# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=161 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 162 --- ## [Prostitution is sexual coercion by the male?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prostitution-is-sexual-coercion-by-the-male/751507)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prostitution-is-sexual-coercion-by-the-male/751507 "2016-04-09T21:38:12Z")
So the French National Assembly has decided in its wisdom. First let me say I don’t believe prostitution should be illegal at all. If women choose to sell sex and men to buy or vice versa in whatever combination then t… --- ## [What's "politically correct/incorrect" in non-Western cultures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-politically-correct-incorrect-in-non-western-cultures/750773 "2016-04-09T20:32:16Z")
With all the debate about “PC” in the West, I wanted to explore - What’s “politically correct/incorrect” in non-Western cultures? In China, for instance, vocal support of Taiwan independence or Tibetan independence is p… --- ## [How much would tuition drop if colleges stop giving away free stuff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-tuition-drop-if-colleges-stop-giving-away-free-stuff/751539)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 9, 2016, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-tuition-drop-if-colleges-stop-giving-away-free-stuff/751539 "2016-04-09T01:11:22Z")
The first college I went to cost about $45k/year. They gave away lots of free t-shirts, bumper stickers, and water bottles. Everyone who lived on campus had cable tv included in their housing cost. Every week they had… --- ## [Profiling: Not 100% avoidable, and also subject to different race/gender standard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profiling-not-100-avoidable-and-also-subject-to-different-race-gender-standard/750693)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profiling-not-100-avoidable-and-also-subject-to-different-race-gender-standard/750693 "2016-04-08T20:29:39Z")
A couple of thoughts about profiling, a topic that’s been discussed many times already: I don’t think that profiling is 100% preventable. Even if an agency or government lays down specific regulations prohibiting profi… --- ## [I've solved the government, just tell me how to do it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-solved-the-government-just-tell-me-how-to-do-it/751192)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-solved-the-government-just-tell-me-how-to-do-it/751192 "2016-04-07T19:26:07Z")
A lot of people seem disatisfied with the way our government works. I don’t claim to be an expert, nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I’ve seen various ideas that make a lot of sense. I think we sh… --- ## [North Korea declares China an enemy, will this change anything](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-declares-china-an-enemy-will-this-change-anything/750790)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-declares-china-an-enemy-will-this-change-anything/750790 "2016-04-07T15:04:21Z")
There are several threads on NK already, but apparently the NK regime has now declared China an enemy and threatened them with nuclear war. Will this cause China to more seriously consider regime change in NK? I woul… --- ## [Even if he wanted to, could Kim Jong Un end the nuke program?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-if-he-wanted-to-could-kim-jong-un-end-the-nuke-program/751175)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/even-if-he-wanted-to-could-kim-jong-un-end-the-nuke-program/751175 "2016-04-07T14:23:57Z")
As I understand it, nuclear weapons have become a matter of immense pride and importance to the North Korean government, leadership and populace. The international community has been applying severe sanctions of late to … --- ## [Abortions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortions/750691)
**Author:** [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2016, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortions/750691 "2016-04-07T02:19:44Z")
So, based upon Trump’s recent statements about abortion being illegal and women have to pay a “penalty” for getting an abortion, and the backlash due to his statements: If a woman chooses to have an abortion, and it’s … --- ## [Are people in Israel starving?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-in-israel-starving/751005)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-in-israel-starving/751005 "2016-04-06T23:32:32Z")
There’s been a commercial on TV lately asking people to give money to provide food boxes to Israelis. According to the ad (or at least according to my memory of it – a very different thing), the Israeli government has t… --- ## [Is Consumerism Consuming Us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-consumerism-consuming-us/749943)
**Author:** [@heavyduty1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heavyduty1)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-consumerism-consuming-us/749943 "2016-04-06T15:52:13Z")
We have reached a point where we owe more than we produce, or can produce. We pay interest on interest for things purchased which we no longer want or need, yet we continue to shop for more stuff. Moreover, many of us c… --- ## [Is the American Religious Right rooted in racism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-american-religious-right-rooted-in-racism/747006)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-american-religious-right-rooted-in-racism/747006 "2016-04-06T11:28:18Z")
