# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=848 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 849 --- ## [New Orleans Shelters' "Atrocities" - why did we so readily believe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-orleans-shelters-atrocities-why-did-we-so-readily-believe/323516)
**Author:** [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-orleans-shelters-atrocities-why-did-we-so-readily-believe/323516 "2005-10-06T02:30:01Z")
Well, I for one, didn’t. Not entirely. The more Grand Guignol stories of rampant rape and murder out of the Superdome and Convention Center set my BS meter off a few times, especially with no visual or name confirmation.… --- ## [Why is pride a sin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pride-a-sin/324130)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pride-a-sin/324130 "2005-10-06T00:17:36Z")
Pride in something doesn’t seem like such a bad attribute. Why is it a sin? I looked here but didn’t quite grasp the context of the distinction they were making. The Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas Whether pride… --- ## ['Slippery slope' steepens: Netherlands registers civil union of three people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slippery-slope-steepens-netherlands-registers-civil-union-of-three-people/324189)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slippery-slope-steepens-netherlands-registers-civil-union-of-three-people/324189 "2005-10-06T00:15:00Z")
http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/301 I know there are defenders and advocates of polygamy on this board, so I guess this isn’t really addressed to them because they must view this as welcome progress. Within the de… --- ## [Do men and women differ mentally? If so, how?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-and-women-differ-mentally-if-so-how/323163)
**Author:** [@Athenian200](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athenian200)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2005, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-men-and-women-differ-mentally-if-so-how/323163 "2005-10-06T00:14:04Z")
I have noticed a couple of books and websites claiming that there is such a thing as a “male brain” and a “female brain”. Supposedly, the male brain is better at systemizing, navigation, mechanical skill, mathematics,… --- ## [Report Says America Worse Off Because Of Strong Religious Beliefs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/report-says-america-worse-off-because-of-strong-religious-beliefs/323715)
**Author:** [@Rayne\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rayne_Man)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/report-says-america-worse-off-because-of-strong-religious-beliefs/323715 "2005-10-05T22:36:42Z")
I will just toss this news report into the ring Times, to see if dopers agree or disagree with the findings of the Journal of Religion and Society and its report on religious beliefs and the way it affects the USA. --- ## [US troops in Europe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-in-europe/324805)
**Author:** [@Jeffr062](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeffr062)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-troops-in-europe/324805 "2005-10-05T21:51:00Z")
Is it time for the U.S. to pull the rest of its troops out of Europe? --- ## [OK, the ice is melting now, really!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-the-ice-is-melting-now-really/324104)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-the-ice-is-melting-now-really/324104 "2005-10-05T18:46:51Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050929/sc\_nm/environment\_arctic\_dc So, this is happening, it’s getting worse, & apparently it didn’t happen like this for hundreds of years before the Industrial Revolution & the Population… --- ## [Senior Cardinal says access to the Eucharist is a gift, not a right for Catholics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senior-cardinal-says-access-to-the-eucharist-is-a-gift-not-a-right-for-catholics/324679)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2005, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senior-cardinal-says-access-to-the-eucharist-is-a-gift-not-a-right-for-catholics/324679 "2005-10-05T17:54:18Z")
Is this a commonly held view? --- ## [Femme Queer, Butch Queer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/femme-queer-butch-queer/314264)
**Author:** [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2005, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/femme-queer-butch-queer/314264 "2005-10-05T14:17:45Z")
I have a certain perception of internal dynamics within the queer community, a recurrent perception that makes me want to build it into a fully-formed theory, if possible. I’ve reflected on it enough that I feel it’s tim… --- ## [For Scylla - you owe me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-scylla-you-owe-me/324475)
**Author:** [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-scylla-you-owe-me/324475 "2005-10-04T23:56:52Z")
I need to preface this by saying that I’m sorry that it took so long to get around to making this entry. My mother had a stroke and was hospitalized for quite a while. She’s back home now, but she requires 24-hour care… --- ## [Criteria for getting into College -- Intellect vs. Personality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-getting-into-college-intellect-vs-personality/324714)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-getting-into-college-intellect-vs-personality/324714 "2005-10-04T20:52:39Z")
