# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=863 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 864 --- ## [Iraq war, a resource war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-a-resource-war/315434)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-a-resource-war/315434 "2005-08-04T16:03:41Z")
I posted this here because it seems like the most appropriate area, I could be wrong as I often am though, so throw me where I belong if need be. Okay no matter your political leanings, can you say wrong or right and wh… --- ## [Is the killing of these Marines in Iraq a terrorist act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-killing-of-these-marines-in-iraq-a-terrorist-act/315399)
**Author:** [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-killing-of-these-marines-in-iraq-a-terrorist-act/315399 "2005-08-04T15:53:24Z")
Related to a similar question I posed in this thread (post #108); were the people who killed these Marines in Iraq terrorists? Why or why not? Show your work. :wink: Here’s the gist of the story– If you’re curious, … --- ## [Can Ideology Constitute Extraordinary Circumstances? Some Scenarios.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ideology-constitute-extraordinary-circumstances-some-scenarios/312002)
**Author:** [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2005, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-ideology-constitute-extraordinary-circumstances-some-scenarios/312002 "2005-08-04T14:32:31Z")
Since at least the Bork nomination, one strong interpretation of the Senate’s constitutional duty to “advise and consent” on judicial nominees – propounded by Orrin Hatch, among others – has been that senators cannot pro… --- ## [Iraq War, a civil war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-a-civil-war/315534)
**Author:** [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2005, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraq-war-a-civil-war/315534 "2005-08-04T06:32:24Z")
It looks to me like Sunnis (assisted by foreign jihadis) fighting Shi’a, Kurds, Americans and “the coalition” (British). How is this not a Civil War and how will we know when it becomes a Civil War? --- ## [Religious experiences, truth and opinions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-experiences-truth-and-opinions/314008)
**Author:** [@Nature\_s\_Call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nature_s_Call)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2005, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-experiences-truth-and-opinions/314008 "2005-08-04T01:42:52Z")
What is behind experiences of religious ecstacy? Have you experienced a euphoria that you (or some) would attribute to contacting God? Have you entered some kind of religious “altered state”? Have you ever spoken in t… --- ## [Muslim murdered in England. Do we all act the same, regarding terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslim-murdered-in-england-do-we-all-act-the-same-regarding-terrorism/314866)
**Author:** [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/muslim-murdered-in-england-do-we-all-act-the-same-regarding-terrorism/314866 "2005-08-04T00:00:05Z")
I can remember the outrage when muslim schools were set afire in the Netherlands after Theo van Gogh was butchered by a muslim. And rightly so, ofcourse. Nothing has been mentioned on our news, or here, at the SDMB, but… --- ## [Baptism is so nice, I had to do it twice!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baptism-is-so-nice-i-had-to-do-it-twice/315181)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2005, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baptism-is-so-nice-i-had-to-do-it-twice/315181 "2005-08-03T23:57:27Z")
Hi guys 'n gals. I was just talking with my mother, who is begging me to come to hear this preacher at her church who is visiting this week. During the conversation she said she was moved to be re-baptised by his last … --- ## [Frist Reversal On Stem Cells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-reversal-on-stem-cells/315482)
**Author:** [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frist-reversal-on-stem-cells/315482 "2005-08-03T21:50:36Z")
Would-be 2008 contender Bill Frist has changed his position Predictably, he was not invited to an important evangelical rally. Was the majority leader, who diagnosed Terri Schiavo using a videotape, finally persuaded… --- ## [For US business and government, “English only” is becoming worse than protectionism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-business-and-government-english-only-is-becoming-worse-than-protectionism/314804)
**Author:** [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-us-business-and-government-english-only-is-becoming-worse-than-protectionism/314804 "2005-08-03T15:53:56Z")
Protectionism as in government and business protecting local industry against cheaper goods from other countries. It would be surprising to know that even though I am mostly a liberal fellow, I do agree with the evidence… --- ## [Could Imperialism happen again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-imperialism-happen-again/315285)
**Author:** [@ParadoxMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParadoxMan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-imperialism-happen-again/315285 "2005-08-02T22:42:51Z")
Or better put, is it very likely that Imperialism will ever happen again, with multiple world-spanning empires competing for natural resources and colonial development? Or is the cost to expand and maintain such an empi… --- ## [Ethical to have your pet cloned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-have-your-pet-cloned/315147)
