# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=146 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 147 --- ## [What if we have a truly contested election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-have-a-truly-contested-election/767623)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-have-a-truly-contested-election/767623 "2016-10-16T16:50:05Z")
How would we resolve the election of 2016 if the FBI knew there were hacks in multiple states or other irregularities and Trump decided to contest the results of the election? As I understand it, the states have to cert… --- ## [How does 'except in the case of rape or incest' actually work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-except-in-the-case-of-rape-or-incest-actually-work/768182)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-except-in-the-case-of-rape-or-incest-actually-work/768182 "2016-10-16T06:46:47Z")
There are a number of people who oppose abortion ‘except in the case of rape or incest’, and I’ve never been clear on how that is supposed to work. It sounds at least somewhat reasonable in theory, but in practice rape i… --- ## [NYC Democratic election official claims voter ID fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-democratic-election-official-claims-voter-id-fraud/768358)
**Author:** [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2016, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyc-democratic-election-official-claims-voter-id-fraud/768358 "2016-10-16T01:43:56Z")
OK, so apparently this guy Alan Schulkin was caught on camera by some conservative undercover reporter saying there was loads of voter fraud in NYC, busing people around from polling place from polling place. Naturally t… --- ## [Could Russia have become a Western nation after 1990?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-russia-have-become-a-western-nation-after-1990/768551)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-russia-have-become-a-western-nation-after-1990/768551 "2016-10-14T22:04:18Z")
This is somewhat of a spinoff on the Russian hacker thread. We’re getting hacked by countries such as Russia and China that are rivals, if not once again enemies after the end of the Cold War a quarter century ago. Hacki… --- ## [Balance...Syrian war verse US invasion of Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/balance-syrian-war-verse-us-invasion-of-iraq/767649)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/balance-syrian-war-verse-us-invasion-of-iraq/767649 "2016-10-14T19:30:42Z")
I was reading this article on CNN about a little girl killed in Aleppo by either Russian planes or Syrians flying and using Russian equipment. I decided to take a look in GD to see the thread about stuff happening there… --- ## [What Percentage of People from 300 Years Ago Have Living Descendants Today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-people-from-300-years-ago-have-living-descendants-today/768192)
**Author:** [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-people-from-300-years-ago-have-living-descendants-today/768192 "2016-10-14T18:55:36Z")
I purposely put this question in GD, as I don’t believe it has a factual (knowable) answer, but if the mods disagree, please feel free to place in GQ. Every now and again, a study will come across the wires about how, d… --- ## [Exit before Brexit \[CNN Article on foreigners leaving UK\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-before-brexit-cnn-article-on-foreigners-leaving-uk/767549)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2016, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/exit-before-brexit-cnn-article-on-foreigners-leaving-uk/767549 "2016-10-14T07:13:26Z")
CNN posted thisstory yesterday. Now I have not been back to the UK for nearly 3.5 years but some of it really really gave me pause. For instance one Italian states that \[QUOTE=CNN\] Marcora doesn’t even have to talk in… --- ## [Should America Celebrate Columbus Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-america-celebrate-columbus-day/767766)
**Author:** [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Replies:** 252\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2016, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-america-celebrate-columbus-day/767766 "2016-10-13T21:33:09Z")
Columbus Day in the United States is upon us. In recent years, many have accused the holiday’s existence of being insensitive to indigenous people’s right and plight. Some try to cite the brutality of Columbian rule to … --- ## [China Could Control the Global Internet After Oct. 1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-could-control-the-global-internet-after-oct-1/767728)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-could-control-the-global-internet-after-oct-1/767728 "2016-10-13T19:22:20Z")
Basically based on this article. It’s also mentioned here, in this YouTube video from China Uncensored. From the article for those who don’t want to slog through either reading or video: Here is an older article from… --- ## [An OPEC Output Cut Not Likely to Alter Oil Imbalance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-opec-output-cut-not-likely-to-alter-oil-imbalance/768212)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2016, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-opec-output-cut-not-likely-to-alter-oil-imbalance/768212 "2016-10-13T13:59:08Z")
