# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=852 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 853 --- ## [Read The Label: Slave-made Isn't Always Cheaper Than American](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/read-the-label-slave-made-isnt-always-cheaper-than-american/320889)
**Author:** [@zenith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zenith)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/read-the-label-slave-made-isnt-always-cheaper-than-american/320889 "2005-09-16T14:16:55Z")
Two small examples: Before a recent vacation, I shopped for 35mm. film. The “American” brand,Kodak, was labelled “Made In China”. It cost $0.95 more for a 4 pack than the “Japanese” Fuji cost for a 5-pack. The" Japane… --- ## [Pre-emptive nuclear strikes - WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-emptive-nuclear-strikes-wtf/321454)
**Author:** [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-emptive-nuclear-strikes-wtf/321454 "2005-09-16T05:16:58Z")
From the Washington Post: Is it me, or is this spooky as hell? What is there to prevent someone from suspecting that Country X might have WMDs, and call in a pre-emptive nuke on flimsy evidence? It’s certainly not as… --- ## [Does premium really cost more than regular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-premium-really-cost-more-than-regular/320526)
**Author:** [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-premium-really-cost-more-than-regular/320526 "2005-09-16T04:43:42Z")
No matter what the price of regular gasoline is, there is always a fixed 10-cent price jump between grades. But if premium is more expensive to manufacture, then shouldn’t the increase in the price mirror the percent in… --- ## [The Do Not Call List and Charities. Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-do-not-call-list-and-charities-why/321884)
**Author:** [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-do-not-call-list-and-charities-why/321884 "2005-09-16T02:48:28Z")
Not sure if this is a Great Debate, a Pit thread (with obscenities removed) or an IMHO. Here goes. I love the Do Not Call list. Since I signed up…what, I guess 2 years ago or whenever it was…I have had virtually no te… --- ## [Roberts confirmation hearings: Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roberts-confirmation-hearings-thoughts/321500)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2005, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roberts-confirmation-hearings-thoughts/321500 "2005-09-16T00:34:45Z")
Seems like a good idea for us to gather thoughts on the confirmation hearings. What does this tell you about Roberts, or the Senate committee? My observations: This guy is one smart cookie. I mean, I don’t know if I’… --- ## [For the good of the country, Bush and Cheney should resign.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-good-of-the-country-bush-and-cheney-should-resign/320868)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 195\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-the-good-of-the-country-bush-and-cheney-should-resign/320868 "2005-09-15T23:15:14Z")
They both remained on vacation for days AFTER the worst natural disaster in American History struck. It’s obvious they don’t give a fuck about this country other than as a way of enriching themselves and their friends. B… --- ## [That there are inherent differences between Men and Women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-there-are-inherent-differences-between-men-and-women/321745)
**Author:** [@Atlantlis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atlantlis)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-there-are-inherent-differences-between-men-and-women/321745 "2005-09-15T22:14:04Z")
OK, so males and females are defined as different because of their chromosomes and genitalia, but do you think that there are other inherent differences (emotional, mental, behavioural) between men and women? Personally… --- ## [What Al Qaeda Wants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-al-qaeda-wants/321145)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-al-qaeda-wants/321145 "2005-09-15T18:52:44Z")
This isn’t really the opening post of a debate. But the topic seems far too serious for MPISM. Today’s New York Times magazine has the best explanation I’ve ever read of the motivations and objectives of Al Qaeda. W… --- ## [What is the point of stacking charges?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-stacking-charges/321306)
**Author:** [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-stacking-charges/321306 "2005-09-15T18:29:45Z")
What is the point of tacking more or less petty charges to the indictments of those charged with far more serious crimes? In local (Albuquerque) news, a nut job went on a killing rampage. Five people are dead. Two of th… --- ## [420: who here supports the prohibition of marijuana? And why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/420-who-here-supports-the-prohibition-of-marijuana-and-why/319069)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 234\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/420-who-here-supports-the-prohibition-of-marijuana-and-why/319069 "2005-09-15T18:22:07Z")
