# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=846 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 847 --- ## [Why did Wesley Clark leave his NATO post so hastily?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-wesley-clark-leave-his-nato-post-so-hastily/326157)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-wesley-clark-leave-his-nato-post-so-hastily/326157 "2005-10-14T03:32:34Z")
Wesley Clark was Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), the top NATO general, and was in charge of the bombing campaign that led to the Serb withdrawal from Kosovo. I remember reading that he took some heat from top … --- ## [Why did Wesley Clarke leave his NATO post so hastily?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-wesley-clarke-leave-his-nato-post-so-hastily/326156)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-wesley-clarke-leave-his-nato-post-so-hastily/326156 "2005-10-14T02:03:08Z")
Wesley Clark was Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), the top NATO general, and was in charge of the bombing campaign that led to the Serb withdrawal from Kosovo. I remember reading that he took some heat from top … --- ## [Farm subsidies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farm-subsidies/325731)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/farm-subsidies/325731 "2005-10-14T01:50:02Z")
Earlier this year Bush challenged the EU to scrap their farm subsidies, saying he would follow suit. Now the USA followed up with a proposal to cut 60% of their subsidies, and the EU has said it will match and indeed go… --- ## [What if Dewey/Wallace/Thurmond had won the presidency in 1948?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-dewey-wallace-thurmond-had-won-the-presidency-in-1948/325817)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2005, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-dewey-wallace-thurmond-had-won-the-presidency-in-1948/325817 "2005-10-14T01:34:28Z")
In 1948, there were four candidates (who managed to get on the ballot in most states) for the U.S. presidential election (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S.\_presidential\_election%2C\_1948) Harry S. Truman, the Democrat in… --- ## [Corporate stadium names](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-stadium-names/326023)
**Author:** [@jocularjason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jocularjason)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-stadium-names/326023 "2005-10-13T21:07:40Z")
I’m a bit put off by the corporate names given to our ball parks, stadiums, arenas,etc. I miss the days of Candlestick Park and others. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not an anti-capitalist and I know many, many, parks have … --- ## [How much would taxes go down in a libertarian America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-taxes-go-down-in-a-libertarian-america/325983)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-taxes-go-down-in-a-libertarian-america/325983 "2005-10-13T21:03:04Z")
Assume libertarians took over the US. How would this affect the tax rate? My understanding of taxes is thusly, the majority goes to a handful of things Healthcare $800 billion Education $850 billion Military $400 bil… --- ## [Microsoft is going to start selling “security” software.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-is-going-to-start-selling-security-software/325142)
**Author:** [@aeropl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aeropl)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-is-going-to-start-selling-security-software/325142 "2005-10-13T20:05:05Z")
I can’t believe nobody has pitted Microsoft’s plans to sell Security Software \[Slashdot, ZDnet\]. I suppose that trashing MSFT is stale and cliché, but come on people. How can a company sell a poorly designed\* product and… --- ## [Just try ordering that double meat pizza fatso ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-try-ordering-that-double-meat-pizza-fatso/325968)
**Author:** [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-try-ordering-that-double-meat-pizza-fatso/325968 "2005-10-13T19:28:38Z")
What if everything was connected? Sound and video: http://www.adcritic.com/interactive/view.php?id=5927 Health surcharges for unhealthy pizzas delivered to the overweight? --- ## [Could the EU evolve into a world government? If the U.S. joined it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-eu-evolve-into-a-world-government-if-the-u-s-joined-it/325756)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-eu-evolve-into-a-world-government-if-the-u-s-joined-it/325756 "2005-10-13T18:59:59Z")
The recent rejection of the proposed European Constitution might give the world the impression that the European Union is a dead letter or failed project. But it isn’t. The referendum means only that not enough people … --- ## [The Second Beast of Revelation 13 - Abu Mazen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-beast-of-revelation-13-abu-mazen/318669)
**Author:** [@ephraim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ephraim)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-second-beast-of-revelation-13-abu-mazen/318669 "2005-10-13T18:55:38Z")
The Second beast of Revelation 13- Abu Mazen Why would anybody need to know or care about knowing who the beast and the false prophet are? The first thought that comes to mind is that they would not want to unwittingly … --- ## [Romney: Electable? Good for America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-electable-good-for-america/325911)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romney-electable-good-for-america/325911 "2005-10-13T18:51:27Z")
Two questions: Mitt Romney looks like he might have his sights on the White House in '08. Does he stand a chance at winning? How will that bode for America if he does? Will he be better than Bush? In what ways? --- ## [My disgust with Republicans vs. the 2005 NYC mayor race.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-disgust-with-republicans-vs-the-2005-nyc-mayor-race/325814)
**Author:** [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-disgust-with-republicans-vs-the-2005-nyc-mayor-race/325814 "2005-10-13T13:35:26Z")
So we New Yorkers have our two major-party mayoral candidates worked out: incumbent Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer. Bloomberg, presumed by some dead in the water earlier this year, is cu… --- ## [Do written goals lead to more success or do the successful write their goals down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-written-goals-lead-to-more-success-or-do-the-successful-write-their-goals-down/326002)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-written-goals-lead-to-more-success-or-do-the-successful-write-their-goals-down/326002 "2005-10-13T07:44:31Z")
I was reading someone’s profile on a message board (not this one) and I saw her say something along the lines of “I am writing down my goals because I heard that those who write down their goals earn 10x more than those … --- ## [Children's prayer / poem - whodunit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childrens-prayer-poem-whodunit/326030)
**Author:** [@anamarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anamarie)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childrens-prayer-poem-whodunit/326030 "2005-10-13T04:42:49Z")
:confused: The familiar poem which goes “…If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take”? I know it is a shortened version of the original poem which begins “Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, bless the bed t… --- ## [What does it make sense to believe without evidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2005, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-make-sense-to-believe-without-evidence/325007 "2005-10-13T00:52:09Z")