Certainly there are many African-Americans and other nonwhites who take very conservative views on abortion, homosexuality, etc., but they seem to be entirely outside the RR as a political movement. The RR is rooted in … --- ## [We can actually get rid of nearly all unauthorized immigrants](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-can-actually-get-rid-of-nearly-all-unauthorized-immigrants/750304 "2016-04-06T00:57:58Z")
Explain to me why this wouldn’t work: Require e-verify for all companies and for all professional licensing and for all business licensing. All employers must run e-verify on their current workforces. Understanding that… --- ## [Question for white Caucasian Dopers who have played football](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-white-caucasian-dopers-who-have-played-football/750888)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-white-caucasian-dopers-who-have-played-football/750888 "2016-04-05T16:01:57Z")
(This is a debate thread, not a Game Room thread.) In another Great Debates thread, it was claimed that the reason that black athletes are so prevalent at the cornerback position (a position which, at the NFL level, if … --- ## [Opt-out Organ Donation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opt-out-organ-donation/749981)
**Author:** [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opt-out-organ-donation/749981 "2016-04-05T14:56:54Z")
Full disclosure up-front, I’ve recently been given some test results which suggest that a kidney transplant in the next five years isn’t beyond the realm of possibility. So I do have something of a personal stake in thi… --- ## [Why did Belgium honour a genocidal mass murderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-belgium-honour-a-genocidal-mass-murderer/750697)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-belgium-honour-a-genocidal-mass-murderer/750697 "2016-04-05T13:16:32Z")
They have an order named after Leopold II, honouring peoples civic service? Rather ironic isn’t it, the guy responsible for murdering between 10-15 million Congolese (worse than Hitler?) is remembered for his public ser… --- ## [Should American football players wear helmets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-american-football-players-wear-helmets/751023)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2016, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-american-football-players-wear-helmets/751023 "2016-04-05T08:02:50Z")
We’ve all been hearing about the negative effects of repeated high g decelerations of the brain and the consequences in later life. It seems to me that if the false security of helmets were eliminated by banning them, t… --- ## [What is centrism in American politics today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-centrism-in-american-politics-today/750410)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2016, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-centrism-in-american-politics-today/750410 "2016-04-04T20:57:46Z")
I am familiar with posters on this board that I would consider Conservative and some that are from hardline Progressive to fairly firmly Liberal. (My own imagining of myself as a slightly Left of Center Centrist has to c… --- ## [Ghomeshi's Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghomeshis-case/750561)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2016, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghomeshis-case/750561 "2016-04-04T14:23:01Z")
For those who don’t know, Jian Ghomeshi is - or was - a celebrity television and radio personality in Canada. Recently, he went to trial on four counts of sexual assault based on accusations of three different women. He… --- ## [Racial standards in SAT and college admissions - ideal threshold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-standards-in-sat-and-college-admissions-ideal-threshold/748303)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racial-standards-in-sat-and-college-admissions-ideal-threshold/748303 "2016-04-04T03:55:17Z")
It’s been observed that people of certain racial groups need to have higher SAT scores than some other racial groups in the college admissions process. Now, while it’s impossible to identify a specific math formula th… --- ## [Assuming Maria Yuryevna Sharapova culls vast wealth as a consequence of the Singularity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-maria-yuryevna-sharapova-culls-vast-wealth-as-a-consequence-of-the-singularity/750819)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2016, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assuming-maria-yuryevna-sharapova-culls-vast-wealth-as-a-consequence-of-the-singularity/750819 "2016-04-03T11:30:20Z")
I have been told (irl) \*where \*the Singularity will occur, but for the sake of anonymity I’d rather not reveal that particular detail. I’m more interested in the consequences: Note that as a result of the de-monetization… --- ## [Idea: Junk food ads should be banned from using skinny people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-junk-food-ads-should-be-banned-from-using-skinny-people/706099)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idea-junk-food-ads-should-be-banned-from-using-skinny-people/706099 "2016-04-03T03:30:54Z")
