# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=849 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 850 --- ## [April 17th, 6 BC = Birth of Christ...Best explanation yet for the Star of Bethlehem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/april-17th-6-bc-birth-of-christ-best-explanation-yet-for-the-star-of-bethlehem/299993)
**Author:** [@Yeticus\_Rex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yeticus_Rex)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/april-17th-6-bc-birth-of-christ-best-explanation-yet-for-the-star-of-bethlehem/299993 "2005-09-30T19:38:04Z")
Yup. Yesterday. Happy 2011\[sup\]th\[/sup\]. For some, this might have been hacked to death a few years ago. I personally invite those who participated before after reading the Q&A link below, especially DtC and others on… --- ## [How easy is it to get an illegal gun in various countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-to-get-an-illegal-gun-in-various-countries/324012)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-it-to-get-an-illegal-gun-in-various-countries/324012 "2005-09-30T18:16:48Z")
Reading through several gun debates, it seems like one of the key sticking points is that banning guns has no effect on criminals because criminals all have illegal guns. I’m fully prepared to concede that this would be … --- ## [If Bush nominates a Latino, will that really earn Republicans more Hispanic voters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-nominates-a-latino-will-that-really-earn-republicans-more-hispanic-voters/324220)
**Author:** [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-bush-nominates-a-latino-will-that-really-earn-republicans-more-hispanic-voters/324220 "2005-09-30T18:16:33Z")
In reading this thread, I was struck by this comment made by the OP: Emphasis mine. Does it really work that way? When the Presidential elections come up in 2008, will some Hispanic guy somewhere who usually votes a … --- ## [Another proposed change to the tax system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-proposed-change-to-the-tax-system/323808)
**Author:** [@The\_Asbestos\_Mango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Asbestos_Mango)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-proposed-change-to-the-tax-system/323808 "2005-09-30T18:08:15Z")
One of the major objections I’ve heard to the progressive income tax is that “it punishes success” (whatever that means)- the idea is that if you tax the richest X% of the population, people will have a disincentive to w… --- ## [Is An Undersatnding Of Evolution Essential To An Understanding Of Biology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-undersatnding-of-evolution-essential-to-an-understanding-of-biology/322757)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 348\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-undersatnding-of-evolution-essential-to-an-understanding-of-biology/322757 "2005-09-30T14:32:44Z")
This Pit thread (pages 4,5) was semi-hijacked, so I thought I would bring the discussion here. The (in my mind) extreme position being argued is summed up by this quote from Diogenes the Cynic– with respect to whether… --- ## [Why are you for Physician Assisted Suicide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-for-physician-assisted-suicide/321900)
**Author:** [@XP39C\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XP39C_2)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-you-for-physician-assisted-suicide/321900 "2005-09-30T14:26:52Z")
I have an assignment in which I am trying to summarize the various positions and arguments involving Physician Assisted Suicide. I’m having a hard time finding arguments on the Pro side other than, “The life of an indivi… --- ## [More Deception from G.W. regarding Zarqawi's #2 Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-deception-from-g-w-regarding-zarqawis-2-man/324063)
**Author:** [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-deception-from-g-w-regarding-zarqawis-2-man/324063 "2005-09-30T13:56:31Z")
This link to an article today on Newsweek raises several questions: \[ul\] \[li\]Does the Administration (including G.W. himself) ever talk with people knowledgable on the subject before opening their mouths?\[/li\]\[li\]Is thi… --- ## [A question for the 40% (Bush supporters: why absolutely NO dissension?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-40-bush-supporters-why-absolutely-no-dissension/323343)
**Author:** [@Mambo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mambo)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-for-the-40-bush-supporters-why-absolutely-no-dissension/323343 "2005-09-30T02:34:42Z")
I am not a Democrat or a Republican (and my voting record proves it–go Harry Browne!) but anyone who remembers me or my OPs from yesteryear knows that I like Clinton and hate W. I don’t shrink from my position. What I … --- ## [Men make better moderators than women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-make-better-moderators-than-women/323458)
**Author:** [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/men-make-better-moderators-than-women/323458 "2005-09-30T02:30:26Z")
Discuss. Seems to me that way, here on SDMB, anyway. Is it the case that to do something like moderation most effectively, one must not invest too much in it, as one’s vocation, avocation - call it what you will. Does it… --- ## [How do religions spread?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-religions-spread/322520)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-religions-spread/322520 "2005-09-29T22:15:02Z")