Let me start with a little background on why I’m asking the question: My fiancee believes that the Christian Bible is entirely true. She acknowledges that some things in it may be metaphor, and translation may have alt… --- ## [Why should the UN "control" the internet? Why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-un-control-the-internet-why-not/324990)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-un-control-the-internet-why-not/324990 "2005-10-12T22:59:32Z")
In this thread gouda linked to a few articles concerning the EU’s attempt to have “control” of the internet handed over by the US to the UN. An example is this article. In a nutshell, there is a move to wrest the interne… --- ## [Why worry about bird flu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-worry-about-bird-flu/325192)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-worry-about-bird-flu/325192 "2005-10-12T15:56:31Z")
Legionnaire’s disease. West Nile Virus. Ebola. SARS. Swine flu. These and others have thrown up public health scares in recent years, but none has turned into anything really major\*. Now the media are getting us al… --- ## [Is Gay Marriage Unconstitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gay-marriage-unconstitutional/324307)
**Author:** [@Raging\_Catfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raging_Catfish)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gay-marriage-unconstitutional/324307 "2005-10-12T15:25:58Z")
Because it creates a law that covers such a small portion of the population (about 3%)? 14th amendment Other forms of banned marriages include: (1)mentally retarted (2)first cousins (3)brother and sister (4)polyga… --- ## [Should Grand Jury testimony be secret?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-grand-jury-testimony-be-secret/325835)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-grand-jury-testimony-be-secret/325835 "2005-10-12T14:12:10Z")
Inspired by a radio report from CBS News heard on the way home from work, and augmented by thread, I have some questions about Grand Juries. From what I understand of Grand Juries, they’re brought in by a prosecutor f… --- ## [What do Americans think of the UK Tory elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-americans-think-of-the-uk-tory-elections/325295)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-americans-think-of-the-uk-tory-elections/325295 "2005-10-12T13:29:07Z")
The Conservative Party is holding its leadership election. Sort of equivalent to the American Primaries. Rifkind? Clark? Fox? Davis? Or Cameron? Here’s as good a starting point as any. IMHO : Rifkind and Clarke are y… --- ## [Can a sitting president be indicted without being impeached?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sitting-president-be-indicted-without-being-impeached/325418)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sitting-president-be-indicted-without-being-impeached/325418 "2005-10-12T13:11:34Z")
This thread on Tom DeLay’s troubles – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=310559 – recently got hijacked into a discussion of whether a sitting president, naming no names, legally can be indicted by the … --- ## [Medical/Legal Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-legal-question/325138)
**Author:** [@Balle\_M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balle_M)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-legal-question/325138 "2005-10-12T13:00:37Z")
Monday evening one of my friends was helping his neighbor put a new railing on his front porch. During the project his index finger lost an argument with a table saw :eek: and he had to go to the ER. Many sutures and ba… --- ## [America and Oil and Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-oil-and-iraq/324653)
**Author:** [@enitocinnlonahte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enitocinnlonahte)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-and-oil-and-iraq/324653 "2005-10-12T01:50:57Z")
The USA as we know it would cease to exist if we did not control many of the global oil reserves. One day we might have to thank George W. Bush for our continued success. --- ## [How 'bout we cap CEO salaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bout-we-cap-ceo-salaries/325760)
**Author:** [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-bout-we-cap-ceo-salaries/325760 "2005-10-12T00:03:21Z")
Inspired by this story, and a resultant Fark thread. (For those who don’t/can’t read that thread, Delphi is having financial problems. So they’re cutting employee’s wages by 50%, and increasing upper management’s salar… --- ## [If Bush were on a "Mission from God", does it matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-were-on-a-mission-from-god-does-it-matter/325104)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-were-on-a-mission-from-god-does-it-matter/325104 "2005-10-11T22:29:01Z")
This isn’t really news, as Abbas had claimed quite some time ago that Bush expressed a religious conviction in securing Middle East peace, in the context of support for a Palestinian State. Now that a BBC documentary is… --- ## [Is it possible to hijack a political party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-hijack-a-political-party/325198)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-hijack-a-political-party/325198 "2005-10-11T20:08:26Z")
Okay, this is a complicated question, and I hope I can get it straight. I was thinking recently (I don’t remember about what) as I tend to do from time to time, and I remembered something someone told me about the book … --- ## ["Grand coalition" government in Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-coalition-government-in-germany/325554)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grand-coalition-government-in-germany/325554 "2005-10-11T19:30:57Z")
The recent German elections having returned no clear majority party to the Bundestag, only giving a very slight plurality to the conservative Christian Democrats, they and the heretofore-ruling Social Democrats have deci… --- ## [libertarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarianism/323663)
**Author:** [@flaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flaja)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarianism/323663 "2005-10-11T19:29:58Z")
In the course of participating in several internet message boards in the last 2 years I have concluded that libertarianism will never contribute much of anything towards solving our socio-economic problems because: Lib… --- ## [When should we use dead bodies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-we-use-dead-bodies/325744)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-we-use-dead-bodies/325744 "2005-10-11T19:27:05Z")
Searched for this, didn’t find it. I’ve been reading a very interesting book called Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach, and it mentions that there is a real stigma against using cadavers to test we… --- ## [Should legislation include goals, metrics, and rollbacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-legislation-include-goals-metrics-and-rollbacks/325779)
**Author:** [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-legislation-include-goals-metrics-and-rollbacks/325779 "2005-10-11T19:14:37Z")
Listening to some of the debate surrounding the oil bill passed by the house last week, I’ve got to wondering. Most legislation is meant to, well, accomplish some goal, say lowering the price of gas at the pump. Perhap… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=845) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=847)