# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=119 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 120 --- ## [Was it safer to hitchhike in the us back in the days?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-safer-to-hitchhike-in-the-us-back-in-the-days/787210)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-safer-to-hitchhike-in-the-us-back-in-the-days/787210 "2017-06-25T15:30:31Z")
According to science violence is going down globally, and we have never lived in a more safe time in history (referring to Steve Pinker et al). However, I do have a feeling that people don’t feel as safe when it comes t… --- ## [Should there be greater leniency towards fasting during Ramadan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-greater-leniency-towards-fasting-during-ramadan/789610)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-greater-leniency-towards-fasting-during-ramadan/789610 "2017-06-25T15:21:45Z")
Disclaimer 1: For the purposes of this discussion, “Islam” refers to “mainstream” (what that constitutes is debatable) Sunni Islam. I would prefer to avoid the thoughts of “extremist” groups: ISIS, Wahabi/salafist Muslim… --- ## [Proposal : stop the accumulation of all wealth into fewer and fewer hands through inheritance taxes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-stop-the-accumulation-of-all-wealth-into-fewer-and-fewer-hands-through-inheritance-taxes/789481)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2017, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-stop-the-accumulation-of-all-wealth-into-fewer-and-fewer-hands-through-inheritance-taxes/789481 "2017-06-25T00:37:21Z")
It’s an undisputed fact that more and more of all wealth, in both the United States and worldwide, is flowing into an ever smaller group of people’s accounts. Whether you think this is good or bad, whether conservative … --- ## [The Ultimate Solution to trigger happy officers and police shootings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-solution-to-trigger-happy-officers-and-police-shootings/789488)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2017, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ultimate-solution-to-trigger-happy-officers-and-police-shootings/789488 "2017-06-23T22:55:27Z")
It’s clear that we will never truly stamp out the fears of men, and trigger fingers. It’s also clear that “I felt threatened” is enough of a defense to kill just about anyone in the line of duty. I get it, it’s not a s… --- ## [Proposal - recoup medicare as inheritance tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-recoup-medicare-as-inheritance-tax/789371)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-recoup-medicare-as-inheritance-tax/789371 "2017-06-23T15:08:09Z")
This idea popped into my head the other day. I’m sure wiser Dopers will persuade me to pop it right back out. I haven’t tried to formulate this as a well-supported proposal, but I’ll offer some of my presumptions, and … --- ## [should military snipers be considered serial killers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-military-snipers-be-considered-serial-killers/788889)
**Author:** [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2017, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-military-snipers-be-considered-serial-killers/788889 "2017-06-23T11:53:27Z")
In the GQ thread asking if there were any serial killers who used long range rifles, I mentioned that I thought that military snipers fit the definition. This drew the attention of \*\*engineer\_comp\_geek \*\* and others who… --- ## [The internet makes people stupid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-internet-makes-people-stupid/788993)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-internet-makes-people-stupid/788993 "2017-06-21T23:53:06Z")
The internet allows us to connect to large amounts of people, we can also weed out the groups of people, communities, and content we want to experience. A right winged extremist can choose to only interact and talk to th… --- ## [Unemployment and Trump's Promises of jobs, jobs, jobs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-and-trumps-promises-of-jobs-jobs-jobs/779244)
**Author:** [@CapnPitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CapnPitt)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unemployment-and-trumps-promises-of-jobs-jobs-jobs/779244 "2017-06-21T19:46:26Z")
DJT promised lots of job creation, especially in manufacturing, while on the campaign trail. As much as I loathe the man, I think this is a good goal. But it seems impractical. Right now the traditional unemployment n… --- ## [Should President Obama pardon Chelsea Manning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-president-obama-pardon-chelsea-manning/772003)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-president-obama-pardon-chelsea-manning/772003 "2017-06-21T11:13:54Z")
Chelsea Manning Asks President For Clemency And ‘First Chance At Life’ I’m torn here. I’m sympathetic in some ways, 35 years is a long sentence, although she is eligible for parole in 8. On the other hand leaking milit… --- ## [Presidential Prosecution - Why is there such a gaping void in our constitution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-prosecution-why-is-there-such-a-gaping-void-in-our-constitution/789120)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-prosecution-why-is-there-such-a-gaping-void-in-our-constitution/789120 "2017-06-21T04:02:46Z")
