# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=116 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 117 --- ## [Is nuclear power economical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nuclear-power-economical/758835)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2017, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-nuclear-power-economical/758835 "2017-08-01T05:42:37Z")
I think I might be the only leftist who isn’t morally opposed to nuclear power. I understand the science, and it is cleaner and safer than fossil fuels. To everyone who mentions Chernobyl, I would like to point out a m… --- ## [Seattle Minimum Wage Under Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-minimum-wage-under-fire/790042)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seattle-minimum-wage-under-fire/790042 "2017-07-31T01:52:59Z")
Interesting results so far. Turns out, the data suggests that one the minimum wage hit around 13 dollars an hour (on a path to eventually hit 15) people making under 19 dollars an hour started to lose money by reducti… --- ## [Will we ever understand the fundamental nature of reality? What if we gathered past geniuses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-understand-the-fundamental-nature-of-reality-what-if-we-gathered-past-geniuses/788785)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-understand-the-fundamental-nature-of-reality-what-if-we-gathered-past-geniuses/788785 "2017-07-30T23:53:25Z")
Inspired by the thread on the Planck length. Do you all think we will ever be able to figure out the fundamental nature of reality? If we could somehow bring together all the past geniuses that made the initial discover… --- ## [The Social Impact of Mobile Devices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-social-impact-of-mobile-devices/792431)
**Author:** [@abashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abashed)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-social-impact-of-mobile-devices/792431 "2017-07-30T18:02:42Z")
Has the advent of mobile devices damaged the way people relate to one another nowadays? People often don’t talk to one another as much as they once did in social situations (such as restaurants) because they seem to pref… --- ## [Why this latest healthcare vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-this-latest-healthcare-vote/792120)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2017, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-this-latest-healthcare-vote/792120 "2017-07-30T17:16:06Z")
Really not sure where this goes, but im asking, in part a procedural question so I’ll start here. Just last week, McConnell failed to get the votes for the latest incarnation of the bill, and Trump was saying how he’d j… --- ## [State Legislatures - Why Bicameral?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-legislatures-why-bicameral/792272)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-legislatures-why-bicameral/792272 "2017-07-29T14:58:58Z")
I wasn’t sure where to put this. It might not have a factual answer, but it seems more debatey than most things in IMHO. It’s about political structure, but not necessarily about any current political issue. Anyway. Nea… --- ## [What justification is there for eating meat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-justification-is-there-for-eating-meat/790659)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 295\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2017, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-justification-is-there-for-eating-meat/790659 "2017-07-29T02:25:38Z")
Given the fact that humans can get by just fine without any meat or animal products in their diet, and the amount of cheaply available grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes everywhere, what justification is there for co… --- ## [The Charlie Gard case(terminally ill baby and parental rights)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-charlie-gard-case-terminally-ill-baby-and-parental-rights/790664)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 236\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-charlie-gard-case-terminally-ill-baby-and-parental-rights/790664 "2017-07-28T18:46:17Z")
Here’s some fuel for the “death panels” fight. Vox explains: Now recognizing that the parents are probably wrong here, this doesn’t seem like all that “polarizing” a case to me. They can get him treatment they can’t… --- ## [What isn't the matter with Kansas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-isnt-the-matter-with-kansas/704398)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-isnt-the-matter-with-kansas/704398 "2017-07-28T18:36:57Z")
Lately certain folks have been writing a lot about the state of Kansas. The narrative seems to go like this: Republican Governor Sam Brownback, elected in 2010, pushed through a conservative agenda, of which sizable tax… --- ## [why shouldn't sterilization be part of the punishment for certain criminals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-shouldnt-sterilization-be-part-of-the-punishment-for-certain-criminals/119075)
