# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=140 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 141 --- ## [Can this Muslim woman be charged with a hate crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-muslim-woman-be-charged-with-a-hate-crime/774733)
**Author:** [@pleks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pleks)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2016, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-this-muslim-woman-be-charged-with-a-hate-crime/774733 "2016-12-15T02:40:18Z")
There is a case in New York, where a Muslim woman who reported she’d been attacked by white Trump supporters is now charged with filing false report Now, the notorious false police report cases off the top of my head ar… --- ## [Pickett's Charge--what was Lee thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picketts-charge-what-was-lee-thinking/774414)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2016, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picketts-charge-what-was-lee-thinking/774414 "2016-12-15T00:51:56Z")
“Yesterday my men were rebuffed on the flanks, the only logical place to attack an entrenched foe. What should I do? I have it! Meade would never expect an utterly idiotic attack on his center!” No, because it was id… --- ## [Is America still going to be the sole superpower under Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-still-going-to-be-the-sole-superpower-under-trump/774591)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-still-going-to-be-the-sole-superpower-under-trump/774591 "2016-12-14T23:47:51Z")
One of the reasons I voted for Hillary was because I thought that if we cozied up to Putin too much, we’d let Eastern Europe fall to non-freedom, and thus we’d be tossing away most of what we fought for from 1945-1991 ag… --- ## [Is there a difference between 'informed stereotypes' and prejudice judgements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-informed-stereotypes-and-prejudice-judgements/774119)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-difference-between-informed-stereotypes-and-prejudice-judgements/774119 "2016-12-14T21:38:22Z")
I’m regularly in a dilemma. To ‘stereotype’ or not to ‘stereotype’. When meeting people, the first things I notice are their physical appearance (gender, age, race, height, body shape, hairstyle, clothing, grooming, faci… --- ## [In the event of nuclear war, where will the direct targets be in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-event-of-nuclear-war-where-will-the-direct-targets-be-in-the-us/774516)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2016, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-event-of-nuclear-war-where-will-the-direct-targets-be-in-the-us/774516 "2016-12-14T18:21:48Z")
Which cities’ inhabitants should get the hell out should nuclear war take place in the next… um… let’s say four years or so? --- ## [Should there be a Definition of Marriage Act?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-definition-of-marriage-act/774365)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-definition-of-marriage-act/774365 "2016-12-13T22:17:39Z")
You know this is going to come up eventually. Should America pass a Marriage Definition Act? “Marriage is limited exclusively to two consenting human adults.” Discuss. --- ## [is this unsympathetic or racist or is it just hard honesty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-unsympathetic-or-racist-or-is-it-just-hard-honesty/774405)
**Author:** [@potatoesbruhh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/potatoesbruhh)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-unsympathetic-or-racist-or-is-it-just-hard-honesty/774405 "2016-12-13T17:40:35Z")
so, honestly when i see someone freak out over the usage of the term nigga with an ending of “a” keep in mind, not “er” i inwardly roll my eyes. i understand the offensiveness the term nigger was once used, but i also un… --- ## [Sandra Bland video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859)
**Author:** [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Replies:** 1955\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sandra-bland-video/725859 "2016-12-13T12:31:08Z")
This is chilling. Just wanted to find out: Is a cop supposed to be able to tell you to put out your cigarette on a traffic signal warning? Can they reach and open your door for that? Can they drag you out? WTF. If he s… --- ## [Why puritanism beats libertinism every time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-puritanism-beats-libertinism-every-time/774483)
**Author:** [@correlophus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/correlophus)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-puritanism-beats-libertinism-every-time/774483 "2016-12-13T05:34:51Z")
It seems that socially and sexually restrictive norms overpower and beat more liberal and permissive conditions every time. For example: The supposed transition of relative female liberty to the strict patriarchal syst… --- ## [What's so bad about fake news sites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-fake-news-sites/772092)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2016, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-bad-about-fake-news-sites/772092 "2016-12-12T23:41:11Z")
