# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=105 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 106 --- ## [Was the Ben Hai river in Vietnam a pre-colonial dividing line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-ben-hai-river-in-vietnam-a-pre-colonial-dividing-line/803017)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-ben-hai-river-in-vietnam-a-pre-colonial-dividing-line/803017 "2017-12-01T04:03:58Z")
Hi I haven’t been able to establish whether the Ben Hai river in Vietnam was a pre-colonial dividing line that separated northern Vietnam from southern Vietnam during the dynastic struggles in ancient/pre-French colonia… --- ## [Why the venom for Hillary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-venom-for-hillary/800744)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-venom-for-hillary/800744 "2017-11-30T19:09:07Z")
My wife and I have had a couple of instances lately, when folk of the conservative persuasion with whom we are somewhat friendly totally went off on Hillary. One woman repeatedly called her a cunt, and the guy called he… --- ## [Why are today's absolute rulers called 'presidents'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-todays-absolute-rulers-called-presidents/802264)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2017, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-todays-absolute-rulers-called-presidents/802264 "2017-11-30T00:13:59Z")
This irks me. When googling the difference between a monarchy and a republic, one can immediately read: “The major difference between a republic and a monarchy is the fact that a monarchy is ruled by a monarch, i.e. a k… --- ## [Is "Cultural Marxism" a real thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cultural-marxism-a-real-thing/801026)
**Author:** [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cultural-marxism-a-real-thing/801026 "2017-11-29T22:45:28Z")
It seems to be the right’s boogeyman du jour, at least in some circles. Or rather, has been for a little while now. But what are they actually talking about? I’m moderately familiar with the works of Marx and the history… --- ## [Is "Hollywood" more driven by liberal secularism or money? (Regarding Hannity's new film)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hollywood-more-driven-by-liberal-secularism-or-money-regarding-hannitys-new-film/800108)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2017, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hollywood-more-driven-by-liberal-secularism-or-money-regarding-hannitys-new-film/800108 "2017-11-29T22:29:31Z")
Yes, if you haven’t heard Sean Hannity is now a film producer with Let There Be Light, a traditional values movie opening this weekend. Predictably, the reviews are not kind to it: Of course the political right is a… --- ## [Health Insurance Is a Scam, Why Do People Buy It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-is-a-scam-why-do-people-buy-it/617414)
**Author:** [@curioushat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curioushat)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2017, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-insurance-is-a-scam-why-do-people-buy-it/617414 "2017-11-29T19:18:16Z")
Hello, When an individual buys insurance, for example life insurance, one is paying a small premium to insure against a catastrophic event. In this case, dying. Everyone knows that on average, the insurance company make… --- ## [Supreme Court declines to hear gun cases](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-gun-cases/802964)
**Author:** [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-gun-cases/802964 "2017-11-29T18:01:05Z")
According to this story, the Supreme Court declined to hear two gun control cases, thereby allowing to stand gun control laws in Maryland and Florida. Not trying to debate, but weren’t cases like this the reason why peo… --- ## [Who is the acting deputy director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-acting-deputy-director-of-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau/802805)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2017, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-acting-deputy-director-of-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau/802805 "2017-11-29T15:10:29Z")
Story here. TL;DR: The departing director appointed a deputy director before he left. The law creating the agency says that person is the acting director until a new appointee is confirmed. Trump says that he picks s… --- ## [What investments and reforms would help wealthy democracies increase their gdp and quality of life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-investments-and-reforms-would-help-wealthy-democracies-increase-their-gdp-and-quality-of-life/802841)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2017, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-investments-and-reforms-would-help-wealthy-democracies-increase-their-gdp-and-quality-of-life/802841 "2017-11-28T19:50:05Z")
The reforms and investments needed in developing countries to see an increase in their human capital and gdp seem to be mostly agreed on. Investments (both public and private) in education, Healthcare, electrification, … --- ## [Bill Clinton and Jones/Willey/Broaddrick, revisited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-and-jones-willey-broaddrick-revisited/802564)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2017, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-and-jones-willey-broaddrick-revisited/802564 "2017-11-28T18:25:03Z")
