# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=843 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 844 --- ## [Death row inmates and cryonics.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-row-inmates-and-cryonics/327950)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-row-inmates-and-cryonics/327950 "2005-10-27T01:58:08Z")
Can a death row inmate elect to have his body frozen after death? Assume he’s raises the funds himself and it won’t cost the state anything. What if at some point in the future he can be revived? Wouldn’t that defe… --- ## [Military Fuel Consumption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-fuel-consumption/327466)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-fuel-consumption/327466 "2005-10-26T22:59:20Z")
What is the consumption of fuel by the Military? How does it compare to the consumption of the entire civilian population of America? How much oil is being used to fuel Humvees, F-16s, M1A1s and Destroyers? Basically … --- ## [Is it good to be sophisticated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-good-to-be-sophisticated/327677)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-good-to-be-sophisticated/327677 "2005-10-26T19:57:11Z")
So I’m sitting in my little corner with a slab of prime, hand fed, well aged porterhouse that’s been simply garnished with a little sea salt and grilled to a loving medium rare served with a glass of Chateau Lafite Roths… --- ## [Is Alan Feduccia right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alan-feduccia-right/328043)
**Author:** [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alan-feduccia-right/328043 "2005-10-26T19:36:00Z")
Chances are, if you have an informed opinion about the person named in the thread title, you already know most of the details of the debate. Here is a recent article that lays out some of Feduccia’s argument against the … --- ## [Iran: Exterminate the shifty jews!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-exterminate-the-shifty-jews/327997)
**Author:** [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-exterminate-the-shifty-jews/327997 "2005-10-26T19:09:54Z")
Dear god. The “president” of Iran is calling for the extermination of Israel, and calling their Gaza withdrawel a “trick”. This nutjob also claims we will all be burning in hell soon. \[quote\] Anybody who recognizes I… --- ## [Greatest British prime minister ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-british-prime-minister-ever/327855)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-british-prime-minister-ever/327855 "2005-10-26T17:21:33Z")
I know, I know: Wade Boggs said it was Pitt the Elder, while Barney insisted it was Lord Palmerston (The Simpsons, “Homer at the Bat”). I have to disagree - I’d vote for Winston Churchill. He gave courage to Great Brit… --- ## [How is it legal for so many ridiculously tall vehicles to be on the road?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-legal-for-so-many-ridiculously-tall-vehicles-to-be-on-the-road/326973)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-it-legal-for-so-many-ridiculously-tall-vehicles-to-be-on-the-road/326973 "2005-10-26T16:09:58Z")
One of the major components of traffic safety is the ability of drives to “scan ahead” - to keep an on what’s going on not just in the 10 foot bubble in front of them, but down the road. I’ve found that, over the past fi… --- ## [Iraqi constitution in a bit of bother](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-constitution-in-a-bit-of-bother/327654)
**Author:** [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-constitution-in-a-bit-of-bother/327654 "2005-10-26T14:36:52Z")
Breaking news on BBC. Fate of Iraqi charter in balance So even if this thing is passed I’d guess that since it was rejected by “vast margins” in at least two provinces that it’s not going to really add much to the s… --- ## [Are we going to see Vice President Condi Rice . . . real soon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-see-vice-president-condi-rice-real-soon/326822)
**Author:** [@Airblairxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airblairxxx)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-see-vice-president-condi-rice-real-soon/326822 "2005-10-26T08:16:05Z")
Like by the end of next week? White House Watch: Cheney resignation rumors fly It’s a question of the Plamegate indictments, which should be happening soon, if they are at all. Would Dick Cheney In the hopes of avoid… --- ## [Where do rights come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-rights-come-from/325263)
**Author:** [@wevets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wevets)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-rights-come-from/325263 "2005-10-26T06:49:32Z")
In another thread, Liberal made a comment: I thought: true enough. But then I realized there might be a lot of contention about where I think rights do actually come from. I can see that rights can’t just come from con… --- ## [Why are NY Times writers lashing out at their own Judith Miller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ny-times-writers-lashing-out-at-their-own-judith-miller/327658)
