# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=153 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 154 --- ## [Torture doesn't work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-doesnt-work/750656)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 631\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-doesnt-work/750656 "2016-07-07T16:33:45Z")
Despite shows like 24, torture just doesn’t work. \*Clinton said that when it comes to fighting terrorism, “Another thing we know that does not work, based on lots of empirical evidence, is torture.” When it comes to … --- ## [Proof that our "souls" can be made aware of anything even after we die and proof that you have as...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-our-souls-can-be-made-aware-of-anything-even-after-we-die-and-proof-that-you-have-as/759230)
**Author:** [@paulobrienhunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulobrienhunter)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2016, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-our-souls-can-be-made-aware-of-anything-even-after-we-die-and-proof-that-you-have-as/759230 "2016-07-07T12:26:56Z")
…much chance of suffering after committing suicide as you do if you chose to continue to live. Looking for someone to prove this to via e-mail. Site redactedis the information I’ll be proving to someone hopefully. E-mai… --- ## [So.. what would have happened if the committee DID find something on Hillary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-have-happened-if-the-committee-did-find-something-on-hillary/759190)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-have-happened-if-the-committee-did-find-something-on-hillary/759190 "2016-07-06T16:02:11Z")
What power does the committee have? Or what would have been the consequences? Especially now that Hillary is a citizen? Thanks. --- ## [The movie 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-movie-13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi/743280)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-movie-13-hours-the-secret-soldiers-of-benghazi/743280 "2016-07-06T05:47:47Z")
\[This could fit in GQ, CS or even elections, but I figured it would wind up here anyway.\] I haven’t seen this and probably won’t unless it comes up on Netflix and reading the reviews, I couldn’t tell if was intending to… --- ## [Is there any "fair" way to reapportion and do away with gerrymandering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-fair-way-to-reapportion-and-do-away-with-gerrymandering/758026)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-fair-way-to-reapportion-and-do-away-with-gerrymandering/758026 "2016-07-06T05:36:40Z")
How were congressional districts allocated originally in the first election(s)? Was Elbridge Gerry a dick? Was he a brilliant strategist? What would a fair system look like? --- ## [What happens to the Jewish people in the Christian apocalypse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-jewish-people-in-the-christian-apocalypse/757513)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-the-jewish-people-in-the-christian-apocalypse/757513 "2016-07-06T04:34:18Z")
For a while now I have had a feeling that America’s enthusiasm for Israel has a very sinister undertone to it because of the religious aspect. However, I am not an expert on end times mythology so I could be missing some… --- ## [So, Britain Secedes from the Union. Why will there be No War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-britain-secedes-from-the-union-why-will-there-be-no-war/758223)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-britain-secedes-from-the-union-why-will-there-be-no-war/758223 "2016-07-06T03:54:53Z")
I mean, it’s not even a wild possibility. And while riding the bus today, I was thinking, given the result of the Confederate States leaving the United States, or even the more recent breakup of the Balkans, to quote B… --- ## [Outcome of a new Scottish referendum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outcome-of-a-new-scottish-referendum/758257)
**Author:** [@Donnerwetter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donnerwetter)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2016, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outcome-of-a-new-scottish-referendum/758257 "2016-07-06T01:09:17Z")
Scotland voted by 62 % in favor of the UK staying in the EU. Assuming there will be a new referendum on Scottish independence, is it a done deal that a sound majority will indeed choose independence from the UK? --- ## [Did Rodriguez v. United States change anything (police detaining a driver until drug dogs arrive)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-rodriguez-v-united-states-change-anything-police-detaining-a-driver-until-drug-dogs-arrive/755056)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-rodriguez-v-united-states-change-anything-police-detaining-a-driver-until-drug-dogs-arrive/755056 "2016-07-05T20:15:47Z")
Constitution FTW. However I’ve heard cops just drag out a traffic stop to create enough time to get the dogs out there, so it didn’t change things much. They can then claim they weren’t detaining you unreasonably sinc… --- ## [Is a semi automatic rifle an assault rifle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-semi-automatic-rifle-an-assault-rifle/757375)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-semi-automatic-rifle-an-assault-rifle/757375 "2016-07-05T15:15:52Z")