How does a whole country become, say, Christian, if it was once pagan? A couple of ways I think it might happen: Is it mostly due to the ruler converting to the new religion, and then forcing his subjects to convert? … --- ## [FBI recruiting for new "anti-obscenity squad"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-recruiting-for-new-anti-obscenity-squad/322780)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fbi-recruiting-for-new-anti-obscenity-squad/322780 "2005-09-29T21:03:28Z")
From the Washington Post, 9/20/05, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/19/AR2005091901570.html: :confused: What the double-penetration-facial-cumshot-FUCK is going on here? Why is this FBI bus… --- ## [Sandra O'Connor Resigns - Democrats Will Find "Extraordinary Circumstances"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-oconnor-resigns-democrats-will-find-extraordinary-circumstances/310712)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 340\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-oconnor-resigns-democrats-will-find-extraordinary-circumstances/310712 "2005-09-29T20:08:48Z")
OK. Justice O’Connor has resigned. I predict that the Democrats - specifically, the seven Democrats that signed the accord concerning judicial nominations - will find “extraordinary circumstances” in President Bush’s no… --- ## [Earned interest/dividends are bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earned-interest-dividends-are-bad/323939)
**Author:** [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/earned-interest-dividends-are-bad/323939 "2005-09-29T19:22:11Z")
You’ve admitted you can’t defend these positions, yet you keep trying to do so. So let’s move this out of GQ and into an area where these statements can be adequately discussed. VCO3, you are, by your own admission, a… --- ## [Free Will: No Need For Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-no-need-for-religion/323795)
**Author:** [@ronald33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ronald33)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-no-need-for-religion/323795 "2005-09-29T17:40:51Z")
We don’t get the “Straight Dope” here in Los Angeles anymore…didn’t know that it was still around… Anyway, if mankind has free will…this precludes Divine intervention…and therefore, religion is meaningless. What must … --- ## [Bush proposes expanding military's role in emergencies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-proposes-expanding-militarys-role-in-emergencies/323632)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-proposes-expanding-militarys-role-in-emergencies/323632 "2005-09-29T15:26:09Z")
Bush is broaching the idea of expanding the U.S. military’s role in keeping order during domestic emergencies such as the recent hurricanes. http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/26/bush.military/index.html Critics say t… --- ## [Should Holocaust Denial be taught in public high school? (yet another I.D. debate)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-holocaust-denial-be-taught-in-public-high-school-yet-another-i-d-debate/323599)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-holocaust-denial-be-taught-in-public-high-school-yet-another-i-d-debate/323599 "2005-09-29T15:09:07Z")
It hasn’t happened, to my knowledge, but… hypothetical situation: Suppose a teacher in a ultra conservative school district has a request from a significant number of parents to teach that the Holocaust is only a theory… --- ## [Does Intelligent Design state only some things were "designed", or all things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-intelligent-design-state-only-some-things-were-designed-or-all-things/323864)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-intelligent-design-state-only-some-things-were-designed-or-all-things/323864 "2005-09-29T09:02:39Z")
Does the theory of Intelligent Design only state that the “irreducibly complex” biological structures were designed by an intelligence, or does it postulate that everything was designed by an intelligence? Is ID all or … --- ## [Defence Contractors vs Builders of Plastic Models](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defence-contractors-vs-builders-of-plastic-models/323775)
**Author:** [@rippingtons\_fan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rippingtons_fan)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2005, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defence-contractors-vs-builders-of-plastic-models/323775 "2005-09-29T01:22:28Z")
I saw on the CBS Evening News that defence conractors are seeking to make the companies that make plastic models pay royalties to them since these companies are making money off the contractors designs. Doesn’t the defe… --- ## [Evolution, Ecology and Politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-ecology-and-politics/322925)
**Author:** [@New\_Iskander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Iskander)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution-ecology-and-politics/322925 "2005-09-28T20:44:00Z")
Evolution and Ecology are two foremost causes of progressive Left. On one hand, practically all on the progressive Left subscribe to the theory of Evolution of the Species. On another hand, many of those progressive pe… --- ## [Why is the debt so important now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-debt-so-important-now/322325)
