# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=138 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 139 --- ## [Why is femininity hated in men so much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-femininity-hated-in-men-so-much/773459)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-femininity-hated-in-men-so-much/773459 "2017-01-03T17:05:34Z")
There’s this myth in society and online, even on this site surprisingly that feminine = gay. However talking to actual gay men in real life or asking questions on forums it seems that the least preferred gay men are femi… --- ## [Likelyhood of North Korean US Nuclear Attack and our Response](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelyhood-of-north-korean-us-nuclear-attack-and-our-response/775847)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2017, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/likelyhood-of-north-korean-us-nuclear-attack-and-our-response/775847 "2017-01-03T13:32:47Z")
I think at this stage the question is more about when than if DPRK will have some form of ballistic nuclear missile capable of sub orbit and range to the US mainland. Yes the ready in 2017 comments are most assuredly pro… --- ## [Should students be punished for recording their instructors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-students-be-punished-for-recording-their-instructors/774301)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2017, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-students-be-punished-for-recording-their-instructors/774301 "2017-01-03T10:02:49Z")
According to THIS article, a student at Orange State College recorded his professors rants about Donald Trump. The teachers union has threatened to sue or expel the student. What do you think? Shouldn’t a student be all… --- ## [Are speed limits really that low?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-speed-limits-really-that-low/775945)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-speed-limits-really-that-low/775945 "2017-01-03T02:15:44Z")
I notice that most people don’t follow the speed limit and it’s become more of a minimum than a maximum culturally. On various forums, some people are even starting to openly say that there’s nothing wrong with breaking… --- ## [Leap Year Day, Saturday, the Frum, the Pious and the Al-Muttaqin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leap-year-day-saturday-the-frum-the-pious-and-the-al-muttaqin/747128)
**Author:** [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2017, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leap-year-day-saturday-the-frum-the-pious-and-the-al-muttaqin/747128 "2017-01-02T20:37:23Z")
Feb 29 is approaching which is a good day to celebrate those men (humans) who created their calendars by observation rather than by revelation. If you are a religious person who believes your God cares about the number … --- ## [Is life without parole worse than the death penalty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-life-without-parole-worse-than-the-death-penalty/775410)
**Author:** [@Calico\_Jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calico_Jack)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2017, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-life-without-parole-worse-than-the-death-penalty/775410 "2017-01-02T13:13:13Z")
What’s your opinion on this? I can see some people argue that being isolated in a cell for decades with no chance of freedom is more torturous than a quick and easy death, but that’s just me. If I was in prison with no … --- ## [Canadian aristocracy, did such a thing exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-aristocracy-did-such-a-thing-exist/775775)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-aristocracy-did-such-a-thing-exist/775775 "2017-01-01T20:21:11Z")
I, being born and raised in Halifax, could not throw a rock without hitting a city/street/building/park founded by a British noble/officer so perhaps my view is skewed? But did Canada ever have a Royal upper class? I bow… --- ## [Will Obama pardon Clinton and should she accept?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-obama-pardon-clinton-and-should-she-accept/775766)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2016, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-obama-pardon-clinton-and-should-she-accept/775766 "2016-12-31T22:06:24Z")
Article over at The Hill titled as above. It’s interesting to ponder the dynamics of the situation. Will Obama pardon to save his former Secretary of State any possibility of prosecution? Would Hillary accept it, knowin… --- ## [What are the differences between a teenager who is ‘spoiled’ vs one who has an antisocial disorder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-differences-between-a-teenager-who-is-spoiled-vs-one-who-has-an-antisocial-disorder/775455)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-differences-between-a-teenager-who-is-spoiled-vs-one-who-has-an-antisocial-disorder/775455 "2016-12-31T19:26:26Z")
I know that this isn’t usually diagnosed in under-18s because that behaviour can be very common and mistaken for being ‘spoiled’ or general delinquency. Now I try to be more rational than to use pejoratives like ‘spoile… --- ## [Israeli settlements: wisdom, morality, and legality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-settlements-wisdom-morality-and-legality/775471)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2016, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israeli-settlements-wisdom-morality-and-legality/775471 "2016-12-31T13:29:40Z")