Back during the 1990s, Richard Mellon Scaife’s hirelings dug up all the dirt they could find on Bill Clinton, and threw it at him in the hopes that some of it would stick. At the end of the 1990s, that was pretty much w… --- ## [Cognitive effects of masturbatory fantasizing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cognitive-effects-of-masturbatory-fantasizing/802072)
**Author:** [@Scott\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_H)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cognitive-effects-of-masturbatory-fantasizing/802072 "2017-11-26T15:31:37Z")
I apologize to squeamish posters who think this subject is “taboo” and not worth discussing, but I do not share their views. While masturbation was once frowned upon and considered to cause a variety of illnesses, it is… --- ## [Black on Black crime far outnumbers White on Black crime, why no discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-on-black-crime-far-outnumbers-white-on-black-crime-why-no-discussion/797524)
**Author:** [@smsaks2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smsaks2000)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2017, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-on-black-crime-far-outnumbers-white-on-black-crime-why-no-discussion/797524 "2017-11-26T13:55:22Z")
Here’s a link to FBI data: You can see that black on black murder far outstrips the number of whites murdering African Americans. Why is this not mentioned by Democrats? Why are the NFL players not taking a knee or … --- ## [Self driving cars, kill one of me or two of them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-cars-kill-one-of-me-or-two-of-them/802345)
**Author:** [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-cars-kill-one-of-me-or-two-of-them/802345 "2017-11-26T01:55:58Z")
I came across the article and it does raise an interesting point, I hadn’t thought about it. Situations like this happen all the time today of course, but I don’t believe in the vast majority of cases people really have… --- ## [Is the United States of America a nation-state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-united-states-of-america-a-nation-state/230045)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2017, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-united-states-of-america-a-nation-state/230045 "2017-11-25T22:41:53Z")
In the course of a GD thread, “Do we really need fifty states?” (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=239981), The\_Broken\_Column made the following assertion: To which I responded: This fundamental di… --- ## [How might an autonomous vehicle handle this driving situation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-an-autonomous-vehicle-handle-this-driving-situation/802409)
**Author:** [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2017, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-an-autonomous-vehicle-handle-this-driving-situation/802409 "2017-11-25T05:53:36Z")
Forget running over Girl Scouts to save the occupant of the vehicle. Here’s a driving situation I encounter fairly frequently. Assume there’s a two-lane (each direction) road in a metro area. The right-hand (curbside)… --- ## [Why does College Tuition out-pace inflation ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-college-tuition-out-pace-inflation/800198)
**Author:** [@Tempe\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tempe_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2017, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-college-tuition-out-pace-inflation/800198 "2017-11-23T00:02:28Z")
Many people want College affordable but, tuition is increasing far faster than inflation. What can be done to curb this? More Government money is, obviously not the answer. The dynamic for Government-run Health-Care may … --- ## [The mess in Zimbabwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mess-in-zimbabwe/802095)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mess-in-zimbabwe/802095 "2017-11-21T20:39:17Z")
This isn’t going to end well and Zimbabwe is already in an awful situation. Mugabe was expected to go on TV today and announce his resignation. Instead, BBC news has just reported that Mugabe has vowed to stay on. Earl… --- ## [Pro-life Atheists: An Argument to Oppose Abortion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-atheists-an-argument-to-oppose-abortion/800094)
**Author:** [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Replies:** 204\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-atheists-an-argument-to-oppose-abortion/800094 "2017-11-21T16:53:32Z")
I’ll preface this thread with an admission that I don’t believe I am the best person to debate this because I am not trained in debate, but I also don’t believe IMHO is the best forum for yet another discussion about abo… --- ## [Gun Control; Toddlers Shooting People](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-toddlers-shooting-people/801962)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2017, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-toddlers-shooting-people/801962 "2017-11-21T16:17:57Z")
Toddlers in the United States Shoot people at a rate of about one person per week. Cite Cite Cite This is a solvable problem. We’ve figured out how to keep them away from the bleach and the Percocet. We can do this. … --- ## [Why not an anti-NRA lobby?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-an-anti-nra-lobby/801061)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2017, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-an-anti-nra-lobby/801061 "2017-11-21T06:04:09Z")
Cokie Roberts on NPR this morning was discussing the history of the NRA and gun legislation, and said something that really struck a chord with me: that you have to give them credit – they organize, they lobby, they vote… --- ## [The Dems should put forward their own tax reform plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dems-should-put-forward-their-own-tax-reform-plan/801507)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2017, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dems-should-put-forward-their-own-tax-reform-plan/801507 "2017-11-20T23:04:20Z")
