# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=845 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 846 --- ## [If the U.S. had won the Viet Nam war, would the Cambodian genocide have occurred?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-u-s-had-won-the-viet-nam-war-would-the-cambodian-genocide-have-occurred/326434)
**Author:** [@Lynwood\_Slim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynwood_Slim)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-u-s-had-won-the-viet-nam-war-would-the-cambodian-genocide-have-occurred/326434 "2005-10-20T01:38:28Z")
The loss of the Viet Nam war certainly continues to shape American (and world thinking). I wonder if we had won the war in Viet Nam, e.g., fought the Viet Cong insurgency to a standstill, and successfully interdicted No… --- ## [Getting that lesbian toaster oven](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-that-lesbian-toaster-oven/324998)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-that-lesbian-toaster-oven/324998 "2005-10-19T22:36:11Z")
This subject was an autohijack in the femme/butch thread so I thought it would be neater to spin off a new thread rather than continuing the hijack. Getting the “toaster oven” as a proverbial reward for recruiting a new… --- ## [Should judges refuse to decide cases they have a moral objection to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-judges-refuse-to-decide-cases-they-have-a-moral-objection-to/326738)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-judges-refuse-to-decide-cases-they-have-a-moral-objection-to/326738 "2005-10-19T20:01:10Z")
Specifically, I am referring to two Tennessee circuit court judges who have refused to preside over petitions by minor girls to get abortions without their parent’s consent. A little background: But two circuit court … --- ## [Chi energy believers: A question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chi-energy-believers-a-question/326691)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chi-energy-believers-a-question/326691 "2005-10-19T18:54:16Z")
I was watching a show on National Geographic this evening where they were discussing Chi energy (or Prana or whatever you want to call it) in various forms. They showed a martial arts expert who can supposedly knock out… --- ## [How China could advance space science](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-china-could-advance-space-science/326731)
**Author:** [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-china-could-advance-space-science/326731 "2005-10-19T16:16:26Z")
We’ve had plenty of threads discussing manned spaceflight, in which I have argued that it’s a waste of money which could be spent genuinely trying to explain our existence. After the success of Shenzhou VI the Chinese ar… --- ## [The 'Japanese System' is Fascism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-japanese-system-is-fascism/326603)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-japanese-system-is-fascism/326603 "2005-10-19T12:52:26Z")
I am reading a book about the wierd government of North Korea and the author goes on about the surrounding countries. At one point he says the ‘Japanese System’ is simply Fascism. Sometimes it take someone to say the ob… --- ## [What can be done with the software engineering industry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-be-done-with-the-software-engineering-industry/326610)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-be-done-with-the-software-engineering-industry/326610 "2005-10-19T06:18:48Z")
The industry is a mess; according to the Standish group, in 1995, the US government and business spent approximately $81 billion on cancelled projects, with an extra $59 billion spent on funding overbudget projects. The… --- ## [Do "protective tariffs" really help a country develop its domestic industry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-protective-tariffs-really-help-a-country-develop-its-domestic-industry/325865)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-protective-tariffs-really-help-a-country-develop-its-domestic-industry/325865 "2005-10-19T03:09:18Z")
I just finished What Lincoln Believed: The Values and Convictions of America’s Greatest President by Michael Lind. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385507399/qid=1129097993/sr=8-1/ref=pd\_bbs\_1/102-6558801… --- ## [What is patriotism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-patriotism/326459)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-patriotism/326459 "2005-10-19T02:28:58Z")
I had to think for a while whether to put this in general questions or great debates, but almost all the questions I ask end up being debated. Alas, the question is here. I want to know what exactly patriotism is. I k… --- ## [Grand Unified Theory of the paranormal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-unified-theory-of-the-paranormal/325710)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-unified-theory-of-the-paranormal/325710 "2005-10-19T00:58:13Z")
You know, all the weird things that have been reported: UFOs, the occult, ghosts, government conspiracies, monsters of every size, shape & description, ancient astronauts, etc. Has anyone ever tried to propose a coherent… --- ## [Should Evangelicals spend more time saving the souls of the rich?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-evangelicals-spend-more-time-saving-the-souls-of-the-rich/326397)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2005, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-evangelicals-spend-more-time-saving-the-souls-of-the-rich/326397 "2005-10-19T00:53:05Z")