Facebook, Google, crack down on fake news So what’s the problem here? Fake news has been a staple of the internet for years, with The Onion turning it into a goldmine. Sometimes people are fooled into thinking it’s rea… --- ## [Why is Uber regulated differently from taxis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-uber-regulated-differently-from-taxis/774046)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-uber-regulated-differently-from-taxis/774046 "2016-12-12T22:30:47Z")
They both provide the same service, and in much the same way. Why are the regulations so different between them? Uber seems to be able to get away with a lot of things that a taxi company would not be able to do. --- ## [What happened to the American melting pot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-american-melting-pot/773816)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-american-melting-pot/773816 "2016-12-12T14:17:41Z")
This always seemed to me one of the noblest ideas of the American dream. Sure there was a hell of a long way to go and many obstacles to surmount but that was always the goal: one nation, one people. You don’t hear much… --- ## [What do we do to fight fake news?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-do-to-fight-fake-news/772634)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2016, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-do-to-fight-fake-news/772634 "2016-12-12T07:45:13Z")
I get that it’s been around since mankind learned language, but the internet of recent years has made it so cheap to host news sites that it’s become a torrent of absolute tosh and lies. I’ve seen what we would label as… --- ## [How does lower taxes imply more freedom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-lower-taxes-imply-more-freedom/774312)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2016, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-lower-taxes-imply-more-freedom/774312 "2016-12-12T03:35:11Z")
Bernie Sanders’ tax plan would not have negatively affected about 96% of Americans. The tax increases were mainly just extra brackets for household incomes over $250,000 per year. And even then, the increase would only b… --- ## [Should the privacy of those accused of sexual crimes be protected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-privacy-of-those-accused-of-sexual-crimes-be-protected/773078)
**Author:** [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2016, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-privacy-of-those-accused-of-sexual-crimes-be-protected/773078 "2016-12-11T06:46:10Z")
A recent thread, which discusses men falsely accused of rape, prompted me to think about how we treat those (male and female) accused of sexual crimes. One frequent complaint is that false accusation ruins lives. Would… --- ## [Is same-sex marriage in trouble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-same-sex-marriage-in-trouble/774158)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-same-sex-marriage-in-trouble/774158 "2016-12-09T20:36:13Z")
With the election of Donald Trump, who for sure will be able to put at least one person on the Supreme Court, is it alarmist for me to anticipate (or at least fear) a reversal of the same-sex marriage ruling in Obergefel… --- ## [National Recognition, Taiwan vs. Palestine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-recognition-taiwan-vs-palestine/774081)
**Author:** [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2016, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-recognition-taiwan-vs-palestine/774081 "2016-12-09T05:35:00Z")
Hypothetical: a U.S. President sometime in the next ten to twenty years begins making statements in favour of (and moving for legislation in furtherance of) one of the following: A. Official recognition of Palestine as … --- ## [Your politics are the content of your character](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-politics-are-the-content-of-your-character/773477)
**Author:** [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-politics-are-the-content-of-your-character/773477 "2016-12-08T17:02:24Z")
I want to float an idea from a pit thread and make it into an agreeable discussion. The idea is that you ought not to judge people for their political opinions. I’ve seen that before – that judging people by their politi… --- ## [Is Barack Obama legally or traditionally prohibited from protesting what Trump does?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-legally-or-traditionally-prohibited-from-protesting-what-trump-does/774000 "2016-12-08T14:41:34Z")
I’m thinking after the transfer of power has occurred, Jan. 21st, or so. A week later, Barack and Michelle show up, arms linked with the Dakota Access Pipeline protesters, thing is, they have their Secret Service Bubble… --- ## [How do you fight against conspiracies laced with politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-fight-against-conspiracies-laced-with-politics/774004)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2016, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-fight-against-conspiracies-laced-with-politics/774004 "2016-12-08T11:33:34Z")
This could go multiple places, but seeing as that the election was laced with people who believed in this kind of thing I’ll put it here. Watch this dust up over the pizzagate conspiracy theory. Now read … --- ## [Jimmy Dore, War: Trump, Obama, hopeless.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-dore-war-trump-obama-hopeless/773523)
