# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=143 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 144 --- ## [Stephen Bannon: Open white supremacist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-bannon-open-white-supremacist/771926)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2016, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stephen-bannon-open-white-supremacist/771926 "2016-11-14T09:49:56Z")
Trump appointed Stephen Bannon to be his Chief Counselor to the President, and I am seeing a lot of passing references to him now not just as a white supremacist, but as an open white supremacist. I am just wondering wha… --- ## [Is birthright citizenship a disaster for developed western nations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-birthright-citizenship-a-disaster-for-developed-western-nations/771645)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-birthright-citizenship-a-disaster-for-developed-western-nations/771645 "2016-11-14T04:43:35Z")
Living in the Republic of Ireland myself, this country voted to abolish the right of citizenship by being born on Irish soil regardless of the parents immigration status in 2005. As a foreigner who had some friends that… --- ## [So...is Trump a failure of education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-trump-a-failure-of-education/771306)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-trump-a-failure-of-education/771306 "2016-11-13T20:46:40Z")
Our schools ostensibly should be educating students about not only how our government functions, but about the basis for our Constitution and the beliefs and ideals which underlie it and its various amendments. Add to t… --- ## [Is the pilot wave interpretation of quantum mechanics valid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pilot-wave-interpretation-of-quantum-mechanics-valid/770462)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pilot-wave-interpretation-of-quantum-mechanics-valid/770462 "2016-11-13T20:29:23Z")
Is just watched this Veritasium video. I find this much easier to understand than all the other explanations I’ve seen. Why isn’t this interpretation the leading method for explaining to laymen? Is there anything abou… --- ## [Which American 1920s or 30s figure does Donald Trump most resemble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-american-1920s-or-30s-figure-does-donald-trump-most-resemble/771460)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2016, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-american-1920s-or-30s-figure-does-donald-trump-most-resemble/771460 "2016-11-13T13:03:31Z")
Hi Donald Trump reminds me of historical figures from the 1920s or 30s, certainly not more modern figures. I thought initially perhaps a Harding. He’s not a J.P Morgan or a Tom Lamont. The way he carries himself is unus… --- ## [Would anyone actually support war to stop secession?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-anyone-actually-support-war-to-stop-secession/771336)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2016, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-anyone-actually-support-war-to-stop-secession/771336 "2016-11-13T10:54:58Z")
I’m sure the movement for California to secede is just people expressing their rage and frustration, but if a state or group of states did decide they wanted to leave our federation, would anyone really support going to … --- ## [Why not let Texas secede?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-let-texas-secede/671264)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2016, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-let-texas-secede/671264 "2016-11-13T07:37:58Z")
There was a lot of discussion about states that wanted to secede from the US when Obama was elected, but that was before this latest shit from Ted Cruz and his pals. I’ve had it. If Texas wants to secede, let it. If M… --- ## [Of androids, murder and rape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-androids-murder-and-rape/770028)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2016, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-androids-murder-and-rape/770028 "2016-11-13T03:11:30Z")
The topic was prompted by watching Westworld but the scope of the debate goes far beyond a TV show, hence GD. Let us imagine a future much like that depicted in Westworld, where humanistic androids are common and diffic… --- ## [What do they want? What do they need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-want-what-do-they-need/771517)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2016, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-they-want-what-do-they-need/771517 "2016-11-12T23:25:02Z")
OK, everybody’s throwing their pet theory out there. Here’s mine. tl;dr version: If Hillary travelled back years ago in a time machine to air-drop lucrative jobs directly onto the disenfranchised, economically anxio… --- ## [Nukes. How do they work, legally speaking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nukes-how-do-they-work-legally-speaking/771496)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nukes-how-do-they-work-legally-speaking/771496 "2016-11-12T22:02:46Z")
President of the US gets it in his head one day to launch nukes at North Korea. Suppose not one other person, anywhere, agrees with him that this is a good idea. Are there any legal obstacles to him getting the nukes l… --- ## [The world dodged a bullet with Clinton's defeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-dodged-a-bullet-with-clintons-defeat/771466)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-dodged-a-bullet-with-clintons-defeat/771466 "2016-11-12T20:46:11Z")