The question for debate is in the title. It seems to me that the Gospel of Matthew is clear that the rich are barred from the kingdom of God equally with robbers, blasphemers and slanderers. Matthew 19:16 And, behold,… --- ## [What is a "Feminist?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-feminist/325981)
**Author:** [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2005, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-feminist/325981 "2005-10-18T23:22:27Z")
Over in this thread, several people use “feminist” as a pejorative: " . . . feminists don’t like people to say this, but women do have to make choices," “I am hounded a lot by feminists who insist I must not be happy,” "… --- ## [New Game=Violence Evidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-game-violence-evidence/325959)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2005, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-game-violence-evidence/325959 "2005-10-18T19:44:36Z")
Here Jack Thompson makes a headline-grabbing offer. I provide this link in the spirit of asking: is there any NEW evidence of video game inspired-violence? Can you tell me more about this guy and does he have a factual l… --- ## [The world's about to end; you get to pick 500 people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-about-to-end-you-get-to-pick-500-people/326026)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2005, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worlds-about-to-end-you-get-to-pick-500-people/326026 "2005-10-18T18:19:27Z")
Hypothetical scenario; the world’s about to be destroyed (& with it the human race) and you get to pick 500 people to live and start over on another planet. Don’t name 500 specfic individuals. What types of people wo… --- ## [There was a suicide bomber in the US on Saturday. Where is the coverage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-a-suicide-bomber-in-the-us-on-saturday-where-is-the-coverage/325024)
**Author:** [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2005, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-was-a-suicide-bomber-in-the-us-on-saturday-where-is-the-coverage/325024 "2005-10-18T13:18:46Z")
As many of you probably know, a young man blew himself up outside the University of Oklahoma Stadium on Saturday. The school president has said it was only a suicide, nothing more, etc. Now it looks like that might not… --- ## [Iraqi Vote Going Well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-vote-going-well/326358)
**Author:** [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqi-vote-going-well/326358 "2005-10-17T17:51:44Z")
Things appear to be going well. Someone please correct me and tell me why they actually aren’t. Or perhaps the people that are voting are lackeys of “Bushco” and have been awarded no-bid voting contracts from Halliburt… --- ## [Animal "Cruelty"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-cruelty/326281)
**Author:** [@Cryptoderk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cryptoderk)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2005, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-cruelty/326281 "2005-10-17T17:25:58Z")
Hello, I’m new here - please don’t bite! Having got that out of the way, here’s my 4th ever post… I posit that it is hypocrytical for anyone that eats meat to oppose animal cruelty. The reason for this is that it is no… --- ## [Why do many of us still work 40+ hours a week?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-of-us-still-work-40-hours-a-week/323638)
**Author:** [@five\_to\_one](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/five_to_one)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-many-of-us-still-work-40-hours-a-week/323638 "2005-10-17T00:45:14Z")
Does anybody remember those old films from the 1950s that would make predictions for the year 2000? I distinctly remember that doing the “daily grind” would be a distant memory by the year 2000, for our every need and wh… --- ## [The Motherhood story -- a neopagan / western unorthodox witnessing thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-motherhood-story-a-neopagan-western-unorthodox-witnessing-thread/326110)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-motherhood-story-a-neopagan-western-unorthodox-witnessing-thread/326110 "2005-10-15T21:56:02Z")
In the beginning of all events… That Which Is said “I am that which is”. And was all, and saw all, and had always been and always was, and was one. And yet, being one, determined to be more. And yet, being all, how t… --- ## [Between the victim and the criminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/between-the-victim-and-the-criminal/324822)
