# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=133 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 134 --- ## [Doesn't it make more sense for the Democrats to stop blocking Trump and let him hang himself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-it-make-more-sense-for-the-democrats-to-stop-blocking-trump-and-let-him-hang-himself/779360)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-it-make-more-sense-for-the-democrats-to-stop-blocking-trump-and-let-him-hang-himself/779360 "2017-02-09T20:26:33Z")
It seems like the Democrats are trying to block Trump (nominees in particular) every which way they can. I can’t help but think this plays right to his base. Trump can blame the Dems for what will likely be his inevitab… --- ## [Trump ban and the USSC and lower courts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-ban-and-the-ussc-and-lower-courts/779165)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-ban-and-the-ussc-and-lower-courts/779165 "2017-02-09T16:51:01Z")
Can anyone explain in layman’s terms how this ban thing is likely to play out with the current composition of the supreme court and the lower court rulings? From what I was reading on CNN the lower courts have blocked t… --- ## [First human-animal hybrid created. Good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-human-animal-hybrid-created-good-or-bad/778276)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-human-animal-hybrid-created-good-or-bad/778276 "2017-02-09T16:50:45Z")
A human-pig hybrid has been created in the lab. The pig embryo (photo on page) was injected with human cells early in its development and grew to be four weeks old. I think this a marvelous achievement and the lives s… --- ## [Self-defense in the judicial branch](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-defense-in-the-judicial-branch/779348)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-defense-in-the-judicial-branch/779348 "2017-02-09T05:24:03Z")
The President’s comments about the judges and the process of the judicial branch have been very widely publicized. He has questioned the integrity of judges, said that they would be at fault for terrorist attacks, and di… --- ## [GOP-controlled House passes measure to scuttle Obama regulation protecting streams from coal mining](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-controlled-house-passes-measure-to-scuttle-obama-regulation-protecting-streams-from-coal-mining/778925)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-controlled-house-passes-measure-to-scuttle-obama-regulation-protecting-streams-from-coal-mining/778925 "2017-02-09T04:19:17Z")
Why in the world would they do this? If you’ve ever seen streams impacted by coal mines you’d know what a disaster it is. Is this supposed to create more jobs by easing regulations? If so, how? I suspect Trump bathed in … --- ## [Public defender fired because of BLM tie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-defender-fired-because-of-blm-tie/778923)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-defender-fired-because-of-blm-tie/778923 "2017-02-08T23:14:58Z")
In the interest of full disclosure, I am compelled to point out that I know the lawyer in question. We attended law school at the same time and had at least one class together. I would describe us acquaintances rather th… --- ## [What if America were to invite northern Mexico to join the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-america-were-to-invite-northern-mexico-to-join-the-us/779219)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-america-were-to-invite-northern-mexico-to-join-the-us/779219 "2017-02-08T16:31:51Z")
Random browsing led me to this: Go read the whole thing. I’m interested in Dopers’ responses. --- ## [Let's talk about the POTUS, "sovereign prerogative" and the constitutional rights of foreigners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-potus-sovereign-prerogative-and-the-constitutional-rights-of-foreigners/779053)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-the-potus-sovereign-prerogative-and-the-constitutional-rights-of-foreigners/779053 "2017-02-08T16:19:51Z")
\[ \](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/latest-qatar-airline-allowing-muslims-travel-us) Does the POTUS have “sovereign prerogative” regarding immigration/visitation? AFAIK he does not. And frankly I’m not sure that the … --- ## [Help me understand...why are people calling it a 'Muslim ban'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-why-are-people-calling-it-a-muslim-ban/778701)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-why-are-people-calling-it-a-muslim-ban/778701 "2017-02-08T08:06:53Z")
I keep hearing this, but it seems over the top rhetoric to me. Trump, in his infinite wisdom has increased the vetting and restricted the travel ability of people from a small group of countries. He’s not stopping Musl… --- ## [Euthanasia should be permitted in the for the terminally ill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanasia-should-be-permitted-in-the-for-the-terminally-ill/776575)
