# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=854 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 855 --- ## [Could Oscar Wilde have avoided jail if he'd just left well enough alone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-oscar-wilde-have-avoided-jail-if-hed-just-left-well-enough-alone/320661)
**Author:** [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2005, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-oscar-wilde-have-avoided-jail-if-hed-just-left-well-enough-alone/320661 "2005-09-09T14:00:55Z")
See, my understanding of things is that Oscar Wilde only got “busted” after screwing up his libel suit against the Marquess of Queensbury. I also understand that he was advised to keep his mouth shut after getting the n… --- ## [Likelihood and implications of giving up the Euro?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-and-implications-of-giving-up-the-euro/307430)
**Author:** [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2005, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelihood-and-implications-of-giving-up-the-euro/307430 "2005-09-09T11:14:27Z")
Following last week’s votes by the French and the Dutch to reject the European Constitution, there have been murmerings in Italy that they might withdraw from the Euro currency. What would the impact be were Italy to ba… --- ## [Has The Bell Curve been completely discredited?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-bell-curve-been-completely-discredited/320408)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2005, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-bell-curve-been-completely-discredited/320408 "2005-09-09T04:40:52Z")
Several years ago, the controversial book The Bell Curve was published. The book discusses racial differences in IQ levels. There was a howl of criticism and allegations of racism. As I now pick up the book for the fi… --- ## [Dutch Ruling on Discrimination of Women in Political Parties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-ruling-on-discrimination-of-women-in-political-parties/320511)
**Author:** [@Arwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arwin)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-ruling-on-discrimination-of-women-in-political-parties/320511 "2005-09-09T00:28:51Z")
The SGP is a party in the Netherlands that is of strict Christian Reformed persuasion, and as such by its statute prohibits women to be full members of the party or put themselves up for election. Political parties are … --- ## [Is $62.3 billion to much to hand to FEMA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-62-3-billion-to-much-to-hand-to-fema/320746)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2005, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-62-3-billion-to-much-to-hand-to-fema/320746 "2005-09-09T00:25:08Z")
Some of the “No” votes on this recent aid package think this is too much money to throw blindly at FEMA, and I agree. Thats over 100K for each citizen of Louisiana and Mississippi. Yes I know its not given to each perso… --- ## [And another thing...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-thing/320688)
**Author:** [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-another-thing/320688 "2005-09-08T19:01:51Z")
Why was there no provisions in NO and Louisiana to evacuate Hospitals and Nursing Homes? --- ## [Which murder is just?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-murder-is-just/320589)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-murder-is-just/320589 "2005-09-08T16:19:07Z")
PREMISE: We are trapped in a cave. RATIONALIZATION: Because we will not be rescued for many months, we must kill one person in order for the rest of us to survive. AGREEMENT AND CONSENT RATIONALIZATION: In order to… --- ## [USA the leader in democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-the-leader-in-democracy/320514)
**Author:** [@blackraven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blackraven)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-the-leader-in-democracy/320514 "2005-09-08T14:51:41Z")
Given that almost every US administration has declared to the world that they are and allways will be the beacon of light, the perfect example of a democracy and its people. Surely the aftermath of the recent and unfortu… --- ## [A vigilante is apparently hunting and killing sex offenders in Washington State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vigilante-is-apparently-hunting-and-killing-sex-offenders-in-washington-state/319836)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-vigilante-is-apparently-hunting-and-killing-sex-offenders-in-washington-state/319836 "2005-09-08T11:22:02Z")
Link: Two are dead, and a letter purportedly from the vigilante claims more to follow. (I didn’t link to the story in a more local paper, because the stories go to registration the following day. Click for the front pag… --- ## [What is the cause of Europe's "birth dearth" and "grayby boom"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cause-of-europes-birth-dearth-and-grayby-boom/320276)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-cause-of-europes-birth-dearth-and-grayby-boom/320276 "2005-09-08T10:49:27Z")