**Author:** [@piaffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piaffe)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-shouldnt-sterilization-be-part-of-the-punishment-for-certain-criminals/119075 "2017-07-26T18:46:32Z")
This idea came to mind while thinking about the infamous case of the woman who left her kids in the car while going to have her hair done. It seems to me self evident that 1. this woman does not deserve to have children… --- ## [The 2nd Amendment was written to calm fears about ending slavery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2nd-amendment-was-written-to-calm-fears-about-ending-slavery/790965)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2nd-amendment-was-written-to-calm-fears-about-ending-slavery/790965 "2017-07-26T17:56:17Z")
It can hardly be stated how seriously the issue of slavery was to the founding of this country. More than being an important part of much of the colonial economy (especially in the South), it was a deeply ingrained and … --- ## [Why are police so quick to kill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-police-so-quick-to-kill/787689)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 318\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2017, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-police-so-quick-to-kill/787689 "2017-07-26T16:29:17Z")
This happened this morning. There doesn’t appear to have been any attempts at using pepper spray, tasers, or even attempting to talk to the person. They just shot him and killed him. I’ve noticed this pattern a lot … --- ## [With single payer health plans, whither insurance companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-single-payer-health-plans-whither-insurance-companies/786088)
**Author:** [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2017, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-single-payer-health-plans-whither-insurance-companies/786088 "2017-07-26T13:15:27Z")
I have no sympathy for some of the most heartless and wealthy companies in the U.S. but I wonder what would happen to them if we went to a single payer system? Clearly, if the bill for my visit goes straight to the sing… --- ## [The hottest year on record - how true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hottest-year-on-record-how-true/791908)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hottest-year-on-record-how-true/791908 "2017-07-25T19:29:17Z")
I’m generally a believer in climate change, but admit I don’t follow the issue closely. I’ve seen several headlines from a right-leaning FB friend recently claiming that stats saying that we’ve had particularly hot years… --- ## [Can the President be Indicted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-be-indicted/791896)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2017, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-be-indicted/791896 "2017-07-25T12:11:13Z")
A Clinton era memo from the office of Kenneth Starr argues that a president can be indicted. Here’s a link to the original NY Times article, although some of you may run into pay wall issues. --- ## [Judge rules no 1st Amendment right to film police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-no-1st-amendment-right-to-film-police/747174)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2017, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-rules-no-1st-amendment-right-to-film-police/747174 "2017-07-24T21:50:01Z")
\[Story here: \](http://mobile.philly.com/beta?wss=/philly/news&id=370047651)The ACLU says they will appeal. Does this mean that I can somehow assert my right not be recorded while in public? How would someone who is n… --- ## [Can the President pardon himself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-pardon-himself/791800)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-president-pardon-himself/791800 "2017-07-24T19:24:46Z")
I remember that this question got some brief attention in the summer of 1974, but apparently the current occupant of the White House may have expressed curiosity about whether his pardon power would extend to himself: A… --- ## [What makes a warning effective or ineffective (i.e., climate change)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-warning-effective-or-ineffective-i-e-climate-change/791773)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-warning-effective-or-ineffective-i-e-climate-change/791773 "2017-07-24T17:30:09Z")
The example that comes to mind at the moment is climate change, although any other topic works as well (and I don’t want this thread to be about climate change – that’s just one out of 100 things.) Oftentimes, whether a… --- ## [If not a wall, what should there be at the border?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-a-wall-what-should-there-be-at-the-border/786937)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-not-a-wall-what-should-there-be-at-the-border/786937 "2017-07-24T04:41:19Z")
There is a great deal of opposition to the wall being built on the border, but I would like to ask what the alternative is, then: As I understand it, the border between the USA and Mexico has a varied number of features… --- ## [Will China become the primary world power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-china-become-the-primary-world-power/791608)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-china-become-the-primary-world-power/791608 "2017-07-23T19:21:24Z")
I’ve heard a lot about the rise of China, as I’m sure everyone else has. It’s now arguably the largest economy in the world, depending on different statistics comparing it to the United States. Do you think its economy … --- ## [Euthanasia for non-terminally-ill patients](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanasia-for-non-terminally-ill-patients/710186)