**Author:** [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-ny-times-writers-lashing-out-at-their-own-judith-miller/327658 "2005-10-26T03:24:26Z")
I am a loyal NY Times reader, but I never followed the whole Judith-Miller-goes-to-jail-to-protect-her-source controversy too closely. I know the basic facts, but not all the nitty-gritty details. Anyway, during JM’s pr… --- ## [Is Texas about to outlaw marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-texas-about-to-outlaw-marriage/327830)
**Author:** [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-texas-about-to-outlaw-marriage/327830 "2005-10-25T22:23:41Z")
An interesting debate, at least for Texas dopers; Proposition 2 on the ballot, which would amend the Texas Constitution to read: SECTION 1. Article I, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 32 to read as fo… --- ## [Morality of anti-Iraq-War protests](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-anti-iraq-war-protests/327603)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-anti-iraq-war-protests/327603 "2005-10-25T21:09:00Z")
My brother insists that if I participate in anti-Iraq-War demonstrations, I am putting U.S. soldiers’ lives at risk: The insurgents/terrorists know their only chance of winning is if the U.S. pulls out its troops; they m… --- ## [Big in-depth (very well done) New York Observer article on Judy Miller & Plamegate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-in-depth-very-well-done-new-york-observer-article-on-judy-miller-plamegate/327884)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-in-depth-very-well-done-new-york-observer-article-on-judy-miller-plamegate/327884 "2005-10-25T21:06:20Z")
Times Does Duty, And So Does Judy– But It’s A Hash Most in the know, in-depth article I’ve seen to date. --- ## [College Tuition- How long can we continue to say our system is fair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-tuition-how-long-can-we-continue-to-say-our-system-is-fair/327150)
**Author:** [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-tuition-how-long-can-we-continue-to-say-our-system-is-fair/327150 "2005-10-25T17:46:52Z")
There is an article on the NY Times about tuition costs at universities, a few excepts: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/19/education/19tuition.html?pagewanted=1 (registration required) Another article from the Dail… --- ## [Laws on illegal searches](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-on-illegal-searches/327324)
**Author:** [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-on-illegal-searches/327324 "2005-10-25T16:48:33Z")
The way I understand it (and I welcome correction on this point if I’m mistaken), the law in most developed countries is, in general terms, that evidence obtained by unlawful searches is inadmissible in court. If a polic… --- ## [What is the "Pro-China" Side of the Tibet Debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-pro-china-side-of-the-tibet-debate/326754)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-pro-china-side-of-the-tibet-debate/326754 "2005-10-25T16:09:41Z")
I am a believer in a Free Tibet, namely that China illegally invaded occupied and ultimately annexed TIbet, but I admit that I have gleaned my inspirtaion and information from non-neutral sources. What is the argument … --- ## [What if Bush ran for a third term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bush-ran-for-a-third-term/327473)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bush-ran-for-a-third-term/327473 "2005-10-25T15:48:58Z")
Ok, so, George W. decides, hey, I haven’t done everything I wanted to do while I was in office; i’m going to change the constitution so I can run for a third term (and any after that, if i’m still needed). Say he manages… --- ## [Is our Education System PURPOSELY Limited?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-education-system-purposely-limited/327646)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-education-system-purposely-limited/327646 "2005-10-25T13:03:51Z")
I read this in the K Chronicles comic strip over the weekend. Seems a bit paranoid to me, and I have to say I don’t believe the (all-too-present) deficiencies of US education aren’t the result of planning, but apparently… --- ## [What would REALLY happen if abortion was banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-really-happen-if-abortion-was-banned/326921)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 279\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-really-happen-if-abortion-was-banned/326921 "2005-10-25T10:27:25Z")
I’m a 47 year old Maryland resident, and so far as I can recall abortion on demand had been available to women (in MD) for most of my adult life. Re the pending SCOTUS appointment of Miers (or someone conservative) to t… --- ## [Who Selects the Iraqi Candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-selects-the-iraqi-candidates/327641)
**Author:** [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-selects-the-iraqi-candidates/327641 "2005-10-25T05:53:56Z")
Reuters has this news item about a Time magazine article. I don’t know if the link is temporary. Excerpt: Are we involved in determining who will be the candidates? The winners of the election? Who has determined t… --- ## [Knowledge without Proof](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-without-proof/326040)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/knowledge-without-proof/326040 "2005-10-25T03:56:13Z")