According to the definition of assault rifle per Wikipedia: Based upon this, any rifle that is just semi-automatic, and does not include selective fire modes, would not be an assault rifle. So what’s the straight dope… --- ## [The virtues of a $10/hour minimum wage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virtues-of-a-10-hour-minimum-wage/753021)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 240\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-virtues-of-a-10-hour-minimum-wage/753021 "2016-07-05T14:36:45Z")
I think a $10/hour minimum wage would have three good things going for it: First of all, a $15/hour minimum wage isn’t going to pass. Not enough bipartisan popular support. But a $10/hour minimum wage is much more suppo… --- ## [If given carte blanche on the national debt, is a recession easy to "fix?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-given-carte-blanche-on-the-national-debt-is-a-recession-easy-to-fix/758754)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2016, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-given-carte-blanche-on-the-national-debt-is-a-recession-easy-to-fix/758754 "2016-07-03T22:47:59Z")
Seems to me that if a President, in the midst of a recession, takes the viewpoint of, "F\*\* fiscal responsibility, f\*\*\* the national debt, I am going to pull this country out of its current recession no matter what," \*tha… --- ## [Why is Corbyn being blamed for Brexit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-corbyn-being-blamed-for-brexit/758432)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2016, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-corbyn-being-blamed-for-brexit/758432 "2016-07-03T16:19:46Z")
Yank here. I decided this probably belongs more in this thread than any other. I really don’t understand why it seems so many in the Labour Party are angry at him and that this will destroy him. As it is, it seems that… --- ## [Does separation of church and state really work in Utah?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-separation-of-church-and-state-really-work-in-utah/758440)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-separation-of-church-and-state-really-work-in-utah/758440 "2016-07-01T16:48:05Z")
Utah of course was settled by Mormons and they still dominate every aspect of life there, including the political system. It’s hard to see how the separation of church and state can operate there as both are so completel… --- ## [Question on BRexit and the Queen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-brexit-and-the-queen/758343)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2016, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-brexit-and-the-queen/758343 "2016-07-01T07:48:06Z")
We keep hearing from the Brits on the board how the UK monarch has a lot of power that they’re not allowed to use. Here in the colonies it sounds like you guys are overblowing what the reality would be but then again, y… --- ## [What states will next legalize marijuana and what states will be the last?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-states-will-next-legalize-marijuana-and-what-states-will-be-the-last/678494)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-states-will-next-legalize-marijuana-and-what-states-will-be-the-last/678494 "2016-06-30T15:52:36Z")
Just what the thread title says: What states will legalize it next and who’ll keep illegal the longest? Of course, this topic assumes that there won’t be a militantly anti-drug administration elected in 2016 that will u… --- ## [Post-BRexit fallout and happenings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-brexit-fallout-and-happenings/758205)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 245\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-brexit-fallout-and-happenings/758205 "2016-06-29T15:13:23Z")
Now that the United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union, I thought a thread for discussion about possible & actual fallout, results, related happenings, etc. might be cool. Myself, I’m not sure what’s going to… --- ## [\*sigh\* We're losing the battle for nuclear power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-were-losing-the-battle-for-nuclear-power/757982)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2016, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-were-losing-the-battle-for-nuclear-power/757982 "2016-06-29T14:36:11Z")
Well-intentioned but stupid environmentalists: California will shut down last nuclear plant by 2025. They should be replacing fossil fuel plants, not nuclear ones. --- ## [Why doesn't Turkey close it's border with Syria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-turkey-close-its-border-with-syria/758690)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2016, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-turkey-close-its-border-with-syria/758690 "2016-06-29T14:07:23Z")
It seems to me that the main ISIS supply route is through Turkey. Whenever there is an ISIS attack in Europe\*, we frequently hear about how the attackers had gone to fight for ISIS, arriving via Turkey and then crossing … --- ## [Hydroelectric power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hydroelectric-power/757645)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2016, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hydroelectric-power/757645 "2016-06-28T21:51:11Z")
Why is it being dismantled in so many places despite there being a big push for renewables? I know many places in the West are having droughts, but this is happening all over the country. I live in Maine, where we alway… --- ## ["Political" Prosecutions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-prosecutions/758528)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-prosecutions/758528 "2016-06-28T17:46:01Z")
