# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=141 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 142 --- ## [The Stockholm Syndrome and Political Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stockholm-syndrome-and-political-life/773617)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-stockholm-syndrome-and-political-life/773617 "2016-12-05T16:51:16Z")
Autocrats and dictators do not always seize and/or preserve power through violence. Sometimes they manage to easily win people’s sympathy despite their obvious despotic and arbitrary leadership style. Why do people vote … --- ## [Why is 'cowardly' such a powerful insult in society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cowardly-such-a-powerful-insult-in-society/773746)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2016, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-cowardly-such-a-powerful-insult-in-society/773746 "2016-12-05T09:04:15Z")
Whether it may be terrorism, attacks on women or children, deadbeat fathers, or suicide (which actually I don’t get), the statements ‘an act of cowardice’ ‘cowardly act’ or ‘cowards’ are typically used. It seems that soc… --- ## [Should organ donation be mandatory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-organ-donation-be-mandatory/772597)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-organ-donation-be-mandatory/772597 "2016-12-04T16:08:13Z")
In some countries, Finland is one of them, organs are harvested automatically and no permission is required. This law saves thousands upon thousands of lives while in countries such as the US and UK many thousands die or… --- ## [Trump wants NASA to abandon the Earth and send a few people in tin cans around the inner Solar Systm](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wants-nasa-to-abandon-the-earth-and-send-a-few-people-in-tin-cans-around-the-inner-solar-systm/772941)
**Author:** [@K364](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K364)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-wants-nasa-to-abandon-the-earth-and-send-a-few-people-in-tin-cans-around-the-inner-solar-systm/772941 "2016-12-04T16:07:07Z")
I ran out of characters for the title haha. News story here Here we go again. The politicians who think we are still in the era of Mayflower, Lewis and Clark and Conestoga Wagons. Sure, launching things into space will… --- ## [KY Resident requests "IM GOD" license plate. KY refuses, resident sues](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ky-resident-requests-im-god-license-plate-ky-refuses-resident-sues/772842)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ky-resident-requests-im-god-license-plate-ky-refuses-resident-sues/772842 "2016-12-04T09:36:34Z")
Story HERE Short version, Bennie Hart requests vanity plate in Kentucky, ‘IM GOD’. The Godless heathens of Ohio granted him that plate 12 years before, but he now wants one as a KY resident. Kentucky refused, first sayi… --- ## [Do 'smart' drug mules get away easily?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-smart-drug-mules-get-away-easily/773635)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2016, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-smart-drug-mules-get-away-easily/773635 "2016-12-04T06:15:49Z")
If you’ve watched any show about border security, you’ll know that drugs are a big deal for countries. And in post 9/11 with heightened security, so much has been invested in preventing the importation of drugs in the mo… --- ## [Are we heading into a post-literate age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-heading-into-a-post-literate-age/773412)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-heading-into-a-post-literate-age/773412 "2016-12-03T20:19:30Z")
I read this Bloomberg article and thought it was fascinating. While I hate the “as a (insert self-identified race/gender/sexual orientation here)” formulation for establishing credibility / credentials, I’ll start by say… --- ## [Suppose North Korea actually conquered South Korea; what could it actually do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-north-korea-actually-conquered-south-korea-what-could-it-actually-do/773124)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-north-korea-actually-conquered-south-korea-what-could-it-actually-do/773124 "2016-12-03T18:17:43Z")
The odds of North Korea ever prevailing, let alone being the conqueror, in the event of a war against South Korea are probably infinitesimally small - less than 1% - but just for the sake of it, let’s say that Pyongyang … --- ## [Shooting of Walter Scott: a death penalty case under South Carolina law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-of-walter-scott-a-death-penalty-case-under-south-carolina-law/717134)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-of-walter-scott-a-death-penalty-case-under-south-carolina-law/717134 "2016-12-02T22:26:36Z")
Will the district attorney in South Carolina seek the death penalty against the police officer? --- ## [Is the progressive era in the USA over? Another Trump thread.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-progressive-era-in-the-usa-over-another-trump-thread/773475)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-progressive-era-in-the-usa-over-another-trump-thread/773475 "2016-12-02T20:07:16Z")
