# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=110 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 111 --- ## [National Anthem controversy extending to schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-anthem-controversy-extending-to-schools/797596)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-anthem-controversy-extending-to-schools/797596 "2017-10-01T23:18:47Z")
34 schools in Louisiana have been told that athletes must stand for the anthem. The ACLU has responded with this tweet, “The Supreme Court ruled that students don’t have to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance—that goes … --- ## [Treating (or not) disease in Alzheimer's Patients](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/treating-or-not-disease-in-alzheimers-patients/797292)
**Author:** [@velvetjones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velvetjones)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/treating-or-not-disease-in-alzheimers-patients/797292 "2017-10-01T16:48:17Z")
My mother in law has alzheimer’s. She 96, lives with us and we take care of her. We recently ended up in the ER with her with a possible UTI (it was not) days later the hospital called and said she had a “possible infe… --- ## [Is it time to reject "Neoliberalism"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-reject-neoliberalism/796460)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2017, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-reject-neoliberalism/796460 "2017-10-01T13:39:41Z")
There is a very intelligent opinion piece by Stephen Metcalf in The Guardian that all Dopers should read. The same reaction against “Neoliberalism” — the almost-religious faith in free markets — that motivated Occupy Wa… --- ## [Police shooting of the mentally ill : is the typical way these encounters go by the book?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-shooting-of-the-mentally-ill-is-the-typical-way-these-encounters-go-by-the-book/797223)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2017, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-shooting-of-the-mentally-ill-is-the-typical-way-these-encounters-go-by-the-book/797223 "2017-09-30T06:49:01Z")
I’ve read stories of this happening dozens of times. Every encounter goes about the same way, implying common training. Here’s one of the more recent of such encounters. They killed a georgia tech senior who was suici… --- ## [Should colleges get rid of on campus housing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-colleges-get-rid-of-on-campus-housing/796656)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-colleges-get-rid-of-on-campus-housing/796656 "2017-09-29T16:28:14Z")
It seems like we are always hearing about things like on campus rapes and assaults at either dorms or fraternities. Here is a solution. What about colleges giving up control and jurisdiction of ALL housing? Privatize do… --- ## [The voter ID Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voter-id-thread/787346)
**Author:** [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Replies:** 398\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2017, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voter-id-thread/787346 "2017-09-29T06:29:21Z")
ID is required for the following: Buying alcohol, and cigarettes Opening a bank account Applying for food stamps, welfare, medicare, or social security Applying for a job Applying for unemployment Renting or buyin… --- ## [$400 million bribe if the GOP repeals the Affordable Care Act? It can't be true, right...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/400-million-bribe-if-the-gop-repeals-the-affordable-care-act-it-cant-be-true-right/796934)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/400-million-bribe-if-the-gop-repeals-the-affordable-care-act-it-cant-be-true-right/796934 "2017-09-29T03:28:17Z")
This sounds like one of those conspiracy theories that old people share on facebook. It has all the elements of one - it makes sense, it’s a large organization causing world events, it’s not fully vetted… Anyways, supp… --- ## [Trump accuses Obama of wiretapping him](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-accuses-obama-of-wiretapping-him/781384)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 1105\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-accuses-obama-of-wiretapping-him/781384 "2017-09-28T17:26:46Z")
This is a pretty serious allegation from the sitting president: (Including the Fox News article for balance) He hasn’t provided any evidence yet. It’s only in tweet form so far. Things I’d like to debate: S… --- ## [Socialised medicine vs. single-payer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialised-medicine-vs-single-payer/796490)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialised-medicine-vs-single-payer/796490 "2017-09-28T15:44:25Z")
I read this post elsewhere: I guess this speaks volumes about me, since I’d never thought of a distinction. According to a definition, socialised medicine is ‘the provision of medical and hospital care for all by mean… --- ## [If Trump blocks you on Twitter is that a violation of your free speech rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-blocks-you-on-twitter-is-that-a-violation-of-your-free-speech-rights/797470)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2017, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-trump-blocks-you-on-twitter-is-that-a-violation-of-your-free-speech-rights/797470 "2017-09-27T22:39:42Z")
