# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=121 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 122 --- ## [A few WWII hypotheticals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-wwii-hypotheticals/787992)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-wwii-hypotheticals/787992 "2017-06-06T22:24:32Z")
Britain and France go on the offensive against Germany as promised, in 1939. Seems little doubt to me that the offensive would have met with bloody failure, but assuming they keep up some pressure on Germany, does Germ… --- ## [Old & Busted: Is healthcare a right? New Hotness: Is food a right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-busted-is-healthcare-a-right-new-hotness-is-food-a-right/787922)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/old-busted-is-healthcare-a-right-new-hotness-is-food-a-right/787922 "2017-06-06T21:15:56Z")
From the Washington Post: Do we have a right to food in this country? Should children with the misfortune of having parents who are temporarily downtrodden or incapable of work due to physical or mental issues have to … --- ## [Resolved: terrorism is sometimes justified](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-terrorism-is-sometimes-justified/788155)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-terrorism-is-sometimes-justified/788155 "2017-06-06T15:33:52Z")
Let me state first that this is a rhetorical exercise. I ran this by the mods in ATMB and my take from their replies was that such arguments are OK as long as you state your intent beforehand. I’m going to try and make t… --- ## [How did the West\* interfere in the Muslim\* world between the end of the Cold War and 9/11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-west-interfere-in-the-muslim-world-between-the-end-of-the-cold-war-and-9-11/788173)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2017, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-west-interfere-in-the-muslim-world-between-the-end-of-the-cold-war-and-9-11/788173 "2017-06-06T07:31:24Z")
Inspired by the thread on how terrorism is sometimes justified. I put stars on the West and Muslim world for sake of brevity in the title. By the West I mean primarily the US, the UK, France, and Germany. By the Muslim … --- ## [Theresa May wants help from Google et al to spy on her citizens](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theresa-may-wants-help-from-google-et-al-to-spy-on-her-citizens/788125)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theresa-may-wants-help-from-google-et-al-to-spy-on-her-citizens/788125 "2017-06-05T23:49:13Z")
"The intervention comes after the introduction of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 – dubbed the “Snooper’s Charter” – which expands the powers of spying agencies and the Government over the internet. The Act, champio… --- ## [The looming physician shortage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-looming-physician-shortage/787786)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-looming-physician-shortage/787786 "2017-06-05T23:16:27Z")
\*"A 2016 report from the Physicians Foundation found an alarming growth in burnout and dissatisfaction among practicing physicians — 47 percent of respondents in the survey indicated plans to “accelerate” their retirem… --- ## [A Coming Economic Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-coming-economic-problem/788032)
**Author:** [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-coming-economic-problem/788032 "2017-06-05T22:32:04Z")
I hadn’t thought it through myself until I heard mention of a court case on it’s way to consideration in the Supreme Court today, but there is a very real imminent problem that isn’t being addressed in the news, or by an… --- ## [How do we fight against Saudi money exporting their strain of Islam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-fight-against-saudi-money-exporting-their-strain-of-islam/788118)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-fight-against-saudi-money-exporting-their-strain-of-islam/788118 "2017-06-05T19:24:28Z")
I do not want to get into a wider argument about the nature of Islam, but I think most people who have looked into things would agree that the particular strain of wahhabi Islam practiced and propped up and exported by S… --- ## [Russian military's use of Lignostone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-militarys-use-of-lignostone/265762)
**Author:** [@jmeyers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmeyers)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-militarys-use-of-lignostone/265762 "2017-06-05T16:32:27Z")
Lignostone is a composite material of laminated wood and synthetic epoxy. I believe it is manufactured in the Netherlands. There has been a rumor going around among fundamentalist Christians that Russia has been using th… --- ## [Londoners and Firearms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/londoners-and-firearms/788077)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/londoners-and-firearms/788077 "2017-06-05T15:34:30Z")
How difficult would it be for a Londoner/British Citizen to acquire a firearm? Obviously, the acquisition would be illegal. --- ## [How many people are REALLY what they claim to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-are-really-what-they-claim-to-be/788026)
