# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=103 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 104 --- ## [What would an "illegal nuclear strike order" be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-illegal-nuclear-strike-order-be/802023)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-illegal-nuclear-strike-order-be/802023 "2018-01-05T21:00:24Z")
I know this has been discussed here in the past but this comment by the commander of U.S. Strategic Command confused me: So when this has been discussed here and elsewhere, the general conclusion is that the president … --- ## [The best division of wealth in a society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-division-of-wealth-in-a-society/804193)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-division-of-wealth-in-a-society/804193 "2018-01-04T18:21:04Z")
In America, today, 10% of Americans own 75% of the total private wealth of the country. Most people likely think this is out of balance, that total private wealth should wind up being divided ‘more’ equitably. My ques… --- ## [Do hunted animals need heroin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hunted-animals-need-heroin/804968)
**Author:** [@Scott\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_H)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2018, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hunted-animals-need-heroin/804968 "2018-01-04T14:04:04Z")
Let us consider three alternatives. We can: Avoid hunting and let fate decide for the animal. Hunt animals for population control using standard bullets. Hunt animals for population control, but instead of bullets, use… --- ## [Criteria for a successful Trump administration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-a-successful-trump-administration/777349)
**Author:** [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criteria-for-a-successful-trump-administration/777349 "2018-01-03T00:03:35Z")
I take it as given that there is no shortage of anti-Trump and pro-Trump threads (and anti-Trump statements in pro-Trump threads and vice-versa), but I’m hoping to bypass the feelgood scorn and feelgood praise and boil d… --- ## ["Sanctuary cities" and federal laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanctuary-cities-and-federal-laws/792327)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 450\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanctuary-cities-and-federal-laws/792327 "2018-01-02T20:03:13Z")
Title 8 U.S. Code § 1324 “…any person who… knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that an alien has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of law, conceals, harbors, or shields from detecti… --- ## [Why are there taxes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-taxes/804949)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-taxes/804949 "2018-01-02T14:57:53Z")
Weird question, and I wasn’t sure where to put it. I don’t mean a historical explanation, I mean a justification in light of the fact that in the US economy anyway (and I’m referring specifically to economies that work … --- ## [Any chance for a Norway style prison in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-for-a-norway-style-prison-in-the-usa/804879)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2018, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-chance-for-a-norway-style-prison-in-the-usa/804879 "2018-01-02T10:31:04Z")
been reading up on the comparison of Norways prison system with the US. There are many online links and videos but a couple are HERE, andTHERE. As well as a movie on Netflix right now where the top officer at a Norway p… --- ## [IS the phrase "I don't see color" offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-phrase-i-dont-see-color-offensive/800234)
**Author:** [@Jake\_Bullet\_Traffic\_Control](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Bullet_Traffic_Control)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2018, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-phrase-i-dont-see-color-offensive/800234 "2018-01-01T01:37:49Z")
I follow a lot of people on Facebook and Twitter from all across the political spectrum and over the last year I’ve seen a big rise in the number of POC who consider the phrase ‘I don’t see color’ to be offensive. I am … --- ## [Another avenue for reaching the President is shut down "temorarily"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-avenue-for-reaching-the-president-is-shut-down-temorarily/804891)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2017, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-avenue-for-reaching-the-president-is-shut-down-temorarily/804891 "2017-12-31T03:24:42Z")
White House “temporarily” shuts down “We The People” petition site, after failing to follow their own rules and failing to officially follow up on 17 petitions that had each successfully gathered up the required 100,000 … --- ## [City of Philadelphia vs. storekeepers with protective-glass barriers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-of-philadelphia-vs-storekeepers-with-protective-glass-barriers/805020)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2017, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/city-of-philadelphia-vs-storekeepers-with-protective-glass-barriers/805020 "2017-12-30T03:55:10Z")