There are a lot of specific things that Trump might do that concern me, but I also get the feeling that as a nation we are about to start moving backwards. I consider myself a progressive, and the way I see it, the USA h… --- ## [Obama thinks marijuana should be legalized, what can he do about it before 1/20?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-thinks-marijuana-should-be-legalized-what-can-he-do-about-it-before-1-20/773492)
**Author:** [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-thinks-marijuana-should-be-legalized-what-can-he-do-about-it-before-1-20/773492 "2016-12-01T21:14:04Z")
Recent Rolling Stone interview with Obama (summary) Full interview What I don’t get is that this seems to be an executive branch issue. The DEA, which is responsible for drug classification and which has been keeping … --- ## [Adminstration of the plutocrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adminstration-of-the-plutocrats/773534)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2016, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adminstration-of-the-plutocrats/773534 "2016-12-01T18:57:53Z")
From the Washington Post It certainly seems as if the US may be a plutocracy, at least for the next 4 years. But is that necessarily a bad thing? Yes, it could be argued that these guys are out of touch with ordinary p… --- ## [The U.S. should cede Guantanamo back to Cuba](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-should-cede-guantanamo-back-to-cuba/773332)
**Author:** [@Hooleehootoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hooleehootoo)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2016, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-should-cede-guantanamo-back-to-cuba/773332 "2016-11-30T20:18:01Z")
This gets brought up periodically, but now that Castro is dead and a new U.S. President will be in office, it would seem a good time to advocate for it. I wish there were currently some free Cubans who possessed the pro… --- ## [How deep is Cuba's communism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-is-cubas-communism/773259)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2016, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deep-is-cubas-communism/773259 "2016-11-30T08:40:41Z")
Probably a poorly worded title, so I’ll explain my question further here. The Soviet Union had a pretty extensive Communist movement going back to the Bolsheviks that was filled with a lot of thinkers and intellectuals.… --- ## [Is it theoretically possible for there to be 0% poverty in a free-market capitalism system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-theoretically-possible-for-there-to-be-0-poverty-in-a-free-market-capitalism-system/773017)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2016, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-theoretically-possible-for-there-to-be-0-poverty-in-a-free-market-capitalism-system/773017 "2016-11-30T08:26:23Z")
Fiscal conservatives argue against social programs provided by the government for many reasons, but in part because they claim to believe in self-sufficiency and that people should “pay \[their\] own bills”. However, won’… --- ## [Why save people overdosing on meth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-save-people-overdosing-on-meth/763480)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2016, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-save-people-overdosing-on-meth/763480 "2016-11-30T01:28:07Z")
Why are we wasting resources on meth addicts who overdose? These are people who lie, cheat and steal to get their next fix. The money spent on the recovery could be better spent on the indigest or solving other health pr… --- ## [The Possibility of a Trump Impeachment - what would be legit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-possibility-of-a-trump-impeachment-what-would-be-legit/772854)
**Author:** [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-possibility-of-a-trump-impeachment-what-would-be-legit/772854 "2016-11-29T18:14:28Z")
I admit to a certain amount of ignorance about what constitutes “high crimes and misdemeanors”. Apparently the Trump Univ fraud settlement doesn’t warrant this consideration, that I’ve heard. Apparently the Trump Foundat… --- ## [Why would anyone rational person consent to appear on a border security show?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-anyone-rational-person-consent-to-appear-on-a-border-security-show/773290)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2016, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-anyone-rational-person-consent-to-appear-on-a-border-security-show/773290 "2016-11-28T22:30:14Z")
I know those living in the US certainly have on cable Border Security: America’s Front Line which I think has ceased production , but I’m not sure about Border Security: Australia’s Front Line (Nothing To Declare) or UK … --- ## [What will Trump do when he starts to face the fact that there are no easy answers to our problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-trump-do-when-he-starts-to-face-the-fact-that-there-are-no-easy-answers-to-our-problems/772875)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-trump-do-when-he-starts-to-face-the-fact-that-there-are-no-easy-answers-to-our-problems/772875 "2016-11-28T21:11:26Z")
Trump ran on offering easy answers. ISIS? Just bomb and torture them. Lack of jobs? Renegotiate trade agreements Loss of coal jobs? Eliminate EPA regulations. Crime in Chicago? Trump can end that in a week by clampin… --- ## [After Roe v. Wade falls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-roe-v-wade-falls/773222)
