# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=166 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 167 --- ## [The PYD or Turkey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pyd-or-turkey/746445)
**Author:** [@Inbred\_Mm\_domesticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inbred_Mm_domesticus)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2016, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pyd-or-turkey/746445 "2016-02-29T01:31:43Z")
If you pay attention to the Syrian Civil War then you are probably aware the PYD (Democratic Union Party) and its militia the YPG are the most effective force in Syria against ISIS and al-Nusra front. Since the Siege of … --- ## [Should patents be forfeited if the product isn't produced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-patents-be-forfeited-if-the-product-isnt-produced/746440)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-patents-be-forfeited-if-the-product-isnt-produced/746440 "2016-02-28T16:40:58Z")
A large problem for innovators today is patent trolls. Companies will buy out patents for things that might not have been produced. They will then sit on the patents to sue anyone who tries to build something similar. … --- ## [If money is speech, and speech is money...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-money-is-speech-and-speech-is-money/745523)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 269\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-money-is-speech-and-speech-is-money/745523 "2016-02-27T17:34:51Z")
Look, I really do understand the arguments about freedom of the press. I do. I also understand that there is a difference between a) the freedom not to be imprisoned for saying the King is a fink, and b) the right to hir… --- ## [Kyūjō incident and the 1941-1946? War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kyujo-incident-and-the-1941-1946-war/747078)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kyujo-incident-and-the-1941-1946-war/747078 "2016-02-27T07:57:02Z")
So I’ve been reading about the Kyūjō incident of 14-15 August 1945, where some fanatic Japanese officers attempted to stop the broadcast of the Emperor’s surrender announcement on the radio. It failed, and broadcast was … --- ## [How far will the Jimmy Savile fallout go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-will-the-jimmy-savile-fallout-go/692332)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2016, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-will-the-jimmy-savile-fallout-go/692332 "2016-02-27T01:00:25Z")
Jimmy Savile, former friend of the Prince of Wales and Margaret Thatcher, is now confirmed as being one of the most prolific paedophiles of all time with an estimated 500 children being abused by him over a period spanni… --- ## [Has the horse bolted on China's annexation of the East China Sea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-horse-bolted-on-chinas-annexation-of-the-east-china-sea/740503)
**Author:** [@iLemming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iLemming)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-horse-bolted-on-chinas-annexation-of-the-east-china-sea/740503 "2016-02-26T22:39:32Z")
Audio reveals RAAF’s ‘freedom of navigation’ flight over South China Sea(BBC c/o ABC Aust.) This exchange proceeded earlier communications between a Filipino single-engine passenger plane carrying a BBC reporter and th… --- ## [Are we witnessing a revolution in VR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-witnessing-a-revolution-in-vr/747010)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-witnessing-a-revolution-in-vr/747010 "2016-02-26T18:18:06Z")
HTC Vive, Occulus Rift, Playstation 4 ‘Project Morpheus’ are all coming out with their VR headsets this spring or summer, and it got me thinking of the larger applications/appeal of this, obviously there’ll be problems w… --- ## [Can someone explain in a nutshell EXACTLY what the Republicans object to re Obamacare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-in-a-nutshell-exactly-what-the-republicans-object-to-re-obamacare/746358)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-explain-in-a-nutshell-exactly-what-the-republicans-object-to-re-obamacare/746358 "2016-02-26T17:41:36Z")
Certainly it’s not a perfect law. Yeah, some people have lost coverage or have to pay more (from what I read), but all in all, it’s working okay for many, many people. But saying stuff like “Im going to repeal EVERY WORD… --- ## [Race, Media and Politicians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-media-and-politicians/747156)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-media-and-politicians/747156 "2016-02-26T13:37:39Z")
So recently three UAlbany students made a claim that they were assaulted on a bus by 10 to 12 white males and females who were yelling racial slurs. Link. Hillary Clinton tweetedabout the incident. I imagine other pols… --- ## [Which Asian country was 'worse:' WWII Japan or modern North Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-asian-country-was-worse-wwii-japan-or-modern-north-korea/746873)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-asian-country-was-worse-wwii-japan-or-modern-north-korea/746873 "2016-02-26T09:47:40Z")
(I’m not defining what constitutes “worse”; that’s the whole point of this thread.) AFAIK, World War II Japan was the “worse” country if you were someone not Japanese (i.e., Chinese, Korean), but if you are a modern Nor… --- ## [Death and Illegal Search and Seizure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-and-illegal-search-and-seizure/747137)