**Author:** [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-debt-so-important-now/322325 "2005-09-28T20:32:37Z")
I’m hoping for more than a Pit thread here. Why is the national (US) debt so important? And pray tell, why keep bringing the children into it? I keep hearing about how The Children\[sup\]TM\[/sup\] will have to pay for it. … --- ## [What is it with Bush Administrations and gay prostitution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-bush-administrations-and-gay-prostitution/323725)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-bush-administrations-and-gay-prostitution/323725 "2005-09-28T20:12:26Z")
We are all familiar I daresay with the sordid tale of Jeff Gannon, White House press correspondent and gay prostitute. What I didn’t know about until today was that the Bush I White House had an even MORE severe problem … --- ## [Army General Fired for Continuing Affair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/army-general-fired-for-continuing-affair/323573)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/army-general-fired-for-continuing-affair/323573 "2005-09-28T18:31:25Z")
Several weeks ago a four star general in the US Army was fired for continuing to have an affair after he’d been ordered by his commanders to stop. (link) The general was legally separated from his wife at the time, the… --- ## [Mark your territory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-your-territory/323823)
**Author:** [@Jeffr062](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeffr062)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-your-territory/323823 "2005-09-28T15:01:50Z")
I read an article (news of the weird) about a burglar who after after gathering up all the stuff he wanted to steal from a house would take a dump in the middle of the living room. When I read about this I thought, soun… --- ## [Q: How many poor, black Katrina victims does it take to equal one rich 9/11 victim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-how-many-poor-black-katrina-victims-does-it-take-to-equal-one-rich-9-11-victim/319749)
**Author:** [@Sequent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sequent)\ **Replies:** 332\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-how-many-poor-black-katrina-victims-does-it-take-to-equal-one-rich-9-11-victim/319749 "2005-09-28T02:40:09Z")
A: we’re still counting. The Constitution tells us one black man is 3/5 of a white man, so if you estimate 40,000 refugees in New Orleans (99% of whom are black), we have roughly the equivalent of 24,000 white refugees.… --- ## [Originalist Justices: What the heck are they thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/originalist-justices-what-the-heck-are-they-thinking/321664)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/originalist-justices-what-the-heck-are-they-thinking/321664 "2005-09-28T01:13:27Z")
Antonin Scalia is the person in government who I despise more than any other. The reason is that I know that he’s extremely intelligent, and thus I believe that he is inherently evil. I can always blame stupidity and i… --- ## [Where will we get our teachers from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-we-get-our-teachers-from/323550)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-will-we-get-our-teachers-from/323550 "2005-09-27T22:11:32Z")
Inspired by recent events, I wonder where the United States will find enopugh qualified people to serve as teachers in our schools. During his recent campaign for reform of the tenure system in California public schools… --- ## [Is a four day school week a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-four-day-school-week-a-good-idea/323255)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-four-day-school-week-a-good-idea/323255 "2005-09-27T03:46:51Z")
Seems to have some serious merits. Jackson schools’ week cut to 4 days --- ## [(Jimmy) Carter / (James) Baker Commission Report: Building Confidence in US Elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-james-baker-commission-report-building-confidence-in-us-elections/322450)
**Author:** [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-james-baker-commission-report-building-confidence-in-us-elections/322450 "2005-09-27T03:30:04Z")
Final Report Link: With plenty of color photographs! Talk about publicity hounds. Anyway, here are a few things that catch the eye:\[ol\]\[li\]Photo Id’s by 2010: Opposed by a commision member Tom Daschle, who’s either since… --- ## [President releases crude oil reserves because of refinery shortage ... why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-releases-crude-oil-reserves-because-of-refinery-shortage-why/323556)
**Author:** [@Monocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monocracy)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-releases-crude-oil-reserves-because-of-refinery-shortage-why/323556 "2005-09-27T00:45:23Z")
CNN Article: http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/09/26/bush.ap/index.html There is no shortage of crude oil, it’s hovering at about $65 a barrel. There is a shortage of refinery capacity because of the hurricanes. G… --- ## [Cursing at the TSA guy - that's a paddlin'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursing-at-the-tsa-guy-thats-a-paddlin/323394)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2005, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursing-at-the-tsa-guy-thats-a-paddlin/323394 "2005-09-27T00:08:47Z")
Here’s a quiz: does the First Amendment protect a person’s conduct when that conduct is repeated, loud, foul language directed at a TSA screener who has directed the individual in question to wait for a hand wand scan? T… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=848) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=850)