# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=126 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 127 --- ## [Heroic blow for women's rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-blow-for-womens-rights/784035)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2017, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heroic-blow-for-womens-rights/784035 "2017-04-13T19:17:59Z")
So the democratic governor of Virginia has worked to improve the plight of victims of domestic abuse by vetoing a bill aimed at making it easier and faster for them to arm themselves against their abusers. It’s a good th… --- ## [It is perfectly rational to gas civilians when you are winning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-perfectly-rational-to-gas-civilians-when-you-are-winning/783974)
**Author:** [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inbred_Mm_domesticus)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 13, 2017, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-perfectly-rational-to-gas-civilians-when-you-are-winning/783974 "2017-04-13T02:01:39Z")
Some dopers and I assume others outside this message board seem to be convincing themselves the sarin gas attack on Khan Shaykhun is some kind of false flag operation. Hypotheses seem to revolve around Al Qaeda or humoro… --- ## [Is Affirmative Action focused on the wrong things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-affirmative-action-focused-on-the-wrong-things/783792)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-affirmative-action-focused-on-the-wrong-things/783792 "2017-04-10T23:18:53Z")
This black teenager was recently accepted to all 8 ivy league schools. She seems well qualified to have been accepted to at least one but all 8 is the sort of achievement that is largely restricted to a small subset o… --- ## [US aircraft carrier strike group heading toward NK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-aircraft-carrier-strike-group-heading-toward-nk/784127)
**Author:** [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2017, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-aircraft-carrier-strike-group-heading-toward-nk/784127 "2017-04-10T13:23:25Z")
Hmm. Surprised there isn’t talk on the SDMB about this yet. Or I have missed it. I feel it probably needs a thread of it’s own. The debate? Well I feel it will probably land here anyway. And, well I don’t know. … --- ## [Why the Popular Resistance to Driverless Cars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-popular-resistance-to-driverless-cars/783521)
**Author:** [@Rick\_Sanchez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Sanchez)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-popular-resistance-to-driverless-cars/783521 "2017-04-09T19:48:06Z")
Forget about the economics of the matter for a minute. Obviously, people who make their living driving aren’t going to be happy about the prospect of driverless cars. I’m talking about regular people who say they’d nev… --- ## [Will they really bring back the battleship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-really-bring-back-the-battleship/782639)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-really-bring-back-the-battleship/782639 "2017-04-09T19:38:43Z")
Here is an interesting article on the subject. Personally I have always thought it was a bad idea to take them out. Just the sight alone of the Iowa or New Jersey is enough to scare off some little Iranian frigates. --- ## [Why are 'chemical' weapons the red line in Syria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-chemical-weapons-the-red-line-in-syria/783918)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2017, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-chemical-weapons-the-red-line-in-syria/783918 "2017-04-09T07:33:55Z")
Assad, by all appearances, is a brutal dictator more than happy to slaughter his countrymen to stay in power. It seems that the rest of the world is, by and large, content to allow that arrangement to continue as long as… --- ## [Israel/Palestinians: Your Take](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-palestinians-your-take/749840)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 637\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-palestinians-your-take/749840 "2017-04-08T16:54:42Z")
Why is this thread in elections? Simple: because its a big electoral issue, hence why all the serious candidates went to AIPAC (Bernie is not serious, IMO, hence his absence, as well as pandering to the far-left). Addit… --- ## [Would you be a dip to try this chip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-a-dip-to-try-this-chip/783746)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2017, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-a-dip-to-try-this-chip/783746 "2017-04-08T00:47:44Z")
A Swedish company has started implanting microchips in the hands of some of its workers. It may be voluntary, but I see at least three problems: They cannot guarantee that all the personal information gathered by this… --- ## [The ATF Program - YF-22 VS YF-23](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-atf-program-yf-22-vs-yf-23/783900)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-atf-program-yf-22-vs-yf-23/783900 "2017-04-07T20:26:27Z")
I recently watched a fairly interesting documentary on the YF-23 program and its competition with the YF-22. There are quite a few knowledgable aviation people on here (I’m very much only an interested amateur so please … --- ## [Is Trump part Democrat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-part-democrat/783675)
