# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=107 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 108 --- ## [College Professors - are you on the watch list?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-professors-are-you-on-the-watch-list/791059)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2017, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-professors-are-you-on-the-watch-list/791059 "2017-11-01T17:47:13Z")
Found this great site called “Professor Watchlist”. It exposes the professors who the authors feel go over the line in showing their far left ideologies or discriminate against conservative students. The authors further … --- ## [Can't afford comprehensive medical care for everyone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-afford-comprehensive-medical-care-for-everyone/800085)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cant-afford-comprehensive-medical-care-for-everyone/800085 "2017-11-01T17:46:14Z")
We just can’t do it, it costs too much. Most everyone wants the best medical care available, and that’s expensive. It gets more expensive everyday too, we can treat diseases that used to leave people dead, and it costs a… --- ## [Catalonia: what if there's a pragmatic but brutal response?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catalonia-what-if-theres-a-pragmatic-but-brutal-response/800026)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2017, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catalonia-what-if-theres-a-pragmatic-but-brutal-response/800026 "2017-11-01T08:07:21Z")
So Dopers, imagine that Madrid responds to Catalonia’s declaration of independence by sending the troops in? Imagine further that the leaders of the independence movement are simply killed. No trial, just killed. Be they… --- ## [Will the Current Political Upheaval Result in a Third (viable) Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-current-political-upheaval-result-in-a-third-viable-party/799165)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-current-political-upheaval-result-in-a-third-viable-party/799165 "2017-10-31T18:01:31Z")
I’m sure I am not the first to think of this, but I really value the critical thinking and knowledge here, so: Do you think that the current wrangling for what the Republican party stands for could result in a splinteri… --- ## [Is "empty barrel" a racist attack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-empty-barrel-a-racist-attack/799389)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 296\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2017, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-empty-barrel-a-racist-attack/799389 "2017-10-31T13:54:56Z")
John Kelly gave a press conference yesterday in which he said: D-FL Congresswoman Frederica Wilson has responded by claiming that the term is racist. What is she talking about? How is the term “empty barrel” racist? … --- ## [TSA's Groin check? Going too far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsas-groin-check-going-too-far/560853)
**Author:** [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tsas-groin-check-going-too-far/560853 "2010-11-30T18:55:52Z")
From this story about a man who refused to be screened in the new body scanner. They offered him a pat down but informed him his groin would be touched. He refused. They escorted him from the airport and are now threa… --- ## [Theoretical question...could Hawaii leave the Union?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theoretical-question-could-hawaii-leave-the-union/799710)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theoretical-question-could-hawaii-leave-the-union/799710 "2017-10-31T00:21:34Z")
Basically was talking to some friends of mine who are native Hawaiian, and one of the things that came up was how the annexation of Hawaii was illegal both internationally and even in our own system. My friends were pre… --- ## [Resolved: The Preamble to the Constitution is the test of all Political ideals and Government action](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-preamble-to-the-constitution-is-the-test-of-all-political-ideals-and-government-action/799926)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-preamble-to-the-constitution-is-the-test-of-all-political-ideals-and-government-action/799926 "2017-10-29T15:29:20Z")
The Constitution has three equal parts: The Preamble states the goal (the definition of success) The body defines the method by which the goal is to be achieved The amendments set limits on the method The Preamble to… --- ## [Ending death for most people in the United States is feasible. What's your excuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-death-for-most-people-in-the-united-states-is-feasible-whats-your-excuse/799268)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ending-death-for-most-people-in-the-united-states-is-feasible-whats-your-excuse/799268 "2017-10-29T14:41:17Z")
Here’s an article from MIT technology review, showing in clear detail an extraordinary effort to copy a tiny piece of rat cortex. Here’s what I conclude from this : a. The rat brain was completely preserved for this s… --- ## [the big SELF DETERMINATION thread: Catalonia, Calexit, Brexit, Civil War, & Revolutionary War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-self-determination-thread-catalonia-calexit-brexit-civil-war-revolutionary-war/797767)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2017, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-self-determination-thread-catalonia-calexit-brexit-civil-war-revolutionary-war/797767 "2017-10-29T14:22:15Z")