Post number 420! lolZ !!!11111 I figured I’d make this a special occasion by posting a thread about something that I have been curious about, but have never asked about on this board or any other. The issue here is the… --- ## [Will Katrina dent perceptions of “American exceptionalism”?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-katrina-dent-perceptions-of-american-exceptionalism/321353)
**Author:** [@Capt\_B.Phart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt_B.Phart)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-katrina-dent-perceptions-of-american-exceptionalism/321353 "2005-09-15T15:40:25Z")
The arguments over the depth and causes of the failure to deal with the aftermath of Katrina will run and run – federal Vs local failure, too much welfare Vs too little, too many guns Vs too few, etc, etc, What seems cl… --- ## [Dissect this anti-mega-corporation statement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissect-this-anti-mega-corporation-statement/320662)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dissect-this-anti-mega-corporation-statement/320662 "2005-09-15T14:49:53Z")
Preamble: I’ve often heard it said that capitalism is the best way for the market to produce what the consumer demands at a price he is prepared to pay; I’m not suggesting that I have a better idea than this (because I d… --- ## [CA Senate Votes For Same-sex Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ca-senate-votes-for-same-sex-marriage/319770)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ca-senate-votes-for-same-sex-marriage/319770 "2005-09-15T04:01:37Z")
Lost in the admittedly important coverage of Katrina’s aftermath: the California Senate has voted to permit the state to recognize same-sex marriage. I’m pleased at this: it didn’t come as a result of a court’s ruling. … --- ## [Padilla decision: U.S. citizen can be held without charge as "enemy combatant"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padilla-decision-u-s-citizen-can-be-held-without-charge-as-enemy-combatant/321020)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/padilla-decision-u-s-citizen-can-be-held-without-charge-as-enemy-combatant/321020 "2005-09-15T00:13:59Z")
A three-judge panel of the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeal has reversed a lower-court ruling that Jose Padilla (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose\_Padilla), a U.S. citizen arrested on U.S. soil held in military detention… --- ## [Accused killers of TG teen use "trans-panic" defense- Are panic defenses legitimate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accused-killers-of-tg-teen-use-trans-panic-defense-are-panic-defenses-legitimate/247204)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accused-killers-of-tg-teen-use-trans-panic-defense-are-panic-defenses-legitimate/247204 "2005-09-14T23:45:34Z")
Isn’t this just a variant of the “temporary insanity” defense that regularly gets kicked out? Why should “transgender panic” be accorded more weight legally, psychologically or morally than “I just went nuts”? Expert b… --- ## [California Judge Declares Pledge Unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-judge-declares-pledge-unconstitutional/321646)
**Author:** [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-judge-declares-pledge-unconstitutional/321646 "2005-09-14T20:58:00Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/09/14/pledge.ruling.ap/index.html - Linky. --- ## [Katrina and Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-and-charley/321590)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-and-charley/321590 "2005-09-14T20:27:56Z")
In the aftermath of the accusations and counter-accusations regarding FEMA and Katrina, I tried to look up what happened in former disasters. I was really looking to see if FEMA really does require a formal request from … --- ## [Micheal Behe, the man.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/micheal-behe-the-man/321001)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/micheal-behe-the-man/321001 "2005-09-14T20:22:30Z")
This isn’t a debate about evolution and intelligent design. We’ve been through that a thousand times. I’ve read enough posts on the dope and been through the Talk Origins site to know all the holes and flaws in the ID ar… --- ## [The recent WW2 Anti-Japanese Chinese video game](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-ww2-anti-japanese-chinese-video-game/321363)
**Author:** [@Netbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Netbrian)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-recent-ww2-anti-japanese-chinese-video-game/321363 "2005-09-14T20:16:22Z")
An article recently came up to me here about a video game being developed by the Chinese where the player works to help Chinese troops defeat the Japanese invaders (more information at http://news.com.com/2061-10797\_3-58… --- ## [Hobbes versus the NRA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-versus-the-nra/321337)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hobbes-versus-the-nra/321337 "2005-09-14T17:51:51Z")
Two recent threads have brought up, for me, a simmering tension in conservative philosophy. In one, started by newchrasher it’s asserted that the experience of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina proves the nec… --- ## [Bill Maher's Real Time, 9/9](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-mahers-real-time-9-9/320949)
