# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=175 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 176 --- ## [In what situations is "Not All \_\_\_\_ " appropriate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-situations-is-not-all-____-appropriate/739000)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-situations-is-not-all-____-appropriate/739000 "2015-12-01T16:39:19Z")
In the wake of the recent, deadly terrorist attacks in Paris, there was a swift anti-Islam backlash, followed by a swift counter-response to the effect of: “\*\*\*Not all \*\*Muslims.” \* Which is, of course, statistically tr… --- ## [Premices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premices/738483)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2015, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premices/738483 "2015-12-01T12:03:44Z")
I am working on a novel, parts of the novel rely on certain premises that I am assuming.I thought great debates might give me more insight and perspective. I am going to start with primitive and work toward modern if the… --- ## [Do terrorists understand the real damage is done by the reaction to their actions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-terrorists-understand-the-real-damage-is-done-by-the-reaction-to-their-actions/738313)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2015, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-terrorists-understand-the-real-damage-is-done-by-the-reaction-to-their-actions/738313 "2015-12-01T07:36:29Z")
I was hearing about the lockdown in Brussels on the radio today. It’s a ghost town on the streets. Military vehicles and armed soldiers are prominently standing around everywhere. Basically, the terrorists have caused… --- ## [I dont understand religion...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-religion/737498)
**Author:** [@Rokai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rokai)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2015, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-religion/737498 "2015-12-01T07:10:32Z")
Why is it so important in nearly everybody’s lives but yet they are few of us agnostic and atheist out there who choose to either question religion or choose not to believe in it period. If you’re religious what do you … --- ## [Is there anything good about Common Core?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-good-about-common-core/735899)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-anything-good-about-common-core/735899 "2015-11-30T21:21:32Z")
Most of the anecdotes about Common Core seem to have been overwhelmingly negative. Are there any good things about it, and what do Common Core’s defenders usually say? --- ## [Can anti-trust laws be invoked against the college textbook industry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anti-trust-laws-be-invoked-against-the-college-textbook-industry/737795)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anti-trust-laws-be-invoked-against-the-college-textbook-industry/737795 "2015-11-30T19:13:30Z")
It is designed to be as anticompetitive as possible. The publishers divide and conquer, the professors give them what they want, and the Bookstores make new custom packages every semester to kill comparison shopping and… --- ## [Value of Restitution: the barefoot bandit case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-restitution-the-barefoot-bandit-case/738473)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2015, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/value-of-restitution-the-barefoot-bandit-case/738473 "2015-11-30T18:02:18Z")
A number of years ago, this “barefoot bandit” dude did some rather bad stuff, which included stealing at least 3 small-ish airplanes and crashing at least one of them rather badly. Apparently, his activities were followe… --- ## [Pennsylvania college cancels play after author objects to white actors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-college-cancels-play-after-author-objects-to-white-actors/738138)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 299\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2015, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pennsylvania-college-cancels-play-after-author-objects-to-white-actors/738138 "2015-11-29T02:38:59Z")
First the facts. Pennsylvania college cancels play after author objects to white actors I can see where the author’s coming from but I think he’s overlooking something important here. If the characters in a play are S… --- ## [Does religion prove the reality of existance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-religion-prove-the-reality-of-existance/738547)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-religion-prove-the-reality-of-existance/738547 "2015-11-27T18:11:01Z")
I was talking to a real religious guy who asked me “How do you know you’re not just in the imagination of some person strapped down in a psycho ward? Or part of the Matrix?” I said I didn’t know, and how did he know he w… --- ## [Did the CIA create ISIS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-cia-create-isis/737706)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-cia-create-isis/737706 "2015-11-26T16:06:53Z")
I’ve been in a discussion with another individual online who suggests that the CIA is responsible for the creation of ISIS. I haven’t yet asked him more about this idea, but before I do: Is there actual evidence to suppo… --- ## [When ISIS is defeated, then what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-isis-is-defeated-then-what/738267)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-isis-is-defeated-then-what/738267 "2015-11-26T02:55:06Z")
