# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=118 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 119 --- ## [The trial of Omar Khadr.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-omar-khadr/549730)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trial-of-omar-khadr/549730 "2017-07-08T01:44:15Z")
The youngest person detained at Gitmo has had his legal proceedings commence. He is getting his day in court although it is not the court that his lawyer would have preferred. He is a Canadian born citizen and stands a… --- ## [A lot of people thought ACA repeal was a no brainer done deal when Trump won. What happened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-people-thought-aca-repeal-was-a-no-brainer-done-deal-when-trump-won-what-happened/790489)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2017, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-people-thought-aca-repeal-was-a-no-brainer-done-deal-when-trump-won-what-happened/790489 "2017-07-07T05:32:49Z")
Many responses in this thread exemplify that prediction. Now, even if the ACA does get repealed, it certainly wasn’t as quick or easy as many in that thread thought. So what happened? Did something argued in that thread… --- ## [Illinois Debt/Budget Crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-debt-budget-crisis/789929)
**Author:** [@ultimate11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultimate11)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2017, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illinois-debt-budget-crisis/789929 "2017-07-07T00:15:03Z")
Obviously Illinois is within days of either making a budget or going down to junk status, leading to hung construction plans, companies more urged to leave and god knows what else. Illinois can’t declare bankruptcy, so n… --- ## [What would happen if every single American received $1 million](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-every-single-american-received-1-million/790005)
**Author:** [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-every-single-american-received-1-million/790005 "2017-07-06T01:01:22Z")
So America has a population of just over 325 million give or take. I don’t know what the adult population is but what would happen to the economy or anything else for that matter if our govt or some insanly rich guy gave… --- ## [Why not "reapportion" states re: US Senate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-reapportion-states-re-us-senate/790007)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-reapportion-states-re-us-senate/790007 "2017-07-05T20:11:58Z")
Just looked up states by population. 4 states (CA, TX, FL, NY) have populations exceeding 15 million, and 6 (DE, SD, ND, AK, VT, WY) have populations below 1 million. Drawing lines a little deeper, 12 states are over 8… --- ## [Government (Grand Canyon) vs. YECs – a legal fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-grand-canyon-vs-yecs-a-legal-fight/786967)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/government-grand-canyon-vs-yecs-a-legal-fight/786967 "2017-07-05T18:50:53Z")
Andrew Snelling is a creationist geologist. Yes, sounds like an oxymoron, but he apparently uses his degree to promote christian stuff But there seems to be a problem One would guess that he intends on finding eviden… --- ## ["How Did We Become Bitter Political Enemies?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-become-bitter-political-enemies/789112)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 652\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-we-become-bitter-political-enemies/789112 "2017-07-05T15:44:48Z")
Have you seen the front page of the NY Times yet? Great article outlining how political party, not race, “is the No. 1 cleavage in contemporary American society.” Using a scale of one to one hundred, American now rate … --- ## [The poor shouldn't have income tax.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poor-shouldnt-have-income-tax/789633)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-poor-shouldnt-have-income-tax/789633 "2017-07-04T21:10:33Z")
Why should I have to notify the IRS if I make small change? If a poor person doesn’t notify the IRS of their income then they should have some sort of relief so if in the future they’re audited everything that they owe f… --- ## [so has there ever been a case where assination of a ruler made things better ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-has-there-ever-been-a-case-where-assination-of-a-ruler-made-things-better/790212)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-has-there-ever-been-a-case-where-assination-of-a-ruler-made-things-better/790212 "2017-07-03T22:07:35Z")
There was a discussion I read somewhere else where someone said to change the current political system you’d have to well put a hit out on about 5 or 6 political leaders in the government And that started a long arduous… --- ## [What factors would be needed to turn the United States into a dictatorship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-would-be-needed-to-turn-the-united-states-into-a-dictatorship/789941)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-factors-would-be-needed-to-turn-the-united-states-into-a-dictatorship/789941 "2017-07-03T07:22:01Z")
A companion thread to the one I just posted; obviously, the two are connected, but not enough to exist in the same thread. Obviously, saying that the U.S. could NEVER turn into a fascist government or a dictatorship is … --- ## [Arkansas gets schooled on SSM](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arkansas-gets-schooled-on-ssm/789965)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2017, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arkansas-gets-schooled-on-ssm/789965 "2017-07-03T02:47:14Z")