**Author:** [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-are-really-what-they-claim-to-be/788026 "2017-06-05T12:13:27Z")
I’m thinking here mainly, of the socio-political labels that so many people ascribe to themselves and to others. Especially “liberal” and “conservative,” but others as well. What I keep seeing, and seeing A LOT, are p… --- ## [Incest is best](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incest-is-best/174977)
**Author:** [@Qazzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qazzz)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2017, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/incest-is-best/174977 "2017-06-05T11:51:17Z")
Heheh, so I was discussing incest with a friend once. He was saying that there is no real argument against incest, except for the fact that it’s already a social taboo in many cultures. So, do any of you guys have a va… --- ## [What's the legal difference between a privilege and a right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-legal-difference-between-a-privilege-and-a-right/304783)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2017, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-legal-difference-between-a-privilege-and-a-right/304783 "2017-06-04T08:36:39Z")
Is there one? In debating gay marriage, I’ve run across people that say marriage is a privilege and not a right. Is there a difference? (If need be, please move this to GD) --- ## [Civil Forfeiture (and Justice Thomas)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-forfeiture-and-justice-thomas/787975)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-forfeiture-and-justice-thomas/787975 "2017-06-04T04:28:37Z")
Since it began not long ago, I’ve been a big fan of Mimesis Law, finding it on par with Lawfare, Popehat and SCOTUSblog. I’m not a lawyer but I do enjoy learning and reading about the law and legal procedures, so I visi… --- ## [London terrorist rampage June 3rd](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-terrorist-rampage-june-3rd/788068)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2017, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/london-terrorist-rampage-june-3rd/788068 "2017-06-04T01:35:09Z")
Don’t see any thread on this - WTH is going on? Five locations. Multiple terrorists. --- ## [Could anyone stop suicidal pilots from 'doing 9/11' again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-anyone-stop-suicidal-pilots-from-doing-9-11-again/786912)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-anyone-stop-suicidal-pilots-from-doing-9-11-again/786912 "2017-06-04T00:48:51Z")
Thinking about the Ethiopian flight and Germanwings flight a while back where the co-pilot’s locked the door and diverted it or crashed it respectively. aircraft legislation was supposed to stop terrorists from ever phy… --- ## [What is the likelihood of a double vacancy in the WH?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-likelihood-of-a-double-vacancy-in-the-wh/787573)
**Author:** [@Warm\_blood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Warm_blood)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-likelihood-of-a-double-vacancy-in-the-wh/787573 "2017-06-03T16:26:32Z")
I mean in the event that this whole Russia thing does in fact lead to the impeachment of the president, what would happen if it is found that Pence’s knowledge of Trump’s ties to the Russian government is sufficient to b… --- ## [Is it free will that renders intelligent people atheistic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-free-will-that-renders-intelligent-people-atheistic/787074)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2017, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-free-will-that-renders-intelligent-people-atheistic/787074 "2017-06-03T06:34:00Z")
This article claims that Man is naturally a religious animal. Religion is an instinct that has enabled human beings to survive and thrive. However, the higher the intelligence of a person the lower the chances that this … --- ## [Learning Mandarin is better than learning Arabic: correct, incorrect or, erm... racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-mandarin-is-better-than-learning-arabic-correct-incorrect-or-erm-racist/623078)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2012, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/learning-mandarin-is-better-than-learning-arabic-correct-incorrect-or-erm-racist/623078 "2012-05-27T13:23:22Z")
Okay, background: for a long, long time, I’ve strongly supported the idea that learning Mandarin will be an extremely valuable cultural and economic advantage in the 21st century. If I had my druthers, it’d replace Frenc… --- ## [Trump pulled out of Paris Climate Accord to benefit Russia and Saudi Arabia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-pulled-out-of-paris-climate-accord-to-benefit-russia-and-saudi-arabia/787912 "2017-06-03T01:57:15Z")
Both Russia and Saudi Arabia’s economy are based on oil. They’re struggling to keep the price of oil high enough to maintain their economies. The only way to keep oil at high prices is to either decrease the amount of oi… --- ## [What use is space?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-is-space/787367)
