# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=170 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 171 --- ## [Oil prices tanking, why isn't the economy soaring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-prices-tanking-why-isnt-the-economy-soaring/742221)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-prices-tanking-why-isnt-the-economy-soaring/742221 "2016-01-22T17:21:29Z")
At this rate gas stations will be paying us to take away the gas. The reduced energy costs should have a great impact, people should have more money in their pockets, business costs for manufacturing and shipping should … --- ## [The Gender of Political Correctness.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gender-of-political-correctness/743719)
**Author:** [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gender-of-political-correctness/743719 "2016-01-22T16:31:01Z")
The rules of Political Correctness as applied to gender are simple: VIDEO. Basically, any negative generalization about men is acceptable and respectable. Any negative generalization about women is a Moral Crime. The… --- ## [The History of Israel Informed By the Exodus Narative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-of-israel-informed-by-the-exodus-narative/742936)
**Author:** [@Jayhawker\_Soule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayhawker_Soule)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-of-israel-informed-by-the-exodus-narative/742936 "2016-01-22T05:16:15Z")
Richard Elliott Friedman is perhaps best known as the author of Who Wrote the Bible, an exceptional book that served to explicate and popularize the Documentary Hypothesis. I believe that his views warrant attention, so… --- ## [Is the oil era coming to an end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-oil-era-coming-to-an-end/742815)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-oil-era-coming-to-an-end/742815 "2016-01-22T01:53:19Z")
Oil prices have plummeted over the past few years. More and more people are switching to heating systems that don’t use oil, such as natural gas, heat pumps, and wood pellets. There is still a big push for solar power.… --- ## [Jesus: Myth, or Man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-myth-or-man/742392)
**Author:** [@Jayhawker\_Soule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayhawker_Soule)\ **Replies:** 507\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2016, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-myth-or-man/742392 "2016-01-22T00:04:18Z")
This is intended as a thread about historicity, not divinity. Was there a sect leader named Yeshua (or some variant o Yeshua) that directly or indirectly inspired Christianity? --- ## [Low Oil Prices: Who's Making the Money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-oil-prices-whos-making-the-money/743708)
**Author:** [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/low-oil-prices-whos-making-the-money/743708 "2016-01-21T16:22:58Z")
From this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=780052&page=2 I realize with oil prices as low they are, someone is profiting from this. But, down here in Louisiana, we’re fucking starving. Un… --- ## [What's the most undemocratic thing US politicians ever rammed down the public throat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-undemocratic-thing-us-politicians-ever-rammed-down-the-public-throat/742261)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2016, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-undemocratic-thing-us-politicians-ever-rammed-down-the-public-throat/742261 "2016-01-21T03:11:37Z")
The US political system is intentionally designed to insulate the Federal government from ephemeral fluctuations in public opinion, with election cycles giving the people a chance to have their say in the longer term. On… --- ## [Suppose Obama ignores Congress and transfers Gitmo detainees to US federal prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-obama-ignores-congress-and-transfers-gitmo-detainees-to-us-federal-prison/743539)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-obama-ignores-congress-and-transfers-gitmo-detainees-to-us-federal-prison/743539 "2016-01-21T01:19:03Z")
This is whispered about as a possible action Obama might take in his last year in office, to fulfill a campaign pledge. Presumably, he would contend that it is within his Article II exclusive power and that the statute f… --- ## [So who are these people that "can't afford" ACA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-are-these-people-that-cant-afford-aca/743090)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2016, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-who-are-these-people-that-cant-afford-aca/743090 "2016-01-20T19:38:13Z")
So I keep hearing about how ACA is putting people in poor house. And then I hear stories from actual poor people that espouse ACA is the greatest thing ever. So who are these people getting “screwed”? (Apologies if I… --- ## [The federal government made a serious mistake by caving in to Cliven Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federal-government-made-a-serious-mistake-by-caving-in-to-cliven-bundy/685993)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 604\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2016, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-federal-government-made-a-serious-mistake-by-caving-in-to-cliven-bundy/685993 "2016-01-20T00:09:17Z")
