove is off the hook (at least for now) and it’ll just by Libby. Is this just an “inside the beltway” catfight, or is this going to resonate with the electorate? I just don’t see people getting up in … --- ## [Is Bush's Political Capital Spent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bushs-political-capital-spent/328157)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bushs-political-capital-spent/328157 "2005-10-28T17:42:31Z")
Less than one year later, has the President used his capital wisely? Social Security reform failed to gain the support he hoped for, most siginificatly among Republicans who will be seeking reelection next year. Suppo… --- ## [Who created the Intelligent Designer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-created-the-intelligent-designer/327457)
**Author:** [@Zerc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zerc)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-created-the-intelligent-designer/327457 "2005-10-28T16:31:43Z")
What I understand about the thinking behind Intelligent Design is that life is so complicated that it could not have happened by chance but rather some being must have designed life. If this is true then how did this Des… --- ## [Mexico as a state: a problem solved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexico-as-a-state-a-problem-solved/327684)
**Author:** [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexico-as-a-state-a-problem-solved/327684 "2005-10-28T15:51:18Z")
My sister and I had this conversation last night. She insists that security, economic, and a huge portion of the American immigration problem would be solved if Mexico was made the 51 state. Her argument in a nutshell: … --- ## [Oil for Food scandal heats up: Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-for-food-scandal-heats-up-thoughts/328223)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-for-food-scandal-heats-up-thoughts/328223 "2005-10-28T15:29:52Z")
I started a thread on this a year or so ago, but at the time there wasn’t a lot of information…mostly a lot of smoke and speculation. Things seem to be heating up now: For debate: Does this show a serious flaw in … --- ## [The Hitchens - Galloway Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hitchens-galloway-debate/321730)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hitchens-galloway-debate/321730 "2005-10-28T14:02:54Z")
Today Christopher Hitchens debated George Galloway on the Iraq war. I’m just starting to listen to it now, but I’ll bet it will be great. You can download the MP3’s here if you want to listen to it. Click on the seven… --- ## [Miers withdraws her Supreme Court nomination!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miers-withdraws-her-supreme-court-nomination/328150)
**Author:** [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miers-withdraws-her-supreme-court-nomination/328150 "2005-10-28T12:10:20Z")
I don’t think there’s a thread on this yet, my apologies if I’m wrong. Harriet Miers has just withdrawn herself from consideration for the Supreme Court, ostensibly because the confirmation committee was demanding infor… --- ## [Gay Marriage Redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-redux/328155)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-redux/328155 "2005-10-28T09:31:45Z")
In this Pit thread I asked Miller this question question concerning gay marriage. (Sorry about the hijack, betenoir.) Miller’s response. I want to expand on the question a bit. If government only concerns itself with… --- ## [New Fed Chairman Bernanke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fed-chairman-bernanke/327700)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-fed-chairman-bernanke/327700 "2005-10-28T04:37:01Z")
On the surface he seems to be a decent choice, has qualifications and credentials, and doesn’t seem to be an idealogue. His main strike against would seem to be that he is a trusted Bush advisor, which should NOT be a d… --- ## [What's the deal with Bruce Babbitt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-bruce-babbitt/328087)
**Author:** [@EvilHamsterOnCrack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilHamsterOnCrack)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-bruce-babbitt/328087 "2005-10-28T03:45:39Z")
I saw him speak at GSU the other day, and he seemed to make sense, and it seems like he’s not a horrible guy, yet apparantly, he is? http://www.savethepeaks.org/babbittwatch/ Is there another side to this story? Someon… --- ## [Ferrer or Bloomberg?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferrer-or-bloomberg/328049)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferrer-or-bloomberg/328049 "2005-10-28T01:31:05Z")
I can’t stand Michael Bloomberg, I feel like he is a mayor for the rich and the rich only. I will probably not vote for him. However, I don’t know that much about Ferrer either. I feel like he’ll probably be more inte… --- ## [If they really did "out" Plame, what did they expect to accomplish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-really-did-out-plame-what-did-they-expect-to-accomplish/328189)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2005, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-they-really-did-out-plame-what-did-they-expect-to-accomplish/328189 "2005-10-28T00:47:13Z")
In this thread people were debating the nature of what the administration did (if someone in the administration actually did deliberately “out” Plame). While it would be technically illegal to expose an agent (and there… --- ## [What is the Effect of Global Warming on Hurricanes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-effect-of-global-warming-on-hurricanes/323006)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-effect-of-global-warming-on-hurricanes/323006 "2005-10-27T20:53:42Z")