Take two high school students: one has a 1600 SAT (or whatever the new top score is), a 4.0 GPA, but is reportedly shy, unathletic, and “short with big ears.” The other has lesser (but good) grades, is charming and outg… --- ## [Is a strong national identity needed for a democracy to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-strong-national-identity-needed-for-a-democracy-to-work/324735)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-strong-national-identity-needed-for-a-democracy-to-work/324735 "2005-10-04T20:12:35Z")
I just started thinking about this, in the context of Iraq and other places. It does seem to me that for successful democracies, development of a sense of nationhood was a prerequisite. In the United States, for exampl… --- ## [What's Wrong With the Democratic Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-the-democratic-party/324299)
**Author:** [@Cronos1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cronos1)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-the-democratic-party/324299 "2005-10-04T17:16:29Z")
By most accounts, things aren’t going well for the GOP. Some of the things that most agree aren’t going well for them are: 1- The president’s approval rating has dropped significantly. 2- The administration’s response… --- ## [How well-liked was Reagan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-liked-was-reagan/323940)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-well-liked-was-reagan/323940 "2005-10-04T16:09:37Z")
I ask this out of a sense of curiosity, not having experienced those years myself. What I’ve absorbed over the years was that he was liked personally, and things that might have raised a stink otherwise were sort of igno… --- ## [Iraq's Kurdish president calls on Shi'ite PM to resign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqs-kurdish-president-calls-on-shiite-pm-to-resign/324641)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqs-kurdish-president-calls-on-shiite-pm-to-resign/324641 "2005-10-04T16:08:00Z")
From CNews - World, 10/2/05 – http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/Iraq/2005/10/02/1245460-ap.html: See also http://www.islamonline.org/English/News/2005-10/02/article05.shtml. If the Kurdish-Shi’ite alliance splits, wha… --- ## [His Honor Chief Justice John G. Roberts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/his-honor-chief-justice-john-g-roberts/324052)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/his-honor-chief-justice-john-g-roberts/324052 "2005-10-04T07:05:44Z")
It’s a done deal. I, for one, am relieved. Roberts is that rare animal in Washington these days: A principled, by all appearances highly-ethical, brilliantly intelligent conservative who will interpret the law fairly … --- ## [What can the average American citizen do about the national debt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-average-american-citizen-do-about-the-national-debt/324457)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-average-american-citizen-do-about-the-national-debt/324457 "2005-10-04T03:45:34Z")
I voted for Clinton and was glad to see the reduction in the deficit. I voted for Gore and was dismayed with the subsequent ballooning of the national debt. I thought about contributing to reduce the debt, but then I r… --- ## [Jet Blue, outsourcing airplane repairs a problem? El Salvador in the mix too.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-blue-outsourcing-airplane-repairs-a-problem-el-salvador-in-the-mix-too/324367)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jet-blue-outsourcing-airplane-repairs-a-problem-el-salvador-in-the-mix-too/324367 "2005-10-04T01:16:19Z")
Recently, by chance, I managed to catch the amazing landing of the Jet blue plane with the locked front landing gear making a landing. I was happy that everyone got out ok. But, recently a report came out that confirmed… --- ## [Will the U.S. ever be a "post-Christian society"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-u-s-ever-be-a-post-christian-society/321501)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-u-s-ever-be-a-post-christian-society/321501 "2005-10-03T19:38:08Z")
The nations of modern Europe are often referred to as “post-Christian societies.” Particular Christian denominations still have official status in some countries, but the average level of personal Christian religious be… --- ## [Libby + Rove = conspiracy charges against the White House?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libby-rove-conspiracy-charges-against-the-white-house/324427)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2005, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libby-rove-conspiracy-charges-against-the-white-house/324427 "2005-10-03T12:44:24Z")
