# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=168 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 169 --- ## [1975-1990, the USSR was arguably the least bad of the three imperial superpowers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1975-1990-the-ussr-was-arguably-the-least-bad-of-the-three-imperial-superpowers/745246)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2016, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1975-1990-the-ussr-was-arguably-the-least-bad-of-the-three-imperial-superpowers/745246 "2016-02-10T00:13:30Z")
In this thread in Elections, on whether Bernie Sanders’ “honeymoon” in the USSR and visits to Nicaragua and Cuba make him unelectable as president, foolsguinea makes a rather bold assertion: Kinda flies in the face of … --- ## [Should Executions Be Made Public Again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-executions-be-made-public-again/745039)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2016, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-executions-be-made-public-again/745039 "2016-02-09T18:29:34Z")
Should the death penalty be made public again in the USA? I think, definitely, Yes, and I will tell you why. Now it is secret, and it is behind closed doors. Few people don’t even realize what is involved. Not just bloo… --- ## [Aside from World War II, why do many Chinese people hate Japan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-world-war-ii-why-do-many-chinese-people-hate-japan/743888)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aside-from-world-war-ii-why-do-many-chinese-people-hate-japan/743888 "2016-02-09T17:38:22Z")
Virtually every discussion about “Why many Chinese people hate Japan” comes to the topic of World War II and stays there, so I wanted to leave that issue out of the discussion and ask: \*Aside \*from Japan’s aggression ag… --- ## [Should we try harder to prevent humans from being subject to medical research experiments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-try-harder-to-prevent-humans-from-being-subject-to-medical-research-experiments/745401)
**Author:** [@Klisterhjernen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klisterhjernen)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2016, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-try-harder-to-prevent-humans-from-being-subject-to-medical-research-experiments/745401 "2016-02-09T02:25:04Z")
There are many pros and cons of testing medical therapy on human beings. The best argument for, I think, lies in that testing drugs/procedures on the group of people who will actually be receiving that drug/procedure yi… --- ## [Best advocate of church-state separation... Satanists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-advocate-of-church-state-separation-satanists/745415)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2016, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-advocate-of-church-state-separation-satanists/745415 "2016-02-08T18:22:58Z")
So the Satanic Temple challenged the Phoenix city council to allow them to offer a public prayer before city council meetings, since they have Christian prayers before the meeting. The city council responded by eliminat… --- ## [Legal Experts: Weigh in on the Cosby Criminal Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-experts-weigh-in-on-the-cosby-criminal-case/744975)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-experts-weigh-in-on-the-cosby-criminal-case/744975 "2016-02-08T15:52:40Z")
Apparently the key issue in the Cosby criminal case at this early point is whether he was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for being willing to testify in the civil suit against him. Former DA says Bill Cosb… --- ## [Why on earth are switchblades still illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-on-earth-are-switchblades-still-illegal/606008)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-on-earth-are-switchblades-still-illegal/606008 "2016-02-08T14:51:42Z")
About a month or so ago Wisconsin joined the 21st century and legalized CCW for law abiding citizens. This didn’t affect me as I could CCW for almost 30 years. But here is the point: part of the CCW law includes carryi… --- ## [How reliable were Alfred Kinsey's figures in his books on American sexuality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reliable-were-alfred-kinseys-figures-in-his-books-on-american-sexuality/745006)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2016, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-reliable-were-alfred-kinseys-figures-in-his-books-on-american-sexuality/745006 "2016-02-08T06:35:50Z")
In Sexual Behavior in the Human Male (1948) and the following book on female sexuality in 1953 Kinsey and his colleagues, based on the interviews they had conducted, drew many general conclusions about the sexual experie… --- ## [Bernie Sanders, Money, and Ethanol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-money-and-ethanol/744912)
**Author:** [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2016, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-money-and-ethanol/744912 "2016-02-08T04:58:57Z")
Bernie Sanders seems to have a particular complaintwith the way politics is run today. He claims that politicians have been bought by the corporations and billionaires and no longer represent the voters. An example of t… --- ## ["Invasive species", or "survival of the fittest"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasive-species-or-survival-of-the-fittest/619963)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 256\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasive-species-or-survival-of-the-fittest/619963 "2016-02-07T15:14:35Z")