It appears our Founding Fathers took every precaution to make sure our democracy didn’t devolve into tyranny except one of the most important ones: Getting rid of a bad president. Why, especially after Nixon, are we sti… --- ## [Is the Syrian situation likely to escalate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-syrian-situation-likely-to-escalate/789389)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-syrian-situation-likely-to-escalate/789389 "2017-06-21T02:29:01Z")
Russia says it will attack US planes bombing the Syrian military? Is Putin bluffing? Would Trump respond in like manner if he isn’t? This shit is making me nervous. Could all this get out of hand? --- ## [At what point does 'anger management' become a farce in pyschology/criminology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-anger-management-become-a-farce-in-pyschology-criminology/788839)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-anger-management-become-a-farce-in-pyschology-criminology/788839 "2017-06-21T02:00:04Z")
Anger management and other types of therapy are ‘helpful’ but more often than not, they’ve seem to be fallacious when actually looking at why people become angry, etc. The main problem I’ve had with these therapies in g… --- ## [American Police Kill a Lot of People](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-police-kill-a-lot-of-people/789011)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-police-kill-a-lot-of-people/789011 "2017-06-21T01:11:51Z")
Given the makeup of the board, I imagine that the general reaction to the title of the thread will be, “No shit. The Pope is also Catholic.” But, now that we’re well past the BLM era and into the Trump era and I’m not a… --- ## [Legal question - probably end up as debate - hung juries and judges instructions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-probably-end-up-as-debate-hung-juries-and-judges-instructions/789316)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-question-probably-end-up-as-debate-hung-juries-and-judges-instructions/789316 "2017-06-20T22:38:14Z")
The recent Cosby trial got me thinking about judges forcing juries back to discussions when the jury is hung. Factual question: Is there a point at which the judge can no longer tell a jury ‘Keep working until you have … --- ## [Benign Neglect of Opioids Smacks of Racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benign-neglect-of-opioids-smacks-of-racism/789351)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benign-neglect-of-opioids-smacks-of-racism/789351 "2017-06-20T14:34:17Z")
While I usually am not one to scream “racism” I detect a note of treating opioid abusers as victims. See Opioid Addiction: Signs & Treatment. Crack users, perceived to usually be people of minority races, are perceived v… --- ## [Are there more submissive males now thanks to gender equality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-submissive-males-now-thanks-to-gender-equality/788471)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2017, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-submissive-males-now-thanks-to-gender-equality/788471 "2017-06-20T09:06:13Z")
Okay so this may be an odd question but here’s my reasoning. Back a few decades ago, it was more typical for a women to be quitely submissive towards her man, back in those days women weren’t subjected to as much gender… --- ## [People Who Travel to Dangerous Countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-travel-to-dangerous-countries/789061)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-travel-to-dangerous-countries/789061 "2017-06-19T23:17:37Z")
So there’s a guy who went to NK and is now being returned in a coma. And there are any number of other people who have traveled there and been arrested or otherwise run into trouble. And the same is true of all sorts of … --- ## [The Slants: band name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-slants-band-name/671721)
**Author:** [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-slants-band-name/671721 "2017-06-19T17:32:17Z")
An Asian-American rock band wants to trademark their name, but are denied their request.. Why? Because they are Asian-Americans. Washington Redskins? Allowed. Dykes on Bikes? No problem. If a bunch of non-Asian-Americ… --- ## [Dems sue Trump over emoluments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-sue-trump-over-emoluments/788924)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-sue-trump-over-emoluments/788924 "2017-06-19T16:57:07Z")
This should be interesting. So far no one has tried to get DJT to obey the law. “Congressional Democrats to file emoluments lawsuit against Trump” --- ## [Help Me Better Understand Gun Control Opposition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-better-understand-gun-control-opposition/788939)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-better-understand-gun-control-opposition/788939 "2017-06-19T15:45:22Z")
So just to preface my question, while I have most recently (last 3 elections) voted Democratic, I am a lifelong gun owner (several in fact) who believes in the second amendment. Living out in the country I believe gun ow… --- ## [Is a Parliamentary system better than a Presidential system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-parliamentary-system-better-than-a-presidential-system/788297)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-parliamentary-system-better-than-a-presidential-system/788297 "2017-06-19T13:52:55Z")