I almost missed this gem today. In a 6-3 per curiam opinion, the Supreme Court summarily (without oral argument) overturned a decision of the Arkansas Supreme Court, which had upheld an Arkansas statute applied to precl… --- ## [Solving the problem of intermale aggression](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solving-the-problem-of-intermale-aggression/788721)
**Author:** [@Scott\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_H)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solving-the-problem-of-intermale-aggression/788721 "2017-07-02T16:55:50Z")
In what ways does the instinct of intermale aggression manifest itself in human interactions? Is this a problem that, as a species, we should be concerned with solving? If so, how could we go about solving it? What state… --- ## [What would happen if every single American saved $1 million](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-every-single-american-saved-1-million/790057)
**Author:** [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-every-single-american-saved-1-million/790057 "2017-07-02T16:44:32Z")
Inspired by this thread. What would happen if every single American saved $1 million? $100 per week in an IRA from age 22 through 65 at a relatively modest 6% growth gets you there (according to my simple spreadsheet). … --- ## [Trump Threatens to Send in the Feds to Chicago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-threatens-to-send-in-the-feds-to-chicago/778114)
**Author:** [@arfurvirus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arfurvirus)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-threatens-to-send-in-the-feds-to-chicago/778114 "2017-07-01T18:02:29Z")
If Chicago doesn’t fix the horrible “carnage” going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I will send in the Feds! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017 http://abcnews.go.com/US… --- ## ["Fascism is Liberal"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fascism-is-liberal/782850)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Jeffrey\_Lebowski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Jeffrey_Lebowski)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fascism-is-liberal/782850 "2017-07-01T12:39:30Z")
In 1975, in a sit down interview with Mike Wallace, Ronald Reagan said: In subsequent years, this notion has become a talking point for conservatives. A base line argument added since has been the inclusion of Mussolin… --- ## [Adult brains suck at learning languages: True or false?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-brains-suck-at-learning-languages-true-or-false/790003)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2017, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adult-brains-suck-at-learning-languages-true-or-false/790003 "2017-07-01T01:06:44Z")
John McWhorter, the linguist, says in his latest series that after age 15 the adult brain does not have the flexibility to learn a language to a native equivalency, and will always scruff it up somehow, which is how lang… --- ## [Maternal mortality rates in the US have gone up, but in CA they've gone down significantly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maternal-mortality-rates-in-the-us-have-gone-up-but-in-ca-theyve-gone-down-significantly/790135)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maternal-mortality-rates-in-the-us-have-gone-up-but-in-ca-theyve-gone-down-significantly/790135 "2017-06-30T19:53:14Z")
Article here: California decided it was tired of women bleeding to death in childbirth - Vox In short, maternal mortality (women dying in childbirth) has been increasing in America for the past 10-15 years. But Californ… --- ## [If modern liberalism puts more emphasis on "positive liberties," what are the best arguments for it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-modern-liberalism-puts-more-emphasis-on-positive-liberties-what-are-the-best-arguments-for-it/790086)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-modern-liberalism-puts-more-emphasis-on-positive-liberties-what-are-the-best-arguments-for-it/790086 "2017-06-30T18:49:13Z")
For a quick summary of negative and positive liberties, check out this video. The background for my trying to kickstarting some defenses and cases made on behalf of positive liberty is that that kind of ph… --- ## [Russian and Chinese hacking. What can / should be done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-and-chinese-hacking-what-can-should-be-done/766596)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2017, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-and-chinese-hacking-what-can-should-be-done/766596 "2017-06-30T15:38:08Z")
Two recent news items have me wondering about what can or should be done about foreign governments hacking. First is a recent hack that includes Michelle Obama’s passport. Another is about a half billion yahoo email acco… --- ## [Who is more likely to be able to live without the other? Liberals or Conservatives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-likely-to-be-able-to-live-without-the-other-liberals-or-conservatives/789514)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2017, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-likely-to-be-able-to-live-without-the-other-liberals-or-conservatives/789514 "2017-06-30T05:01:32Z")
This is pure speculation and will never happen, but imagine that all the people in the US were warped to an identical set of twin worlds to live, but the population would be split where all the liberals and all the conse… --- ## [Do people consciously choose "Received Pronunciation"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-consciously-choose-received-pronunciation/789383)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-people-consciously-choose-received-pronunciation/789383 "2017-06-30T00:10:23Z")