There is currently a lawsuit in which seven Twitter users are accusing Donald Trump of violating their free speech rights because Trump blocked them on Twitter (so they cannot see anything Trump tweets). You can read mo… --- ## [Brexit and Royal Assent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-and-royal-assent/797240)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-and-royal-assent/797240 "2017-09-27T21:50:36Z")
Parliament feels obligated to continue with Brexit in accordance with the referendum but it seems that it is growing in unpopularity. What happens politically if QE2 refuses to grant Royal Assent to the laws implementin… --- ## [Do We Still Need Protests Or Is It All Just Spam and Wanking Nowadays](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-still-need-protests-or-is-it-all-just-spam-and-wanking-nowadays/797322)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2017, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-still-need-protests-or-is-it-all-just-spam-and-wanking-nowadays/797322 "2017-09-27T17:12:51Z")
When mass communication was in the hands of the Government or a power elite, protesting was the only way to get a message outside of the establishment channels. It has a proud tradition in the founding of the US, to suf… --- ## [SAG-AFTRA on strike against videogame producers since Oct 2016](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sag-aftra-on-strike-against-videogame-producers-since-oct-2016/790103)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [September 26, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sag-aftra-on-strike-against-videogame-producers-since-oct-2016/790103 "2017-09-26T15:37:11Z")
SAG-AFTRA has been on strike against eleven top videogame producers — including Activision, Electronic Arts, Disney, and Warner Bros. video game units — since Oct. 21, 2016. Has this strike meaningfully impeded voice ac… --- ## [Does the self exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-self-exist/796413)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2017, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-self-exist/796413 "2017-09-25T21:03:05Z")
It’s a question that is on my mind ever since Buddhism, does the self exist? They seem to say that it is an illusion and it’s a thought shared by other philosophers (I think so). I think Thomas Ligotti (of "the conspirac… --- ## [Is being against net neutrality that bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-against-net-neutrality-that-bad/796683)
**Author:** [@DkTrdGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DkTrdGuy)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-against-net-neutrality-that-bad/796683 "2017-09-24T02:35:42Z")
Some people think if net neutrality is taken away, that society would collapse. I’m not so pessimistic. Access to information, like a lot of things, is a privilege. Information is like a weapon, it can be used to harm. C… --- ## [Are there any decent religious leaders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-religious-leaders/795263)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-decent-religious-leaders/795263 "2017-09-23T19:42:39Z")
Famous religious leaders, not Pastor So-and-so down at First Baptist. Joel Osteen refusing to help Houston flood victims (and then caving but asking for donations to offset the costs of doing so) made me think about thi… --- ## [What is your view of doctor Miguel Echeverry book on subculture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-view-of-doctor-miguel-echeverry-book-on-subculture/796444)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-view-of-doctor-miguel-echeverry-book-on-subculture/796444 "2017-09-23T17:58:38Z")
What is your view of doctor Miguel Echeverry book on subculture? Doctor Miguel Echeverry seems to be arguing that subculture is a mental illness. That hippies and punks is a mental illness. Could he be confusing social … --- ## [The FBI's unprecedented attack on civil rights \[2012 FBI vs Juggalos\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbis-unprecedented-attack-on-civil-rights-2012-fbi-vs-juggalos/631141)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2017, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbis-unprecedented-attack-on-civil-rights-2012-fbi-vs-juggalos/631141 "2017-09-22T22:36:31Z")
Hello everyone. Or should I say, what up ninjas? The FBI has labeled fans of the Insane Clown Posse as a gang. That is to say a gang on the same level as MS-13 or the Aryan Brotherhood. If a person with an ICP tattoo or… --- ## [Economics and policy after natural disasters](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-policy-after-natural-disasters/795864)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-and-policy-after-natural-disasters/795864 "2017-09-21T17:14:54Z")
Just curious about what the various economic theories and models and schools say about the aftermath of natural disasters. Do they say that the government should pump money into the areas affected, or hold back, or othe… --- ## [Doesn't Most Wondrous Biblical Wisdom Seem Like Common Sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-most-wondrous-biblical-wisdom-seem-like-common-sense/796633)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2017, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-most-wondrous-biblical-wisdom-seem-like-common-sense/796633 "2017-09-21T15:51:59Z")
