# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=847 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 848 --- ## [Censorship is the enemy of democracy and censors are evil because of it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-is-the-enemy-of-democracy-and-censors-are-evil-because-of-it/325588)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-is-the-enemy-of-democracy-and-censors-are-evil-because-of-it/325588 "2005-10-11T17:23:09Z")
Censorship is an anathema to a democracy and an evil in and of itself, albeit a necessary evil in a few rare instances. In saying this, I am not debating what Constitutional rights to information Americans may have, thi… --- ## [Ojeda Rios killed in PR](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ojeda-rios-killed-in-pr/324460)
**Author:** [@aurelian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurelian)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ojeda-rios-killed-in-pr/324460 "2005-10-11T16:03:31Z")
Washington Times link; Democracy Now link Does anyone know anything more about this? After hearing about it earlier this week, I’ve found a few links, but the story doesn’t seem to have received much coverage. Why did… --- ## [Men's rights in certain abortion cases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-in-certain-abortion-cases/325247)
**Author:** [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Replies:** 206\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-in-certain-abortion-cases/325247 "2005-10-11T14:25:47Z")
Let’s say you have a couple who are in a committed relationship (either living together or married) and the woman gets pregnant. She decides she doesn’t want the baby, but the man does. Does/should the man have any say … --- ## [What's closer, BCI or AI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-closer-bci-or-ai/324781)
**Author:** [@Bomzaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bomzaway)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-closer-bci-or-ai/324781 "2005-10-11T03:42:33Z")
There have been many advances as of late in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Brain Computer Interface. Assuming that many of you are acquainted with some of the complexities that challenge these technologies, w… --- ## [What are your thoughts regarding Carlos Castaneda?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-regarding-carlos-castaneda/324571)
**Author:** [@GrahamWellington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrahamWellington)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-regarding-carlos-castaneda/324571 "2005-10-11T01:38:18Z")
I read much of his stuff many years ago and loved his style and the subject matter. The desert backdrop was cool and surreal … and the characters wonderfully developed … making me think that the guy wasn’t BSing about it… --- ## [Flat tax, yay or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-tax-yay-or-nay/302209)
**Author:** [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2005, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-tax-yay-or-nay/302209 "2005-10-10T23:46:03Z")
A copy of The Economist that is passed (briefly) round our office had an article and editorial on flat taxation, citing its apparant success in Eastern Europe. Is it something that would be good for Western Europe, or th… --- ## [Do the middle class benefit from tax programs designed to help the poor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-middle-class-benefit-from-tax-programs-designed-to-help-the-poor/325335)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2005, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-middle-class-benefit-from-tax-programs-designed-to-help-the-poor/325335 "2005-10-10T21:24:09Z")
When discussing taxes with people I try to point out that about 80-90% of tax money goes right back to them anyway in the form of social security, medicare, scientific research, law enforcement, education, a military, et… --- ## [Don't Theories of Infinite Universes Imply a Type of Reincarnation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-theories-of-infinite-universes-imply-a-type-of-reincarnation/324836)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-theories-of-infinite-universes-imply-a-type-of-reincarnation/324836 "2005-10-10T21:22:09Z")
This is a question as well as a great debate. There are at least two models of the universe that make it infinite: The universe is born through a Big Bang, expands, and then ends in a Big Crunch. The process repeats … --- ## ["At Will" employment. The French workers' reaction vs. Americans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-will-employment-the-french-workers-reaction-vs-americans/324727)
**Author:** [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-will-employment-the-french-workers-reaction-vs-americans/324727 "2005-10-10T20:18:12Z")
According to this article in today’s NY Times, a huge number of French people are striking against the policies of the Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. Why is it that in the US, almost all employers have an “At Wi… --- ## [When is it justified to overthrow a government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-justified-to-overthrow-a-government/325448)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-justified-to-overthrow-a-government/325448 "2005-10-10T03:31:44Z")