The key point of that article was the issue of the “marginal supplier.” Since shale oil and other non-OPEC oil now supplies the marginal demand (the demand for the next additional barrel of oil needed) what OPEC does is… --- ## [The Phony War- WTH?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phony-war-wth/766343)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phony-war-wth/766343 "2016-10-13T01:24:30Z")
I’ve long been interested in WWII and read a LOT of books on the subject, but one area of the war that’s always confused me is the period of the Phony War. As in, what were France and Britain thinking? First, the French… --- ## [Killing animals for food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-animals-for-food/765066)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-animals-for-food/765066 "2016-10-11T20:31:50Z")
Is it right or wrong? I have mixed feelings. I mean it just tastes so good, but I know saying that makes me a monster. --- ## [Differing assumptions that are the basis of liberal and conservative positions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differing-assumptions-that-are-the-basis-of-liberal-and-conservative-positions/753418)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 329\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differing-assumptions-that-are-the-basis-of-liberal-and-conservative-positions/753418 "2016-10-11T16:59:57Z")
On the assumption that most people who think about politics and support one side or the other are generally honest in their beliefs, I’d like to explore why so many people differ so strongly. I think, for most folks, it… --- ## [Presidents do not play an important role in running the nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-do-not-play-an-important-role-in-running-the-nation/767832)
**Author:** [@Leonid\_Semyonov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leonid_Semyonov)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidents-do-not-play-an-important-role-in-running-the-nation/767832 "2016-10-10T20:57:10Z")
Not just presidents. Ministers too (and etc.). They just simply can not have a major impact on making decisions. They don’t have enough time. Don’t have enough energy. There are so many questions (problems), each of whi… --- ## [Obsession with the Middle East](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obsession-with-the-middle-east/767686)
**Author:** [@sarahdonahue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sarahdonahue)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2016, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obsession-with-the-middle-east/767686 "2016-10-10T14:38:01Z")
Would it really be that bad if we left those countries alone to deal with their own terror problems? Can’t they fight their own terrorists for a change? --- ## [Why are lie detectors still being used?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-lie-detectors-still-being-used/767830)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2016, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-lie-detectors-still-being-used/767830 "2016-10-10T10:52:11Z")
After reading of yet another case (in John Grisham’s non-fiction book The Innocent Man) in which a guy is railroaded by police into a false confession after failing a lie-detector test - he spent most of his life in pris… --- ## [What's the Big Deal About Calculus?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-calculus/767624)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-calculus/767624 "2016-10-09T21:44:42Z")
I took calculus classes in the early 90’s, in the University of Michigan, Dearborn campus (a commuter college–the main campus is in Ann Arbor). And I don’t mean to brag. But I was a little unimpressed. To me, it seemed … --- ## [Would an alien species also likely come up with a 10 base number system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-alien-species-also-likely-come-up-with-a-10-base-number-system/767802)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2016, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-alien-species-also-likely-come-up-with-a-10-base-number-system/767802 "2016-10-09T01:55:16Z")
Is there anything that makes a 10 base system superior to an 8 or 12 base system? What if the Aliens in question only had eight fingers? Would they come up with an 8 based system. :smiley: (Okay, serious question but th… --- ## [Children inherit their intelligence from their mother not their father](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-inherit-their-intelligence-from-their-mother-not-their-father/767849)
**Author:** [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/children-inherit-their-intelligence-from-their-mother-not-their-father/767849 "2016-10-08T16:29:27Z")
Children inherit their intelligence from their mother not their father, say scientists. Genes for cleverness are carried on the X chromosome and may be deactivated if they come from the father. --- ## [Free will -- How and when do you make your first choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-how-and-when-do-you-make-your-first-choice/767244)
**Author:** [@lucid-nonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lucid-nonsense)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-how-and-when-do-you-make-your-first-choice/767244 "2016-10-06T23:10:10Z")
So, I’ve got a question concerning free will. It’s pretty simple: How and when do you make your first choice out of free will? Are you born with free will? If so, does in appear in utero or at conception? Both seem impo… --- ## [Is there any hope for the Democrats in 2020?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-hope-for-the-democrats-in-2020/767415)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2016, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-hope-for-the-democrats-in-2020/767415 "2016-10-06T06:09:26Z")