**Author:** [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanasia-for-non-terminally-ill-patients/710186 "2015-02-11T19:16:04Z")
In the US, only the states of Washington and Oregon have passed legislation allowing patients to undergo physician-assisted suicide, as long as they have been certified to suffer from terminal illnesses. Belgium goes on… --- ## [How is the Trump travel ban unconstitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-trump-travel-ban-unconstitutional/790675)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2017, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-trump-travel-ban-unconstitutional/790675 "2017-07-22T21:44:49Z")
Basically the meat of my post is right there in the title. I know that the first ban was “blocked” (whatever the legal term is) by a number of federal appeals courts, and his modified second ban has also been blocked, bu… --- ## [Why are Republicans generally more patriotic than Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 244\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-generally-more-patriotic-than-democrats/791627 "2017-07-22T21:05:16Z")
I now believe that it is fairly well-established that Republicans generally are more patriotic than Democrats. Why is that so? The motivation for this thread came out of this post in this thread and the ensuing discussi… --- ## [Women-only world: Are there wars? How are they fought?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-only-world-are-there-wars-how-are-they-fought/791008)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-only-world-are-there-wars-how-are-they-fought/791008 "2017-07-22T19:53:56Z")
Couple of years ago, the blog Radical Wind posted a radical-feminist utopia manifesto(which reads essentially like a modern day SCUM Manifesto). Discussion of the Radical Wind blog and this post (the poster who runs the… --- ## [Solution to Ethics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solution-to-ethics/791610)
**Author:** [@Forest\_Green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forest_Green)\ **Replies:** 374\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solution-to-ethics/791610 "2017-07-21T17:50:28Z")
The Solution to Ethics Is to Translate Wealth - Objectively Measured by that which causes no suicide when suicide is as humane as possible (curing disease, having infinite space etc…); illuminating why destroying or encr… --- ## [Any theories on why Trump wants to buddy up with the Russians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-theories-on-why-trump-wants-to-buddy-up-with-the-russians/790164)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-theories-on-why-trump-wants-to-buddy-up-with-the-russians/790164 "2017-07-21T14:03:10Z")
I don’t have a thorough knowledge of all the dynamics involved here but I believe that Trump feels bringing the Russians more solidly into the international community and as a friend to us would enhance our bargaining po… --- ## [Will the whole world eventually speak (American) English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-whole-world-eventually-speak-american-english/791531)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-whole-world-eventually-speak-american-english/791531 "2017-07-21T13:57:45Z")
We’re already at the point when any “big shot” pretty much has to know English in order to be successful. Even other varieties of English are losing out to American English, as teenagers in the UK and Australia are gradu… --- ## [Anti-Israel boycott ban: how is this possibly legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-israel-boycott-ban-how-is-this-possibly-legal/791688)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-israel-boycott-ban-how-is-this-possibly-legal/791688 "2017-07-21T12:26:59Z")
From this Boston.com article: https://www.boston.com/news/politics/2017/07/19/rep-joe-kennedy-iii-reviewing-controversial-israel-anti-boycott-bill-he-supports-following-aclu-concerns In a nutshell: a proposed bill makes… --- ## [Can it even be argued POTUS commited treason?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-it-even-be-argued-potus-commited-treason/791587)
**Author:** [@etasyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etasyde)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-it-even-be-argued-potus-commited-treason/791587 "2017-07-20T14:01:48Z")
If it is conclusively demonstrated that the Trump administration colluded with the Russian government or agents thereof with the express intent of reducing sanctions against said government/agents in exchange for assista… --- ## [There are no genetic markers associated with sexual orientation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-genetic-markers-associated-with-sexual-orientation/791356)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-are-no-genetic-markers-associated-with-sexual-orientation/791356 "2017-07-19T21:05:00Z")
I have submitted my DNA to the 23andme organization a few years ago, and also (for the record) I identify as 100% homosexual (male). According to their website, in researching 23,000 customers who voluntarily participat… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=115) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=117)