# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=163 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 164 --- ## [Are girls during school years prone to be "bitchy"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-girls-during-school-years-prone-to-be-bitchy/749681)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2016, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-girls-during-school-years-prone-to-be-bitchy/749681 "2016-03-25T05:35:46Z")
I am male who went to a single sex school. I didn’t really enjoy the fact boys were mean because I was not the most normal kid. I would have preferred going to a mixed school and tried to make friends with girls but peop… --- ## [If one race is faster, more athletic, stronger in sports - what's bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-one-race-is-faster-more-athletic-stronger-in-sports-whats-bad/746836)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 383\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-one-race-is-faster-more-athletic-stronger-in-sports-whats-bad/746836 "2016-03-25T04:32:54Z")
In some other thread discussions there were people who vehemently rejected the notion that black athletes had a genetic advantage in speed, agility, etc. when it came to explaining why wide receivers, defensive backs or … --- ## [Clinton's promise to only deport criminals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-promise-to-only-deport-criminals/748513)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-promise-to-only-deport-criminals/748513 "2016-03-24T16:07:34Z")
Today at the debate she promised to only deport criminals: A couple of points I’d like opinions and debate on: Is this just campaign talk or are they serious? Wouldn’t Obama already be doing this if it was possible… --- ## [What would the effects of democratic "allocatable taxes" be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-effects-of-democratic-allocatable-taxes-be/749783)
**Author:** [@Textual\_Innuendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Textual_Innuendo)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2016, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-effects-of-democratic-allocatable-taxes-be/749783 "2016-03-24T02:25:54Z")
The US is more polarized politically than ever before, and nearly 50/50 split. The idea of “allocatable taxes,” is that people pay the same amount of tax total, but are able to specifically allocate that amount by perce… --- ## [Would Russia have failed in Afghanistan anyway ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-russia-have-failed-in-afghanistan-anyway/735128)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2016, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-russia-have-failed-in-afghanistan-anyway/735128 "2016-03-23T23:14:06Z")
Would it not have been better to have just left Russia to it in Afghanistan, rather than foment and support the jihad which has caused so much trouble ? If the USSR was so rickety, and communism collapsed under it’s own… --- ## [What has Israel ever done for us?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-israel-ever-done-for-us/749892)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-israel-ever-done-for-us/749892 "2016-03-23T21:49:05Z")
The USA gives lots of money and support to Israel every year. What have they ever done for us? They are a tiny country, with a land area comparable to a county in the USA, and they have very few natural resources to sp… --- ## [Americans and foreign languages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-and-foreign-languages/749438)
**Author:** [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-and-foreign-languages/749438 "2016-03-22T17:09:50Z")
There’s a joke that goes: What do you call someone who’s fluent in two languages? Bilingual. What do you call someone who speaks many languages? Multilingual. What do you call someone who only knows one language? An Am… --- ## [Reign of Disdain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reign-of-disdain/749786)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reign-of-disdain/749786 "2016-03-22T17:05:27Z")
\*- I’d rather talk about this one specific topic rather than how it will affect elections, but Mods feel free to put this in Elections if you believe it should go there Paul Krugman’s March 18th Op-Ed Piece in the New Y… --- ## [Regular health check ups: Yay or Nay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-health-check-ups-yay-or-nay/749013)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regular-health-check-ups-yay-or-nay/749013 "2016-03-22T16:20:13Z")
From another thread: I didn’t want to hijack the thread, but this interests me. Isn’t it better to have a checkup and find out early that your cholesterol is through the roof? Or find out glucose levels are climbing be… --- ## [DrFidelius: "Just halve what you eat"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drfidelius-just-halve-what-you-eat/749838)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drfidelius-just-halve-what-you-eat/749838 "2016-03-22T10:08:04Z")
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=19197174&postcount=42 The post I started the coffee/caffeine thread with didn’t just contain links to “entertainment or woo-woo websites”. DrFidelius seems to be sa… --- ## [Central Bank Policy: If you need negative interest rates, it's time for a helicopter drop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/central-bank-policy-if-you-need-negative-interest-rates-its-time-for-a-helicopter-drop/748632)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/central-bank-policy-if-you-need-negative-interest-rates-its-time-for-a-helicopter-drop/748632 "2016-03-22T05:33:42Z")