Should “people” (loosely defined by the examples in the title) have the right to self determination / independence? There are other examples I can think of too: Scotland, Quebec, Puerto Rico, etc. The USA is in the wei… --- ## [How does one deal with not being 100% certain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-deal-with-not-being-100-certain/794500)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-deal-with-not-being-100-certain/794500 "2017-10-29T01:52:38Z")
Like the video says, we cannot know with total certainty that we aren’t living in a simulation or that reality is some kind of mental construct. It’s a very lonely and isolating feeling that is rooted in so… --- ## [The NRA's Carry Guard Insurance (so-called 'murder insurance')](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-carry-guard-insurance-so-called-murder-insurance/799283)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2017, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nras-carry-guard-insurance-so-called-murder-insurance/799283 "2017-10-28T20:45:15Z")
Look, I apologize for what some may feel is unnecessarily inflammatory language in the thread title, but there’s no way to bring this up without acknowledging the term at some point. I’m well aware that someone on the p… --- ## [What would it take for a group like ISIS to succeed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-a-group-like-isis-to-succeed/799830)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-a-group-like-isis-to-succeed/799830 "2017-10-28T16:07:38Z")
Say that “success” means establishing a caliphate that controls a large chunk of territory - say, at least half the size of Iraq - and maintains it as a persistent, established entity, without being dislodged by enemies … --- ## [No costume for you, you are the wrong color, you little racist!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-costume-for-you-you-are-the-wrong-color-you-little-racist/766589)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 247\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2017, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-costume-for-you-you-are-the-wrong-color-you-little-racist/766589 "2017-10-28T05:44:49Z")
So Disney is releasing a film called Moana, about a ‘young princess of the tribe, Moana from Motunui Island, is a born navigator who sets sail in search of a fabled island of mysterious secrets. During her journey, she t… --- ## [Why in the US is anti-black racism still so prevalent while other forms of bigotry have improved](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-in-the-us-is-anti-black-racism-still-so-prevalent-while-other-forms-of-bigotry-have-improved/799866)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2017, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-in-the-us-is-anti-black-racism-still-so-prevalent-while-other-forms-of-bigotry-have-improved/799866 "2017-10-28T05:25:50Z")
Anti-black bigotry isn’t as bad as it was say 100 or 200 years ago. Having said that, there is a rich history (this is for the United States) of various other forms of bigotry. Anti-semitism, anti-asian bigotry, anti-iri… --- ## [Do people know best what's "in their own self-interest?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-know-best-whats-in-their-own-self-interest/799576)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-know-best-whats-in-their-own-self-interest/799576 "2017-10-27T17:11:43Z")
(Despite using Trump voting as the example, this thread is not about Trump/Trump-voters specifically - it is about the overall broader question of whether people know what’s good for them on a particular issue - abort… --- ## [Is fighting tyranny a purpose of the 2nd Amendment and, if so, at what level of government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fighting-tyranny-a-purpose-of-the-2nd-amendment-and-if-so-at-what-level-of-government/799295)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2017, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fighting-tyranny-a-purpose-of-the-2nd-amendment-and-if-so-at-what-level-of-government/799295 "2017-10-27T04:15:38Z")
Federal? State? Local? What counts as “tyranny” when it comes to defending yourself with weaponry? I bring this up because of a post in another thread: --- ## [Female bosses and sexual harassment question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-bosses-and-sexual-harassment-question/798565)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/female-bosses-and-sexual-harassment-question/798565 "2017-10-26T20:49:33Z")
In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein case their has been a call for more women CEO’s in the entertainment industries. I’m not much of a feminist but I agree and feel this has been a long time coming. My feeling is women a… --- ## [What should a Richter's scale for racism look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-richters-scale-for-racism-look-like/798115)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2017, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-a-richters-scale-for-racism-look-like/798115 "2017-10-26T18:04:26Z")
There are so many different shades and intensities for racism. It’s not practical to put people in only 2 baskets: Racist | Not Racist . All of us are racist to some degree. However I hope we can all agree that the KKK… --- ## [Ban Non Disclosure Agreements for Crimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-non-disclosure-agreements-for-crimes/799057)