**Author:** [@Thin\_Lizzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thin_Lizzy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-have-your-pet-cloned/315147 "2005-08-02T22:34:21Z")
If you had a loved pet that died, would it be ethical to have it cloned? Discuss. --- ## [Regnum Christi/Legionaries Of Christ: Question For Hardcore Right Wing Catholics Only](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regnum-christi-legionaries-of-christ-question-for-hardcore-right-wing-catholics-only/315342)
**Author:** [@SemperFi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SemperFi)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regnum-christi-legionaries-of-christ-question-for-hardcore-right-wing-catholics-only/315342 "2005-08-02T19:27:33Z")
I’m not suggesting right-wing Catholics are nutjobs, nor soliciting opinions on whether orthodox Catholicism is good or bad. Just a simple question for those who are (or have been) in that world. A Catholic friend has … --- ## [Ebonics: a bad idea becomes a horrible reality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebonics-a-bad-idea-becomes-a-horrible-reality/313062)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 597\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebonics-a-bad-idea-becomes-a-horrible-reality/313062 "2005-08-02T18:35:18Z")
I just read in the San Bernardino News that ebonics is not only back on the table, but is being instituted. The impetus is unfortunate fact thet the blacks in the area do not do well in school and don’t go to college. S… --- ## [Pentagon squelches release of Iraq torture videos - what's the excuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-squelches-release-of-iraq-torture-videos-whats-the-excuse/314285)
**Author:** [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-squelches-release-of-iraq-torture-videos-whats-the-excuse/314285 "2005-08-02T16:42:52Z")
Sneaking in under the radar of our “liberal” media recently is this doozy: Actually, according to Seymour Hersh, the stuff includes sodomy of young boys and raping of Iraqi women; I guess that falls under “lewd acts.” … --- ## [are there ways to get political accountability on an international scale, should we](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-ways-to-get-political-accountability-on-an-international-scale-should-we/314930)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-ways-to-get-political-accountability-on-an-international-scale-should-we/314930 "2005-08-02T16:05:00Z")
One of the major problems when it comes to war and human rights abuses has been lack of accountability on the part of those who make the decisions. Hopefully this will not descend into a Bush bashing thread, but who kno… --- ## [Questions for John (Roberts, candidate for Supreme Court Justice)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-john-roberts-candidate-for-supreme-court-justice/314115)
**Author:** [@rwjefferson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwjefferson)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-for-john-roberts-candidate-for-supreme-court-justice/314115 "2005-08-02T14:12:43Z")
Do you hold it to be a self-evident truth, that all are endowed with the Rights of Life, Liberty & Pursuit? If you are called to judge, will you do your best to secure these rights for each? If not, why not? Peace O… --- ## [Why maintain the Imperial System?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-maintain-the-imperial-system/315081)
**Author:** [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-maintain-the-imperial-system/315081 "2005-08-02T13:17:40Z")
From the Asahi Shimbun: They say that as though it’s a bad thing. Seriously, what are the arguments in favor of Japan maintaining the Imperial system? Arguments against, I think, would include: \[ol\]\[li\]It elevates o… --- ## [There is no "Curve" in scientific progress.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-curve-in-scientific-progress/313542)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-curve-in-scientific-progress/313542 "2005-08-02T12:11:38Z")
Here’s an article in the Washington post about the so-called “Curve” in technological progress (actually, the standard book review that is so detailed that you never actually have to read the book). Here’s a quote (from … --- ## [Toughest Sport to be an Elite Athlete](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toughest-sport-to-be-an-elite-athlete/313242)
**Author:** [@John\_Stewart\_Pie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stewart_Pie)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/toughest-sport-to-be-an-elite-athlete/313242 "2005-08-02T06:29:23Z")
Which sport in the toughest to be an elite athlete in? My vote is for running. First, nearly every society and country participates in this sport. Sure more Americans may dream of being pro baseball players, but how kids… --- ## [So why are alcohol and tobacco legal while marijuana is illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-are-alcohol-and-tobacco-legal-while-marijuana-is-illegal/310847)
**Author:** [@wolfman97](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman97)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-are-alcohol-and-tobacco-legal-while-marijuana-is-illegal/310847 "2005-08-02T00:55:53Z")
PriceGuy suggested that this forum was the better place to post this question, because there were “knowledgeable people” here. In http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_225.html Cecil asks rhetorically: Why is marij… --- ## [Is the movie "Queimada" based on anything real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-queimada-based-on-anything-real/315231)