China has just announced it too is joining the war against ISIS: So we have a rare instance when the five permanent members of the UN security council agree unanimously on something. This article makes clear that ISIS… --- ## [Many university students don't want "discussion;" they want compliance.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-university-students-dont-want-discussion-they-want-compliance/737342)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/many-university-students-dont-want-discussion-they-want-compliance/737342 "2015-11-25T14:11:47Z")
Does anyone else sense that protesters on college campuses (and frankly, elsewhere as well) used to state that they wanted dialogue and debate about topics…but somewhere along the way, this was dropped and now they simpl… --- ## [Would Al Gore/Bob Graham have won in 2000?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-al-gore-bob-graham-have-won-in-2000/542072)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-al-gore-bob-graham-have-won-in-2000/542072 "2015-11-25T14:10:05Z")
In my opinion, there is no doubt that if Gore would have picked Bob Graham as his running mate, he would have won Florida convincingly and thus won the 2000 presidential election. The choice of Lieberman was a horrible o… --- ## [SCOTUS really DID choose the president after all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-really-did-choose-the-president-after-all/93459)
**Author:** [@Tejota](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tejota)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-really-did-choose-the-president-after-all/93459 "2015-11-25T08:01:45Z")
From the Washington Post (who are in turn quoting the Orlando Sentinel). Despite all of the media spin to the contrary, It is likely that if SCOTUS had allowed the recount to go forward the overvotes AND the undervotes… --- ## [Guantanamo - don't let the door hit ya where the Lord split ya](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-dont-let-the-door-hit-ya-where-the-lord-split-ya/738429)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-dont-let-the-door-hit-ya-where-the-lord-split-ya/738429 "2015-11-25T04:10:34Z")
Obama is expected the deliver a plan to close the detention center at Guantanamo in the next several days. This was promised to be one of the first things he would do upon entering the White House in 2009, but sometimes… --- ## [The Global Warming Fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-global-warming-fraud/738010)
**Author:** [@Renaissance\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renaissance_Man)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-global-warming-fraud/738010 "2015-11-24T22:59:38Z")
http://TheGlobalWarmingFraud.wordpress.com Dr. Ivar Giaever, winner of the 1973 Nobel Prize in Physics, resigned in disgust from the American Physical Society on September 13, 2011 over its policy of characterizing ant… --- ## [Terror watch list](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-watch-list/738455)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terror-watch-list/738455 "2015-11-24T18:52:40Z")
I was just looking at an article where the various Republican presidential candidates were asked for their opinions about whether or not individuals on the Terror Watch List should be prevented from buying guns. Leaving… --- ## [How important is it to read the popular classics of philosophy and literature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-it-to-read-the-popular-classics-of-philosophy-and-literature/737881)
**Author:** [@Blackstock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackstock)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-it-to-read-the-popular-classics-of-philosophy-and-literature/737881 "2015-11-24T16:19:17Z")
I haven’t read a single work written by Shakespeare. I vaguely know the plot line of Hamlet and Otello, but that’s that. Similarly, I haven’t read anything by Nietzsche. I’ve tried, but couldn’t bear the writing style an… --- ## [41% of Americans support Syrian immigration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009)
**Author:** [@Renaissance\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renaissance_Man)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/41-of-americans-support-syrian-immigration/738009 "2015-11-24T16:01:00Z")
Are you kidding me! Syrian terrorists have wantonly murdered on several continents, and 41% of Americans are so stupid that they would welcome Syrians? Five Syrian men with fake Greek passports were arrested in Guatem… --- ## [iPhone Pulled From UK Market? Likely? Desirable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-pulled-from-uk-market-likely-desirable/737196)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iphone-pulled-from-uk-market-likely-desirable/737196 "2015-11-24T15:15:45Z")
It appears that the UK Government doesn’t really want to have a modern high-tech economy any more: Here’s the deal. The UK government is trying to pass legislation that will prevent anyone from using strong encryption.… --- ## [Texas women are inducing their own abortions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-women-are-inducing-their-own-abortions/737843)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-women-are-inducing-their-own-abortions/737843 "2015-11-24T15:01:48Z")
