# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=130 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 131 --- ## [How much will the decriminalization of pot change the impact of 'Stop and Frisk'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-the-decriminalization-of-pot-change-the-impact-of-stop-and-frisk/772264)
**Author:** [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-will-the-decriminalization-of-pot-change-the-impact-of-stop-and-frisk/772264 "2017-03-07T13:39:09Z")
In general, I think I’ve kept my shit together about President Elect Trump more so than other progressives I’ve seen here, on social media, and in real life. I don’t think he is going to do a straight repeal Obamacare, d… --- ## [Cease and Desist letter from Senator to constituents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cease-and-desist-letter-from-senator-to-constituents/781114)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cease-and-desist-letter-from-senator-to-constituents/781114 "2017-03-07T12:29:41Z")
Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson doesn’t like being bothered by his constituents. He’s sent a letter to an activist group telling them that they may only contact his office by writing, that they may not call or visit his of… --- ## [Explain "Anonymous Sources", please](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-anonymous-sources-please/780755)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-anonymous-sources-please/780755 "2017-03-07T04:30:37Z")
Now that the Cheeto in Chief has opined that reporters should not be able to cite a source unless they provide the source’s name (while at the same time the administration officials will only comment if the remained unna… --- ## [The President, Congress, and Investigations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-congress-and-investigations/781591)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2017, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-congress-and-investigations/781591 "2017-03-07T03:29:45Z")
This may be a GQ, but given the subject matter, it would probably end up here anyway. First, is it unprecedented for the president to ask congress to investigate the goings-on of departments under his purview? I’m havi… --- ## [More kids=more tax breaks. WHY?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-kids-more-tax-breaks-why/576999)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-kids-more-tax-breaks-why/576999 "2017-03-06T15:48:55Z")
My wife and I had 3 children (2 boys and a girl) all adults now. I think I have some credibility when I say the tax credits we got were unfair to the rest of you. Well? They were! Until high school they all attended pu… --- ## [Did Airbnb just throw their hosts under the bus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-airbnb-just-throw-their-hosts-under-the-bus/773970)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2016, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-airbnb-just-throw-their-hosts-under-the-bus/773970 "2016-12-06T12:25:16Z")
or are they submitting to reality? Airbnb Ends Fight With New York City Over Fines NYC (or maybe all of the state) has made it illegal to rent out a whole apartment, for less than 30 days. It sure looks like an attempt… --- ## [Vehicle Crimes.. too often a slap on the wrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-crimes-too-often-a-slap-on-the-wrist/781404)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2017, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vehicle-crimes-too-often-a-slap-on-the-wrist/781404 "2017-03-06T06:20:26Z")
IMHO, wielding a vehicle dangerously is about as bad as the various gun related crimes. Perhaps I should not have even mentioned guns but it seems like the way the justice system and society in general deals with them m… --- ## [Miami-Dade’s Policy of Holding Inmates for ICE Is Unconstitutional: Florida Judge](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miami-dade-s-policy-of-holding-inmates-for-ice-is-unconstitutional-florida-judge/781422)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miami-dade-s-policy-of-holding-inmates-for-ice-is-unconstitutional-florida-judge/781422 "2017-03-05T20:30:07Z")
As I understand it, the judge is saying that a prisoner can’t be legally held beyond the length of his sentence and if ICE wants someone then they have to be waiting at the cell door or catch him later. This is a loc… --- ## [Objectively, is Donald Trump a good businessman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objectively-is-donald-trump-a-good-businessman/781015)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objectively-is-donald-trump-a-good-businessman/781015 "2017-03-03T17:08:27Z")
When it comes to his business acumen, a lot of the press I read implies that he owes his fortune to inheritance, a bit of luck and a bunch of leaving other people holding the bag. Oh the other hand, he is wildly success… --- ## [Why are certain crimes so rare despite the relative ease of committing them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-certain-crimes-so-rare-despite-the-relative-ease-of-committing-them/780823)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-certain-crimes-so-rare-despite-the-relative-ease-of-committing-them/780823 "2017-03-03T01:40:01Z")
This has always puzzled me and I’d like some Dopers who are experts in sociology or criminology to pitch in as much. People are driven to crimes like stealing, murder, rape to satisfy basic psychical, emotional and psyc… --- ## [Ethics of Sciences' Involvement in Politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-sciences-involvement-in-politics/781109)