The city of Philadelphia may force certain storekeepers to remove protective-glass barriers in their stores, on the basis that such bullet-resistant glass is racially offensive by stereotyping customers as potential thre… --- ## [NYC murder up this year, union in fight with mayor blames mayor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-murder-up-this-year-union-in-fight-with-mayor-blames-mayor/721824)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-murder-up-this-year-union-in-fight-with-mayor-blames-mayor/721824 "2017-12-28T15:17:19Z")
The crime rate is now way up: Who could have predicted? --- ## [Should aborting a fetus with Down Syndrome be illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-aborting-a-fetus-with-down-syndrome-be-illegal/804444)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-aborting-a-fetus-with-down-syndrome-be-illegal/804444 "2017-12-28T00:30:21Z")
Heard this on NPRyesterday: Three debate topics: Independent of the current US jurisprudence on abortion, should women be allowed to abort a Down Syndrome fetus? Given the current US jurisprudence, and going by s… --- ## [Capital Move - Bonn to Berlin in 1999; How Did we Benefit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-move-bonn-to-berlin-in-1999-how-did-we-benefit/805170)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2017, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capital-move-bonn-to-berlin-in-1999-how-did-we-benefit/805170 "2017-12-27T13:07:47Z")
Many posters here argue that we should have received some “benefit” for moving the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This brings up an issue from the recent past; should we have moved the U.S. Embassy from Bonn to Berl… --- ## [Does the success of the "Me Too" movement ground on an abuse of presentism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-success-of-the-me-too-movement-ground-on-an-abuse-of-presentism/804378)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2017, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-success-of-the-me-too-movement-ground-on-an-abuse-of-presentism/804378 "2017-12-24T22:31:49Z")
I’ve always been a feminist. I find it unconceivable to think a person inferior on gender grounds. The other day someone on TV was arguing the recent manifestation of the #MeToo movement is an abuse of presentism. It is… --- ## [When Did the 'Modern Era' Begin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-modern-era-begin/798029)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-modern-era-begin/798029 "2017-12-23T18:10:48Z")
There seems to be a lot of disagreement about when the “modern era” began. I have heard a lot of interesting interpretations. One view, for example, says it began in 1492, with the (re-)discovery of America. Anyway, I w… --- ## [was the ufo ball lightning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-ufo-ball-lightning/804887)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2017, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-ufo-ball-lightning/804887 "2017-12-23T09:54:54Z")
There have been a lot of articles in the news lately about video footage of a ufo captured by a Navy pilot. None mention the possibility that it was ball lightning. I haven’t seen any comments on those articles talking a… --- ## [Colorblindness and genderblindness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorblindness-and-genderblindness/804207)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2017, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorblindness-and-genderblindness/804207 "2017-12-23T09:14:35Z")
I’ve been reading a lot lately that colorblindness is a sham and that it should be replaced by “race consciousness”. So some questions for debate: Is the goal still colorblindness for the majority of people who spend … --- ## [A big thread about consent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-thread-about-consent/804051)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [December 21, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-big-thread-about-consent/804051 "2017-12-21T20:03:04Z")
I see a lot of folks that express confusion about consent or something related to consent. I hear stuff like “Does that mean I can’t try to kiss my date?” or “am I gonna be fired for patting my co-worker on the shoulder… --- ## [Things that are always wrong vs. things only wrong in a certain era](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-always-wrong-vs-things-only-wrong-in-a-certain-era/804567)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-are-always-wrong-vs-things-only-wrong-in-a-certain-era/804567 "2017-12-20T20:31:35Z")
A combination tangent off of this thread and this thread: (To quote some posts from that thread, but removing the user names) : Most people would probably agree that certain things are wrong no matter what the histor… --- ## [Russian Foes of Putin to US Liberals: "STOP Making Putin Out to Be a Mastermind!!!!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-foes-of-putin-to-us-liberals-stop-making-putin-out-to-be-a-mastermind/804297)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2017, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-foes-of-putin-to-us-liberals-stop-making-putin-out-to-be-a-mastermind/804297 "2017-12-20T07:21:04Z")
Cite? Think about this. SUPPOSE that Vladimir Putin turns on CNN in his office, or looks at a translated copy of the Washington Post, or sees a subtitled tirade from Stephen Colbert or Rachel Maddow. All of them are s… --- ## [Seeking flavor suggestions for crow (@realDonaldTrump account public vs private)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-flavor-suggestions-for-crow-realdonaldtrump-account-public-vs-private/804497)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2017, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeking-flavor-suggestions-for-crow-realdonaldtrump-account-public-vs-private/804497 "2017-12-19T15:35:33Z")
