# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=149 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 150 --- ## [The number of seats in a legislature - US House, others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-number-of-seats-in-a-legislature-us-house-others/764371)
**Author:** [@DagNation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DagNation)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-number-of-seats-in-a-legislature-us-house-others/764371 "2016-09-02T01:36:08Z")
The US House of representatives has been set at 435 seats since 1913 except temporarily when HI and AK were added, and it was reset to 435 after the next census. I can understand that having a legislature larger than th… --- ## [Texas Tuition Bill - thoughts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-tuition-bill-thoughts/764490)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2016, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-tuition-bill-thoughts/764490 "2016-09-01T15:38:53Z")
So there’s a bit of a row in Austin these days, because our Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is proposing that the state do away with what are called tuition set-asides, meaning that by state law, roughly 15% of a student… --- ## [Where is all the stolen Iraqi oil ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-all-the-stolen-iraqi-oil/764471)
**Author:** [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-all-the-stolen-iraqi-oil/764471 "2016-09-01T14:31:26Z")
Inspired by the \*\*boffking \*\*thread on ending American Imperialism in which \*\*boffking \*\*wrote “Did you forget that we overthrew Saddam, stole Iraqi oil” So I am asking the question where did all that stolen oil go? O… --- ## [Solar & Wind Power Naive, Impratical "Feel Good" Solution to Energy Problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-wind-power-naive-impratical-feel-good-solution-to-energy-problems/762903)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2016, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-wind-power-naive-impratical-feel-good-solution-to-energy-problems/762903 "2016-09-01T05:12:20Z")
Wind & Solar Impractical and Harmful Embrace of Renewables Has a Hidden Cost . In a somewhat recent issue of the New York Times, a somewhat left-leaning paper, there was a devastating analysis of the naivete and ineff… --- ## [What would it take to overturn DC v. Heller?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-overturn-dc-v-heller/763720)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 231\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-overturn-dc-v-heller/763720 "2016-08-31T23:48:51Z")
A big fear of the pro-gun crowd is that if Hillary Clinton wins the election, she will appoint a justice or justices who will effectively gut the 2nd Amendment by issuing the opinion that it doesn’t confer an individual … --- ## [Was Bush or Obama a better president for pro-gun people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-or-obama-a-better-president-for-pro-gun-people/761855)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2016, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-or-obama-a-better-president-for-pro-gun-people/761855 "2016-08-31T23:42:55Z")
This should be an interesting one - the ‘popular’ answer on this is that of course the dyed-red republican was much more pro-gun than the Kenyan gun-grabber. But in thinking back on both presidencies, I don’t see a lot o… --- ## [The sun is blocked out, how do we rebuild and maintain civilization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sun-is-blocked-out-how-do-we-rebuild-and-maintain-civilization/764179)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sun-is-blocked-out-how-do-we-rebuild-and-maintain-civilization/764179 "2016-08-31T14:34:32Z")
Assume a supervolcano or meteor blocks out the sun for an extended period of time. Obviously the food chain falls apart, most plant and animal life dies. Most human life dies too. How can humans using 2016 technology s… --- ## ["Race doesn't exist" and affirmative action: Can't have cake and eat it too](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-doesnt-exist-and-affirmative-action-cant-have-cake-and-eat-it-too/760466)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2016, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-doesnt-exist-and-affirmative-action-cant-have-cake-and-eat-it-too/760466 "2016-08-31T02:47:34Z")
In recent years, there’s been a trend among some to claim that “Race doesn’t exist” or “Race is a social construct”. (One can do searches on Google about those topics.) Now - ignoring, for a moment, the fact that ther… --- ## [Colored people is now a slur?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colored-people-is-now-a-slur/763654)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colored-people-is-now-a-slur/763654 "2016-08-29T22:59:05Z")
From NY Daily News: Try as I might I cannot see for the life of me see the difference between colored people and people of color. You change the order of the words and suddenly it’s racist? Is this really the case? --- ## [How is unconsciousness different from brain death in terms of feeling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-unconsciousness-different-from-brain-death-in-terms-of-feeling/761926)
