# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=13 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 14 --- ## [When did something being high cost or inconvenient translate into entitlement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-something-being-high-cost-or-inconvenient-translate-into-entitlement/1001802)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 237\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2024, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-something-being-high-cost-or-inconvenient-translate-into-entitlement/1001802 "2024-08-26T01:15:58Z")
So recently I’ve seen a newspaper article about how the toll roads in North Texas show little mercy to people of color/poor people, and the article basically implies that because these toll roads are somewhat expensive, … --- ## [Stopping genocide, both generally and in specific](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stopping-genocide-both-generally-and-in-specific/1006161)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stopping-genocide-both-generally-and-in-specific/1006161 "2024-08-25T19:27:00Z")
The advocates and protesters we commonly call “pro-Palestinian” are sometimes their own worst enemies, in my opinion, and (given my knowledge base) I’m a little unsure about the motives of some (especially those who use … --- ## [Most useful 2 year/tech school degree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useful-2-year-tech-school-degree/1006032)
**Author:** [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2024, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-useful-2-year-tech-school-degree/1006032 "2024-08-25T03:19:11Z")
Inspired by the “Most useful 4 year degree” thread. I’m thinking a diploma from an auto mechanic’s school might lead to the highest income, given the current shortage of mechanics. Or maybe a 2-year nursing or med tech … --- ## [Redesigning the United States Government from the ground up - What would a "sensible" government structure look like for America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redesigning-the-united-states-government-from-the-ground-up-what-would-a-sensible-government-structure-look-like-for-america/1005234)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redesigning-the-united-states-government-from-the-ground-up-what-would-a-sensible-government-structure-look-like-for-america/1005234 "2024-08-23T05:15:32Z")
This topic got started as comments in P&E, but I think it’s worthy of a separate conversation. I’ll start by pulling posts: --- ## [What Is "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion", and Is It a Good Thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-and-is-it-a-good-thing/999804)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2024, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-and-is-it-a-good-thing/999804 "2024-08-23T02:19:01Z")
Topic question is the premise for debate. Continuing the discussion from What were you THINKING?: I’m vaguely aware that there are studies showing the benefits of workplace diversity, but since I am not and have not… --- ## [Book Banning in Utah](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-banning-in-utah/1005508)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-banning-in-utah/1005508 "2024-08-22T18:44:23Z")
Utah has actually banned 13 books. Not just on a reading list, not just in one school- but totally and completely for all school- and maybe more- The Utah State Board of Education has ordered schools to remove 13 books,… --- ## [When should you talk about a person's suspect behavior?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-you-talk-about-a-persons-suspect-behavior/1003822)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-you-talk-about-a-persons-suspect-behavior/1003822 "2024-08-16T17:36:41Z")
I don’t want to get into allegations about any particular individual (beyond acknowledging this thread was prompted by a recent incident). Let’s say you work in some business. There is a person you have encountered but … --- ## [What happen to the catholic church?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happen-to-the-catholic-church/1005682)
**Author:** [@Jackson99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackson99)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2024, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happen-to-the-catholic-church/1005682 "2024-08-16T01:03:09Z")
In the past the catholic church was very far left and supporting far left governments. Back in time Jesus was going after the banks and the money. What happen to the catholic church? It was sin to be wealthy or have lo… --- ## [Minimum Wage, but not for these workers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-wage-but-not-for-these-workers/1005063)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minimum-wage-but-not-for-these-workers/1005063 "2024-08-06T18:58:51Z")
A couple of recent threads involved minimum wage, and it reminded me of the fact that some workers are specifically exempted from earning minimum wage. We know that tipped workers may be exempt from the federal minimum … --- ## [Should Forcing Prisoners to work be legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-forcing-prisoners-to-work-be-legal/1004966)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-forcing-prisoners-to-work-be-legal/1004966 "2024-08-06T18:10:15Z")
Continuing the discussion from Prison sentence of hard labor–what do they do?: The link was a factual question about what actually constitutes “hard labor”. I’m wondering why forced work is still even allowed in prison… --- ## [Examples of controversial SCOTUS rullings that were in fact "calling balls and strikes"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-controversial-scotus-rullings-that-were-in-fact-calling-balls-and-strikes/1005014)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2024, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examples-of-controversial-scotus-rullings-that-were-in-fact-calling-balls-and-strikes/1005014 "2024-08-06T14:53:20Z")
