# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=856 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 857 --- ## [Translation ethics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-ethics/319722)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/translation-ethics/319722 "2005-09-02T18:38:56Z")
For a creative writing class I teach, I’m thinking of an oddball assignment for my students (English majors, for the most part, and seniors, if that matters): “Take a much-translated story, originally written in a langu… --- ## [Why Not refugee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-refugee/319706)
**Author:** [@kingpengvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kingpengvin)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-refugee/319706 "2005-09-02T17:37:51Z")
I’ve been watching the coverage of the disaster in the States and I’ve noticed the media prefers to refer to those left behind or fleeing as “Evacuees(?!)”, which seemed odd to me because, to be honest, I think at this … --- ## [What if the United States had annexed Mexico in 1848?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-united-states-had-annexed-mexico-in-1848/319587)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-united-states-had-annexed-mexico-in-1848/319587 "2005-09-02T16:25:07Z")
Inspired by this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=332527 According to a recent Pew poll (http://pewhispanic.org/reports/report.php?ReportID=52), four of every ten Mexicans surveyed would like… --- ## [What To Do With 7' Below Sea Level?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-7-below-sea-level/319727)
**Author:** [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-7-below-sea-level/319727 "2005-09-02T16:21:41Z")
The city of New Orleans, citizens, politicians, and U.S.Corps of Engineers were delelict in their duty to protect the city with substantial dikes/leveesto keep out the water. One trip to the Netherlands should convince a… --- ## [Motorcycling, the US vs Europe.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycling-the-us-vs-europe/319630)
**Author:** [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycling-the-us-vs-europe/319630 "2005-09-02T15:20:04Z")
With the increase in gas prices I suspect that more people will either turn to motorcycles or begin to use the motorcycles they have for primary transportation. Many people already do so in Europe. What I propose is th… --- ## [Get the Hell out of Dodge, or Up Above Sea Level, At Least](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-the-hell-out-of-dodge-or-up-above-sea-level-at-least/319269)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-the-hell-out-of-dodge-or-up-above-sea-level-at-least/319269 "2005-09-02T13:05:37Z")
This NYT editorial gives the briefest summary of the challenges that face places like New Orleans I could find. I’m sure you could find far more comprehensive treatises discussing the dire predicament of Gulf Coast/Delt… --- ## ['London bomber' video aired on TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-bomber-video-aired-on-tv/319636)
**Author:** [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-bomber-video-aired-on-tv/319636 "2005-09-02T08:35:37Z")
A video of a man claiming to be one of the four bombers behind the 7 July Tube attacks which killed 52 people has been shown on Arab TV. Apparently it is all our fault. Where this is going on he doesn’t say. He also… --- ## [Why didn't John Kerry run Simpsons clips in his campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-john-kerry-run-simpsons-clips-in-his-campaign/319450)
**Author:** [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-john-kerry-run-simpsons-clips-in-his-campaign/319450 "2005-09-02T08:29:16Z")
With no exaggeration, the episode where Sideshow Bob is elected mayor (Season 6 - Sideshow Bob Roberts) seems eerily prescient in how Bush ran his campaign. They even had Sideshow Bob accusing his opponent of being a fl… --- ## [Should a state or city have the right to secede from the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-state-or-city-have-the-right-to-secede-from-the-usa/319335)
**Author:** [@Kyle\_Rayner1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyle_Rayner1)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-state-or-city-have-the-right-to-secede-from-the-usa/319335 "2005-09-02T06:32:34Z")
Okay, first of all I want to say I understand why secession is illegal I mean I can understand why the government wouldn’t want to lose a valuable piece of land and tax-paying citizens. Shouldn’t a governor or mayor with… --- ## [Looters: Shoot on sight?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looters-shoot-on-sight/319528)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looters-shoot-on-sight/319528 "2005-09-02T04:06:54Z")
With looting so rampant in New Orleans, I got to wondering … what is the proper response? The legal response, of course, is to do nothing, since there isn’t enough law enforcement manpower to stop/arrest them (the cops/N… --- ## [Will Bush allow Obrador to become president of Mexico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bush-allow-obrador-to-become-president-of-mexico/318847)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bush-allow-obrador-to-become-president-of-mexico/318847 "2005-09-01T17:04:31Z")