Given the enormous power that a President has, and the extreme damage he can do (such as blurt out highly classified information to our adversaries, or use nuclear weapons) I don’t think the bar to removing our leader sh… --- ## [Drop Your Weapon!! (rules of engagement)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drop-your-weapon-rules-of-engagement/789043)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2017, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drop-your-weapon-rules-of-engagement/789043 "2017-06-19T08:33:06Z")
From the WP, re the recent shooting: What I can’t understand is why you would yell at a guy who had just shot up the field to drop his weapon, as opposed to just shooting him outright. All this police officer seems to … --- ## [What if one of the 9/11 hijackers refused to carry out their mission while already in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-one-of-the-9-11-hijackers-refused-to-carry-out-their-mission-while-already-in-the-us/789143)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-one-of-the-9-11-hijackers-refused-to-carry-out-their-mission-while-already-in-the-us/789143 "2017-06-18T22:04:43Z")
I’ve been intrigued by this from watching a few docudramas and documentaries on the buildup to the hijackers day of terror. On the focus of, Ziad Jarrah they portay a guy with a seemingly contrasting personality and back… --- ## [WV Supremes rule 3-2 that "sex" is not "sexual orientation"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wv-supremes-rule-3-2-that-sex-is-not-sexual-orientation/786392)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wv-supremes-rule-3-2-that-sex-is-not-sexual-orientation/786392 "2017-06-18T19:47:16Z")
Quick version of the facts. Some dude walks up and punches a man because he sees him kissing another man. The State prosecutes him under a hate crimes statute that prevents discrimination based on “sex.” This Justice … --- ## [So wtf is cultural appropriation exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-wtf-is-cultural-appropriation-exactly/787423)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 301\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-wtf-is-cultural-appropriation-exactly/787423 "2017-06-18T17:09:39Z")
For some reason I have been running into this concept a shitload over the last few days. I have a hard time getting outraged over white dudes teaching Tae Kwon Do or making Kimchi as long as they don’t pretend kimchi co… --- ## [Ideally, what additional checks and balances would democracies have to prevent authoritarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideally-what-additional-checks-and-balances-would-democracies-have-to-prevent-authoritarianism/788410)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ideally-what-additional-checks-and-balances-would-democracies-have-to-prevent-authoritarianism/788410 "2017-06-18T01:55:49Z")
I don’t understand the systems in other countries, I’m mostly going based on what happens in the US. If people want to discuss other nations that is fine though, I just don’t understand their systems. For one thing, the… --- ## [Why do we never see ourselves physically as others do](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-never-see-ourselves-physically-as-others-do/788978)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2017, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-never-see-ourselves-physically-as-others-do/788978 "2017-06-18T00:25:15Z")
I am talking abut body shape and mainly facial features. When i think of myself i dont think of me as the person i see in the mirror. I have a different view of how i appear to others and it is rose tinted. I presume t… --- ## [Gay gene?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-gene/788925)
**Author:** [@Mikeisskeptical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikeisskeptical)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-gene/788925 "2017-06-17T11:08:20Z")
Firstly, who cares? I’m not asking if it’s a “lifestyle choice”. I understand that people are born gay. Even if a person did “choose” to be gay later on, more power to them. It’s not a moral question. That aside, why do… --- ## [War crimes in Syria: what should the world do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-crimes-in-syria-what-should-the-world-do/788931)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-crimes-in-syria-what-should-the-world-do/788931 "2017-06-17T03:28:46Z")
It’s being reported that in the battle to take Raqqa from ISIS civilians are being slaughtered in hundreds in the daily bombardment by the US and their allies and the Kurdish forces. UN war crimes investigators have said… --- ## [When is political violence appropriate? When is it necessary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-political-violence-appropriate-when-is-it-necessary/789038)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2017, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-political-violence-appropriate-when-is-it-necessary/789038 "2017-06-17T03:13:11Z")
A year ago, Senator Rand Paul tweeted “Why do we have a Second Amendment? It’s not to shoot deer. It’s to shoot at the government when it becomes tyrannical!” Yesterday, someone listened to that advice and shot 3 GOP Co… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=118) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=120)