**Author:** [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2017, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-non-disclosure-agreements-for-crimes/799057 "2017-10-25T13:39:10Z")
One commonality of the horror stories of Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein is the fact that many of their victims were unable to speak out because they signed non disclosure agreements (NDAs) that mandated they stay silent… --- ## [Recall elections for all politicians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recall-elections-for-all-politicians/798989)
**Author:** [@AI\_Proofreader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AI_Proofreader)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recall-elections-for-all-politicians/798989 "2017-10-24T18:56:39Z")
Pretend for a moment that we’ve initiated a Constitutional Convention, and it would be relatively easy to add an amendment to the Constitution. Would you support adding an amendment to extend recall elections to apply t… --- ## [What do you think of the London T-charge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-london-t-charge/799655)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2017, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-london-t-charge/799655 "2017-10-24T18:27:26Z")
The new t-charge is assessed on older (pre-2006) cars driving in central London. These cars have to pay an additional 10 pounds per day (about $13 USD) to drive in central London. This is on top of the congestion cha… --- ## [Why should we be afraid of terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-be-afraid-of-terrorism/799172)
**Author:** [@Skepticalthegreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skepticalthegreat)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-be-afraid-of-terrorism/799172 "2017-10-24T16:54:58Z")
Why are we so afraid of terrorism when deaths are few and far between compared to automobile accidents ect? --- ## [Is the power of the NRA overstated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-power-of-the-nra-overstated/799249)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2017, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-power-of-the-nra-overstated/799249 "2017-10-24T12:18:59Z")
According to Mother Jones, NRA membership is somewhere between 3 and 4 million. Obviously, membership varies from year to year. Cite. How does 1.3% of the population manage to maintain such a stranglehold on a national… --- ## [How do you develop a developing country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-develop-a-developing-country/797796)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2017, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-develop-a-developing-country/797796 "2017-10-24T07:52:33Z")
Let’s say North Korea overthrows their regime and wants to start a new government and new country. What should they do to make themselves as rich as South Korrea? What do you do to increase trade and production from not… --- ## [Mikaela Lauren kisses Cecilia Braekhus -- sexual assault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mikaela-lauren-kisses-cecilia-braekhus-sexual-assault/799294)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mikaela-lauren-kisses-cecilia-braekhus-sexual-assault/799294 "2017-10-23T23:05:35Z")
If anyone is unfamiliar with the names, Ms. Braekhus is the current WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO World Welterweight champion. Ms. Lauren will be fighting Ms. Braekhus this Saturday. Braekhus is undefeated and one of her TK… --- ## [Name that fallacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy/799547)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-that-fallacy/799547 "2017-10-23T18:55:34Z")
Pretty sure this is obvious but I cannot figure it out. I have seen this a lot on social media but I cannot figure out what the actual fallacy is. People will post shitty things the US government have done in the past t… --- ## [Some Thoughts on the NFL Protests & BLM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-thoughts-on-the-nfl-protests-blm/797369)
**Author:** [@Jake\_Bullet\_Traffic\_Control](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake_Bullet_Traffic_Control)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2017, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-thoughts-on-the-nfl-protests-blm/797369 "2017-10-23T17:06:52Z")
I’ve been thinking about the NFL anthem protests and I can’t get over the fact that, however well intentioned they might be, they’re not actually really doing very much. Indeed, given the reactions of various people on … --- ## [Could Bigfoot be real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bigfoot-be-real/689680)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-bigfoot-be-real/689680 "2017-10-22T17:34:41Z")
Normally I’d say the idea of a large biped hidden in the Pacific Northwest to be a bunch of hot air but I have read some stories from credible witnesses including “Survivorman” Les Stroud. (link: http://bigfootevidence.b… --- ## [Moral question about a divine hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moral-question-about-a-divine-hypothetical/798643)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2017, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moral-question-about-a-divine-hypothetical/798643 "2017-10-22T14:46:54Z")
Suppose I have godlike powers for a single moment, to change one thing about humans. I choose the following – from now on, any time someone tries to sexually abuse/assault another person, no matter the particulars, they… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=106) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=108)