Inspired by this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=331690 Also by this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=329191 I heard on the radio today that at present, Manuel L… --- ## [the benfits of high gas prices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-benfits-of-high-gas-prices/245383)
**Author:** [@komrade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/komrade)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-benfits-of-high-gas-prices/245383 "2005-09-01T16:59:29Z")
less cars on the road rush hour would be sane fewer traffic accidents/ fatalities cheaper car insurance lower polution levels fewer wasteful/unnescessary trips decrease in “road rage incidents” improved bus/transi… --- ## [What if the U.S. (and Canada) opened the border with Mexico?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-u-s-and-canada-opened-the-border-with-mexico/319281)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-u-s-and-canada-opened-the-border-with-mexico/319281 "2005-09-01T16:25:52Z")
In this thread on Mexican presidential candidate Manuel Lopez Obrador – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=332073 – Evil Captor mentioned (without citing) a recent Pew poll showing that roughly half of … --- ## [Constitutional experts, critique the Iraqi constitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-experts-critique-the-iraqi-constitution/318291)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-experts-critique-the-iraqi-constitution/318291 "2005-09-01T12:33:00Z")
Most of the discussion about Iraq’s constitution has focused on the political process around getting it passed. I haven’t seen a ton of discussion about the actual text. But today the papers have a link to the document… --- ## [Did Jesus call scripture the word of God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-call-scripture-the-word-of-god/318091)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-call-scripture-the-word-of-god/318091 "2005-09-01T11:25:20Z")
I was discussing Jesus, and scripture, with a lady, and she was surprised that the Bible didn’t tell of any time Jesus refered to the scriptures as the Word of God. In my remembering of reading, Jesus mentioned that Scri… --- ## [Bible 101 - differences between versions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-101-differences-between-versions/316795)
**Author:** [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-101-differences-between-versions/316795 "2005-09-01T07:50:22Z")
Mods: Please feel free to move this to GD or wherever else it may be appropriate. I’m not looking for a debate, just a factual answer, if there is one. I need to read the Bible for school this year - basically, in an a… --- ## [How's the 'Bush Economy' doing now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bush-economy-doing-now/314834)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hows-the-bush-economy-doing-now/314834 "2005-09-01T04:28:25Z")
A few years ago, there were plenty of threads criticising the economic performance of the Bush administration. Lots of threads decrying the loss of jobs, the deficits, the tax cuts, benefiting the rich against the poor,… --- ## [When do expect the cost of gas to be "passed on to the consumer"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-expect-the-cost-of-gas-to-be-passed-on-to-the-consumer/319148)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-expect-the-cost-of-gas-to-be-passed-on-to-the-consumer/319148 "2005-09-01T04:26:07Z")
With the surge in gas prices I’ve heard the public complain about getting hit at the pump, and airlines complain about the cost (but what else is new, aren’t they always complining about losing money). But I haven’t hea… --- ## [Is Global Warming the (partial) cause of Katrina?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-global-warming-the-partial-cause-of-katrina/319486)
**Author:** [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-global-warming-the-partial-cause-of-katrina/319486 "2005-09-01T04:06:49Z")
I guess this thread is an attempt to focus a question being posed in different threads, most of which seem to be about blaming than about facts. So, what is the evidence that Global Warming is a contributing factor to t… --- ## [Did King Charles I really deserve his fate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-king-charles-i-really-deserve-his-fate/318398)
**Author:** [@Sarah\_Woodruff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarah_Woodruff)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-king-charles-i-really-deserve-his-fate/318398 "2005-08-31T21:20:48Z")
Charles I was executed in 1649 on the orders of Cromwell after being found guilty of high treason. Between 1629 and 1640 he had refused to call Parliament - From this site \[which may have a bit of familial bias, but don… --- ## [Is zero a finite number?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-zero-a-finite-number/319063)