There are plenty of noncontroversial Supreme Court rulings that barely if ever make it into the news. There are also highly-contentious SCOTUS rulings that are accused of being partisan-political (abortion, gay marriage,… --- ## [What will Ukraine getting 85 F-16s help them achieve](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-ukraine-getting-85-f-16s-help-them-achieve/1004110)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2024, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-ukraine-getting-85-f-16s-help-them-achieve/1004110 "2024-08-05T19:39:36Z")
I fully support Ukraine, if it were up to me we’d be giving them fifth generation F-35 fighters so they can achieve air supremacy. But I’m wondering what giving them F-16s is going to accomplish. I don’t know a ton abou… --- ## [Should Gig Work Pay A Minimum Wage? $21?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gig-work-pay-a-minimum-wage-21/1002852)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2024, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-gig-work-pay-a-minimum-wage-21/1002852 "2024-08-03T22:38:16Z")
I can see both sides of the argument saying gig workers should (or shouldn’t) be guaranteed a certain amount of money. Including pricing, fairness and a personal preference for smaller government. But I’m certainly no… --- ## [Could the Supreme Court declare a amendment proposal unconstitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-supreme-court-declare-a-amendment-proposal-unconstitutional/1003666)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2024, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-supreme-court-declare-a-amendment-proposal-unconstitutional/1003666 "2024-07-29T06:17:05Z")
I’m aware that the Supreme Court has the power to interpret the Constitution and its authority is therefore derived from the text of the Constitution. This is widely held to mean that the Supreme Court cannot declare any… --- ## [What should "speaking uncomfortable truth" be called, instead of "political incorrectness?" (finding a substitute word)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-speaking-uncomfortable-truth-be-called-instead-of-political-incorrectness-finding-a-substitute-word/1004820)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2024, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-speaking-uncomfortable-truth-be-called-instead-of-political-incorrectness-finding-a-substitute-word/1004820 "2024-07-27T12:06:32Z")
In any given society, workforce or political system, there is an expectation to toe the line - whatever the line may be. There are also times when uncomfortable truths will start to crop up - an emperor’s new clothes sit… --- ## [What recourse do/should people who destroyed/turned in their bump stock have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-do-should-people-who-destroyed-turned-in-their-bump-stock-have/1003261)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-recourse-do-should-people-who-destroyed-turned-in-their-bump-stock-have/1003261 "2024-07-22T22:02:29Z")
SCOTUS overturned the bump stock ban (I told you that would happen). Under the ban people either had to destroy their bump stock or turn it in to the BATFE or risk becoming federal felons. For 2 decades the BATFE sent … --- ## [Would society have been as successful without religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-society-have-been-as-successful-without-religion/1004393)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-society-have-been-as-successful-without-religion/1004393 "2024-07-22T15:23:52Z")
In another thread this popped up: I was wondering how true that was. Are there examples of societies in the past falling apart once religion was cast aside or even deemphasized, or is it a case of organized religion c… --- ## [How would you respond to the trolley problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-respond-to-the-trolley-problem/1002430)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 316\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-respond-to-the-trolley-problem/1002430 "2024-07-17T15:51:21Z")
The trolley problem is a thought experiment where you’re asked to either watch five people be killed or pull a lever so that only one person gets killed. In this hypothetical scenario which choice would you make? For t… --- ## [The pro-life position seems inconsistent with IVF](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-life-position-seems-inconsistent-with-ivf/998319)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-life-position-seems-inconsistent-with-ivf/998319 "2024-07-14T19:06:58Z")
I know there’s a thread about Alabama’s bonkers court case, but I want to discuss a more general issue, as the thread’s title suggests. I’m starting with these assumptions: Many pro-life folks say “life begins at conc… --- ## [How will the governments of the arab world abandoning the palestinians in the 2024 war in Gaza affect political stability in the middle east](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-governments-of-the-arab-world-abandoning-the-palestinians-in-the-2024-war-in-gaza-affect-political-stability-in-the-middle-east/1004013)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-governments-of-the-arab-world-abandoning-the-palestinians-in-the-2024-war-in-gaza-affect-political-stability-in-the-middle-east/1004013 "2024-07-12T18:50:36Z")