\[ \](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_RANGE\_SHOWDOWN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-04-12-23-24-14)They gave in to a bunch of terrorists and thugs. That’s a serious mistake, IMO. One that co… --- ## [God and Positive Thinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-positive-thinking/743312)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-and-positive-thinking/743312 "2016-01-19T21:16:49Z")
I’ve just come across an article on positive thinking: The Science of Positive Thinking: How Positive Thoughts Build Your Skills, Boost Your Health, and Improve Your Work. It gives some information on Barbara Fredrickson… --- ## [Should people looking to lighten their skin just accept themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-looking-to-lighten-their-skin-just-accept-themselves/742860)
**Author:** [@GlowingDarkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GlowingDarkness)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-looking-to-lighten-their-skin-just-accept-themselves/742860 "2016-01-19T11:34:55Z")
I have a very close 25yr Tanzanian friend who recently told me that he wanted to lighten his skin. At first I was taken a bit suprised thinking he wants to change who he was but then I realized that he was an adult who c… --- ## [Why did most ex-USSR states grow so fast from the year 2000 onward](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-most-ex-ussr-states-grow-so-fast-from-the-year-2000-onward/743186)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2016, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-most-ex-ussr-states-grow-so-fast-from-the-year-2000-onward/743186 "2016-01-19T09:26:01Z")
If you look at GDP, their GDPs have exploded starting in around the year 2000. Economies that are 300-500% bigger (some like Kazakhstan are 10x bigger) are not uncommon and countries that were 5k per capita income in 200… --- ## [Fairness vs. Justice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairness-vs-justice/743520)
**Author:** [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fairness-vs-justice/743520 "2016-01-18T21:48:42Z")
The recent threads about the treatment of the militia occupiers up in Oregon go me thinking about this. Many people have contrasted the government treatment of these guys to the treatment of BLM protesters. The differe… --- ## [Would you have bought a Powerball ticket with Bernie’s tax on it of 90%](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-bought-a-powerball-ticket-with-bernie-s-tax-on-it-of-90/743162)
**Author:** [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-have-bought-a-powerball-ticket-with-bernie-s-tax-on-it-of-90/743162 "2016-01-18T02:22:10Z")
A very simple question. Would you purchase Powerball tickets for a 1.5 billion jackpot lottery if the tax rate was 90% on the jackpot ? I am curious as to the answers. --- ## [2016 State of the Union address tonight 01/12/16](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-state-of-the-union-address-tonight-01-12-16/742971)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2016, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-state-of-the-union-address-tonight-01-12-16/742971 "2016-01-16T05:06:17Z")
At 9:00 p.m. In the First Lady’s guest box will be an empty chair representing victims of gun violence. (Not the first time an empty chair in that section has been used symbolically.) In response, Rep. Steve King will… --- ## [Gun lobby's lies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-lobbys-lies/742550)
**Author:** [@ChickenLegs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChickenLegs)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-lobbys-lies/742550 "2016-01-16T04:48:01Z")
President Obama wrote the following in a New York Times column, published on Thursday: “All of us need to demand leaders brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby’s lies.” I am curious if the contributors to this boa… --- ## [The most important problem facing America today is ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-important-problem-facing-america-today-is/743135)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2016, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-most-important-problem-facing-america-today-is/743135 "2016-01-16T03:27:05Z")
… Government, according to Gallup. Why do you think that is? And what do you think is the most important problem facing America today (and why)? --- ## [Can you enlighten me on PaleoConservative and NeoConservative ideals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-enlighten-me-on-paleoconservative-and-neoconservative-ideals/743094)
**Author:** [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-enlighten-me-on-paleoconservative-and-neoconservative-ideals/743094 "2016-01-15T20:24:52Z")
Namely. In terms of society what year do PaleoConservatives see as ideal? What year do NeoConservatives see as ideal? --- ## [Syrian Refugees in Western Europe= "Fifth Column"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690)