FOX News has a breaking news ticker up that says, “US ALLOWS UN SECURITY COUNCIL TO CONDEMN ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS AS ‘NO LEGAL VALIDITY’”. No additional details yet, but I wanted to ask Dopers what they thought of Israeli … --- ## [Are ants more intelligent than chimpanzees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ants-more-intelligent-than-chimpanzees/775384)
**Author:** [@Calico\_Jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calico_Jack)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2016, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ants-more-intelligent-than-chimpanzees/775384 "2016-12-31T00:18:46Z")
Fascinating article. Even though chimpanzees are believed to be the most intelligent species other than humans, apparently ants have the knowledge to build mounds which are the equivalent of giant cities complete with pl… --- ## [Implications of John Kerry Speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-john-kerry-speech/775855)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-john-kerry-speech/775855 "2016-12-30T19:51:19Z")
Not being a particularly astute political observer I admit I might be over thinking this but this recent speech and especially the timing of the speech might be raising some serious national security concerns. What are O… --- ## [Prosecuting climate change skeptics. Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-climate-change-skeptics-really/775838)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prosecuting-climate-change-skeptics-really/775838 "2016-12-29T18:10:56Z")
The California Gathering That Hatched Plan to Prosecute Skeptics of Climate Change Yeah, that makes sense, if you can’t persuade them put them in prison. Nothing Nazi about that at all. Seriously, over-reach or what? … --- ## [Was it Floyd Landis'a lawsuit or David Walsh's investigative journalism that brought down Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-floyd-landisa-lawsuit-or-david-walshs-investigative-journalism-that-brought-down-armstrong/775346)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2016, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-floyd-landisa-lawsuit-or-david-walshs-investigative-journalism-that-brought-down-armstrong/775346 "2016-12-28T22:05:10Z")
Hi After reading several websites that argue for and against the issue of Floyd Landis’s tipping the scales on whether Lance Armstrong would ever have been caught, I’m not so sure. David Walsh of the Sunday Times was in… --- ## [How do you debunk the "I've never seen.. therefore..." fallacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-debunk-the-ive-never-seen-therefore-fallacy/774849)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2016, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-debunk-the-ive-never-seen-therefore-fallacy/774849 "2016-12-28T09:34:51Z")
I know that logical fallacies are something which are despised on online forums (especially here) and in real life discussions. I was having a discussion about psychiatric disorders, illnesses, syndromes with a friend a… --- ## [Elite donors push Democrats to the left on some issues, right on others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elite-donors-push-democrats-to-the-left-on-some-issues-right-on-others/775690)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elite-donors-push-democrats-to-the-left-on-some-issues-right-on-others/775690 "2016-12-28T00:51:41Z")
Interesting article from Vox about how the Democratic party’s donor base pushes the party to the left on issues like climate and immigration, but to the right on taxes. See, over here in the fever swamps of the right,… --- ## [Are Dopers particularly smart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2016, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094 "2016-12-27T23:51:16Z")
As I’ve hung out here, I’ve noticed that this place likes to pat itself on the back a lot and think of itself as intelligent, educated, intellectual, etc. Is there any evidence that the average Doper is smarter than the … --- ## [What does international law say about conquered lands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-international-law-say-about-conquered-lands/775592)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-international-law-say-about-conquered-lands/775592 "2016-12-27T19:13:11Z")
Israel as most of you know was recently condemned by the UN for continuing settlement activity on the West Bank, calling it a “flagrant violation of international law”. But what international laws govern territory taken… --- ## [Trump’s Election as a Warning to Liberals (& Conservatives)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-s-election-as-a-warning-to-liberals-conservatives/774569)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-s-election-as-a-warning-to-liberals-conservatives/774569 "2016-12-17T22:37:47Z")
To me, the most shocking thing about Trump’s election is not that he beat the predictions of virtually all the pollsters and poll aggregator/modelers (and me :)). It’s that he violated every bit of conventional wisdom in… --- ## [North Carolina's bathroom law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-carolinas-bathroom-law/775336)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-carolinas-bathroom-law/775336 "2016-12-26T18:07:20Z")