When is it justified to overthrow a government? Would the Saudis be justified in overthrowing their government? What about the Iraqis under Saddam? What about first world nations such as the US or UK? Where along the… --- ## [Interestng new book about the Iraq War - Answers lots of questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interestng-new-book-about-the-iraq-war-answers-lots-of-questions/325410)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2005, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interestng-new-book-about-the-iraq-war-answers-lots-of-questions/325410 "2005-10-09T22:10:03Z")
The road to hell --- ## [Bork weighs in on Miers nomination - Very interesting discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bork-weighs-in-on-miers-nomination-very-interesting-discussion/325329)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bork-weighs-in-on-miers-nomination-very-interesting-discussion/325329 "2005-10-09T21:34:46Z")
Bork calls Miers nomination a ‘disaster’ - Former Supreme Court nominee gives take on newest pick for the bench --- ## [Psychic Detectives, Justice and the Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychic-detectives-justice-and-the-law/324796)
**Author:** [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2005, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychic-detectives-justice-and-the-law/324796 "2005-10-09T21:18:19Z")
In fiction, a popular trope is the psychic detective, a person with perceptions far beyond the human norm that uses his or her powers to solve crimes and help the innocent. For examples, check out The Dead Zone, Medium,… --- ## [If "Back Alley Abortions" were removed from the argument?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-back-alley-abortions-were-removed-from-the-argument/325313)
**Author:** [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2005, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-back-alley-abortions-were-removed-from-the-argument/325313 "2005-10-09T15:15:49Z")
A Hamster ate the first attempt at this thread, so I’ll give it take two! Even if the court restricts or eliminates the right to an abortion, the often-raised specter of a return to back-alley abortions is not likely to… --- ## [Does God have free will or did Adam have free will?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-have-free-will-or-did-adam-have-free-will/324645)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-have-free-will-or-did-adam-have-free-will/324645 "2005-10-09T03:18:23Z")
There are only two people on earth; Adam and Eve. Adam commits suicide. Therefore, Eve dies barren. Therefore, the human race is finished with Adam and Eve. Therefore, God does not have free will. Therefore, Adam ha… --- ## [Difference between 'fiscal' conservatism/"neo" conservitism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-fiscal-conservatism-neo-conservitism/325284)
**Author:** [@jocularjason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jocularjason)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2005, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/difference-between-fiscal-conservatism-neo-conservitism/325284 "2005-10-08T21:56:28Z")
My grandfather–a “conservative” who voted Republican since WWII (With the exception of voting for Al Gore in 2000)–was a very frugal man who always spent less than he had–and was able to save lots of money on a meager in… --- ## [Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death/324435)
**Author:** [@googlybear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/googlybear)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2005, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death/324435 "2005-10-08T11:01:36Z")
What happens when you die? :slight\_smile: the africans believed that your body was a shell and when a soldier died in battle they celebrate his entrance into the beautiful afterlife. The western europeans believed that… --- ## [Who would you pick as the Republican Nominee in '08?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-pick-as-the-republican-nominee-in-08/324407)
**Author:** [@Casual\_Male](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casual_Male)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-would-you-pick-as-the-republican-nominee-in-08/324407 "2005-10-07T22:31:02Z")
Who would you pick? If I could magically make the choice, it would be a close tie between John McCain and Rudy Guilliani. I like the moderate tone of McCain and feel that he can bring the country closer together. How… --- ## [Black...Afroamerican...Negro..Asian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-afroamerican-negro-asian/324974)
**Author:** [@OliverTwistofLime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OliverTwistofLime)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-afroamerican-negro-asian/324974 "2005-10-07T21:44:18Z")
Yesterday at a regular meeting of our discussion group one our very intelligent regulars…a black male introduced a topic which took 90 minutes to discuss and quite interesting. In essence , stated he believes the term … --- ## [Alevi as European Islam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alevi-as-european-islam/325031)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alevi-as-european-islam/325031 "2005-10-07T19:17:48Z")
