# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=113 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 114 --- ## [Is Leif Erickson more worthy of fame than Columbus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leif-erickson-more-worthy-of-fame-than-columbus/794964)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leif-erickson-more-worthy-of-fame-than-columbus/794964 "2017-08-28T22:45:38Z")
Do you think that perhaps we should start to shift our focus away from Columbus, and toward Leif Erickson as a historic figure worthy of praise and acclaim for his exploration? --- ## [Priest-Penitent Privilege?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/priest-penitent-privilege/794091)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2017, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/priest-penitent-privilege/794091 "2017-08-28T17:52:39Z")
I guess the following article describes the current trend. As courts get more conservative, we lose more of our rights. And certain communications, once thought to be privileged, are not immune to this trend either. So … --- ## [Economic aspects of health care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-aspects-of-health-care/793870)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-aspects-of-health-care/793870 "2017-08-28T15:54:21Z")
I was hoping folk would be willing to discuss economic (defined broadly) aspects of current US health care. I find myself not overly thrilled with many aspects of what I perceive in American health care. Much of my neg… --- ## [Try to sell me on fascism. What positive qualities does it have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/try-to-sell-me-on-fascism-what-positive-qualities-does-it-have/793940)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2017, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/try-to-sell-me-on-fascism-what-positive-qualities-does-it-have/793940 "2017-08-28T05:51:58Z")
Capitalism - efficient use of capital and labor, since those who produce goods and services others want, or invest their money in said production, receive payments from others. Democracy - The people get a say in how th… --- ## [Submitted: Current Racial Problems NOT Caused by Memorials](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submitted-current-racial-problems-not-caused-by-memorials/794860)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2017, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/submitted-current-racial-problems-not-caused-by-memorials/794860 "2017-08-27T22:14:41Z")
Since Dylan Rooffs’ Charleston massacre and with gathering force since the Charlottesville violence, there has been a crescendo of efforts to erase history. In Baltimore all Confederate monuments were ripped out in the m… --- ## [Abolish the secret ballot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolish-the-secret-ballot/794499)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolish-the-secret-ballot/794499 "2017-08-27T16:49:11Z")
First off, let me say that I do not support this at all, but it does seem to me to be the only logical conclusion to dealing with racists if your goal is to drive them out of polite society and into the underground. A l… --- ## [Do sociopaths/psychopaths have a political orientation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sociopaths-psychopaths-have-a-political-orientation/794635)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2017, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-sociopaths-psychopaths-have-a-political-orientation/794635 "2017-08-26T22:10:38Z")
I would suspect sociopaths and psychopaths are more likely to be politically conservative, because conservatism tends to be more about self-interest while liberalism/leftism is concerned with social justice, which very f… --- ## [Quantum Mechanics and Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quantum-mechanics-and-mind/793322)
**Author:** [@abashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abashed)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quantum-mechanics-and-mind/793322 "2017-08-26T15:30:41Z")
It seems to me that the weird and wonderful world of quantum mechanics has been telling us something very profound about ourselves and the universe we live in, and that is, materialism is wrong and ‘mind’ or ‘spiritualit… --- ## [Now Trump has an agenda](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-trump-has-an-agenda/794334)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2017, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-trump-has-an-agenda/794334 "2017-08-26T07:57:02Z")
Sure, it looks like he just declared global war on terrorism, but he did it clearly and in a way that answers a lot of criticism of American historical errors. Will it be a good thing? Well, all of those defined objecti… --- ## [Robert E. Lee: Confederate statues shouldn't exist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-e-lee-confederate-statues-shouldnt-exist/793747)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2017, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-e-lee-confederate-statues-shouldnt-exist/793747 "2017-08-26T07:07:59Z")
"It’s often forgotten that Lee himself, after the Civil War, opposed monuments, specifically Confederate war monuments,” said Jonathan Horn, the author of the Lee biography, “The Man Who Would Not Be Washington.” In his… --- ## [How would you have handled Reconstruction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-have-handled-reconstruction/794016)