If we know that x – x = x / x – 1 where x - x = 0 and where x / x - 1 = 0 But we cannot prove x – x = x / x – 1 given that we cannot prove x - x = 0 or that x / x - 1 = 0 Then how can we know that x – x… --- ## [A former State Department bigwig unloads. - Quite a read!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-state-department-bigwig-unloads-quite-a-read/327452)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-state-department-bigwig-unloads-quite-a-read/327452 "2005-10-25T01:50:40Z")
Not a debate but more in tune with the sensibilities of this forum than any others. Mods move if you must. SLATE- A former State Department bigwig unloads. Direct link to speech (pdf file) --- ## [President George H. W. Bush: Success or failure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-george-h-w-bush-success-or-failure/327164)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-george-h-w-bush-success-or-failure/327164 "2005-10-24T19:32:20Z")
From Jan of 1989 until Jan 1993, George Herbert Walker Bush was President of the United States. While his son will probably be remember more in history, was the first President Bush a success or a failure? The Good: N… --- ## [What if the US backed down after Pearl Harbor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-us-backed-down-after-pearl-harbor/326919)
**Author:** [@ParadoxMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParadoxMan)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2005, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-us-backed-down-after-pearl-harbor/326919 "2005-10-24T14:06:29Z")
My understanding of the primary reason for the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in 1942 was to strike so hard and furiously so as to convince the US to back down and accept Japan’s claims in Asia. Instead of cours… --- ## [If Hitler had the bomb, he would have won the war? I think not.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-had-the-bomb-he-would-have-won-the-war-i-think-not/326996)
**Author:** [@Road\_Rash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Road_Rash)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2005, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hitler-had-the-bomb-he-would-have-won-the-war-i-think-not/326996 "2005-10-24T02:49:18Z")
Germany’s victory in WWII with an atomic bomb would very much depend on when Germany got that power. From that point, I assume the ability of Germany to produce plutonium in a timely manner much more difficult than we ha… --- ## [Is South Korea shooting themselves in the foot by ignoring NK human rights abuses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-south-korea-shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-by-ignoring-nk-human-rights-abuses/327578)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2005, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-south-korea-shooting-themselves-in-the-foot-by-ignoring-nk-human-rights-abuses/327578 "2005-10-24T00:42:58Z")
South korea seems to always take the cautious road when approaching north korea and their human rights abuses. here is an example of the South Korean government arresting civilans who tried to airlift radios into North … --- ## [Pat Buchanan has an interesting take on Plamegate & where it might be headed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-buchanan-has-an-interesting-take-on-plamegate-where-it-might-be-headed/327128)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-buchanan-has-an-interesting-take-on-plamegate-where-it-might-be-headed/327128 "2005-10-23T20:56:24Z")
Buchanan is usually off in way right field, but his observations re the Plame case may have some merit, esp. about where this might be headed. Do you agree with his observations? It would be interesting (to say the leas… --- ## [Protecting aircraft manufacturers from lawsuits, good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protecting-aircraft-manufacturers-from-lawsuits-good-or-bad/327342)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protecting-aircraft-manufacturers-from-lawsuits-good-or-bad/327342 "2005-10-23T20:55:44Z")
Inspired by the gun thread… As I understand it, U.S. aircraft manufacturers were until fairly recently (the last 10 or 15 years or so) liable for ‘defects’ in every aircraft they’d ever built. Making up an example off … --- ## [Big families and the ethical dilemma of restricting family size.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-families-and-the-ethical-dilemma-of-restricting-family-size/326736)
**Author:** [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-families-and-the-ethical-dilemma-of-restricting-family-size/326736 "2005-10-23T19:48:22Z")
I don’t post in GD very often, so bear with me here. The American family with 16 children has raised many issues here on the board. I don’t want to touch on their particular situation and beliefs, but rather on the fact… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=842) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=844)