The Republicans tax reform plan is on giant smooch to the one tenth of 1%. But they may be able to get the proles behind it because they will claim it also helps out the middle class. As they keep harping, a family of … --- ## [Aggressive panhandling is getting worse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aggressive-panhandling-is-getting-worse/801559)
**Author:** [@Roy\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roy_Batty)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2017, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aggressive-panhandling-is-getting-worse/801559 "2017-11-20T22:56:03Z")
Hey everyone. This is my first post here. I haven’t seen a specific thread dedicated to aggressive panhandlers (or if there was, I couldn’t find one in my search), so decided to start one. Mods, I hope this is OK. I … --- ## [Trump, the Clintons, and sexual harrasment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-the-clintons-and-sexual-harrasment/801780)
**Author:** [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-the-clintons-and-sexual-harrasment/801780 "2017-11-20T22:38:26Z")
One of the ironic results of electing Trump has been a huge backlash against powerful sex predators. Most of the awful behavior of people like Weinstein, Spacey, Rattner, Louis CK, et al were open secrets but no one in t… --- ## [Founding Father economic vision was more egalitarian than the Ryan-Pence vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/founding-father-economic-vision-was-more-egalitarian-than-the-ryan-pence-vision/801354)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2017, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/founding-father-economic-vision-was-more-egalitarian-than-the-ryan-pence-vision/801354 "2017-11-18T03:51:30Z")
From this Newsweek article: RESOLVED: That the Founding Fathers would despise the wholesale theft by rich vested interests that we increasingly see today; and that they would favor measures tending to reduce wealth … --- ## [What makes neighborhoods "safe"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-neighborhoods-safe/801757)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-neighborhoods-safe/801757 "2017-11-17T22:43:25Z")
Instead of continuing a hijack of another thread, I’ll just put this here: And is that “safe gated community” awash in guns? What makes it safe? --- ## [Scientology and Tax Exemption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientology-and-tax-exemption/801234)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2017, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientology-and-tax-exemption/801234 "2017-11-16T23:15:00Z")
Churches have enjoyed tax exemption in the USA since 1894. In my opinion, churches should pay taxes too, but that’s for lawmakers to decide. They say Trump is considering revoking Scientology’s tax exemption. I’m 100% f… --- ## [Prosecuting Hillary: what's the GOP's problem with the regular prosecutors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-hillary-whats-the-gops-problem-with-the-regular-prosecutors/801612)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2017, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-hillary-whats-the-gops-problem-with-the-regular-prosecutors/801612 "2017-11-16T13:52:34Z")
This is something I’ve been wondering for a while. If Hillary’s violated Federal laws in ways that rate an indictment, what’s the GOP’s problem with the regular U.S. attorneys in the relevant geographic jurisdictions? T… --- ## [Should CA be able to require crisis pregnancy centers to mention abortion access? (ethics not law)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ca-be-able-to-require-crisis-pregnancy-centers-to-mention-abortion-access-ethics-not-law/801626)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2017, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ca-be-able-to-require-crisis-pregnancy-centers-to-mention-abortion-access-ethics-not-law/801626 "2017-11-16T13:33:45Z")
To set the stage, I am pro-choice and I think it’s important that abortions be available and affordable when they are wanted. California has a law that required crisis pregnancy centers to do two things: They have to … --- ## [What is the real problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-problem/800976)
**Author:** [@StraightTalk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StraightTalk)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2017, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-real-problem/800976 "2017-11-15T19:04:32Z")
Is the problem one of gun control or is the problem one of having ways of dealing with mental health issues? I’m sure the answer is “both” but does one of them weigh more heavily than the other? --- ## [Could school personel be charged with murder in this case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-school-personel-be-charged-with-murder-in-this-case/801405)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2017, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-school-personel-be-charged-with-murder-in-this-case/801405 "2017-11-15T09:04:27Z")
CASE Basically a child that they knew had a severe dairy allergy, was given a grilled cheese sandwich which sent the child into convulsions and the school, instead of calling 911, called the childs mother. The mother ca… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=104) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=106)