**Author:** [@botsgotme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/botsgotme)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690 "2016-01-15T19:05:09Z")
While I have some sympathy for the Syrians escaping their civil war, i am also disturbed by reports of jihadist killers coming in to Western countries. these people have the capability to wreak havoc, via suicide bombing… --- ## [Great Art Belongs to the World?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-art-belongs-to-the-world/719391)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-art-belongs-to-the-world/719391 "2016-01-15T18:42:56Z")
I’m reading a novel in which a central plot point involves a museum’s exhibition of some Native American artifacts, artifacts acquired decades prior to the novel’s events. The exhibition’s publicity alerts the tribe that… --- ## [The Carter Administration never fired a shot in anger/killed someone.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carter-administration-never-fired-a-shot-in-anger-killed-someone/743111)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-carter-administration-never-fired-a-shot-in-anger-killed-someone/743111 "2016-01-15T17:45:48Z")
I’m flailing at trying to find a video of where President Carter is confirming this; I know I saw one. Any help? --- ## [Stolen Valor Act ruled unconstitutional.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-valor-act-ruled-unconstitutional/550721)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 255\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2016, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stolen-valor-act-ruled-unconstitutional/550721 "2016-01-15T00:02:27Z")
And i think it’s a good decision., even though i suspect that the Supreme Court might end up overturning it. We’ve discussed this law on these boards before, of course, and i maintained on those occasions that, while ly… --- ## [Tell me about "town hall" meetings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-town-hall-meetings/742603)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2016, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-town-hall-meetings/742603 "2016-01-14T21:56:52Z")
Obviously prompted by the recent CNN town hall on gun control… I see that the NRA was invited to participate… what were the requirements had they agreed to? To what extent did CNN or the President’s people control the … --- ## [Is ''ammunition control'' legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ammunition-control-legal/742541)
**Author:** [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ammunition-control-legal/742541 "2016-01-14T19:30:24Z")
Before the Oklahoma City Bombing I recall I was an enthusiastic gardener and would go to a nearby supply store and get a large bag of ammonium nitrate cheap. Now retail ammonium nitrate is expensive and difficult to find… --- ## [Judging others by their utility to society...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judging-others-by-their-utility-to-society/742487)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2016, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judging-others-by-their-utility-to-society/742487 "2016-01-14T14:47:06Z")
I’ve seen this brought up by anti-capitalists in various media: that the whole idea of “pulling your own weight” and, to an extent, the entire concept of needing to be employed to support yourself smacks of looking at so… --- ## [Shrinking Middle Class in the US(?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shrinking-middle-class-in-the-us/739992)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2016, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shrinking-middle-class-in-the-us/739992 "2016-01-14T11:36:02Z")
This is a theme I hear a lot in my own family…how the middle class in the US is shrinking, leading to…something bad. I was reading on CNN today, and this article caught my eye…it’s about this very subject. And if you w… --- ## [creatio ex nihilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatio-ex-nihilo/742680)
**Author:** [@Jayhawker\_Soule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayhawker_Soule)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2016, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creatio-ex-nihilo/742680 "2016-01-13T20:15:21Z")
Are there Christians here who reject creatio ex nihilo? --- ## [Obama and guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-guns/743014)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-guns/743014 "2016-01-13T19:43:16Z")
2nd Amendment enthusiasts: How do you respond to President Obama State of the Union? During the entire speech, I believe he said only this one small sentence “Protecting our kids from gun violence.” 6 words out of 5,000… --- ## [How safe is it to be Sunni in a Shiite country and vice versa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-it-to-be-sunni-in-a-shiite-country-and-vice-versa/742362)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-safe-is-it-to-be-sunni-in-a-shiite-country-and-vice-versa/742362 "2016-01-13T16:20:46Z")
I know, we’re talking about numerous, diverse, different Islamic countries, governments, societies, populations…but generally speaking, how safe is it to be Sunni in a Shiite country and vice versa? Do Sunnis and Shiite… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=169) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=171)