Background: Last month Sweden’s central bank lowered its bank lending rate. From -0.35% to -0.50%. The Eurozone and Japan are also in negative territory. Swiss rates have been below -0.50% for a while. It turns out that… --- ## [How long before Trump gets shot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-trump-gets-shot/748749)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-before-trump-gets-shot/748749 "2016-03-22T03:16:41Z")
I was watching this - it says it’s “livestream” so I assume it just happened - but someone grabbed Trump while he was speaking. (He says afterwards he was “prepared” for it - lol - he obviously wasn’t.) So I’m wondering… --- ## [Are people with autism hated and persecuted by society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-with-autism-hated-and-persecuted-by-society/748942)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2016, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-people-with-autism-hated-and-persecuted-by-society/748942 "2016-03-21T20:03:07Z")
I’m Aspergers myself and I notice that many people are turned off by me because I can be kind of strange and obsessive (I prefer saying passionate) about things that others do not care about or find important because the… --- ## [Changing the narrative; Refugees becoming 'migrants'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-narrative-refugees-becoming-migrants/749770)
**Author:** [@slumtrimpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slumtrimpet)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2016, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-the-narrative-refugees-becoming-migrants/749770 "2016-03-21T15:18:26Z")
First, not sure if this is the right place for this, I’m not that familiar with GD. I’ve noticed, in the past few weeks, that the news stories about what used to be referred to as the refugee crises - especially in Euro… --- ## [In which circumstances is hatred of a category/class of people permissible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-circumstances-is-hatred-of-a-category-class-of-people-permissible/749369)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2016, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-which-circumstances-is-hatred-of-a-category-class-of-people-permissible/749369 "2016-03-21T06:29:18Z")
There seems to be broad consensus, if not in society at large, then at least on the SDMB, that permissible hatred of people runs along a spectrum of sorts: It is wrong to hate people for their race/gender/religion, etc.… --- ## [Curse of the High IQ: Fact of life or just Wishful thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curse-of-the-high-iq-fact-of-life-or-just-wishful-thinking/748579)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2016, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curse-of-the-high-iq-fact-of-life-or-just-wishful-thinking/748579 "2016-03-21T05:32:25Z")
More on the “How big is your brain” debate topics. I got a copy of a bookthat discusses the problems of those with higher IQ, presumably 2 standard deviations above the mean or higher. Essentially, the difference betwe… --- ## [More Democracts than Liberals: What?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-democracts-than-liberals-what/748665)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-democracts-than-liberals-what/748665 "2016-03-20T23:24:23Z")
Historically, the Nation has been split in thirds over party affiliation with Republicans, Democrats and Independents all hovering in the low 30’s. However American ideology is not an equal split, instead moderates and … --- ## [Normalizing U.S.-Cuban relations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normalizing-u-s-cuban-relations/681071)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/normalizing-u-s-cuban-relations/681071 "2016-03-20T21:28:56Z")
A new Reuters poll says 56% of Americans and 63% of Floridians support normalizing relations with Cuba. In the 2014 Florida gubernatorial election, the candidates are lining up on opposite sides – the incumbent Rick Sco… --- ## [Pakistanis are closer to Middle Easterners than to South Asians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistanis-are-closer-to-middle-easterners-than-to-south-asians/749450)
**Author:** [@Civilrighte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Civilrighte)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistanis-are-closer-to-middle-easterners-than-to-south-asians/749450 "2016-03-20T17:27:24Z")
I’ve posted this on a few other major forums so I’m sure it isn’t too controversial for this forum. I’m a westernized (a k.a born and bred in a western country) Indian and I’ve grown up using the term “Indian” to refer … --- ## [So Will The Sky Fall If The UN Declare Palestine a State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-the-sky-fall-if-the-un-declare-palestine-a-state/595182)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1283\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2016, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-will-the-sky-fall-if-the-un-declare-palestine-a-state/595182 "2016-03-20T13:15:07Z")