**Author:** [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-and-illegal-search-and-seizure/747137 "2016-02-26T03:59:37Z")
If you’re dead, are you still protected from illegal search and seizure (ISS)? Many seem to be making reference to ISS regarding the FBR iPhone and Apple case. I understand there are other issues regarding this. . .but… --- ## [Why don't Billionaires who run companies seem to care about the privacy of citizens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-billionaires-who-run-companies-seem-to-care-about-the-privacy-of-citizens/747080)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2016, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-billionaires-who-run-companies-seem-to-care-about-the-privacy-of-citizens/747080 "2016-02-25T15:12:32Z")
The revelations about the Prism program revealed that Yahoo, Google, and Microsoft cooperate with the NSA. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/prism-collection-documents/ What I don’t understand is wh… --- ## [Did Jesus make a difference in the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-make-a-difference-in-the-world/59006)
**Author:** [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2016, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-make-a-difference-in-the-world/59006 "2016-02-25T04:17:38Z")
Author Thomas Cahill poses this question in the introduction of Desire of the Everlasting Hills: In other words, is the world a better place because of Jesus? IÕll anticipate some of the more obvious arguments. Numbe… --- ## [Thomas Aquinas: Logical Flaws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thomas-aquinas-logical-flaws/745954)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Thomas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Thomas)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thomas-aquinas-logical-flaws/745954 "2016-02-24T20:22:19Z")
St. Thomas Aquinas, the guy who wrote the Summa Theologica and reconciled religion and logic (hell, even combining critical aspects of the two) he was attempting to prove the existence of God, by logic alone, at a time w… --- ## [Mass Transit vs Personal Transit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-transit-vs-personal-transit/745960)
**Author:** [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2016, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-transit-vs-personal-transit/745960 "2016-02-24T19:57:39Z")
I’ve always loved the idea and even most implementations of mass transit. But I find that the practical reality favors personal transit. I’m biased, living in Texas - I’ve seen people drive to their mailbox\[sup\]1\[/sup\]!… --- ## [What exactly did Hillary Clinton do that was so bad with the email scandal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-did-hillary-clinton-do-that-was-so-bad-with-the-email-scandal/745264)
**Author:** [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-did-hillary-clinton-do-that-was-so-bad-with-the-email-scandal/745264 "2016-02-24T17:51:58Z")
Did she do anything illegal? Was she not supposed to have a private email server? Sounds to me like she kept classified information under the cusp as much as possible. Isn’t that was she was supposed to do in the inter… --- ## [Suicide and Letting Them Know](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-and-letting-them-know/746763)
**Author:** [@yarblek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yarblek)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-and-letting-them-know/746763 "2016-02-24T16:48:48Z")
Whilst doing suicidal ideation I can never decide whether it would be better for my family if they every found out. Suicide is obviously somewhat of a taboo subject. People who go through with it and the people they were… --- ## [Do Women Go Through a "Cute & Little" Phase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-go-through-a-cute-little-phase/745558)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2016, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-women-go-through-a-cute-little-phase/745558 "2016-02-23T22:44:21Z")
Kathleen Reardonsays young women support Bernie Sanders because they go through a “Cute and Little” stage: Do young women go through a “cute and little” stage? --- ## [And my daughter announces... \[that she's bisexual\].](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-my-daughter-announces-that-shes-bisexual/274169)
**Author:** [@Kiminy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiminy)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-my-daughter-announces-that-shes-bisexual/274169 "2016-02-23T17:22:23Z")
Yesterday evening, as I was driving my 13yo daughter to handbell practice (with her 10yo brother in the back seat), she tells me that she wants to tell me something, but she’s afraid I’ll get mad about it. I tell her tha… --- ## [Why are people "not allowed" to have opinions on taboo topics (sexual assault,pedophilia etc.)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-not-allowed-to-have-opinions-on-taboo-topics-sexual-assault-pedophilia-etc/746546)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-people-not-allowed-to-have-opinions-on-taboo-topics-sexual-assault-pedophilia-etc/746546 "2016-02-23T01:22:14Z")