Interesting article from The Hill. The article goes on to examine that record and I think it makes some cogent points. I myself posted a couple of times before the election that I thought Hillary Clinton’s statement th… --- ## [Is this the beginnin of one-party rule in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-beginnin-of-one-party-rule-in-the-us/771229)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-beginnin-of-one-party-rule-in-the-us/771229 "2016-11-12T16:39:25Z")
I’m imagining a US where it is basically impossible to get elected without an ® next to your name. Could we see a time when the Republican candidate is a foregone conclusion and the real action will be when different Rep… --- ## [Why are men who hate and reject masculinity ‘misandrists’ almost non-existent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-who-hate-and-reject-masculinity-misandrists-almost-non-existent/771352)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2016, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-who-hate-and-reject-masculinity-misandrists-almost-non-existent/771352 "2016-11-12T09:48:50Z")
In the media and in real life, misogyny is said to cause gender inequality for women in the developed world and second class citizens or at worst sub human in developing countries. Misogyny is the driving force behind… --- ## [The ACA and the election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aca-and-the-election/766719)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-aca-and-the-election/766719 "2016-11-12T02:54:04Z")
OK, I don’t think this is really an Elections topic, and I will try and not rant, to keep it out of the BBQ Pit. I think this is really a debate. That said, if the mods feel it should be moved, it’s fine by me (just no… --- ## [Elitism. Is it really wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elitism-is-it-really-wrong/771448)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2016, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elitism-is-it-really-wrong/771448 "2016-11-11T23:26:29Z")
I’m opening this thread not to dump on Bricker, but because I think this is an interesting thought, which I’ll start by saying I don’t agree with. I don’t want this thread to be about personal attacks, either towards Br… --- ## [Commercial Establishment Refusing to Provide Message They Object to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercial-establishment-refusing-to-provide-message-they-object-to/769860)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2016, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commercial-establishment-refusing-to-provide-message-they-object-to/769860 "2016-11-11T19:07:34Z")
This is from Northern Ireland: Ashers Bakery lose appeal in “gay cake” discrimination case I’m curious as to how the US courts would rule on this (I would guess there would be some free speech issues involved). But I’… --- ## [Brexit vs. President Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-vs-president-trump/771482)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2016, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-vs-president-trump/771482 "2016-11-11T14:46:39Z")
Donald Trump famously called himself “Mr. Brexit++.” People warned that Trump could happen against polling odds, kinda like Brexit. Then Trump happened. What are some similarities? Are they that similar? My take is thi… --- ## [If Gay marriage is a right what about this:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gay-marriage-is-a-right-what-about-this/770544)
**Author:** [@virtually\_yours](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/virtually_yours)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-gay-marriage-is-a-right-what-about-this/770544 "2016-11-11T03:59:27Z")
Gays basically claim that they were born that way so they have no real choice, (well I assume that is part or the whole of the argument) so what about someone who claims they are bi-sexual, does this mean they should be … --- ## [Should the State recompense lost income?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-state-recompense-lost-income/771286)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-state-recompense-lost-income/771286 "2016-11-10T22:54:07Z")
It is a commonplace that when someone is charged with a crime they lose their job and thus their income. When such a person is vindicated by the legal system, should the charging entity - usually but not necessarily the … --- ## [Radical, poorly thought out, and middle-man free health insurance idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radical-poorly-thought-out-and-middle-man-free-health-insurance-idea/771262)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radical-poorly-thought-out-and-middle-man-free-health-insurance-idea/771262 "2016-11-10T22:11:12Z")
I have ideas some time and I play around with them. Here’s one, with numbers gleaned from the following sources: A small Washington community hospital budget: www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/5300/BUD2013-150.xlsx P… --- ## [Truman vs Dewey vs Trump vs. Clinton - Which upset was greater?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truman-vs-dewey-vs-trump-vs-clinton-which-upset-was-greater/771168)