Growing up, I had it pounded into my head that the Bible contained deep wisdom that no mere human could have written or contemplated. Only the True Son of God could have had such miraculous insight in how to live a good… --- ## [The Founding Fathers and open carry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-founding-fathers-and-open-carry/795584)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2017, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-founding-fathers-and-open-carry/795584 "2017-09-20T17:41:10Z")
While (most of) the Founding Fathers were big on the idea of natural rights ala’ John Locke, they seemed to take a pretty strong level of government and law for granted. The preface to the Constitution specially includes… --- ## [How did the Obama Adminstration affect the "racial divide?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-obama-adminstration-affect-the-racial-divide/795703)
**Author:** [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-obama-adminstration-affect-the-racial-divide/795703 "2017-09-12T22:48:22Z")
As I recall the great hope was that he was the Great Uniter. Polling says racial trust became or was made worse. I guess this is a debate — why? --- ## [How can Trump deal with North Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-trump-deal-with-north-korea/795273)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-trump-deal-with-north-korea/795273 "2017-09-19T20:24:29Z")
Aside from placing sanctions on them, if we really decided to go to war how would we do it? The idea of just killing Kim Jong Un doesn’t sound like it’ll actually solve anything. Sure majority of their population unders… --- ## [Is it finally time to do something about North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-finally-time-to-do-something-about-north-korea/796355)
**Author:** [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-finally-time-to-do-something-about-north-korea/796355 "2017-09-19T13:14:30Z")
I feel like I’m as much of a pacifist as most people here but when will enough be enough: Their missile and nuclear programs are escalating at a much faster rate than predicted even as late as the first of this year. I… --- ## [Hurricane Irma; What if this happened every year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-what-if-this-happened-every-year/796165)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2017, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hurricane-irma-what-if-this-happened-every-year/796165 "2017-09-19T11:47:31Z")
It would appear Hurricane Irma will be the most expensive hurricane in the history of Florida. Hurricane Andrew was a terrible disaster but more people live in Florida now, so there’s more things to break, I guess. For… --- ## [A Tale of Two Persecutions & Discriminations Through History; Blacks and Jews](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tale-of-two-persecutions-discriminations-through-history-blacks-and-jews/796602)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2017, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-tale-of-two-persecutions-discriminations-through-history-blacks-and-jews/796602 "2017-09-19T11:46:45Z")
Two groups, blacks (I didn’t use the term “African-American” since this post applies to UK and other places) and Jews, have for centuries suffered egregious or at least invidious discrimination. African and Muslim tri… --- ## [Was Dred Scott sound law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dred-scott-sound-law/796205)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2017, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-dred-scott-sound-law/796205 "2017-09-19T01:12:54Z")
While I consider the decision as morally repugnant as the next person, I was wondering if it was only on that basis that it’s considered the worst SCOTUS decision ever. Taney’s reasoning seemed to be the notion that bla… --- ## [What's the biggest provocation North Korea could get away with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-provocation-north-korea-could-get-away-with/796549)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-provocation-north-korea-could-get-away-with/796549 "2017-09-18T16:50:54Z")
(Hi mods, if you feel this is too similar to the “Is it time to do something about North Korea” thread, you can blend it with that, although I think it is a separate sub-topic): North Korea’s artillery force pointed at … --- ## [Ohio is suing drug manufacturers, alleging they are culpable for the opioid epidemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-is-suing-drug-manufacturers-alleging-they-are-culpable-for-the-opioid-epidemic/787801)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-is-suing-drug-manufacturers-alleging-they-are-culpable-for-the-opioid-epidemic/787801 "2017-09-18T03:02:50Z")
I feel that the pharmaceutical industry is just as responsible, if not more so, than the other suspects in the spiraling costs of healthcare in America. I abhor that we are one of only two Western nations to allow DTC A… --- ## [Civil Asset Forfeitures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-asset-forfeitures/796263)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2017, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-asset-forfeitures/796263 "2017-09-17T23:37:05Z")
House votes to curb asset forfeiture According to this article (an opinion piece, actually) despite the House passing it by overwhelming majority, it’s not clear that the Senate will go along. Also, for unspecified reas… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=109) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=111)