Lots of junkfood ads have very thin people in their ads, despite junkfood causing obesity. Should companies be forced to use more realistic looking consumers in their ads. For example,this ad has zero fat people. and y… --- ## [To what extent should human rights influence US trade/business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-human-rights-influence-us-trade-business/750890)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2016, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-human-rights-influence-us-trade-business/750890 "2016-04-03T03:03:27Z")
The US has relatively little qualms about doing business with Saudi Arabia, a country with numerous human rights abuses. The obvious reason lies in petroleum - but at what point should the US cut off trade and relations … --- ## [How much power does the president have over the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-does-the-president-have-over-the-economy/750910)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-does-the-president-have-over-the-economy/750910 "2016-04-02T21:20:54Z")
If the economy isn’t going the way people like, they are very quick to blame the president. How much control does he actually have over it? --- ## [Japanese Whaling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whaling/750051)
**Author:** [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japanese-whaling/750051 "2016-04-02T11:48:47Z")
I just saw this news item about a recent whale hunt : http://news.yahoo.com/japan-fleet-returns-antarctic-whale-hunt-024729619.html Is there nothing that can be done to stop this? It just seems ridiculous that Japan fe… --- ## [Monty at the Bulge: Withdrawal the best strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monty-at-the-bulge-withdrawal-the-best-strategy/750746)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2016, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monty-at-the-bulge-withdrawal-the-best-strategy/750746 "2016-04-02T07:43:07Z")
A graphic novel about the Battle of the Bulge says that Bernard Montgomery wanted the US forces to pull back from the Bulge sectors and let the German attack exhaust itself out, through lack of supplies and fuel; then co… --- ## [Reddit has probably received a National Security Letter in the past year](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reddit-has-probably-received-a-national-security-letter-in-the-past-year/750822)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reddit-has-probably-received-a-national-security-letter-in-the-past-year/750822 "2016-04-01T23:30:45Z")
Reddit just released it’s 2015 transparency report which notably differed from its 2014 transparency report by not including the following section: This is known as a warrant canary and removing it in such an obvious m… --- ## [The settlement of North America by "outsiders" was inevitable.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-settlement-of-north-america-by-outsiders-was-inevitable/750607)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-settlement-of-north-america-by-outsiders-was-inevitable/750607 "2016-04-01T22:56:14Z")
In this thread, I would like to address the issue of Native American historical grievances and resentment about the settlement of the North American continent by “white outsiders.” Disclaimer: I am not Native American. … --- ## [Syria: Opportunity for Kurds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-opportunity-for-kurds/750603)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2016, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-opportunity-for-kurds/750603 "2016-04-01T22:07:47Z")
Look, I will acknowledge right up front that I am not particularly knowledgeable about this area of the world. So please bear that in mind with the following thought: Given that Syria is a complete mess right now Given… --- ## ["Don't call me 'cisgender'!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-call-me-cisgender/718903)
**Author:** [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Replies:** 863\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2016, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-call-me-cisgender/718903 "2016-04-01T20:06:19Z")
Spinning off from this thread so as not to derail. In my experience, the assumption that people who complain about “cis-” want to avoid those terms is unwarranted. If it isn’t, what do people object to about it? Aesthe… --- ## [Thanks Scott Walker for killing Wisconsin Prof Tenure!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-scott-walker-for-killing-wisconsin-prof-tenure/721740)
**Author:** [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Replies:** 330\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2016, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-scott-walker-for-killing-wisconsin-prof-tenure/721740 "2016-04-01T11:47:44Z")
I would like to thank Scott Walker, Wisconsin governor (and 2016 presidential candidate) for working to eliminate tenure for faculty in Wisconsin. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/06/05/is-gov-sc… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=160) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=162)