**Author:** [@spacedout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spacedout)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/euthanasia-should-be-permitted-in-the-for-the-terminally-ill/776575 "2017-02-08T01:40:58Z")
Found this post on Reddit. It’s actually from the UK but I think its relevant for most parts of the world. It seems to be popular but wanted to ask what do you think about this? From here: Reddit - Dive into anything I… --- ## [Is Smoking Really 'THAT' Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-smoking-really-that-bad/778723)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-smoking-really-that-bad/778723 "2017-02-08T01:15:59Z")
Interesting discussion I had with my doctor not too long ago. He has since retired. But I told him, every year around Christmas time, I light up a cigar. I asked him, surely there is no harm in that, is there? He said, n… --- ## [I'm dreading the Oscars.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-dreading-the-oscars/778973 "2017-02-08T00:57:15Z")
I’m not looking forward to one acceptance speech after another being, “I’d like to thank God, my agent and my parents; Trump is Hitler; goodnight.” And before anyone says “Oh sure, Rilch: art and politics should never m… --- ## [Should judges demonstrate judicial restraint or judicial activism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-judges-demonstrate-judicial-restraint-or-judicial-activism/778751)
**Author:** [@HumbleThinker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumbleThinker)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-judges-demonstrate-judicial-restraint-or-judicial-activism/778751 "2017-02-08T00:35:06Z")
Pretty straightforward. Put another way, should judges read the law narrowly, limiting the possible rulings they can make, or broadly, expanding the possible rulings they can make to the point that they can arguable crea… --- ## [Why is Israel building new settlements in the West Bank?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-building-new-settlements-in-the-west-bank/778835)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-building-new-settlements-in-the-west-bank/778835 "2017-02-08T00:31:01Z")
I actually am hoping for a GQ answer but I suspect this can’t stay out of GD. My question is why does Israel feel the need to build there (Israel recently announced plans they were going to build a new settlement there)… --- ## [Why don't pro life activists portray abortion as a woman's rights issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-pro-life-activists-portray-abortion-as-a-womans-rights-issue/778251)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-pro-life-activists-portray-abortion-as-a-womans-rights-issue/778251 "2017-02-08T00:28:59Z")
This is a little bit of a muddled thought, but it is something I am very curious about so I will try my best to explain myself coherently. As a casual observer of the abortion debate with no strong feelings one way or t… --- ## [Democratic strategy regarding Supreme Court justices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-strategy-regarding-supreme-court-justices/773297)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 499\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-strategy-regarding-supreme-court-justices/773297 "2017-02-07T17:37:01Z")
The Republican party made clear that it is now acceptable to block the opposing party’s nominations to the Supreme Court for no reason other than that the nomination was made by a Democrat. I disagreed with this, and st… --- ## [What should US liberal do now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-us-liberal-do-now/778504)
**Author:** [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2017, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-us-liberal-do-now/778504 "2017-02-06T21:48:04Z")
(not sure if this belongs in Great Debates or elections. Mods please move if appropriate.) Okay, so now we can see that we have the president Trump we feared, and not the president Trump our neighbors hoped for. And it … --- ## [Trump vows to dump "Johnson Amendment"(no church politicking)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825 "2017-02-06T17:44:19Z")
Trump just promised a repeal of the “Johnson Amendment”, a rule preventing churches from endorsing or speaking out against politicians, which has been in place since 1954. Now, I believe everyone should have the right t… --- ## ["Those who play the identity politics game..."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-play-the-identity-politics-game/776969)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 346\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2017, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/those-who-play-the-identity-politics-game/776969 "2017-02-06T13:02:09Z")
…should be prepared to lose it." I came across this quote in another essay and I think it is interesting. Some people have blamed identity politics for Trump’s success. Is this just another way of blaming bigotry? Or s… --- ## [How worried should we be about ISIS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-worried-should-we-be-about-isis/696550)
**Author:** [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2017, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-worried-should-we-be-about-isis/696550 "2017-02-05T21:23:30Z")
Chuck Hagel calls ISIS “an imminent threat to every interest we have… They are as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we have seen. They’re beyond just a terrorist group.” Martin Dempsey has echoed these comm… --- ## [Why is liberalism such a bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-liberalism-such-a-bad-thing/778481)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-liberalism-such-a-bad-thing/778481 "2017-02-05T17:33:04Z")