**Author:** [@Reddy\_Mercury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reddy_Mercury)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-have-handled-reconstruction/794016 "2017-08-25T19:05:41Z")
I would say the entire political leadership of the Confederacy should’ve swung from the gallows. All of those who instigated secession, and all of those who had made the decisions to fire upon Fort Sumpter thus starting … --- ## [Confederate Symbolism; Time to Stop Nursing Grievances and Relitigating Past](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confederate-symbolism-time-to-stop-nursing-grievances-and-relitigating-past/794036)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confederate-symbolism-time-to-stop-nursing-grievances-and-relitigating-past/794036 "2017-08-25T15:39:07Z")
The New York City subway system is facing the need for a major overhaul. Articles such as Key to Improving Subway Service in New York? Modern Signals have discussed the problems and the finger pointing going into bring… --- ## [Cures and "beneficial" things obtained through immoral and unethical means](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cures-and-beneficial-things-obtained-through-immoral-and-unethical-means/794319)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cures-and-beneficial-things-obtained-through-immoral-and-unethical-means/794319 "2017-08-25T11:28:16Z")
In the current controversy involving the removal of statutes of Confederate generals and political figures, there’s an effort in Columbia, S.C. to remove the sculpture of physician J. Marion Sims. Sims lived from 1813 t… --- ## [New Japanese Secy of Defense denies Nanking Massacre happened. Is this a credible position?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-japanese-secy-of-defense-denies-nanking-massacre-happened-is-this-a-credible-position/767523)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-japanese-secy-of-defense-denies-nanking-massacre-happened-is-this-a-credible-position/767523 "2017-08-25T01:04:00Z")
The new Japanese Secretary of Defense Tomomi Inadais a supporter of the position that the Nanking Massacre by Japanese Troops did not happen. I was under the impression that this occurring was taken for granted historic… --- ## [Afghanistan: What the hell do we do now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-what-the-hell-do-we-do-now/794289)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-what-the-hell-do-we-do-now/794289 "2017-08-24T15:49:57Z")
This thread has two purposes: We’re ~16 years into this war, and there is no end in sight. I’m wondering what the thoughts are here about what we do going forward. Trump is going to announce his new strategy for A… --- ## [The "extreme male brain" theory of autism - accurate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-male-brain-theory-of-autism-accurate/794333)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-male-brain-theory-of-autism-accurate/794333 "2017-08-24T05:29:24Z")
As someone who is both male and on the spectrum, I find the extreme male brain theory interesting. Simon-Baron Cohen’s “male brain theory” is based on the concept that men are adept at understanding systems, while women… --- ## [Confederate Symbolism; Time to Stop Nursing Grievances and Relitigating Past](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confederate-symbolism-time-to-stop-nursing-grievances-and-relitigating-past/794513)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confederate-symbolism-time-to-stop-nursing-grievances-and-relitigating-past/794513 "2017-08-24T03:33:37Z")
The New York City subway system is facing the need for a major overhaul. Many local paper articles have discussed the problems and the finger pointing going into bringing the system up to snuff. The system in a sense i… --- ## [Why does Fort Bragg exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-fort-bragg-exist/793977)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2017, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-fort-bragg-exist/793977 "2017-08-24T00:07:54Z")
I know perfectly well why there is a major Army base in North Carolina. It is most likely on the short list of the most important military bases anywhere in the world: it is home to the famed 82nd Airborne and the U.S. … --- ## [Will Mississippi finally change state flag](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-mississippi-finally-change-state-flag/793941)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-mississippi-finally-change-state-flag/793941 "2017-08-23T23:58:36Z")
Given all the controversy surrounding statues, will Mississippi finally get rid of the current design and get something less offensive? --- ## [Medicaid buy-in plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicaid-buy-in-plan/794490)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicaid-buy-in-plan/794490 "2017-08-23T22:51:50Z")
Congressmen Bryan Schatz has proposed a plan for states that want to to let people buy into Medicaid, which would be sort of a public option. My own thoughts are that in principle this is a pretty good idea, although … --- ## [Are There Any "Trumpists" Left In Trump Administration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-trumpists-left-in-trump-administration/794192)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-trumpists-left-in-trump-administration/794192 "2017-08-23T17:54:15Z")