Liberals are breathing a sigh of relief after Trump’s latest deranged tweets, along with revelations about his past showing him to be a white collar criminal. But they should be tearing their hair out. HRC is only thre… --- ## [So Trump may have avoided paying taxes by carrying over a huge loss. So what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-trump-may-have-avoided-paying-taxes-by-carrying-over-a-huge-loss-so-what/767563)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2016, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-trump-may-have-avoided-paying-taxes-by-carrying-over-a-huge-loss-so-what/767563 "2016-10-05T18:55:24Z")
According to a Trump tax return obtained and authenticated by the New York Times, Trump declared a huge loss in 1995. This loss could be carried over to subsequent years to offset income, and possibly have excused him fr… --- ## [I have a solution for traffic - what do you think?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-solution-for-traffic-what-do-you-think/767536)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-solution-for-traffic-what-do-you-think/767536 "2016-10-05T15:20:47Z")
Traffic! Everyone hates it, but nobody does anything about it. Well, I have a solution I’d like to debate. I assumed GD would be the best forum for this, as much like which direction toilet paper should face, such a h… --- ## [Whither Venezuela? Whither Congo? Whither "Self-Determination"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-venezuela-whither-congo-whither-self-determination/766558)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2016, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-venezuela-whither-congo-whither-self-determination/766558 "2016-10-05T12:46:02Z")
From today’s New York Times: \[ol\] \[li\]How Bad Off Is Oil-Rich Venezuela? It’s Buying U.S. Oil\[/li\]\[li\]Looming Transition Ignites Deadly Clashes in Congo\[/li\]\[li\]Burundi Killings Could Ignite Wider Africa… --- ## [What is the last significant accomplishment by Congress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-last-significant-accomplishment-by-congress/767201)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2016, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-last-significant-accomplishment-by-congress/767201 "2016-10-04T21:46:36Z")
Seems like most (all?) of the news about Congress for some time has seen them either doing nothing or doing - um - silly or arguably harmful things. Not trying to be partisan, just interested in opinions as to some rece… --- ## [Arcanum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcanum/767454)
**Author:** [@Kielmic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kielmic)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arcanum/767454 "2016-10-04T15:23:06Z")
It’s wake up time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MmWeZHsQzs Everything is held together due to the result of a frequency. When the frequency is amplified, matter changes. The free maso… --- ## [Electing artificial intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electing-artificial-intelligence/767342)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2016, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electing-artificial-intelligence/767342 "2016-10-04T14:17:21Z")
We’ve had the Ai and personhood debates elsewhere before, but I was thinking of something interesting: we don’t actually need artificial intelligence to be that advanced to start using it in elective office. Let’s say y… --- ## [Is it technically fair to treat homosexuality as a sexuality disorder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-technically-fair-to-treat-homosexuality-as-a-sexuality-disorder/764495)
**Author:** [@alexidsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alexidsa)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-technically-fair-to-treat-homosexuality-as-a-sexuality-disorder/764495 "2016-10-03T19:21:08Z")
I have quite a heated debate about homosexuality. The guy I’m debating with technically is not a homophobe. He accepts homosexuality is not a psychiatric disorder, he supports equal rights for gays but he still insists h… --- ## [Can a money-less civilization exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-money-less-civilization-exist/765410)
**Author:** [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2016, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-money-less-civilization-exist/765410 "2016-10-03T16:44:25Z")
I’d like to add that I mean a society that offers personal freedom, advanced technology, and can support the material needs of its members. This would preclude the types of societies that existed before the invention of… --- ## [Should Congress override Obama's veto on Saudi waiver?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-congress-override-obamas-veto-on-saudi-waiver/766714)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-congress-override-obamas-veto-on-saudi-waiver/766714 "2016-10-03T15:43:33Z")
President Obama vetoed as expected the bill that would waive sovereign immunity protections for Saudi Arabia. It looks as if both Houses of Congress have the muscle needed to override his veto. But should they? Personal… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=145) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=147)