I don’t know if anyone else experiences this but I frequently have. I’m allowed to have a discussion on politics and how education funds should be spent and most people may or may not agree with me but will respect my op… --- ## [Do we treat kids like the Saudi's treat their women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-treat-kids-like-the-saudis-treat-their-women/746593)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-treat-kids-like-the-saudis-treat-their-women/746593 "2016-02-22T17:59:50Z")
I see an interesting parallel. In short: Saudi men don’t let their women out of the house alone. If they do, they will get severely judged by other men, women, and maybe arrested by the religious police. People will s… --- ## [Iraqis don't like the Bushes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqis-dont-like-the-bushes/746712)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iraqis-dont-like-the-bushes/746712 "2016-02-22T17:07:04Z")
From time to time, some advance the peculiar claim that Iraqis are grateful to George W. Bush for invading their country. Let’s disabuse them of that ignorance. --- ## [How do we actually address rampant income inequality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-actually-address-rampant-income-inequality/746303)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-actually-address-rampant-income-inequality/746303 "2016-02-22T16:07:31Z")
First, do you think it’s a problem at all? I used to not be overly concerned about it. I was extremely sympathetic to this thatcher sort of argument here: Now in her example, the poor were still better off, just not a… --- ## [Why isn't anyone actually looking to cut healthcare costs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-anyone-actually-looking-to-cut-healthcare-costs/745711)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-anyone-actually-looking-to-cut-healthcare-costs/745711 "2016-02-22T04:11:20Z")
Healthcare debates usually revolve around things like insurance and medicare. Nobody seems interested in saving energy, cutting staff, more efficient practices, better inventory management, or anything else that would a… --- ## [Which country historically dominated aerial warfare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-historically-dominated-aerial-warfare/746238)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-country-historically-dominated-aerial-warfare/746238 "2016-02-22T02:26:03Z")
I have this vague in my head that land war as we know it (at least until the end of the 1900s) was largely developed by the French, and not only did the British militarily rulemthe seas but also the modern navy as we kno… --- ## [Will the earth be able to support around 9.7 billion people in 2050?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-earth-be-able-to-support-around-9-7-billion-people-in-2050/746204)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2016, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-earth-be-able-to-support-around-9-7-billion-people-in-2050/746204 "2016-02-22T02:21:43Z")
I was reading an article on the Telegraph about how the population may increase to 9.7 billion in 2050. And I was thinking there that some people say that we may have to reduce consumption but I hardly think that the US … --- ## [Black Pather Party: Over all, good or bad.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-pather-party-over-all-good-or-bad/745932)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-pather-party-over-all-good-or-bad/745932 "2016-02-20T22:18:44Z")
If I understand correctly, they started off good but later on became corrupt with drug trafficking, and murders and such. Is that pretty much the jist of it? Or is my information wrong? Thanks for any input. eta: Plea… --- ## [Picasa no longer supported by Google - Help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picasa-no-longer-supported-by-google-help/746624)
**Author:** [@dflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dflower)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picasa-no-longer-supported-by-google-help/746624 "2016-02-20T19:30:58Z")
It seems that picasa is going by the wayside. I have years of photos there and can not figure out how to move all of them to google photos. I can do an album at a time but that will take me many days and patience I don… --- ## [Edward VIII of England, Wallis Simpson, and a Morganatic Marriage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edward-viii-of-england-wallis-simpson-and-a-morganatic-marriage/746323)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edward-viii-of-england-wallis-simpson-and-a-morganatic-marriage/746323 "2016-02-20T18:27:39Z")
Most of you on these boards (even the older ones;)) would be too young to remember. I know I certainly am. But in 1936, there was a constitutional crisis in Britain. King Edward VIII wanted to marry his true love, Ameri… --- ## [Mass migration of Europeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-migration-of-europeans/746205)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2016, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-migration-of-europeans/746205 "2016-02-20T09:48:53Z")
In 40 or so years if the Muslim population gains political control over most of western Europe will we see a mass migration of Europeans similar to early in the 20th century? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=165) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=167)