I’m sure everybody’s noticed all the hurricanes lately. They seem to be getting more frequent and they’re getting meaner. One cannot help but wonder how much effect global warming is having on these things. There also se… --- ## [Why Isn't Adoption Seen As Responsible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-adoption-seen-as-responsible/327970)
**Author:** [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-adoption-seen-as-responsible/327970 "2005-10-27T20:44:19Z")
In the second story in today’s Dear Abby, a young woman wrote that she is 19 years old and pregnant by a 28 year old man who’s now in prison and has 2 other children by 2 other women. Her aunt’s been helping her out, an… --- ## [In appointing Judges how do you tell the smart ones from the not so smart ones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-appointing-judges-how-do-you-tell-the-smart-ones-from-the-not-so-smart-ones/327994)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-appointing-judges-how-do-you-tell-the-smart-ones-from-the-not-so-smart-ones/327994 "2005-10-27T19:23:09Z")
As many lawyers know Judges aren’t necessarily always the brightest pennies in the legal change drawer. Some are, but not all by any means. Getting appointed as a Judge is often more a matter of political and social con… --- ## [The morals and ethics of outing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-morals-and-ethics-of-outing/327839)
**Author:** [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-morals-and-ethics-of-outing/327839 "2005-10-27T19:19:30Z")
During a discussion on the image of homosexuality and the media, “outing” was mentioned. For those not familiar with the term, “outing” is the practice of revealing a public figure’s sexuality without their consent. I … --- ## [Experimentation on human fetuses: your position?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experimentation-on-human-fetuses-your-position/328173)
**Author:** [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experimentation-on-human-fetuses-your-position/328173 "2005-10-27T19:03:26Z")
We’re studying human sexuality in our Zoology class right now, and part of the handout that he gave us in our first class goes: “How are human studies possible in this area \[fetal sexual development\]? We cannot experime… --- ## [Pet Charity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-charity/328105)
**Author:** [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-charity/328105 "2005-10-27T18:48:06Z")
On tonight’s episode of Martha Stewart’s Apprentice she had her TV minions help raise money for “Broadway Barks,” which is a charity for homeless animals. Call me heartless but do pets really deserve charity over people?… --- ## [What do the French thing of the Petain Goverment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-french-thing-of-the-petain-goverment/327976)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-the-french-thing-of-the-petain-goverment/327976 "2005-10-27T18:38:20Z")
I have a passing interest in French politics. (Although I do not even speak the language.) So tell me, what is the modern popular opinion of Marshal Petain and his ‘French State?’ That is the say ‘Vichy France?’ Traitor… --- ## [U.S. Blamed for WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-blamed-for-ww2/328018)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-blamed-for-ww2/328018 "2005-10-27T17:44:03Z")
Has the U.S. ever been blamed for the start of WW2, despite the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, (as the U.S. seems to get the blame for everything anyway?) --- ## [Libertaria and Bankruptcy Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertaria-and-bankruptcy-law/327428)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertaria-and-bankruptcy-law/327428 "2005-10-27T17:39:35Z")
Over in this thread, our own Lib made some comments regarding the new bankruptcy law that I thought were a little inconsistent with his previously stated worldview. When asked for elaboration, Lib suggested I open a new… --- ## [Taiwan to ignore Roche's avian flu vaccine patent.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taiwan-to-ignore-roches-avian-flu-vaccine-patent/327515)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taiwan-to-ignore-roches-avian-flu-vaccine-patent/327515 "2005-10-27T14:58:02Z")
I’m putting this here because I anticipate some form of debate, such that it is unsutiable for MPSIMS, and because I’m not really pitting anything: I fully agree with Taiwan’s decision. It will be moved as required. \[ … --- ## [Which leading Democrats also thought Saddam had WMD programs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-leading-democrats-also-thought-saddam-had-wmd-programs/327569)
**Author:** [@Lynwood\_Slim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynwood_Slim)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-leading-democrats-also-thought-saddam-had-wmd-programs/327569 "2005-10-27T10:14:32Z")
This is really a just a question, but it will predictably turn into a debate, so I thought I would put it here to begin with. I am one of those who believes that the Bush Admin. did not lie, that is, purposely tell what… --- ## [German & Japanese WW2 Alliance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-japanese-ww2-alliance/328134)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-japanese-ww2-alliance/328134 "2005-10-27T08:47:59Z")
Did Nazi racist ideology conflict in any way with Germany’s alliance with Japan during World War 2 (as the Japanese were neither white nor fellow “aryan supermen”?) Had the Axis powers won WW2, would Nazi Germany’s next… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=841) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=843)