**Author:** [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2005, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/between-the-victim-and-the-criminal/324822 "2005-10-15T07:33:31Z")
Greetings! As inspired by this thread I contend that it is not ethical to report certain activities directly to the authorities, even if they appear to be crimes. Specifically things like copyright infringement, scams,… --- ## [Re Miers appointment Columnist George Will kinda-sorta calls President Bush an idiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-miers-appointment-columnist-george-will-kinda-sorta-calls-president-bush-an-idiot/324830)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2005, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-miers-appointment-columnist-george-will-kinda-sorta-calls-president-bush-an-idiot/324830 "2005-10-15T02:00:56Z")
Conservative columnist George Will sounds \*really \*pissed. Is Will’s attitude justified? Has Bush been irresponsible? Miers is the wrong pick …and Will is only getting started - --- ## [Who would you pick as the Democrat nominee in '08?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-pick-as-the-democrat-nominee-in-08/324643)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-pick-as-the-democrat-nominee-in-08/324643 "2005-10-14T23:11:45Z")
Inspired by this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=337829 Who would you pick as the Democratic presidential nominee in 2008? Dean? Hillary Clinton? Barack Obama? Kerry (again)? Some curre… --- ## [A Toddler Falls Into a Creek And Drowns While a Woman Watches. Is She Responsible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-toddler-falls-into-a-creek-and-drowns-while-a-woman-watches-is-she-responsible/324860)
**Author:** [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-toddler-falls-into-a-creek-and-drowns-while-a-woman-watches-is-she-responsible/324860 "2005-10-14T23:02:51Z")
Here’s a link to the full story. About a year ago, a day after major flooding in my area, a woman, Susan Newkirk was helping a friend of hers, Thomas Reffner, make some repairs to a trailer near a creek. Mr. Reffner ha… --- ## [Double Jeopardy, or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-jeopardy-or-not/326205)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-jeopardy-or-not/326205 "2005-10-14T22:43:22Z")
From the New York Post (registration required, I think). Back in '73, there was a riot in Brooklyn and a teenager was shot. The shooting eventually resulted in his death. His attacker spent 3 years in jail for the crim… --- ## [Pros and Cons of foreign investment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-and-cons-of-foreign-investment/326264)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-and-cons-of-foreign-investment/326264 "2005-10-14T22:38:17Z")
For a badly underdeveloped country, almost any investment is usually a good thing. Yet one of the charges leveled against foreign investment in a poor country is that it simply “exports” the profits from the investment, … --- ## [Is it worth 38 million people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-38-million-people/324449)
**Author:** [@Alistair\_McCello](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alistair_McCello)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-worth-38-million-people/324449 "2005-10-14T22:16:17Z")
A friend of mine is taking a sociology class this semester and his professor recently posed what I thought was an interesting question. The scenario is this: An alien race comes to the US and offers us inexhaustible cl… --- ## [Monkeys Shakespeare and Should You Do It](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monkeys-shakespeare-and-should-you-do-it/325982)
**Author:** [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monkeys-shakespeare-and-should-you-do-it/325982 "2005-10-14T21:52:13Z")
Discuss the implications of doing the monkey Shakespeare bit on a computer. The feasibility being discussed here: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=338979 The question is not could you do it, but sh… --- ## [So-called Space Alien "Cults"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-space-alien-cults/325444)
**Author:** [@Quilter4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quilter4)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-called-space-alien-cults/325444 "2005-10-14T20:41:53Z")
I saw a program on television that mentioned “cults” that believed in space aliens. The term cult generally denotes a religious group. My question: Does anyone think that a belief in space aliens truly be considered a… --- ## [How expensive will gasoline get?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-expensive-will-gasoline-get/326118)
**Author:** [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-expensive-will-gasoline-get/326118 "2005-10-14T18:02:09Z")
We’re hovering around $3 a gallon right now, but how high will gasoline prices go in the long term? Will we ever see $10/gallon? $15? I heard someone on NPR’s “Marketplace” the other day say that polls suggested it would… --- ## [You Don't Know Me, and I Have a Gun!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-dont-know-me-and-i-have-a-gun/325740)
**Author:** [@TheEggman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheEggman)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-dont-know-me-and-i-have-a-gun/325740 "2005-10-14T09:36:47Z")
You Don’t Know Me, and I Have a Gun! You don’t know me, or maybe you just don’t know that you do. I am your neighbor, doctor, clergyman, nurse or just another nameless, faceless stranger in the crowd. I have a state aut… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=844) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=846)