**Author:** [@Silver\_lining](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_lining)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-part-democrat/783675 "2017-04-07T19:35:39Z")
He seems that way to me. Yet the press hardly sees it that way. Trump must be the most pro-USA worker President in years. He won the labor vote as a Republican, which is not easy to do since the Democrats always win t… --- ## [Big ruling: seventh circuit decides sex discrimination includes sexual orientation discrimination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ruling-seventh-circuit-decides-sex-discrimination-includes-sexual-orientation-discrimination/783776)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-ruling-seventh-circuit-decides-sex-discrimination-includes-sexual-orientation-discrimination/783776 "2017-04-07T18:20:22Z")
One of the most contentious issues in contemporary US law is whether statutes that protect people from sex discrimination (like Title VII) also protect people from sexual orientation discrimination. The argument is that… --- ## [Should American's from the island territories be allowed to vote in US presidential elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-americans-from-the-island-territories-be-allowed-to-vote-in-us-presidential-elections/783767)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-americans-from-the-island-territories-be-allowed-to-vote-in-us-presidential-elections/783767 "2017-04-07T17:58:08Z")
Basically, the title says it all. Do you think that American’s (because they ARE American citizens) should be able to vote in US presidential elections? Why or why not? As a bonus, assuming you think they should, how … --- ## [Political responses to opioid abuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-responses-to-opioid-abuse/783317)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-responses-to-opioid-abuse/783317 "2017-04-07T02:44:45Z")
The Trump administration is setting up a panel to advise on methods of combating opioid abuse. Putting aside the thought that the only thing Christie should be advising on is the best way to cause gridlocks for fun and… --- ## [Did signals from Tillerson and Trump lead to Assad's use of nerve gas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-signals-from-tillerson-and-trump-lead-to-assads-use-of-nerve-gas/783753)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2017, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-signals-from-tillerson-and-trump-lead-to-assads-use-of-nerve-gas/783753 "2017-04-07T02:30:03Z")
According to sources like this one, Syria’s Assad regime is once again probably using sarin nerve gas against his own civilians. The sarin, possibly dropped from Russian aircraft, killed dozens including eleven children … --- ## [What Made Merrill Garland a "Moderate" to the Media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-merrill-garland-a-moderate-to-the-media/783723)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-made-merrill-garland-a-moderate-to-the-media/783723 "2017-04-06T19:11:55Z")
Up front: my general belief is that ALL presidents are entitled to pick the Cabinet members and judges they want, and that the Senate should usually just rubber stamp the nominees. In a world where Astorian made the rule… --- ## [Does melanin emit energy/radiation effectively?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-melanin-emit-energy-radiation-effectively/783640)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-melanin-emit-energy-radiation-effectively/783640 "2017-04-06T18:29:43Z")
" Do black people get hotter in the sun?" is a question that gets asked a lot on the internet, but its actually a good question. We know that dark objects absorb more visible light, and possibly light in other spectrum … --- ## [Is it a crime to want to live under the caliphate instituted by ISIS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-crime-to-want-to-live-under-the-caliphate-instituted-by-isis/783643)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2017, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-crime-to-want-to-live-under-the-caliphate-instituted-by-isis/783643 "2017-04-06T18:08:49Z")
In a recent CNN documentary, Younnes (formerly known as Michael Delefortrie) declares he regrets returning from Syria to Belgium and proclaims his desire to live under the caliphate. “Is that a crime?” he asks. The youn… --- ## [What is wrong with political litmus tests (or purity tests if you prefer)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-political-litmus-tests-or-purity-tests-if-you-prefer/783388)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-political-litmus-tests-or-purity-tests-if-you-prefer/783388 "2017-04-05T18:39:25Z")
Usually it is considered a “Bad Thing\[sup\]tm\[/sup\]” to tell someone that they are demanding a litmus test for their candidates. But thinking on this got me wondering… A political party is usually founded by people of a… --- ## [Serious Question: Wouldn't President Rubio or President Kasich Get the Same Treatment as Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-question-wouldnt-president-rubio-or-president-kasich-get-the-same-treatment-as-trump/783629)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-question-wouldnt-president-rubio-or-president-kasich-get-the-same-treatment-as-trump/783629 "2017-04-05T15:06:10Z")
I happen to believe that Donald Trump is a fraud, an asshole, and a repulsive human being. I’ve been saying that since long before he started running for President. So I really don’t mind seeing him abused from the Left… --- ## ["I'll back Texas independence, EU's Juncker warns Trump."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-back-texas-independence-eus-juncker-warns-trump/783384)