Maybe this belongs in GQ . . . but there might not be any clear, factual answer. Europeans have been pissing and moaning for a long time about their “birth dearth”: The average fertility rate in Europe is 1.45 children… --- ## [A NOLA judge for the Supreme Court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-nola-judge-for-the-supreme-court/320508)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-nola-judge-for-the-supreme-court/320508 "2005-09-08T03:03:21Z")
Just after Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote her resignation letter, two of the supposed names on the Bush short list were two conservative female judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, both based in … --- ## [Are Chertoff & Brown Toast?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chertoff-brown-toast/320583)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-chertoff-brown-toast/320583 "2005-09-08T02:19:02Z")
In today’s White House press briefing, Scott McClellan repeatedly refused to answer when asked point-blank if the President retained confidence in both men. (Relevant exchange posted below.) Is the White House taking t… --- ## [Why is Scalia not the lock down go-to guy by Bush for Chief Justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-scalia-not-the-lock-down-go-to-guy-by-bush-for-chief-justice/320190)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2005, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-scalia-not-the-lock-down-go-to-guy-by-bush-for-chief-justice/320190 "2005-09-08T00:03:25Z")
Less a debate than a sincere political realities question, but I think it would probably be better answered here than elsewhere. Mods move if you must. Why is reliable conservative Scalia not the automatic go-to guy for… --- ## [Why use G-d instead of God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-use-g-d-instead-of-god/320239)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-use-g-d-instead-of-god/320239 "2005-09-07T20:51:38Z")
From www.jewfaq.org But, after several years of using “G-d”, won’t the letters “G-d” represent the name of God just as much as the letters “God” do? After all, the name of God was originally written in Hebrew, so the … --- ## [New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin: Hero or Goat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-orleans-mayor-ray-nagin-hero-or-goat/320342)
**Author:** [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-orleans-mayor-ray-nagin-hero-or-goat/320342 "2005-09-07T17:24:44Z")
Mayor Nagin (who, by the way, is kinda cute, in a Vin Diesel way) has been getting a lot of press as a put-upon hot-head. Everyone feels sorry for him, of course, and the way he took FEMA and Bush to task was refreshing… --- ## [Chrisitan high schools suing the University of California](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrisitan-high-schools-suing-the-university-of-california/319669)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chrisitan-high-schools-suing-the-university-of-california/319669 "2005-09-07T16:22:25Z")
This story is from my alma mater’s newspaper for September 1, 2005. First I laughed at how ridiculous it was then I read the story again. On my rereading it, I got the impression that the Christian high schools concern… --- ## [Is it time to change our priorities on taxation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-change-our-priorities-on-taxation/320449)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-change-our-priorities-on-taxation/320449 "2005-09-07T15:17:41Z")
Funding for the levees kept getting cut & cut. I don’t know if it would’ve mattered, but its definately not a good thing. This is a result of a society that calls for endless tax cuts, the fact that infrastructure has to… --- ## [Do you believe in spiritual experiences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-in-spiritual-experiences/318744)
**Author:** [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-in-spiritual-experiences/318744 "2005-09-07T12:25:27Z")
You know, religious epiphanies, revelations, dawnings. Do you think they’re for real? --- ## [The Continued Existence of the DoHS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-continued-existence-of-the-dohs/320053)
**Author:** [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-continued-existence-of-the-dohs/320053 "2005-09-07T05:54:20Z")
With the attention focused this last week on the screwup in New Orleans, combined with the testimony out of Mississippi and Alabama that they also didn’t get any help, it seems to me that the very existence of the DoHS s… --- ## [Katrina = God's Wrath](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-gods-wrath/320255)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/katrina-gods-wrath/320255 "2005-09-07T04:24:16Z")
As a disclaimer, I’m not stating any definitive personal beliefs, just looking for opinions. A few prominent people have stated that Katrina is a result of God’s vengence on a sinful people (observable in this thread ).… --- ## [Could Katrina Cause a(n Economic) Recession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-katrina-cause-a-n-economic-recession/320101)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-katrina-cause-a-n-economic-recession/320101 "2005-09-07T03:20:56Z")