How can anyone prove what your sex was on your birth certificate? Are people expected to carry around a copy of their birth certificate every time they need to go to the bathroom? --- ## [Is the 'anti-fat shaming' trend a corporate PR move?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-anti-fat-shaming-trend-a-corporate-pr-move/774473)
**Author:** [@Calico\_Jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calico_Jack)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-anti-fat-shaming-trend-a-corporate-pr-move/774473 "2016-12-25T17:34:48Z")
Lately I’ve noticed a trend here and there to make it less acceptable to ‘shame fat people’, or to encourage ‘fat acceptance’. I’m not much for conspiracy theories, but anyone think this might be an astroturfed campaign… --- ## [The War on Christmas Spinoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-christmas-spinoff/775441)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2016, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-christmas-spinoff/775441 "2016-12-24T07:46:28Z")
From the “Is Fox News All That Bad Thread” Started around post 1208, this is a continuation of that discussion. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=19872723#post19872723 No, it isn’t. The concept beh… --- ## [Should the government subsidize newspapers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-subsidize-newspapers/775122)
**Author:** [@Streetcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Streetcat)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2016, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-subsidize-newspapers/775122 "2016-12-24T06:58:21Z")
Newspapers around the world are crumbling, even the large battleships like the Guardian. It simply doesn’t pay to produce well researched news (subjective) in the Internet age. Paywalls don’t seem like a solution that co… --- ## [End game in Aleppo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-game-in-aleppo/773313)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2016, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-game-in-aleppo/773313 "2016-12-24T06:04:16Z")
Syrian government forces have captured more than a third of rebel-held territory in eastern Aleppo. This is good news both for the inhabitants of eastern Aleppo and for Syria itself. Despite the concerted efforts of th… --- ## [Should the U.S. Military allow Humanist/Secularist/Atheist chaplains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-u-s-military-allow-humanist-secularist-atheist-chaplains/774801)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 236\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2016, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-u-s-military-allow-humanist-secularist-atheist-chaplains/774801 "2016-12-24T01:49:36Z")
I found an interesting article on Wondering Eagle about the ongoing effort to allow Secular/Humanist/Atheist chaplains in the U.S. Military. Apparently many major universities have Humanist chaplains, including U.S.C., H… --- ## [Looking back at Obama's time as POTUS.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-back-at-obamas-time-as-potus/771227)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-back-at-obamas-time-as-potus/771227 "2016-12-23T22:40:48Z")
As we look forward with trepidation to four years of Trump as POTUS, let us look back with pleasure at Obama’s 8 years. When he came into office in 2009, things were a mess. Since then he’s bagged Bin Laden, started Ame… --- ## [Modern Day Deism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-day-deism/775307)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-day-deism/775307 "2016-12-23T19:00:56Z")
Just how seriously is Deism (in a nutshell, the belief God can be known on rational grounds) taken today? I know there are Deism sites all over the internet. But they all seem to run by non-scientific laymen. And that i… --- ## ["Secular ethics" put under the microscope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-ethics-put-under-the-microscope/774456)
**Author:** [@Calico\_Jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calico_Jack)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-ethics-put-under-the-microscope/774456 "2016-12-23T14:06:15Z")
Howdy, this is just a logical debunking of “secular ethics”, specifically the notion that the physical world is all that exists and that “morality” is therefore only reducible to naturalistic survival instincts. I’m goi… --- ## [Should I be outraged by "Russian hacking"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-outraged-by-russian-hacking/774765)
**Author:** [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2016, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-be-outraged-by-russian-hacking/774765 "2016-12-23T12:17:07Z")
Here’s my understanding of the situation: A foreign actor (possibly backed by a state power like Russia) hacks the DNC email server. Separately, John Podesta gets phished and the contents of his email account are acces… --- ## [Execution methods in US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-methods-in-us/774261)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2016, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-methods-in-us/774261 "2016-12-22T23:54:06Z")
First let me say I’d appreciate it if this didn’t turn into a debate on the rights and wrongs of the death sentence itself. This is about methods of execution. Ronald Bert Smith Jr has just been executed by lethal injec… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=137) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=139)