**Author:** [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inbred_Mm_domesticus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethics-of-sciences-involvement-in-politics/781109 "2017-03-02T15:18:08Z")
You may have heard about the March for Science this coming Earth Day. I am hearing on the radio that some scientists are questioning the ethics of getting involved in politics. I am not surprised I am hearing scientists … --- ## [Politics and peer review. What comes next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-and-peer-review-what-comes-next/762205)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-and-peer-review-what-comes-next/762205 "2017-03-01T20:44:16Z")
If you follow any political argument you will, sooner rather than later in most cases, come across someone stating that a certain thing is a fact due to some peer reviewed paper. Invariably, the person who questions the … --- ## [Obama deporting 2.7 million illegal immigrants - what did it gain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-deporting-2-7-million-illegal-immigrants-what-did-it-gain/781039)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2017, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-deporting-2-7-million-illegal-immigrants-what-did-it-gain/781039 "2017-03-01T04:08:08Z")
A lot of liberals and conservatives alike are touting the fact that Obama deported 2.7 million illegal immigrants during his presidency, the most (?) of any president in history - the political left doing so to deflect t… --- ## [Abortion, the morals and ethics.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-the-morals-and-ethics/779731)
**Author:** [@K2500](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K2500)\ **Replies:** 259\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-the-morals-and-ethics/779731 "2017-03-01T02:21:13Z")
From the mother thread. Now it’s the OP. “Pro-life”, “Pro-choice”, Pro-inbetween". Where are you at? Why? I feel that the choice to conceive was made at the time of conception. That abortion is just a horrible little … --- ## [Should the POTUS have to pass a basic civics/world affairs knowledge test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-potus-have-to-pass-a-basic-civics-world-affairs-knowledge-test/779919)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-potus-have-to-pass-a-basic-civics-world-affairs-knowledge-test/779919 "2017-03-01T01:52:38Z")
There are exams for nearly every other government position. Why not one for the most important of all? I’m thinking a test about The workings of government, current international issues, basic knowledge of economics (mi… --- ## [Has any President taken such a big hit to his program so early in his term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-president-taken-such-a-big-hit-to-his-program-so-early-in-his-term/779437)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-any-president-taken-such-a-big-hit-to-his-program-so-early-in-his-term/779437 "2017-02-28T19:38:24Z")
Not sure if it’s factual or GD, but it’s Trump, so GD. Trump just took a hit, bigly, to his platform, less than 3 weeks from taking office. The ban was one of his earliest campaign promises that he repeated all through… --- ## [African Americans and Arab People.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-americans-and-arab-people/780935)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/african-americans-and-arab-people/780935 "2017-02-28T02:02:37Z")
(I am putting this in GD, because I am already anticipating it might create a strong reaction. I hope that won’t happen, but just in case it does…) Anyways, I just wanted to share with you all what they used to say when… --- ## [Is the modern conservative movement really a front for the fossil fuel industry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-modern-conservative-movement-really-a-front-for-the-fossil-fuel-industry/780526)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-modern-conservative-movement-really-a-front-for-the-fossil-fuel-industry/780526 "2017-02-27T17:17:50Z")
I thought we’d had enough of oilmen running US foreign policy after the Bushes and Dick Cheney. But now the Secretary of State is the former head of ExxonMobil. “Conservative” “Republican” legislators in states like Wyo… --- ## [Rehabilitating "political correctness"s' negative image](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rehabilitating-political-correctness-s-negative-image/778600)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 362\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2017, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rehabilitating-political-correctness-s-negative-image/778600 "2017-02-27T15:54:45Z")
A major liability emerged for the political left in this election, which was that, over the course of the past few decades, “political correctness” came to have an increasingly bad connotation associated with it, to the … --- ## [When and how did a separate Austrian identity take root?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-did-a-separate-austrian-identity-take-root/780687)
**Author:** [@HenryIX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HenryIX)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-and-how-did-a-separate-austrian-identity-take-root/780687 "2017-02-27T02:14:00Z")
I know this is a bit of a thorny topic, so I’ll try to stay as objective as I can. For almost 400 years, Austrians were the leaders of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. After the Holy Roman Empire disbanded, th… --- ## [Don't follow your dreams?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-follow-your-dreams/780576)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2017, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-follow-your-dreams/780576 "2017-02-27T00:29:38Z")