Possibly I’m looking at this from a partisan perspective, but ISTM that there have been an inordinate number of prosecutions of senior level Republicans on very flimsy grounds in recent years. When I say “very flimsy” I … --- ## [US Supreme Court - Evidence allowed after bad stop - thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-supreme-court-evidence-allowed-after-bad-stop-thoughts/758536)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-supreme-court-evidence-allowed-after-bad-stop-thoughts/758536 "2016-06-28T16:09:13Z")
In Utah vs Streiff the USSC allowed evidence seized after an unlawful stop to be used against the defendant. Basically, an officer stopped Steiff without having the required reasonable suspicion to do so. During the cour… --- ## [PEDs and Sports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peds-and-sports/758363)
**Author:** [@Waymore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waymore)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2016, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peds-and-sports/758363 "2016-06-27T19:03:25Z")
News about the cat and mouse game between athletes using PEDs and the organizations trying to catch them isn’t hard to find. The recent banning of the Russian track and field athletes and the suspension of a drug testing… --- ## [Civilian gun ownership prevents government tyranny. Really??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilian-gun-ownership-prevents-government-tyranny-really/757741)
**Author:** [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civilian-gun-ownership-prevents-government-tyranny-really/757741 "2016-06-27T17:40:54Z")
I find it illogical that civilians could defend themselves against a tyrannical government. Yes, I know this “flies in the face” of the folks who think that the second amendment was put into the Constitution for that ve… --- ## [A gun control legislation thread!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gun-control-legislation-thread/757276)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 305\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gun-control-legislation-thread/757276 "2016-06-27T15:23:32Z")
Because we just never talk about it here. :slight\_smile: Shoot some holes in this for me, if you please. Specifically, what makes the following untenable, and what alterations would you make (And no, “Scrap it you gun… --- ## [Why did Scotland and Northern Ireland vote to remain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-scotland-and-northern-ireland-vote-to-remain/758213)
**Author:** [@ZomZom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZomZom)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2016, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-scotland-and-northern-ireland-vote-to-remain/758213 "2016-06-27T03:43:10Z")
Why the contrast with England and Wales? --- ## [A-bombs vs. firebombing of Tokyo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bombs-vs-firebombing-of-tokyo/755893)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2016, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-bombs-vs-firebombing-of-tokyo/755893 "2016-06-26T22:31:59Z")
With the talk about Obama’s recent visit to Hiroshima, I thought I’d mention a related topic, one that’s been discussed elsewhere on the SDMB before: From initial glance, there’s remarkable similarity between the A-bomb… --- ## [Orlando Gunmans 911 calls will be heavily edited by FBI before release](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orlando-gunmans-911-calls-will-be-heavily-edited-by-fbi-before-release/757831)
**Author:** [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2016, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orlando-gunmans-911-calls-will-be-heavily-edited-by-fbi-before-release/757831 "2016-06-26T19:38:43Z")
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2016/06/19/lynch\_partial\_transcript\_of\_orlando\_911\_calls\_will\_have\_references\_to\_isis\_cut\_out.html I strongly disagree with the governments decision to censor the gunmans 911 call… --- ## [Do U.S. doctors give Medicaid patients the same care as commercially-insured ones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-u-s-doctors-give-medicaid-patients-the-same-care-as-commercially-insured-ones/335635)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-u-s-doctors-give-medicaid-patients-the-same-care-as-commercially-insured-ones/335635 "2016-06-26T19:08:28Z")
Perhaps this belongs in GQ, but it’s bound to turn into a debate at some point, and there might not be any clear factual answer anyway. A friend of mine is on Medicaid and has a raft of medical problems, possibly even i… --- ## [Decision: Government needs no warrant to gather information from your home computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decision-government-needs-no-warrant-to-gather-information-from-your-home-computer/758249)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decision-government-needs-no-warrant-to-gather-information-from-your-home-computer/758249 "2016-06-26T15:54:19Z")
So, some creeps were looking at kiddie porn on a tor site. The government seized the tor site and kept it running. The government then served malware to visitors computers that sent information back to the government. Th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=152) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=154)