In a move that anyone with a brain could have predicted, it turns out that when abortion clinics are regulated to the point of not being able to operate in most of the state, tons of women and girls try to abort their pr… --- ## [If Middle Eastern terrorists attacked Costa Rica or North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-middle-eastern-terrorists-attacked-costa-rica-or-north-korea/737741)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-middle-eastern-terrorists-attacked-costa-rica-or-north-korea/737741 "2015-11-24T09:13:53Z")
I know, you’re reading the thread title and thinking, “What…?” Suppose that Middle Eastern terrorists carried out a deadly attack in Costa Rica. (Don’t fight the hypothetical; just go with the scenario.) Costa Rica has … --- ## [What would a world war agains ISIS entail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-world-war-agains-isis-entail/737779)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-world-war-agains-isis-entail/737779 "2015-11-24T08:20:34Z")
It’s clear that ISIS wants to hasten End of Times (Yawm al-Qīyāmah or Qiyâmah (literally "Day of the Resurrection). That would involve a world war. What would such a war look like? Would it be along the lines of the foll… --- ## [Should Western Nations halt immigration from Syrian Refugees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-nations-halt-immigration-from-syrian-refugees/737780)
**Author:** [@Salvor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salvor)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-western-nations-halt-immigration-from-syrian-refugees/737780 "2015-11-24T00:25:43Z")
This has been popping up all over the news in the aftermath of the Paris attacks. Over half the governors in the US are publicly opposed to resettling refugees in their state, mostly republicans taking advantage of popu… --- ## [Why are Americans so patriotic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-so-patriotic/738166)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-so-patriotic/738166 "2015-11-23T22:42:52Z")
The whole question is really in the title but just to flesh it out… In my experience Americans are WAY more patriotic than the other people (mainly Euros and Australians) that I hang out with. They also (as a result of … --- ## [Is fighting in the ISIS jihad illegal in France? If not, shouldn't it be illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fighting-in-the-isis-jihad-illegal-in-france-if-not-shouldnt-it-be-illegal/737689)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2015, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fighting-in-the-isis-jihad-illegal-in-france-if-not-shouldnt-it-be-illegal/737689 "2015-11-23T09:54:53Z")
I stated France in the question, but this applies to all Western nations. In this most recent attack, and in previous attacks as well, I always hear one particular point in the news coverage that I wonder about. They alw… --- ## [So how big of a threat is over population on a global scale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-big-of-a-threat-is-over-population-on-a-global-scale/737814)
**Author:** [@The\_Big\_Poo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Big_Poo)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2015, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-big-of-a-threat-is-over-population-on-a-global-scale/737814 "2015-11-23T02:41:57Z")
I’ve heard people clamour on about how there’s too many people and not enough resources to go around. I don’t give it much credence since resources aren’t equally distributed in the first place. All I believe is that t… --- ## [Collection of Muslim condemnations of terror attacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collection-of-muslim-condemnations-of-terror-attacks/737714)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2015, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/collection-of-muslim-condemnations-of-terror-attacks/737714 "2015-11-23T02:32:19Z")
One of my Facebook friends has become virulently Islamophobic recently, and he claims there was a “deafening silence” of Muslim voices condemning the recent Paris attacks. That is, of course, ridiculous, as any quick goo… --- ## [What, Exactly, Does Eckhart Tolle Teach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-eckhart-tolle-teach/738295)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-does-eckhart-tolle-teach/738295 "2015-11-22T19:43:03Z")
This is less of a debate and more a general question, but since it’s about religion I figured I’d play it safe and put it in GD. Anyway… Mrs. Homie bought one of his books at Goodwill for the lulz, and in reading the ja… --- ## [Resolved: Our Moral Intuitions Regarding Torture Make No Sense.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-our-moral-intuitions-regarding-torture-make-no-sense/729098)
**Author:** [@Memnon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Memnon)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2015, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-our-moral-intuitions-regarding-torture-make-no-sense/729098 "2015-11-22T00:27:35Z")
Before I get to the meat of this (long) OP, I’d like to propose a thought experiment. Many of you have probably heard of the famous ‘Trolley problem’. If you haven’t, the gist is this: Five guys are working on one set… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=174) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=176)