**Author:** [@piko\_poko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/piko_poko)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2016, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-unconsciousness-different-from-brain-death-in-terms-of-feeling/761926 "2016-08-29T22:58:32Z")
If the brain is deprived on oxygen (say by compressing carotids) for about 10 seconds, the person falls unconscious. Now if the supply is continually cut off for a few minutes, the person dies. As far as the person’s me… --- ## [Would some economist please explain: What's wrong with outsourcing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-some-economist-please-explain-whats-wrong-with-outsourcing/762720)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-some-economist-please-explain-whats-wrong-with-outsourcing/762720 "2016-08-29T03:41:36Z")
Hillary is chastising Donald for importing products from China, which is putting Americans out of work. About once a month, ABC news does a fluff story on “Made in America”. Buying products made in one’s own country so… --- ## [One (possibly) legit argument against legalizing prostitution.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-possibly-legit-argument-against-legalizing-prostitution/759977)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2016, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-possibly-legit-argument-against-legalizing-prostitution/759977 "2016-08-28T03:54:36Z")
I have no stake in this game, just trying to clarify my own thoughts on the matter. Your help is appreciated. I’m totally convinced by the 2 major arguments in favor - consenting adults should be at liberty to transac… --- ## [Discussing Economics through the Wealth of Nations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussing-economics-through-the-wealth-of-nations/762597)
**Author:** [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussing-economics-through-the-wealth-of-nations/762597 "2016-08-27T23:08:42Z")
We’ll be discussing and debating ideas from the Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. Whoo! Sort of an experimental idea for a thread. It’s too big a topic to take on in one OP, so I hope for it to be more of a continuing di… --- ## [Is transexuality a mental illness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-transexuality-a-mental-illness/761412)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2016, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-transexuality-a-mental-illness/761412 "2016-08-27T22:14:11Z")
I’m curious as to what constitutes a mental illness. More specifically, what separates transgenderism from established disorders like Body Integration Identity Disorder? Both are conditions in which the person doesn’t … --- ## [Success and failure off the free market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/success-and-failure-off-the-free-market/763506)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2016, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/success-and-failure-off-the-free-market/763506 "2016-08-26T15:47:42Z")
Inspired by the thread on private prisons. That is something the free market fails miserably at. The computer industry on the other hand, is a perfect example of free markets working for the benefit of all parties. W… --- ## [Age of Automation: Fantasy or coming reality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-automation-fantasy-or-coming-reality/763490)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2016, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-automation-fantasy-or-coming-reality/763490 "2016-08-25T01:54:02Z")
I keep hearing about how automation is going to change our lives but I don’t buy it, I still have to go to work everyday and bust my ass, how is it making/going to make my life better? Simplistic premise for debate but … --- ## [Should all homicides require an affirmative defense to not be manslaughter or murder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-homicides-require-an-affirmative-defense-to-not-be-manslaughter-or-murder/763738)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-homicides-require-an-affirmative-defense-to-not-be-manslaughter-or-murder/763738 "2016-08-25T00:03:39Z")
“Homicide” in this instance meaning actions or willful inactions that lead to a human death, regardless of whether that meets the standard of a crime. Harking back to the infamous Martin/Zimmerman case, we had a situatio… --- ## [More evidence Libertarianism doesn't work in practice: Private Prisons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-evidence-libertarianism-doesnt-work-in-practice-private-prisons/763445)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2016, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-evidence-libertarianism-doesnt-work-in-practice-private-prisons/763445 "2016-08-24T21:19:20Z")
Libertarians like to think that anything a government agency can do, the private sector can do better. It’s kind of their thing. However most of it is in the realm of the theoretical. You can compare how things work in d… --- ## [Could "Aliens" be God's Angels?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-aliens-be-gods-angels/762226)
**Author:** [@brendonofq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brendonofq)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2016, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-aliens-be-gods-angels/762226 "2016-08-24T20:59:28Z")
I am very fascinated by the series “Ancient Aliens”. While the show tends to actually use Ancient Astronaut Theory to try to refute the “God Part” of the ancient writings that they analyze, that show made something clic… --- ## [Anything that can stop ISIS' defeat now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-that-can-stop-isis-defeat-now/759024)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anything-that-can-stop-isis-defeat-now/759024 "2016-08-24T19:59:32Z")