I’ve been on this board now for nearly a third of my life, and have seen national governments come and go, and the gloating and hand-wringing that accompanies it. And over those years, I’ve witnessed a growing disconten… --- ## [Why lawyers matter.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-lawyers-matter/778500)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-lawyers-matter/778500 "2017-02-05T16:41:08Z")
You’ve seen the pictures: lawyers sitting on the floors of public areas of airports, tapping on their laptops, producing habeas applications as quickly as possible to have the courts review the arbitrary detention of tr… --- ## [What barriers are there to a president "suspending the Constitution" or "declaring martial law"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-barriers-are-there-to-a-president-suspending-the-constitution-or-declaring-martial-law/778480)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-barriers-are-there-to-a-president-suspending-the-constitution-or-declaring-martial-law/778480 "2017-02-05T16:00:24Z")
I’ve seen a lot of worry about this, but it strikes me as investing the presidency with the same godlike power our current officeholder seems to think it has. So I thought I’d ask the Dope to lay it out for me. If any p… --- ## [Is the imprisonment of blacks an extension of slavery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-imprisonment-of-blacks-an-extension-of-slavery/779022)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2017, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-imprisonment-of-blacks-an-extension-of-slavery/779022 "2017-02-05T01:07:04Z")
Such is the argument used in the documentary movie 13th, the trailer of which I’ve just watched. In the trailer they put forward the view that in the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude exce… --- ## [How many Canadians commit crimes in the US? How many are here illegally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-canadians-commit-crimes-in-the-us-how-many-are-here-illegally/778875)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2017, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-canadians-commit-crimes-in-the-us-how-many-are-here-illegally/778875 "2017-02-05T00:55:59Z")
This is really a GQ question, but you can probably see where I am going with this. Thanks, Rob --- ## [The Best Analysis of Trump's Style I have heard: NPR interview with Reality TV Exec](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-analysis-of-trumps-style-i-have-heard-npr-interview-with-reality-tv-exec/778899)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-analysis-of-trumps-style-i-have-heard-npr-interview-with-reality-tv-exec/778899 "2017-02-04T23:50:05Z")
Link to audio and a transcript here: With Conflict And Drama, Trump Hooks You Like A Reality TV Show : NPR Tom Foreman was a journalist and now produces TV shows. With that context, he provides a plainspoken, non-judg… --- ## [How aware are people of fascism when it's just getting started?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aware-are-people-of-fascism-when-its-just-getting-started/778395)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-aware-are-people-of-fascism-when-its-just-getting-started/778395 "2017-02-04T21:31:30Z")
This is not meant as a thread about specific current events in the US, so I request that anything referencing Donald Trump or US politics directly be kept for another thread. How apparent was the rise of fascism to the … --- ## [What was opposition to Hitler like in Germany?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-opposition-to-hitler-like-in-germany/778388)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-opposition-to-hitler-like-in-germany/778388 "2017-02-04T08:59:50Z")
I am not sure if this should be a GQ or GD thread…I will leave it to the Mods to decide. With the election of Donald Trump there is no shortage of comparisons of Trump to Hitler’s rise to power. I am wondering what, if … --- ## [Rules for Great Debates and Elections at SDMB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-for-great-debates-and-elections-at-sdmb/778966)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-for-great-debates-and-elections-at-sdmb/778966 "2017-02-04T04:30:20Z")
The first rule of the Straight Dope Message Board remains, “Don’t be a jerk”. While there are other rules covering posting behavior they derive from that one rule. Moderators in all forums are here to ensure the rules … --- ## [Rule Consolidation and Housekeeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-consolidation-and-housekeeping/778965)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2017, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rule-consolidation-and-housekeeping/778965 "2017-02-04T04:30:00Z")
In an effort to consolidate in one location the rulesets for Great Debates and Elections, we’ve outlined all the existing rules for the two forums in a new sticky. As a result, we will unstick the previous threads for h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=132) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=134)