I came across this video of Mike Judge from “Dirty Jobs” talking about how people make mistakes by following their dreams and passions even when they dont have the talents for them or those dreams are just unrealistic. H… --- ## [Is Atheism fueling the growth of Islam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-fueling-the-growth-of-islam/780382)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2017, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-atheism-fueling-the-growth-of-islam/780382 "2017-02-26T18:37:02Z")
Religious belief (Christian, Muslim, etc.) and absence of religious belief may be personal positions, but they have social and political implications. Secularization of the West is a powerful phenomenon. Secularization… --- ## [The loophole in transgender bathroom rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-loophole-in-transgender-bathroom-rights/780610)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2017, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-loophole-in-transgender-bathroom-rights/780610 "2017-02-26T15:25:48Z")
I am 100% in favor of allowing anyone to use the bathroom that most closely aligns with how they identify their gender. I believe that transgender people pose virtually no risk to members of the sex with which they ident… --- ## [Are all younger/older age gap sexual relations equally taboo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-younger-older-age-gap-sexual-relations-equally-taboo/780482)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-younger-older-age-gap-sexual-relations-equally-taboo/780482 "2017-02-25T18:42:30Z")
By young old age gap, I am specifically thinking about young teenagers (not pre teens) and someone in their 20s or early 30s. This came up because of the recent flap with milo seemingly condoning pedophilia, or at the v… --- ## [I think I have Trump's endgame figured out.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-have-trumps-endgame-figured-out/779871)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2017, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-i-have-trumps-endgame-figured-out/779871 "2017-02-25T16:11:56Z")
Not in elections since it has nothing to do with the election. Trump’s cabinet is full of states’ rights advocates. Not only that, but these are people in authority that have seemed intent on destroying the agencies th… --- ## [Has Political Correctness Gone Mad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-political-correctness-gone-mad/780590)
**Author:** [@Jefferson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jefferson)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-political-correctness-gone-mad/780590 "2017-02-24T14:19:12Z")
The former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Trevor Phillips certainly thinks so. It seems to get madder by the day, doesn’t it? Trevor used to be one of the PC Brigade himself, before his experien… --- ## [The Defect in the "Climate Has Always Changed" Argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-defect-in-the-climate-has-always-changed-argument/780246)
**Author:** [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2017, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-defect-in-the-climate-has-always-changed-argument/780246 "2017-02-24T04:44:25Z")
It’s quite simple really. It certainly IS true that Earth's climate has seen many great changes, including what we are seeing right now. However, all indications are, that all of the previous similar fluctuations were … --- ## [Judeo-Christian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judeo-christian/780267)
**Author:** [@race\_to\_the\_bottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/race_to_the_bottom)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judeo-christian/780267 "2017-02-24T02:29:50Z")
For a thousand years or more, Jews were second class citizens in European civilization, to say the least. Pogroms were not unusual. Even as late as a few decades ago, Jews were not welcomed in certain clubs. Fundamental… --- ## [Kolbe v. Hogan: Fourth Circuit Says Strict Scrutiny Applies to Second Amendment Infringing Laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kolbe-v-hogan-fourth-circuit-says-strict-scrutiny-applies-to-second-amendment-infringing-laws/745291)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kolbe-v-hogan-fourth-circuit-says-strict-scrutiny-applies-to-second-amendment-infringing-laws/745291 "2017-02-23T23:50:27Z")
Really, it’s all in the title. The panel said that the Second Amendment is entitled to strict scrutiny. They also rebuked the dissenter for suggesting that the majority bore some responsibility for future mass shootings. … --- ## [Is target marking profiling and does it need to be stopped?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-target-marking-profiling-and-does-it-need-to-be-stopped/780408)
**Author:** [@greenmario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenmario)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2017, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-target-marking-profiling-and-does-it-need-to-be-stopped/780408 "2017-02-23T23:12:52Z")
So I was watching hotel television yesterday and one of the commercials that stuck out to me was one put out by an anti-smoking group. The commercials as well as additional info are in the link: https://www.multivu.com/… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=129) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=131)