**Author:** [@Fuji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2017, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ill-back-texas-independence-eus-juncker-warns-trump/783384 "2017-04-05T04:27:02Z")
According to CNN, the EU Prez said today in Malta: I know we’re running out of hyperbole here, but HOLY FUCK! Is anyone else alarmed by this statement? Mind you, I don’t disagree with the thrust of Juncker’s argument, … --- ## [Why when and what made society gradually more civilized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-when-and-what-made-society-gradually-more-civilized/783371)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-when-and-what-made-society-gradually-more-civilized/783371 "2017-04-04T21:22:37Z")
Why have groups of people became more trusting and compassionate? When did society start to show signs of true civil behavior and not just esoteric pity for others? What is the factor or event that lead to us becoming mo… --- ## [Can trump's travel ban still be ruled unconstitutional if Gorsuch becomes supreme court judge?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trumps-travel-ban-still-be-ruled-unconstitutional-if-gorsuch-becomes-supreme-court-judge/783708)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trumps-travel-ban-still-be-ruled-unconstitutional-if-gorsuch-becomes-supreme-court-judge/783708 "2017-04-04T18:33:00Z")
Trumps travel ban will without a doubt go to the supreme court, and they should rule it unconstitutional. If the blue dogs and corporatists decided to hold off the nomination, then the travel ban should be permanently s… --- ## [Congress stymied by the president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-stymied-by-the-president/782935)
**Author:** [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-stymied-by-the-president/782935 "2017-04-04T17:51:04Z")
Trump has threatened that if the AHCA doesn’t pass now, then we’ll be stuck with the ACA indefinitely. Congressmen reportedly are scrambling to try to pass it today (Friday Mar 24) against steep odds. I don’t get this. … --- ## [What do people actually want from healthcare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-people-actually-want-from-healthcare/782904)
**Author:** [@HumbleThinker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumbleThinker)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-people-actually-want-from-healthcare/782904 "2017-04-04T16:41:06Z")
Going through some backlogs of Left, Right, and Center podcasts, someone made a claim that what people in general want from healthcare is mathematically impossible. Couldn’t find a transcript but she basically claimed th… --- ## [How distant must the future be to not matter to you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-distant-must-the-future-be-to-not-matter-to-you/782602)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-distant-must-the-future-be-to-not-matter-to-you/782602 "2017-04-04T15:30:29Z")
If you could go back in time to the Philadelphia Convention in 1787 and explain to the framers of the US Constitution how 74 years into the future, the new nation they were founding would fall into a civil war and they a… --- ## [Prosecutor opposed to death penalty has cases removed by Governor.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutor-opposed-to-death-penalty-has-cases-removed-by-governor/783719)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecutor-opposed-to-death-penalty-has-cases-removed-by-governor/783719 "2017-04-04T14:20:34Z")
Florida governor reassigns 21 more murder cases as part of death-penalty dispute with prosecutor First a question. Has this prosecutor overstepped the bounds of her office? If she has not then the subject of debate is… --- ## [Presidents most against Federal Reserve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-most-against-federal-reserve/783339)
**Author:** [@catweasel1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catweasel1)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-most-against-federal-reserve/783339 "2017-04-04T13:11:59Z")
According to theTruthNews.info (yeah I know it seems dodgy) A lot of Presidents that wanted the government to print its own money were assassinated or had attempts. Then often after the assassination things go back to… --- ## [Are young terrorists more likely to come from 'lax parents'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-young-terrorists-more-likely-to-come-from-lax-parents/783718)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-young-terrorists-more-likely-to-come-from-lax-parents/783718 "2017-04-04T11:28:36Z")
This is a mantra that I usually hear among quite a number of ‘old-fashioned’ religious Christians or just in the older generation; Basically they always say that liberal parenting (not spanking kids, breakdown in family … --- ## [BrexitAnother disaster that never happened](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexitanother-disaster-that-never-happened/783479)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2017, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexitanother-disaster-that-never-happened/783479 "2017-04-04T10:39:58Z")
There’s been a re-occurring theme throughout my lifetime. I get told that some enormous disaster is inevitable, or that it will occur if a certain course of action isn’t taken. I am promised death, carnage, and misery … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=125) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=127)