A Danish author, Henrik Nordbrandt (who’s not himself a Muslim), living in Turkey has suggested that the Alevi branch of Islam could function as the grain around which a European/modern form of moderate Islam could be fo… --- ## [ACLU - Good and Bad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aclu-good-and-bad/324924)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aclu-good-and-bad/324924 "2005-10-07T18:35:19Z")
I’m not sure if you can attribute the following to the ACLU so maybe I’m using the org. too generically. Still, I think you’ll get the idea. I’m having a hard time weighng the good (arguably limiting intrusions into ou… --- ## [IAEA, ElBaradei wins Nobel peace prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iaea-elbaradei-wins-nobel-peace-prize/325197)
**Author:** [@Ghoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghoul)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iaea-elbaradei-wins-nobel-peace-prize/325197 "2005-10-07T16:09:51Z")
Reuters article thoughts? --- ## [Bush's statement on insurgents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-statement-on-insurgents/325057)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-statement-on-insurgents/325057 "2005-10-07T14:41:19Z")
I caught part of Bush’s speach whilst I was doing dishes this morning. Did he really say that his invasion of Iraq is not resulting in more people joining terrorist ranks? Although this is a GQ, I’m putting it here bec… --- ## [Turkey in the EU](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-in-the-eu/324565)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkey-in-the-eu/324565 "2005-10-07T11:05:07Z")
This is not something I’ve followed in great detail, so I can’t pretend to be fully aware of all arguments for and against. But whenever I hear the issue discussed, by far the most common argument I hear in favor of adm… --- ## [What's up with poverty and obesity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-poverty-and-obesity/321446)
**Author:** [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Replies:** 273\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-poverty-and-obesity/321446 "2005-10-07T01:38:46Z")
On the front page of www.msn.com today, there’s a story about poor black people on the Gulf coast. It has a picture of a woman that looks, uh, well-fed. I’ve noticed that among a lot of poor people, morbid obesity seems … --- ## [A question of ethics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-of-ethics/325032)
**Author:** [@avid12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/avid12)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2005, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-of-ethics/325032 "2005-10-07T00:02:26Z")
I found this web shop where you can buy dead human bodies at http://www.e-cuerpos.com/produtos.php?sub=21 How can it be possible that such kind of filthy activities can continue freely on the internet. I’m not up for re… --- ## [Atheism does not equal communism and vise versa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-does-not-equal-communism-and-vise-versa/324897)
**Author:** [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-does-not-equal-communism-and-vise-versa/324897 "2005-10-06T21:36:22Z")
As is often the case when discussing atheism versus religion, a predictable knee jerk response is to bring up the likes of Joseph Stalin, Mao Tse Tung, and Pol Pot as an example of murderous atheists. (As was the case i… --- ## [No Thread on White House Espionage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-thread-on-white-house-espionage/325038)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-thread-on-white-house-espionage/325038 "2005-10-06T16:31:21Z")
I’m surprised. This made the news yesterday. Aragoncillo has apparently been passing information to the Phillipine government from within the White House: http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/06/wh.stolen.info/index.html He o… --- ## [Bush admin found involved in illegal 'covert propaganda'; what can be the penalty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-found-involved-in-illegal-covert-propaganda-what-can-be-the-penalty/324518)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-admin-found-involved-in-illegal-covert-propaganda-what-can-be-the-penalty/324518 "2005-10-06T13:50:32Z")
Bush administration found involved in illegal 'covert propaganda’ http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051001/pl\_afp/usmediapropaganda\_051001201306;\_ylt=ApTE68x0pkzf4knT6Ce9V.kKO7gF;\_ylu=X3oDMTA5bGVna3NhBHNlYwNzc3JlbA-- Prev… --- ## [The Generals begin to talk about Iraq withdrawal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generals-begin-to-talk-about-iraq-withdrawal/324340)
**Author:** [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-generals-begin-to-talk-about-iraq-withdrawal/324340 "2005-10-06T03:31:05Z")
Their reasons are not exactly the same as the one I identified inthis thread but getting out is getting out and the reasons are secondary. According tothis account in the Los Angeles Times our top military commanders ar… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=846) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=848)