I want to preface my comments by noting that I will put my credentials as an environmentalist up against anyone’s (well, most anyone’s–I’m not out manning the Rainbow Warrior or anything). My family is car-free, even th… --- ## [Contradictions in Genesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contradictions-in-genesis/744629)
**Author:** [@lpixler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lpixler)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [February 7, 2016, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contradictions-in-genesis/744629 "2016-02-07T01:49:59Z")
In the New Testament, God states that woman shall have no authority over man because she was second in creation and first in the fall, which leads Christians to subsume the Priestly account of creation (in which male and… --- ## [Egalitarian Prayer Space to Open at Western Wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egalitarian-prayer-space-to-open-at-western-wall/744985)
**Author:** [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2016, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egalitarian-prayer-space-to-open-at-western-wall/744985 "2016-02-06T19:51:56Z")
Always a nice change to hear some good news from Israel. Link here. TLDR: The Western Wall in Jerusalem (often called the “Wailing Wall” by non-Jews) is considered the holiest site in Judaism and is always crowded with… --- ## [Police Misconduct: A few bad apples, or an epidemic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-misconduct-a-few-bad-apples-or-an-epidemic/744894)
**Author:** [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-misconduct-a-few-bad-apples-or-an-epidemic/744894 "2016-02-05T23:19:07Z")
Well, we’ve got some numbers in. In Chicago: and, as well: So…assuming that the third of the misconduct lawsuits were ones in which actual misconduct occurred, and further assuming that at least some of the settlem… --- ## [Should we be concerned about lowered standards for the GED?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-concerned-about-lowered-standards-for-the-ged/745263)
**Author:** [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-concerned-about-lowered-standards-for-the-ged/745263 "2016-02-05T22:20:16Z")
Recently, the GED Testing Service loweredthe requiredscore to pass the GED, from 150 to 145 (on a scale from 100 to 200)\* According to the cites above, the GED recently became more difficult to agree with the Common Cor… --- ## [Is socialist policies a sign of prosperity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-socialist-policies-a-sign-of-prosperity/744689)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-socialist-policies-a-sign-of-prosperity/744689 "2016-02-05T20:46:29Z")
Does socialism = power? You can’t have a “working” socialist program without some sort of abundance of resource. Even if you were to say be a king, give all the plebs food each day, but in return you tax peasants, The pe… --- ## [On Feminism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-feminism/736801)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 774\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-feminism/736801 "2016-02-05T03:05:03Z")
As actual evidence of discrimination against women disappears, feminists become more creative about finding excuses to maintain their victimhood status. Whether it’s complaining about how men sit, the comments of a rando… --- ## [Question about Terrorist Tactics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-terrorist-tactics/744872)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2016, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-terrorist-tactics/744872 "2016-02-05T00:12:24Z")
Hi, I don’t understand why terrorist groups aren’t attacking more low level targets like random people’s homes. The message it would send of “No matter who you are you aren’t safe from us” could incite fear in the popu… --- ## [Scientists Who Are Actually Stupid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-who-are-actually-stupid/744306)
**Author:** [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-who-are-actually-stupid/744306 "2016-02-04T23:21:11Z")
Courtesy of Breitbart. I know, red flags go up immediately. The first one is on Neil deGrasse Tyson. The next on Bill Nye. Are these just hit jobs or is there some truth to them? I got this from a very liberal frien… --- ## [The Great Debate: Leonardo or Michelangelo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-debate-leonardo-or-michelangelo/744666)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-great-debate-leonardo-or-michelangelo/744666 "2016-02-04T21:34:48Z")
The two masters of their time. Contemporaries, rivals, Renaissance men. It seems there is more historical significance attached to the works of Leonardo da Vinci, but was he the greater artist? In my estimation: no. I … --- ## [Are political parties the worst mistake America ever made?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-political-parties-the-worst-mistake-america-ever-made/744183)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-political-parties-the-worst-mistake-america-ever-made/744183 "2016-02-04T17:02:59Z")
George Washington didn’t believe in political parties, and I think he was right! Partisan fighting has done a lot of damage to this country for as long as we have had political parties. Some of our senators and congres… --- ## [Should Obama have been able to get Congress to work with him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-have-been-able-to-get-congress-to-work-with-him/743064)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-have-been-able-to-get-congress-to-work-with-him/743064 "2016-02-04T03:59:01Z")