So I’ve seen a lot of tik tok videos about the current war in Gaza and a theme that comes up a lot among Palestinians in gaza being interviewed is ‘where is the arab world’. They keep asking why aren’t the arab countries… --- ## [Why aren't Native American historical indicators everywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-native-american-historical-indicators-everywhere/1003049)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2024, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-native-american-historical-indicators-everywhere/1003049 "2024-07-12T18:10:57Z")
I love history, but unfortunately I live in Wisconsin so the only historical sites of note are a few mounds we can look at. There are historical markers all over but they are for a 150 year old Saw Mill or perhaps a gra… --- ## [Cheating the hangman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheating-the-hangman/1003835)
**Author:** [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheating-the-hangman/1003835 "2024-07-10T16:29:59Z")
Herman Goering, second only to Hitler in Nazi Germany, was sentenced to death by hanging in the Nuremberg trials, but managed to take cyanide before his execution. To me, the key word in his sentence was “death”, not “h… --- ## [Does how we feel affect how smart we are?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-how-we-feel-affect-how-smart-we-are/1003542)
**Author:** [@ZeroDay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZeroDay)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-how-we-feel-affect-how-smart-we-are/1003542 "2024-07-04T17:07:02Z")
I am new here so please be gentle :slight\_smile: It’s my first post so I hope the category is correct. Here’s something I’ve been thinking about today, while struggling to do something quite complicated for most people … --- ## [Julian Assange (remember him?) update](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-assange-remember-him-update/745210)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 507\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2024, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/julian-assange-remember-him-update/745210 "2024-06-29T14:15:04Z")
When we last visited our friend Julian Assange, he was in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, with bobbies out front, waiting to arrest him on a Swedish extradition warrant if he stepped out the door and back into British … --- ## [Is HP now a distant 3rd in printers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hp-now-a-distant-3rd-in-printers/1003217)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hp-now-a-distant-3rd-in-printers/1003217 "2024-06-24T23:21:20Z")
I want to upgrade to a color laser, best would be a color laser all-in-one but I don’t think I have the ducats for that. I have been very disappointed with HP for a while. Windows doesn’t communicate with an HP printer… --- ## [Eating cow, eating lamb, eating dog, eating cat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-cow-eating-lamb-eating-dog-eating-cat/993106)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2024, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-cow-eating-lamb-eating-dog-eating-cat/993106 "2024-06-24T21:43:23Z")
So it seems that Vietnam is cracking down on dog meat, for various ethical reasons, And for the life of me, I cannot see any ethical difference between eating a cow, a sheep or a dog, provided all are kept and slaughtere… --- ## [Human life cycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-life-cycle/1003230)
**Author:** [@Texikid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Texikid)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2024, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-life-cycle/1003230 "2024-06-23T21:52:13Z")
What am I talking about? In your opinion what are the stages of human life? I’m talking about adding on to a list that so far looks like this: Infant(0-1) Baby(1-3) Toddler(3-5) Preteen(10-12) Teen(13-19) College kid(… --- ## [What makes nuclear weapons a reason not to intervene against Russia, but less cause for concern when intervening against China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-nuclear-weapons-a-reason-not-to-intervene-against-russia-but-less-cause-for-concern-when-intervening-against-china/1001083)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2024, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-nuclear-weapons-a-reason-not-to-intervene-against-russia-but-less-cause-for-concern-when-intervening-against-china/1001083 "2024-06-21T06:53:13Z")
In every discussion about Ukraine, the main reason given for the U.S. (or NATO) to not intervene directly militarily against Russia has been, “Putin’s got nukes. You don’t go to war against a nuclear power; it’s suicide.… --- ## [Looks like AI is going to shift us all back to manual labor, like how it was for most of human history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looks-like-ai-is-going-to-shift-us-all-back-to-manual-labor-like-how-it-was-for-most-of-human-history/983733)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2024, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looks-like-ai-is-going-to-shift-us-all-back-to-manual-labor-like-how-it-was-for-most-of-human-history/983733 "2024-06-16T20:11:50Z")
For most of human history, labor was manual. Only in the past half-century did it become the norm (at least, in developed nations) for people to work indoors in office buildings on a computer. Now with the advent of AI,… --- ## [Judgmental Vegans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judgmental-vegans/1002902)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judgmental-vegans/1002902 "2024-06-15T02:20:08Z")
I suppose I’m just wondering what the arguments are for and against Vegans that judge others for their meat eating habits. I would like a more informed. Thanks ahead of time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=14)