**Author:** [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-roe-v-wade-falls/773222 "2016-11-28T16:38:21Z")
Let’s go ahead an assume that, during the trump/pence administration, not just one, but two or maybe even more justices get named to the Suprmee Court, swaying the balance far to the right. In this circumstance, Roe v W… --- ## [Trump and the Russians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-the-russians/772653)
**Author:** [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-and-the-russians/772653 "2016-11-26T22:47:57Z")
Is this a good or bad thing, or somewhere in between. Two years ago they were our mortal enemy. I would think a much improved relationship with Russia would be good or am I being too simplistic. Your thoughts? --- ## [Judge overturns Obama overtime rules](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-overturns-obama-overtime-rules/772802)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-overturns-obama-overtime-rules/772802 "2016-11-26T21:06:10Z")
http://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor\_newspapers/news/national/federal-judge-blocks-new-overtime-rules/article\_caf97c49-2309-535d-8717-f641c76395c6.html Obama appointed judge too, and the reasoning is rock solid. Once again… --- ## [Should the Syrian rebels bow to the inevitable in Aleppo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-syrian-rebels-bow-to-the-inevitable-in-aleppo/772375)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-syrian-rebels-bow-to-the-inevitable-in-aleppo/772375 "2016-11-26T16:24:29Z")
Aren’t they just prolonging the suffering of the inhabitants by fighting on? There is surely no way that they can hold on or achieve any kind of local victory now. The Syrian government has already offered safe conduct t… --- ## [Why don't Presidents put younger people on SCOTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-presidents-put-younger-people-on-scotus/772892)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-presidents-put-younger-people-on-scotus/772892 "2016-11-26T09:48:33Z")
It seems that there is no age requirement for the Supreme Court and one would imagine that a President (whose party controls Congress) might want to ensure that his nomination would have as much longevity as possible. Su… --- ## [How racist is America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-racist-is-america/771283)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-racist-is-america/771283 "2016-11-26T08:46:00Z")
Forked from this thread. Is America really still racist? That there are racist Americans is beyond doubt, but are they a significant minority? Or are they just a visible tiny minority? Is this just fear-mongering by the… --- ## [Is everything going on with the DAPL legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-everything-going-on-with-the-dapl-legal/773013)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-everything-going-on-with-the-dapl-legal/773013 "2016-11-26T04:21:17Z")
I’ve heard a lot about the DAPL, how they did not have a permit to even be there to begin with, and how the DAPL workers as well as the police are not suppose to be on the land. Can anyone elaborate on these issues? Has… --- ## [The Trump 100-Day Agenda](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-100-day-agenda/772735)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2016, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-100-day-agenda/772735 "2016-11-25T01:09:53Z")
Trump gave a YouTube speech Monday on what he wants to accomplish on his 100 days, and they seem to things he can accomplish with the sweep of a pen…but should he? From From The Business Insider: In my opinion, the fi… --- ## [Donald Trump and the Porn Industry.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-and-the-porn-industry/772743)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trump-and-the-porn-industry/772743 "2016-11-24T14:14:45Z")
I was just wondering, what will a President Trump mean to the pornography industry, in the United States? And I am not just talking about him personally. (I think he took a pledge to fight porn, which is not surprising. … --- ## [Racism: How much gasoline is the media sprinkling on the fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-how-much-gasoline-is-the-media-sprinkling-on-the-fire/772420)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2016, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-how-much-gasoline-is-the-media-sprinkling-on-the-fire/772420 "2016-11-24T11:54:29Z")
Whenever I see a headline such as Unarmed black man shot by cop I feel society taking a step backwards in the racism game. Clearly the headline writer is sensationalizing the incident. Why else make a point of identifyi… --- ## [Should campaigns ve required to pay for recounts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-campaigns-ve-required-to-pay-for-recounts/772204)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2016, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-campaigns-ve-required-to-pay-for-recounts/772204 "2016-11-23T21:01:34Z")
Maine’s marijuana referendum passed by a slim margin. Under Maine state law, the state will pay the full cost of the recount that the No On 1 campaign asked for. 500K is a lot of money, and our schools could use it. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=140) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=142)