**Author:** [@bomberswarm2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bomberswarm2)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truman-vs-dewey-vs-trump-vs-clinton-which-upset-was-greater/771168 "2016-11-10T21:53:41Z")
Dewey lost because polls did not reflect that so many voters made up their mind in the final weeks of the campaign. Clinton was unbeatable the entire time. Which was a greater upset --- ## [Stop villainizing people whose political opinions differ from yours.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-villainizing-people-whose-political-opinions-differ-from-yours/769286)
**Author:** [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2016, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-villainizing-people-whose-political-opinions-differ-from-yours/769286 "2016-11-10T01:40:40Z")
There probably have been other threads about this, but I came across a thread somewhere in which both political sides were claiming their opponents were appealing to emotion and that their side is the only one that is re… --- ## [When defeat equals victory!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-defeat-equals-victory/761366)
**Author:** [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-defeat-equals-victory/761366 "2016-11-09T23:58:31Z")
I’m getting ready for the Donald’s concession speech and I want to study a bit about successful defeats. If Donald Trump is setting up his children for future potential elections, then even a defeat at this level would … --- ## [Gender Equality vs "You hit like a girl"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-equality-vs-you-hit-like-a-girl/770718)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-equality-vs-you-hit-like-a-girl/770718 "2016-11-09T20:22:42Z")
A 19-year-old woman got punched and ended up in the hospital with a fractured skull. The video of the incident is very, very brief, and there’s no context given about what may have occurred before, but in the video, you … --- ## [Why do some people believe strongly in conspiracy theories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-believe-strongly-in-conspiracy-theories/770945)
**Author:** [@femmejean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femmejean)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-people-believe-strongly-in-conspiracy-theories/770945 "2016-11-09T20:19:30Z")
Whether its terrorists attacks/mass murder (9/11, 7,7, Newtown) or GMOs, Vaccines, etc. It seems that there is an extensive amount of ‘conspiracy’ literature on any of these topics. Now, I don’t think this thread should… --- ## [How about a lifetime maximum on healthcare paid by insurance/medicare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-a-lifetime-maximum-on-healthcare-paid-by-insurance-medicare/770560)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-a-lifetime-maximum-on-healthcare-paid-by-insurance-medicare/770560 "2016-11-09T14:50:07Z")
Basically establish a cap on the total dollar amount of healthcare someone could expect to have covered by private or public insurance. Set it plenty high - maybe double the cost of a heart transplant. Maybe $2 million… --- ## [What can truly be done about "Trump supporters"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-truly-be-done-about-trump-supporters/768328)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 227\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-truly-be-done-about-trump-supporters/768328 "2016-11-09T14:27:57Z")
This isn’t about the elections. I used ‘Trump supporters’ as a shorthand for the white, male-dominated, anti-education, anti-elite, nativist, anti-science, angry, racist, misogynist heart of what I consider to one of the… --- ## [Hypothetical Legal Question Involving Conjoined Twins.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-legal-question-involving-conjoined-twins/771132)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-legal-question-involving-conjoined-twins/771132 "2016-11-09T12:15:16Z")
Something I conceived long ago. And let me lay down my hypothetical argument as well as I can (because as you will see, I can already guess what some of you might say). Two conjoined twins. And it is not medically possi… --- ## [Virginia Dopers: Constitutional amendment on the ballot: "Right to work"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-dopers-constitutional-amendment-on-the-ballot-right-to-work/769592)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virginia-dopers-constitutional-amendment-on-the-ballot-right-to-work/769592 "2016-11-09T10:40:49Z")
There is a ballot measure to take Virginia’s current “right to work” law and make it a constitutional amendment. The measure is popular with Republicans and would prohibit making membership in a labor union a condition o… --- ## [Brexit: UK Government loses High Court battle over triggering process](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-uk-government-loses-high-court-battle-over-triggering-process/770520)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2016, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brexit-uk-government-loses-high-court-battle-over-triggering-process/770520 "2016-11-09T01:09:07Z")
BBC News, although it’s probably in most headlines. So the UK Government has lost this ruling, where the High Court says that, through our ancient constitution preventing the Crown from altering legislation without reco… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=142) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=144)