The USA is frantically trying to prevent a UN vote on Palestinian statehood. My question: what really bad stuff will happen if such a vote is cast? The Israelis have said that they will not allow it (and they control t… --- ## ["You can't target the fat loss area"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-target-the-fat-loss-area/749628)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2016, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-cant-target-the-fat-loss-area/749628 "2016-03-20T12:01:51Z")
Here: Sage Rat and ddsun said that you can’t target fat loss in an area. (ddsum said “…with a diet”) Here is a pic of Jeremy Clarkson’s belly: If he was to lose weight would it in… --- ## [Apple, Speech, Corporations, People](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-speech-corporations-people/747282)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-speech-corporations-people/747282 "2016-03-19T00:50:23Z")
So Apple is using a First Amendment argument in its legal fight against the FBI to avoid unlocking those terrorists’ phones. That’s funny - I keep hearing people telling me that corporations have no First Amendment ri… --- ## [Are there good reasons to be anti-free trade?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-good-reasons-to-be-anti-free-trade/743281)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2016, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-good-reasons-to-be-anti-free-trade/743281 "2016-03-19T00:03:04Z")
Arguments against free trade that seem the most legitimate to me hinge on the idea that the playing field isn’t particularly level, with one party not enforcing things like environmental regulations or something. I note… --- ## [chances of north korea starting a war this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chances-of-north-korea-starting-a-war-this-year/748966)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chances-of-north-korea-starting-a-war-this-year/748966 "2016-03-18T18:22:40Z")
Crippling sanctions are now in place on North Korea. China no longer supports North Korea, they’re even seizing North Korean boats that were docked in China when the sanctions started. Russia has condemned them saying … --- ## [Genetic basis of homosexuality and Republicanism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-basis-of-homosexuality-and-republicanism/748964)
**Author:** [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inbred_Mm_domesticus)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2016, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetic-basis-of-homosexuality-and-republicanism/748964 "2016-03-18T12:34:27Z")
Simply put, is there better evidence for the role of genetic variation in shaping variation in sexual attraction when compared to the evidence for the role of genetic variation in party affiliation? On a related note, d… --- ## [Okay, Fine, Abortion Again.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-fine-abortion-again/748635)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 206\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2016, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-fine-abortion-again/748635 "2016-03-17T21:22:41Z")
Pretty much bullshit, son. You oppose abortion, and that’s fine. That’s your opinion. But don’t try to claim that “Between a woman and her doctor” is “appeal to authority.” That’s a load. Instead, it’s an invocatio… --- ## [Why is ISIS America's problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-isis-americas-problem/747919)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2016, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-isis-americas-problem/747919 "2016-03-17T18:46:35Z")
We don’t need Iraq for oil anymore. The price collapsed because we can frack all the oil and gas we want in the USA. ISIS killing a few American journalists was an act of crime, not war. We have proven several times t… --- ## [Rationalists - do you give any magical thinking a break?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rationalists-do-you-give-any-magical-thinking-a-break/749073)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2016, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rationalists-do-you-give-any-magical-thinking-a-break/749073 "2016-03-17T04:07:54Z")
Setting: Hard core capital A Atheist/rationalist/secular Humanist here, as are my wife and kids, and several of our closest friends. One of the firmest elements of my being is that I reject all supernatural. I am frien… --- ## [Decouple employment from healthcare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decouple-employment-from-healthcare/748808)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decouple-employment-from-healthcare/748808 "2016-03-16T19:57:04Z")
I would be in favor of single-payer healthcare in the USA. I do not think forcing employers to buy insurance for their workers is the answer. Ultimately, insurance is a worthless middleman. Everyone would be paying les… --- ## [Putin withdraws Russian forces from Syria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-withdraws-russian-forces-from-syria/749034)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2016, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-withdraws-russian-forces-from-syria/749034 "2016-03-16T14:58:39Z")
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared mission accomplished in Syria, “on the whole” at least, and announced that Russia will be withdrawing the “main part” of its military forces from there, starting tomorrow. R… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=162) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=164)