**Author:** [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2005, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-movie-queimada-based-on-anything-real/315231 "2005-08-02T00:45:20Z")
I assume the title is clear. I looked around, but the only “Queimada” I found is a small desert Brazilian island. --- ## [Improving conditions in Southern Europe. Possibilities for Latin America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-conditions-in-southern-europe-possibilities-for-latin-america/314655)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improving-conditions-in-southern-europe-possibilities-for-latin-america/314655 "2005-08-01T21:49:58Z")
I can recall a time when Southern Europe–Spain, southern Italy and Sicily, and Greece had the reputation of being markedly poorer than the northern countries. I don’t know how much that perception was based in reality,… --- ## [Karl Marx win's BBC's "greatest philosopher" poll. WTF?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-marx-wins-bbcs-greatest-philosopher-poll-wtf/312592)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-marx-wins-bbcs-greatest-philosopher-poll-wtf/312592 "2005-08-01T20:39:30Z")
The BBC ran an online poll on who is the greatest philosopher of all time, and Karl Marx won with a 27% plurality, beating out Hume, Wittgenstein, Nietzche and Kant. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/11714… --- ## [Are muslim fundamentalism & conservative politics two sides of the same revolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-muslim-fundamentalism-conservative-politics-two-sides-of-the-same-revolution/314912)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-muslim-fundamentalism-conservative-politics-two-sides-of-the-same-revolution/314912 "2005-08-01T20:35:09Z")
FTR, I am not comparing american conservatives to muslim fundamentalists in any moral sense of the word, just talking about their underlying motives and wondering if they are in a way two sides of the same revolt. First … --- ## [Child Support and the Stolen Sperm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-and-the-stolen-sperm/314090)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/child-support-and-the-stolen-sperm/314090 "2005-08-01T15:44:40Z")
From this story (free registration required). The story in short: In 1997, Deon Francois and his wife Chaamel were married. After five years of trying to conceive a child, the couple went to NYU medical center for hel… --- ## [King Fahd's Death Reported; Implications for Oil, Succession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-fahds-death-reported-implications-for-oil-succession/315106)
**Author:** [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/king-fahds-death-reported-implications-for-oil-succession/315106 "2005-08-01T13:33:45Z")
Reuters has reported that Saudi King Fahd has died, citing an unidentified diplomat. Any guesses as to the implications for the oil market and how the succession may work out? September Brent crude is up 50 cents to $59… --- ## [Do we have a say \[in our own evolution\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-a-say-in-our-own-evolution/314872)
**Author:** [@seetha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seetha)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-a-say-in-our-own-evolution/314872 "2005-08-01T11:34:15Z")
im guessing we humans are the first species in earth’s history to be aware of the fact there “there is something called evolution going on” and all its profound implications. we usually speak only in terms of environmen… --- ## [Space Shuttle Indefinitely Grounded. What are the Implications?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-shuttle-indefinitely-grounded-what-are-the-implications/314506)
**Author:** [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2005, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-shuttle-indefinitely-grounded-what-are-the-implications/314506 "2005-08-01T07:52:40Z")
NASA this afternoon announced it is grounding all future space shuttle flights, after determining that the same foam debris that destroyed Columbia remains a risk. The surprise announcement came amid growing speculation … --- ## [Are humans biologically monogamous? You The Owners Manual](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-biologically-monogamous-you-the-owners-manual/314623)
**Author:** [@I\_Know\_Nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Nothing)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2005, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-biologically-monogamous-you-the-owners-manual/314623 "2005-07-31T22:39:49Z")
I am reading the book You, The Owners Manual and in the chapter about sex it states “Humans are biologically - if not always socially - monogamous creatures.” It was not anything he was trying to prove, just a quick com… --- ## [Should the White House Turn Over Roberts' Papers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-white-house-turn-over-roberts-papers/314739)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2005, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-white-house-turn-over-roberts-papers/314739 "2005-07-31T20:38:06Z")
The White House has rebuffed the requests of Senate Democrats to turn over Supreme court nominee John Robert’s papers dating from the time he was in the solicitor general’s office. Their reasoning is that it would viola… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=862) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=864)