**Author:** [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-is-space/787367 "2017-06-02T22:26:40Z")
We have had a recent thread on sky-hooks, and there have been threads in the past focusing on other methods of space travel, or getting into space in the first place, and often, we talk about cost, and how it costs less … --- ## [How to increase the GDP rate to 4%](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-increase-the-gdp-rate-to-4/787676)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-increase-the-gdp-rate-to-4/787676 "2017-06-02T21:10:53Z")
Our economy is based on consumption, the poor spend their money, while the rich sit on their money. There is also many more poor people than there are rich people. Instead of deregulating banks again how about we just in… --- ## [My Note to President Trump on the Climate Accords 5-31-2017](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-note-to-president-trump-on-the-climate-accords-5-31-2017/787815)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-note-to-president-trump-on-the-climate-accords-5-31-2017/787815 "2017-06-02T18:48:29Z")
By way of background, I am a far-left Democrat who voted for Hillary. Nevertheless I oppose the Paris Climate Accords. See the note I posted on the White House website “e-mail” system: ===============================… --- ## [Does the federal budget really need to be "balanced"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-federal-budget-really-need-to-be-balanced/787483)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-federal-budget-really-need-to-be-balanced/787483 "2017-06-02T14:40:50Z")
I know that the nation’s budget is not like a household budget, although many people act/talk like it is. Just like a ginormous corporate budget (Apple, Amazon, AT&T–and that’s just the As) isn’t either. I also know tha… --- ## [Weak men more likely to be socialists, what is the cause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weak-men-more-likely-to-be-socialists-what-is-the-cause/787447)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weak-men-more-likely-to-be-socialists-what-is-the-cause/787447 "2017-06-02T11:10:17Z")
So I came across this article on another forum, but the quality of debate on this forum is higher so I figured I’d ask about it here. I am having trouble finding the original article, it is behind the paywall. Also the … --- ## [Why do we tolerate bad schools in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-tolerate-bad-schools-in-the-us/786781)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2017, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-tolerate-bad-schools-in-the-us/786781 "2017-06-02T11:02:49Z")
I am sooo glad my sons attend good schools here in Overland Park Kansas. For example the school has a theater department which produces several high quality musicals and plays every year. Every day after school probbaly … --- ## [Is Chicago entering a financial doomsday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chicago-entering-a-financial-doomsday/783329)
**Author:** [@ultimate11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultimate11)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2017, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-chicago-entering-a-financial-doomsday/783329 "2017-06-01T22:45:04Z")
As I’m thinking of it, I’m a little worried about my hometown. As I’m looking at the policies President Trump is suggesting and the current state of the State of Illinois, Chicago might enter a financial cramp. Here’s wh… --- ## [Airport security - when do we say "enough"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-security-when-do-we-say-enough/787608)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airport-security-when-do-we-say-enough/787608 "2017-06-01T20:39:34Z")
The director of Homeland Security says they might ban laptops and tablets from all flights entering the U.S. from foreign countries. I used to be an airline pilot, now fly on the corporate side. So I’m going to be caref… --- ## [Jared Kushner: Close to the Russia, Pushed for Firing Comey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-kushner-close-to-the-russia-pushed-for-firing-comey/787450)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-kushner-close-to-the-russia-pushed-for-firing-comey/787450 "2017-06-01T17:09:29Z")
Meet the Real Jared Kushner http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/05/25/jared-kushner-russia-fbi-donald-trump-215191 Huh? And I thought Kushner was one of the most reasonable people working in the White House. --- ## [What comprises Trump's "eight-year assault on your Second Amendment freedoms"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comprises-trumps-eight-year-assault-on-your-second-amendment-freedoms/785460)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2017, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-comprises-trumps-eight-year-assault-on-your-second-amendment-freedoms/785460 "2017-05-31T19:22:49Z")
\[ \](Full Transcript: President Donald Trump's Speech Fires Up the NRA - Newsweek)I lived thru the past eight years and I didn’t notice an assault on my 2nd Amendment freedoms. I don’t recall federal agencies going af… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=120) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=122)