**Author:** [@Mariemarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mariemarie)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-zero-a-finite-number/319063 "2005-08-31T21:06:21Z")
So, my friend was talking about how an electronic (musical) keyboard works, saying “the processor scans the switch states, so even if you press F and G at exactly the same time, there is a finite interval between the mom… --- ## [Should Plans To Reconstruct New Orleans Be Abandoned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-plans-to-reconstruct-new-orleans-be-abandoned/319415)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-plans-to-reconstruct-new-orleans-be-abandoned/319415 "2005-08-31T16:11:27Z")
Life is hard, & fiscal realities are harder still, & cold. There will be future hurricanes. New Orleans’ cultural life grew in its seedy, run-down disctricts, which are now gone forever. As is its culture. You can bui… --- ## [How are high oil prices affecting your life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-high-oil-prices-affecting-your-life/318893)
**Author:** [@contradancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/contradancer)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-high-oil-prices-affecting-your-life/318893 "2005-08-31T14:25:07Z")
I drive about 275 miles a week and there is no getting around that. I used to take a trip on the weekends to the closest town, about 60 miles RT, but I’ve cut that out because it’s too expensive. My car gets about 36mp… --- ## [Pre-hurricane registration: feasible? How helpful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-hurricane-registration-feasible-how-helpful/319373)
**Author:** [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-hurricane-registration-feasible-how-helpful/319373 "2005-08-31T14:10:52Z")
This is an idea of mine: that before a hurricane rolls in, states in the affected region set up online websites/phone-based databases where residents fill out a short form indicating their intent to either flee or ride … --- ## [If you support the troops you support the war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-support-the-troops-you-support-the-war/318561)
**Author:** [@contradancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/contradancer)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-support-the-troops-you-support-the-war/318561 "2005-08-31T12:07:42Z")
This statement was the basis for a discussion on a conservative radio talk show this morning. It’s about the most asinine thing I have ever heard. “He” said he wanted to get on top of this situation (they are "marching… --- ## [Age of consent, again](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-again/318158)
**Author:** [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-again/318158 "2005-08-31T08:50:28Z")
From this week’s News of the Weird, published in our very own Chicago Reader: Link to full column: http://www.newsoftheweird.com/archive/nw050814.html I know that the board has discussed this issue before (even thoug… --- ## [Masked Vigilantism. Is it morally eithical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masked-vigilantism-is-it-morally-eithical/318955)
**Author:** [@Kyle\_Rayner1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyle_Rayner1)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/masked-vigilantism-is-it-morally-eithical/318955 "2005-08-31T08:40:17Z")
I know real life masked vigilantes are few to none existant (I only know of a few but they don’t really fit the same mold as the costumed vigilantes in comics) but why would their actions be unethical if they were preval… --- ## [Why can't we just leave Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-just-leave-iraq/318567)
**Author:** [@contradancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/contradancer)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-just-leave-iraq/318567 "2005-08-31T06:58:42Z")
Okay, okay. I know it’s a little more complicated than that. But, Bush doesn’t seem to think so. It’s seems like a personal thing with him, this idea of not turning and running. but, what’s so bad about that? I say… --- ## [Does a Bigger College Mean a "Better Education"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bigger-college-mean-a-better-education/318374)
**Author:** [@souroranges](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/souroranges)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-bigger-college-mean-a-better-education/318374 "2005-08-31T06:39:31Z")
Hello everyone! This thread is basically about the value of community colleges vs. private and public colleges. Are there any comm. colleges that offer 4 year (not just associate degrees, or 2 year) programs like “other… --- ## [Iraq, federalism, and "consociational democracy"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-federalism-and-consociational-democracy/319072)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2005, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-federalism-and-consociational-democracy/319072 "2005-08-31T05:34:50Z")
One of the so-called “sticking points” holding up adoption of a new constitution for Iraq (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/08/22/iraq.main/) is that there is no clear consensus on the very form and structure of the s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=855) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=857)