Some time back, I argued strongly here that the Twitter account @realDonaldTrump was not a limited public forum for the purposes of First Amendment analysis. Without restating my excellent arguments at the time, I would… --- ## [What's the non-American view on the current sexual harassment situation in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-non-american-view-on-the-current-sexual-harassment-situation-in-america/804614)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-non-american-view-on-the-current-sexual-harassment-situation-in-america/804614 "2017-12-18T16:12:16Z")
Famous men being accused of sexual harassment and/or sexual assault has been a major issue in the last couple of months here in America. And I’m guessing non-Americans are aware of this because whatever happens in Americ… --- ## [Mormons: Automatic Heaven before Age 8?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormons-automatic-heaven-before-age-8/804631)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormons-automatic-heaven-before-age-8/804631 "2017-12-18T13:12:15Z")
In this thread (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=844860), someone states that one Mormon belief is that anyone who dies before age 8 gets an automatic pass to heaven. The inference is then made that … --- ## [Sexual Harassment Accusations from one person, dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-harassment-accusations-from-one-person-dangerous/801614)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2017, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-harassment-accusations-from-one-person-dangerous/801614 "2017-12-18T06:10:41Z")
This came up in an IMHO thread where a guy was worried about sexual harassment allegations, and his solution was to never do one-on-one discussions with subordinates so there would always be a witness. I, and several oth… --- ## [Is this real? UFO thread revisited.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-real-ufo-thread-revisited/804706)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-real-ufo-thread-revisited/804706 "2017-12-17T15:37:34Z")
This looks very real to me. Can anyone explain it? This is a sincere request. The video is the one called Gimbal. https://www.google.com/search?q=ufo+gimbal&client=tablet-android-samsung&prmd=svni&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa… --- ## [Will 12/16/2017 be commemerated as "Disclose Day" by all future generations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-12-16-2017-be-commemerated-as-disclose-day-by-all-future-generations/804702)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-12-16-2017-be-commemerated-as-disclose-day-by-all-future-generations/804702 "2017-12-17T13:01:19Z")
Pretty legit! If there is a thread in progress maybe someone will be kind enough to link. IMHO we may need Cecil for this one! https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=%23&ved=0ahUKEwjY1\_Gi8JDYAhVDxCYKHdnWAn… --- ## [Shouldn't Christians praise abortion doctors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-christians-praise-abortion-doctors/804589)
**Author:** [@nate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nate)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2017, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-christians-praise-abortion-doctors/804589 "2017-12-17T03:41:48Z")
…or at the very least, turn a genuine blind eye towards abortion? I was at work the other day, one of my co-workers, who is also a pastor, (who is the poster child of Trump supporter and completely lives inside the righ… --- ## [morality vs. pragmatism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-vs-pragmatism/804608)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-vs-pragmatism/804608 "2017-12-16T19:06:34Z")
In another discussion, an extreme course of action was proposed, to which I responded that it would be a bad idea because, while one might derive personal satisfaction from it, the greater lasting effect would be the opp… --- ## [\[Politician\] would do anything for money - sexual?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politician-would-do-anything-for-money-sexual/804293)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2017, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politician-would-do-anything-for-money-sexual/804293 "2017-12-14T21:16:00Z")
Trump sends sexually suggestive and demeaning tweet about Gillibrand “Would do anything for money” is a pretty standard, non-sexual, insult, and in particular when directed at politicians, whose willingness to sell the… --- ## [How will the new tax reform affect the poor and middle class?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-new-tax-reform-affect-the-poor-and-middle-class/800844)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2017, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-new-tax-reform-affect-the-poor-and-middle-class/800844 "2017-12-14T20:36:53Z")
There is a lot of deduction eliminations that appear to be intended for the poor and middle class. I’m wondering how this is going to affect everyone and the country. A politician tweeted out an image of the reform remo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=102) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=104)