I’ve been wondering about the short and long term economic aspects of the hurricane. Hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost in the hurricane. This means that the people cannot pay their credit cards, the mortgage paym… --- ## [Race relations in America-What can I do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-relations-in-america-what-can-i-do/319597)
**Author:** [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-relations-in-america-what-can-i-do/319597 "2005-09-07T02:32:59Z")
Inspired by this thread, and more specifically the last line of this post. My background– I am a 50ish Southern white male. My parents were what I would call passive racists. We were never taught there was anything w… --- ## [Investigation into Gas Price Fixing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investigation-into-gas-price-fixing/320173)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investigation-into-gas-price-fixing/320173 "2005-09-07T02:30:10Z")
Consider how quickly gas companies raise prices during crises such as Kuwait and Katrina claiming higher current oil prices. Now consider how slow they are to lower prices by claiming delays in processing (oil bought to… --- ## [FEMA: Effective only for Bushes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fema-effective-only-for-bushes/320396)
**Author:** [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fema-effective-only-for-bushes/320396 "2005-09-07T01:11:23Z")
Not entirely a debate per se, but given how Great Debates seems to be the focal point for hashing out the political persepctive of FEMA and Hurricane Katrina, it seems like the right forum for this: So, did Mike Brown … --- ## [Who the hell is this Fema Director guy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-hell-is-this-fema-director-guy/320305)
**Author:** [@Soylent\_Gene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Gene)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-the-hell-is-this-fema-director-guy/320305 "2005-09-06T21:03:11Z")
I heard that he worked 11 years for an Arabian horse association before taking the reigns at FEMA. here he is His online resume at FEMA reportedly leaves out this fact. His only other experience in emergency response w… --- ## [Should FEMA build one big refugee camp for NO?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fema-build-one-big-refugee-camp-for-no/320220)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fema-build-one-big-refugee-camp-for-no/320220 "2005-09-06T20:45:18Z")
With the number of displaced persons in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, impromptu refugee camps are likely to spring up – and they’re likely to be breeding grounds for disease, owing to poor sanitation. Perhaps… --- ## [Fox News Spinning the Katrina Disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-spinning-the-katrina-disaster/319779)
**Author:** [@Soylent\_Gene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soylent_Gene)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fox-news-spinning-the-katrina-disaster/319779 "2005-09-06T18:57:52Z")
This morning I watched the Today Show lead story at 7:00, and then the Fox News lead story at 7:30. I may be comparing apples to oranges because of show formats, but the difference between the network reports could not … --- ## [Are people being unreasonable in criticizing the government(s)response to Katrina?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-being-unreasonable-in-criticizing-the-government-s-response-to-katrina/319678)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-being-unreasonable-in-criticizing-the-government-s-response-to-katrina/319678 "2005-09-06T16:07:37Z")
It’s 11:21 PM on Thursday night and I’m looking at this special on NBC right now about Katrina and it’s\_\_\_ just\_\_ fucking\_\_\_ unbelievable. Having heard complaints all day about the slow response of government I was sort … --- ## [Resolved: We Will Not Slam/Praise Adequacy Of Disaster Response Immediately](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-we-will-not-slam-praise-adequacy-of-disaster-response-immediately/319827)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2005, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-we-will-not-slam-praise-adequacy-of-disaster-response-immediately/319827 "2005-09-06T15:08:08Z")
What I’m seeing a lot of is like the self-righteous types who couldn’t scramble to their keyboards fast enough to blame Bush and the U.S. for their “shameful” and “pathetic” response to the tsunami (which didn’t take pla… --- ## [Why They Stayed: Hurricane Victims and Socio-Economic Class](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-they-stayed-hurricane-victims-and-socio-economic-class/319435)
**Author:** [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2005, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-they-stayed-hurricane-victims-and-socio-economic-class/319435 "2005-09-06T14:24:46Z")
While watching footage of the victim rescues on the news, I noted that nearly everyone I saw was black, and the roofs of the homes from which they were rescued were smallish. I asked my husband: “Was there a form of fre… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=853) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=855)