Matt Cooper testified that Karl Rove told him that Joseph Wilson’s wife worked for the CIA. Judith Miller apparently just testified that Lewis Libby told her something similar. (The exact details of her testimony have … --- ## [If you abort black babies the crime rate will go down](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-abort-black-babies-the-crime-rate-will-go-down/324210)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2005, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-abort-black-babies-the-crime-rate-will-go-down/324210 "2005-10-03T09:10:52Z")
This post might also go in the Pit or IMHO, but as it addresses (mainly) rhetorical stylings in making arguments I’m going to put it here. Mods move if you must. I’m not a huge fan of Bill “Virtues” Bennett, esp after t… --- ## [Should crude oil price be $1,000 per barrel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-crude-oil-price-be-1-000-per-barrel/324352)
**Author:** [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-crude-oil-price-be-1-000-per-barrel/324352 "2005-10-03T03:07:37Z")
Please take a look at the price comparison table in this article. It is an eye opener. Apparently, while current price of crude oil is around $67 per barrel, drinking water sells at $105 per barrel, while Starbuck’s Ca… --- ## [Israel has pulled out of the Gaza Strip . . . what next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-has-pulled-out-of-the-gaza-strip-what-next/323412)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-has-pulled-out-of-the-gaza-strip-what-next/323412 "2005-10-02T16:31:23Z")
After 38 years, Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip has finally ended. Sort of. Israel still controlls the territory’s coasts and airspace, and its borders. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza\_strip (Except, perhaps, … --- ## [Has environmentalism become the new religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-environmentalism-become-the-new-religion/323741)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-environmentalism-become-the-new-religion/323741 "2005-10-02T02:10:05Z")
I recently read Michael Crichton’s “State of Fear”. He does a pretty good job of taking on environmental "Chicken Little"s and lampoons much of the research that supports man being the culprit behing Global Warming. I … --- ## [Are the 7 deadly sins all virtues taken to excess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-7-deadly-sins-all-virtues-taken-to-excess/324205)
**Author:** [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-7-deadly-sins-all-virtues-taken-to-excess/324205 "2005-10-01T20:38:27Z")
Is the true sin immoderate behaviour? \* Lust We all know love is good, and that procreation is necessary for the continuation of the species. Much of love is associated with finding the other person sexually attractiv… --- ## [What should the government be responsible for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-government-be-responsible-for/324274)
**Author:** [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-government-be-responsible-for/324274 "2005-10-01T16:38:35Z")
I’m not much on debate threads, but this is the best place for this question/poll. I do not claim any political affiliation (I’m not much on politics even though I know I should be). People are constantly saying, “The g… --- ## [Censorship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship/324199)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2005, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship/324199 "2005-10-01T12:59:06Z")
In a Pit thread about a Conservative talk show host who made a rather offensive remark, someone posted that a member of Congress circulated a petition to call for the programme’s cancellation. The executive director of … --- ## [Is Neo-Conservatism a Jewish Movement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-neo-conservatism-a-jewish-movement/323283)
**Author:** [@Greg\_Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Wilson)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2005, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-neo-conservatism-a-jewish-movement/323283 "2005-10-01T04:22:13Z")
Is Neo-Conservatism really a Jewish movement? I use three sources: http://www.amconmag.com/03\_24\_03/cover.html http://www.vdare.com/misc/macdonald\_neoconservatism.htm http://theoccidentalquarterly.com/vol4no2/km-unde… --- ## [Craniosacral therapy-- does it work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craniosacral-therapy-does-it-work/322034)
**Author:** [@Anise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anise)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craniosacral-therapy-does-it-work/322034 "2005-10-01T01:15:15Z")
I’m trying to decide what classes to take this fall and I’m looking at craniosacral… this is in “great debates” because, well, there IS quite a debate about the merits of this therapy. Some say it’s wonderful, has helped… --- ## [The Hole-in-One Trial on Court TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hole-in-one-trial-on-court-tv/324093)
**Author:** [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hole-in-one-trial-on-court-tv/324093 "2005-09-30T23:47:18Z")
Did anybody else watch this? This kid (18 at the time) went to a charity golf tournament that was offering $10,000 to anyone who hit a hole-in-one on the 5th hole of the course. The money from the greens fees, as well … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=847) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=849)