Seriously, Bannon is gone. Who’s left in Trump’s inner circle? General Kelly, Jared, Ivanka, Gary Cohn, McMaster… Anybody there who gives a damn about immigration or protectionism? Any devout Christians? Heck, anybody w… --- ## [DOJ trying to seize J20 protest website visitor logs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-trying-to-seize-j20-protest-website-visitor-logs/793890)
**Author:** [@Settimo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Settimo)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-trying-to-seize-j20-protest-website-visitor-logs/793890 "2017-08-23T17:25:37Z")
The topic for debate is the US DOJ trying to seize anti-Trump protest site visitor logs, from the DisruptJ20 inaguration protest. See this Atlantic article. Summary: The DisruptJ20 website was launched November 2016 to … --- ## [Should we ban the ideology of Nazism/White Supremacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-the-ideology-of-nazism-white-supremacy/793578)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 211\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ban-the-ideology-of-nazism-white-supremacy/793578 "2017-08-23T17:07:33Z")
A First Amendment absolutist would say that banning bad ideas is counter-productive and that they need to defeated in the discourse of the public sphere. Others might suggest that, due to their nature, Nazism and white … --- ## [Will the 21st century see the sweeping change the 20th did?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-21st-century-see-the-sweeping-change-the-20th-did/791454)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-21st-century-see-the-sweeping-change-the-20th-did/791454 "2017-08-23T16:50:00Z")
I’m going to go out on a limb and say “no”. I think the change in the 20th century was unique and will never be paralleled again. In 1900 most of the world (outside of cities like Paris, San Francisco, and New York) was… --- ## ["Forced purchase" option for assets at their appraised tax value](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-purchase-option-for-assets-at-their-appraised-tax-value/794003)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forced-purchase-option-for-assets-at-their-appraised-tax-value/794003 "2017-08-23T16:40:15Z")
An idea inspired by a friend regaling me with a story about a charming practice that the great state of Virginia has: they apparently consider your car property and tax accordingly. Yes, that’s right - the rapidly depr… --- ## [Why are almost all white nationalists men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-almost-all-white-nationalists-men/793616)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-almost-all-white-nationalists-men/793616 "2017-08-22T05:31:44Z")
I saw an image of the Charlottesville “alt-right” protest and didn’t see a single woman in the crowd - just a sea of white men. Why does it seem like women are less racist than men? Is it possible they’re more likely to… --- ## [Why are we more likely to be victimized by people we know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-more-likely-to-be-victimized-by-people-we-know/794272)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-more-likely-to-be-victimized-by-people-we-know/794272 "2017-08-22T01:40:41Z")
We keep on reading that the vast majority of cases of murder, rape, and many other violent crimes are committed by people we know. But why is this? Is your child really safer among strangers than among his family and fam… --- ## [Why is there a statue of Oliver Cromwell outside the Palace of Westminster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-statue-of-oliver-cromwell-outside-the-palace-of-westminster/793938)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-a-statue-of-oliver-cromwell-outside-the-palace-of-westminster/793938 "2017-08-20T17:29:27Z")
Since controversial statues are in the news, I find it amazing that there is a statue of Oliver Cromwell right outside the Houses of Parliament. Cromwell was a despicable traitor and surely shouldn’t be honored with a st… --- ## [What causes consciousness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-consciousness/574467)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-causes-consciousness/574467 "2017-08-19T23:55:25Z")
It seems like the brain creates it, but how? How can inanimate material create something like consciousness? If it indeed can, there is nothing stopping us from building artificial intelligence, right? It is clear that … --- ## [Historicity of Jesus' Resurrection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historicity-of-jesus-resurrection/793524)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2017, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historicity-of-jesus-resurrection/793524 "2017-08-19T20:20:36Z")
Historians generally accept (with only a few exceptions) that Jesus existed and was executed by crucifixion, at the very least, based on the evidence we have. Aside from its miraculous nature, is there any reason to bel… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=112) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=114)