This site about learning Englishtalks about how So does this mean that “RP” is a conscious choice? Do people moving to Oxford just decide to speak it? How is this possible, if most people (I thought) are unaware of the… --- ## [When did the news media stop trying to appear non-partisan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-news-media-stop-trying-to-appear-non-partisan/789542)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2017, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-news-media-stop-trying-to-appear-non-partisan/789542 "2017-06-29T16:43:37Z")
I turned on CNN last night at a break in a baseball game to see how the Georgia Congressional election was going, and I didn’t need to hear a word. Each of the four talking heads looked like someone had shot their dog. … --- ## [The Uber boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uber-boycott/778539)
**Author:** [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2017, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uber-boycott/778539 "2017-06-29T13:38:23Z")
Everyone I know Ian proudly announcing the deletion of their Uber accounts. I’ve heard the charges agains Uber, but I’m not sure I totally get it. As far as I can tell: Uber has defended itself against charges of strike… --- ## [Why wasn't syphilis stigmatized to the extent that HIV/AIDS was?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wasnt-syphilis-stigmatized-to-the-extent-that-hiv-aids-was/789809)
**Author:** [@Warm\_blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Warm_blood)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2017, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wasnt-syphilis-stigmatized-to-the-extent-that-hiv-aids-was/789809 "2017-06-29T10:25:03Z")
So just doing some light reading on the syphilis epidemic of the 20th century made me realize that a) STDs were way more widespread that I thought and b) how disparate societal attitudes were towards these diseases. Even… --- ## [How is OWS Supposed to Work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ows-supposed-to-work/602191)
**Author:** [@Hi\_Medlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hi_Medlo)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-ows-supposed-to-work/602191 "2011-11-14T17:48:53Z")
OK, I have a general understanding of what most of the Occupy protesters want. My question is, how is occupying some public place, closing businesses and ports, disrupting politicians speeches and so forth supposed to c… --- ## [Who Should Replace Nancy Pelosi and Her Cronies?//Should Pelosi step aside to let younger leaders in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-replace-nancy-pelosi-and-her-cronies-should-pelosi-step-aside-to-let-younger-leaders-in/789567)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-replace-nancy-pelosi-and-her-cronies-should-pelosi-step-aside-to-let-younger-leaders-in/789567 "2017-06-28T20:23:57Z")
I believe that one thing made clear from yesterday’s results in Georgia and South Carolina is that Nancy Pelosi and her cronies in the House (and Senate?) must go, if the Democratic Party is to re-take the House. She is… --- ## [How much could (current/reasonable) domestic actions provoke terrorism if it were a goal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-could-current-reasonable-domestic-actions-provoke-terrorism-if-it-were-a-goal/789939)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-could-current-reasonable-domestic-actions-provoke-terrorism-if-it-were-a-goal/789939 "2017-06-28T01:51:32Z")
So there are plenty of liberals theorizing that on some level, some of the government’s current actions are at least partly designed to provoke a domestic terror event that would be used to make the power of those curren… --- ## [Trinity Lutheran Church of Columbia, Inc. v. Comer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trinity-lutheran-church-of-columbia-inc-v-comer/783994)
**Author:** [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2017, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trinity-lutheran-church-of-columbia-inc-v-comer/783994 "2017-06-26T20:35:01Z")
So,this is a court case coming up. It’ll be the first major case that comes before the new court with Gorsuch. Apparently, it’s a bit contentious. To summarize, the church applied for reimbursement for rubberizing its… --- ## [The necessity of outgroups and their denigration.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-necessity-of-outgroups-and-their-denigration/789525)
**Author:** [@Dr.Crap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Crap)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-necessity-of-outgroups-and-their-denigration/789525 "2017-06-26T14:41:42Z")
Does every grouping of people lend itself towards identifying and excluding outgroups? Is the denigration of an outgroup inevitable? Is it ever desireable? Is an identity based on opposition to an outgroup more political… --- ## [I don't understand holocaust denial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-holocaust-denial/781963)
**Author:** [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Replies:** 429\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-holocaust-denial/781963 "2017-06-25T23:18:23Z")
Specifically, I on’t understand some of the psychology involved. First, I have not looked into any of this carefully or deeply. I’m just reacting to the popular understanding of it. And I would not presume to address … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=117) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=119)