I just have this one simple question (although I realize is it not a simple question). People (on the left and the right) are saying that Obama should have been able to find a way to work with Congress in spite of their… --- ## [I am Christian first and American second. Is this an acceptable stance for the US President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-christian-first-and-american-second-is-this-an-acceptable-stance-for-the-us-president/744338)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-christian-first-and-american-second-is-this-an-acceptable-stance-for-the-us-president/744338 "2016-02-03T22:56:07Z")
My take is no. Ted Cruz said this at a rally in New Hampshire the other day and it really disturbed me. I am appalled by this, but I don’t want this to be a pit thread or even a thread about Mr. Cruz. I want this to b… --- ## [Will The Virus "Kinzi" Bring An End to the Rio 2016 Olymics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-virus-kinzi-bring-an-end-to-the-rio-2016-olymics/743778)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-virus-kinzi-bring-an-end-to-the-rio-2016-olymics/743778 "2016-02-03T22:04:10Z")
I ask because the situation in Rio seems serious-the city health dept. has asked the Federal Government for help-they have mobilized the army to help check on stagnant/standing water situations (where the Aedes mosquitos… --- ## [Will US airports ever have automated border control/e-gates like some European airports do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-us-airports-ever-have-automated-border-control-e-gates-like-some-european-airports-do/745047)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2016, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-us-airports-ever-have-automated-border-control-e-gates-like-some-european-airports-do/745047 "2016-02-03T12:14:44Z")
These are gates where passengers with a biometric passport of certain nationalities simply have to place their passport on a scanner, let the machine take a picture of them, and proceed to the exit. A border guard is of… --- ## [General Douglas Haig - Should he be reappraised?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-douglas-haig-should-he-be-reappraised/744893)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/general-douglas-haig-should-he-be-reappraised/744893 "2016-02-02T19:30:24Z")
Similar to the interesting thread elsewhere on Field Marshal the Viscount Montgomery, I wonder if we could reappraise General Haig from the Great War? Specifically - although not limited to - his willingness to learn fr… --- ## [Statistics and estimating the effects of more open and concealed carry firearms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-and-estimating-the-effects-of-more-open-and-concealed-carry-firearms/744198)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistics-and-estimating-the-effects-of-more-open-and-concealed-carry-firearms/744198 "2016-02-02T15:48:04Z")
My question is this: If, hypothetically, gun ownership and concealed and open carry were to increase significantly over the next several years, is there any way to estimate using statistics whether the lives saved by “a… --- ## [Should Western countries stop sending financial aid to Sub-Saharan Africa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-countries-stop-sending-financial-aid-to-sub-saharan-africa/743318)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-countries-stop-sending-financial-aid-to-sub-saharan-africa/743318 "2016-02-01T22:52:08Z")
And let them work out things on their own or start large scale projects there? It’s clear that the aid we send there doesn’t get to the people but instead goes into the pockets of the rulers. For example in 2015 Kenya … --- ## [Should we expect the police to show courage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-expect-the-police-to-show-courage/664825)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-expect-the-police-to-show-courage/664825 "2016-02-01T19:24:24Z")
I am opening this thread in GD, but came very close to putting in the Pit instead (where I might have entitled it ‘A Fucking Execution’). When I ask if we should expect the police to show courage, I am referring to an i… --- ## [Should the US halt tourism and business travel from the European Union?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-halt-tourism-and-business-travel-from-the-european-union/738365)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-halt-tourism-and-business-travel-from-the-european-union/738365 "2016-02-01T14:25:53Z")
Many Republicans here in the US have been concerned with ISIS using the Syrian refuge crisis to sneak terrorists into the US and have stated that they do not trust the vetting process used by the current administration. … --- ## [Why Is JFK So Deified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jfk-so-deified/741541)
**Author:** [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-jfk-so-deified/741541 "2016-01-31T19:53:21Z")
He most likely was elected with the assistance of voter fraud. His personal behavior put his presidency at risk. The Bay of Pigs was a huge blunder that was in part caused by his inexperience. And worst of all, he allowe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=167) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=169)