**Author:** [@Flying\_Rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flying_Rabbit)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2016, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-dore-war-trump-obama-hopeless/773523 "2016-12-08T04:30:03Z")
I just watched this Jim Dore video and it was deeply disturbed. I think Jimmy Dore is the face of the “never Hillary” voter, that believed Obama and Hillary where basically no different than Republicans—in the pockets o… --- ## [The skills gap- Fact or fiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-skills-gap-fact-or-fiction/773450)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-skills-gap-fact-or-fiction/773450 "2016-12-08T02:54:39Z")
There has been a lot of talk recently about bringing good jobs back to the US . I occasionally hear about the skills gap, and how there are vast numbers of high paying jobs going unfilled because they can’t find qualifi… --- ## [Special Incentives to Big Companies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-incentives-to-big-companies/773640)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/special-incentives-to-big-companies/773640 "2016-12-07T15:56:37Z")
So Donald Trump managed to convince Carrier to keep 1,000 jobs in the US. Apparently this was partly based on a threat that the corporation that owned Carrier - a big defense contractor - would lose contracts if they wen… --- ## [What's the point of flag-burning and why are some people opposed to it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-flag-burning-and-why-are-some-people-opposed-to-it/773903)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2016, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-flag-burning-and-why-are-some-people-opposed-to-it/773903 "2016-12-07T12:23:31Z")
I don’t have much more to add besides the thread title. I just don’t get why people would want to burn flags or why others would care that they do. That is, what exactly is the reason that people burn flags? To draw t… --- ## [Grandfather clauses in fire codes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grandfather-clauses-in-fire-codes/773877)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grandfather-clauses-in-fire-codes/773877 "2016-12-07T05:28:03Z")
The Ghost Ship building where over 30 people died had no fire sprinklers . this is completely unacceptable. I think that when fire codes change, all existing buildings should be forced to comply with the New regulation… --- ## [Why are Americans in general much tougher on crime than Europeans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-in-general-much-tougher-on-crime-than-europeans/773301)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-in-general-much-tougher-on-crime-than-europeans/773301 "2016-12-06T21:49:34Z")
It seems that in Europe and other first-world nations, crime is dealt with an attitude of rehabilitation over retribution. They hand out significantly shorter prison sentences and the interior conditions are also a lot b… --- ## [Why is supply-side economics and growing wealth inequality bad if living standards are better all ar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-supply-side-economics-and-growing-wealth-inequality-bad-if-living-standards-are-better-all-ar/773882)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-supply-side-economics-and-growing-wealth-inequality-bad-if-living-standards-are-better-all-ar/773882 "2016-12-06T18:46:31Z")
Relative poverty is measured as being less than 60% of the median income. The United States gets criticized a lot for its wealth inequality, but many fail to realize that the average poor American lives in a 1,400 square… --- ## [Modern racism as double standards rather than overt bigotry and segregation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-racism-as-double-standards-rather-than-overt-bigotry-and-segregation/773357)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-racism-as-double-standards-rather-than-overt-bigotry-and-segregation/773357 "2016-12-06T16:59:11Z")
In this video it shows what happens when a white male, a black male and an attractive white woman all attempt to steal a bicycle. With the attractive woman, people try to help her. With the white guy people are suspici… --- ## [Why are there so many corporate fatcats in American politics and what can be done about them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-corporate-fatcats-in-american-politics-and-what-can-be-done-about-them/773925)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-so-many-corporate-fatcats-in-american-politics-and-what-can-be-done-about-them/773925 "2016-12-06T16:51:27Z")
They influence elections and policy-making too, leading to corruption. --- ## [How vital is the United States in the fight against climate change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-vital-is-the-united-states-in-the-fight-against-climate-change/773493)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-vital-is-the-united-states-in-the-fight-against-climate-change/773493 "2016-12-05T17:14:22Z")
Because of current events, I’m seeing a lot of people who seem to think that without the leadership or participation of the United States, any effort to stem climate change is doomed. I’d like to examine that assumption… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=139) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=141)