**Author:** [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-mahers-real-time-9-9/320949 "2005-09-14T15:31:03Z")
A portion of Bill’s closing monologue, addressed to George Bush: --- ## [Katrina and Charley](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-and-charley/321589)
**Author:** [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-and-charley/321589 "2005-09-14T13:47:34Z")
In the aftermath of the accusations and counter-accusations regarding FEMA and Katrina, I tried to look up what happened in former disasters. I was really looking to see if FEMA really does require a formal request from … --- ## [stem cells via "virgin conception" an untidy problem for the pro-life view of things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cells-via-virgin-conception-an-untidy-problem-for-the-pro-life-view-of-things/321265)
**Author:** [@Apos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apos)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cells-via-virgin-conception-an-untidy-problem-for-the-pro-life-view-of-things/321265 "2005-09-14T04:06:41Z")
As I often try to argue, the idea that there is some clear line over which an egg/sperm becomes a distinct individual, making it obvious that it should be considered a full human being just like all other humans is basic… --- ## [Katrina: Why No Contingency Plans to Evacuate Hospitals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-why-no-contingency-plans-to-evacuate-hospitals/321455)
**Author:** [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-why-no-contingency-plans-to-evacuate-hospitals/321455 "2005-09-14T03:06:29Z")
Here, the hospitals put on yearly drills to see if they are prepared for a major catastrophe. Why did not the city, state or federal government have contingency to evacuate hospitals, care homes, etc.? --- ## [Cursing Dick Cheney - turnabout is fair play?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursing-dick-cheney-turnabout-is-fair-play/321291)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cursing-dick-cheney-turnabout-is-fair-play/321291 "2005-09-14T02:35:54Z")
Dick Cheney was touring scenes of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation with Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff and Attorney General Gonzales. According to the AP on Sept. 9, a man whose house was destroyed in Gulfport, Mis… --- ## [Anything wrong with Multiculturalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-wrong-with-multiculturalism/320533)
**Author:** [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-wrong-with-multiculturalism/320533 "2005-09-14T01:09:06Z")
When I went to school in Canada, I hear other Canadians saying that they differ from the “melting pot” Americans by having a “multicultural” society. I only hear the advantages of multiculturalism, but what are the disa… --- ## [Was Judge Roberts in the Federalist Society? Does it matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-judge-roberts-in-the-federalist-society-does-it-matter/314170)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2005, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-judge-roberts-in-the-federalist-society-does-it-matter/314170 "2005-09-13T22:16:14Z")
The White House is denying reports that Supreme Court nominee Judge John G. Roberts was once a member of the Federalist Society. From http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/25/politics/politicsspecial1/25cnd-confirm.html?hp&ex=… --- ## [NYC mayoral primary: yes, I voted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-mayoral-primary-yes-i-voted/321477)
**Author:** [@Chance\_the\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chance_the_Gardener)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2005, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-mayoral-primary-yes-i-voted/321477 "2005-09-13T22:00:04Z")
This morning I walked into a nearly empty polling place in my neighborhood to cast my vote in the Democratic primary for the first New York City mayor’s race I can participate in. I moved here in 2003, and I’ve never be… --- ## [Let's debate the role/value of political parties and ideologies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-the-role-value-of-political-parties-and-ideologies/321046)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-the-role-value-of-political-parties-and-ideologies/321046 "2005-09-13T18:49:27Z")
Inspired by this thread: “Proportional Representation in the U.S.” – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=332307 Any proposed reform (proportional representation, instant-runoff voting, ballot fusion) in… --- ## [What the hell is up with this "Bridge to Nowhere"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-up-with-this-bridge-to-nowhere/321089)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-hell-is-up-with-this-bridge-to-nowhere/321089 "2005-09-13T13:11:59Z")
Since Post-Katrina, I’ve been hearing more and more about this so called “Bridge to Nowhere” that’s being built in Alaska. The executive summary is that the Transportation Bill that Bush signed last month includes provis… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=851) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=853)