As of right now, ISIS looks fully defeated. They have Mosul, but that will inevitably fall, too; the re-capture of Mosul is but a formality. Oil prices are low, ruining their revenue; they cannot shake the perception tha… --- ## [Is infinity a destination or a journey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-infinity-a-destination-or-a-journey/763267)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2016, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-infinity-a-destination-or-a-journey/763267 "2016-08-24T10:28:15Z")
OK, sorry for the woo-sounding thread title but it is relevant, as I’ll explain. By definition “infinite” means unending, meaning one cannot “arrive at” infinity. Or can you? It’s simple enough to graph a curve such that… --- ## [Sanders proposals and how to pay for them.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-proposals-and-how-to-pay-for-them/745741)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sanders-proposals-and-how-to-pay-for-them/745741 "2016-08-23T19:46:46Z")
I like many of Bernie’s proposals and how he plans on paying for them. The only thing I am skeptical of is his ability to pay for “medicare for all” I particularly like his idea to make state schools free. I would be … --- ## [Are property taxes really a good way to fund education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-property-taxes-really-a-good-way-to-fund-education/763167)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2016, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-property-taxes-really-a-good-way-to-fund-education/763167 "2016-08-23T18:19:21Z")
I think the way we fund education just entrenches income inequality, and neglects low-income students. A child’s education should not be determined by the price of their parent’s house. All schools should be on equal g… --- ## [Obama is not a Socialist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-not-a-socialist/763527)
**Author:** [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-not-a-socialist/763527 "2016-08-23T15:13:14Z")
Former Marxist, current libertarian, professor of economics, Thomas Sowell, explains that President Obama is in fact not the socialist that many conservatives accuse him of being. In reality he is a fascist. --- ## [Why did Hinduism survive while the other IE pagan religions died out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-hinduism-survive-while-the-other-ie-pagan-religions-died-out/301307)
**Author:** [@yBeayf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yBeayf)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-hinduism-survive-while-the-other-ie-pagan-religions-died-out/301307 "2016-08-23T14:32:39Z")
Despite local variations, the various settled Indo-European agricultural societies had common origins, and several similarities in their indigenous religions – broadly similar pantheons with powerful goddesses; strong tr… --- ## [What is existentialism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-existentialism/762412)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2016, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-existentialism/762412 "2016-08-23T06:59:00Z")
Heard of it but never fully understood it. I tend to get mixed reviews on what it is --- ## [Gladwell: America is soccer (weak link), not basketball (strong link)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gladwell-america-is-soccer-weak-link-not-basketball-strong-link/763147)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gladwell-america-is-soccer-weak-link-not-basketball-strong-link/763147 "2016-08-22T23:20:27Z")
A recent episode of Malcolm Gladwell’s excellent podcast, Revisionist History, put forth an interesting argument about societal progress. The background was a discussion of why it’s a waste of money to donate to school… --- ## [Anti-Trump bigot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-trump-bigot/762355)
**Author:** [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2016, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-trump-bigot/762355 "2016-08-21T20:36:11Z")
I cannot fucking stand Trump supporters (almost wanna pit this). Their inexcusable fucking ignorance, fear, and gullibility is, as far as I’m concerned, the most frightening cultural/political phenomenon I have ever bear… --- ## [What happens to America when the Ogallala aquifer runs dry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-america-when-the-ogallala-aquifer-runs-dry/631715)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2016, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-america-when-the-ogallala-aquifer-runs-dry/631715 "2016-08-21T07:51:06Z")
As I understand it - fight my ignorance here - a large part of America depends upon the Ogallala aquifer. But it’s being used up. Wells are having to be dug ever deeper. What will happen to America economically and polit… --- ## [Obama and Iran: The 400 million was for prisoner release](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-iran-the-400-million-was-for-prisoner-release/763240)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-iran-the-400-million-was-for-prisoner-release/763240 "2016-08-21T04:16:31Z")
Linky. Not a ransom though: So, according to State Department spokesman John Kirby, the money was given contingent upon the release of the prisoners. But it wasn’t a ransom. This looks horrid. Slee [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=148) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=150)