# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=178 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 179 --- ## [Wars engaged in by Dem/Rep presidents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wars-engaged-in-by-dem-rep-presidents/736861)
**Author:** [@jakesteele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakesteele)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2015, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wars-engaged-in-by-dem-rep-presidents/736861 "2015-11-08T02:37:19Z")
I am an Independent voter and I’ve always been amazed by how devise the parties have become. Both sides are pointing at each other without realize the old saying, “When you point your finger at someone, three/four? fing… --- ## [Slavoj Zizek and the rise of authoritarian capitalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slavoj-zizek-and-the-rise-of-authoritarian-capitalism/736096)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slavoj-zizek-and-the-rise-of-authoritarian-capitalism/736096 "2015-11-07T22:53:22Z")
Slavoj Zizek claims that rather than being retrograde, places like Russia, China, Singapore are the future of capitalism, and capitalism is parting company with democracy. Implying it’s only a matter of time before the … --- ## [According to Traditional and Mainstream Islamic Source, the Prophet Muhammad Raped a Child](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112)
**Author:** [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-traditional-and-mainstream-islamic-source-the-prophet-muhammad-raped-a-child/655112 "2015-11-07T22:35:59Z")
Premise: A nine year old child can not consent to sex with an adult. According to Islamic tradition Muhammad engaged his child bride Aisha at six and consummated his marriage when she was nine. cite To be a Muslim i… --- ## [If radical Islam is violent due to culture and not religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-radical-islam-is-violent-due-to-culture-and-not-religion/730741)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 1458\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-radical-islam-is-violent-due-to-culture-and-not-religion/730741 "2015-11-07T21:19:06Z")
If radical Islam is violent due to culture and not religion, then how come non muslims in the same area/regions of the Middle East/Africa/Asia aren’t blowing things up, beheading people, and stoning people? --- ## [What motive do these men have to kill children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motive-do-these-men-have-to-kill-children/736956)
**Author:** [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motive-do-these-men-have-to-kill-children/736956 "2015-11-07T20:40:44Z")
What motive do these men have to kill children? 12 yr old boy SHOT DEAD in front of your eyes Updated 9.48 p.m., 3rd Oct 2000 http://www.themodernreligion.com/jihad/sniper.html \*The sad story of the never ending kill… --- ## [Is it acceptable to pay a stranger to abort?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-acceptable-to-pay-a-stranger-to-abort/736783)
**Author:** [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-acceptable-to-pay-a-stranger-to-abort/736783 "2015-11-07T16:49:54Z")
Spun off from this thread, John Mace brought up an interesting topic for conversation. To wit: I’m frankly torn. On the one hand, I sympathize greatly with Kimstu: On the other, Mace brings up valid concerns: I h… --- ## [Pro-vax supporters, the flu vaccine.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-vax-supporters-the-flu-vaccine/736434)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-vax-supporters-the-flu-vaccine/736434 "2015-11-07T13:59:57Z")
While there seems to be many people here that are ‘pro vaccination’, or perhaps better defined as anti-anti-vax (IMHO). And we, for the purpose of this, can all agree on ending such horrible diseases as small pox. What… --- ## [People should be allowed to sell their kidneys](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-should-be-allowed-to-sell-their-kidneys/736729)
**Author:** [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2015, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-should-be-allowed-to-sell-their-kidneys/736729 "2015-11-07T04:02:05Z")
Kidney disease is the ninth leading cause of death in the US. Every year about 87,800 people die from kidney disease. As the population ages this number is expected to increase. Dialysis and kidney transplants are the tw… --- ## [Kim Davis and conscientious objection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-davis-and-conscientious-objection/733072)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-davis-and-conscientious-objection/733072 "2015-11-06T19:20:45Z")
I was reading an article on CNN where it was reported that Pope Francis met privately with Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who refused to give marriage licenses to same sex couples (the Vatican neither confirms nor denies … --- ## [Should fossil fuel companies be held liable for RICO violations due to organized climate denial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fossil-fuel-companies-be-held-liable-for-rico-violations-due-to-organized-climate-denial/735312)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-fossil-fuel-companies-be-held-liable-for-rico-violations-due-to-organized-climate-denial/735312 "2015-11-06T17:24:33Z")
Think Progress has an interesting article about whether ExxonMobil should be held liable for RICO violations. The claim is that ExxonMobil, and possibly others, knew as far back as 1977 that carbon released by burning fo… --- ## [China ending one child per family law. Is this good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-ending-one-child-per-family-law-is-this-good/736093)
**Author:** [@teflon\_grut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teflon_grut)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-ending-one-child-per-family-law-is-this-good/736093 "2015-11-06T15:20:36Z")
China is loosening the restrictions on their population control measure. Couples will now be allowed to have two children. How does everyone on the board feel about this? Is it inhumane to restrict procreation or is i… --- ## [Everything We Think We Know About Addiction Is Wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everything-we-think-we-know-about-addiction-is-wrong/736372)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everything-we-think-we-know-about-addiction-is-wrong/736372 "2015-11-06T13:51:10Z")
Just stumbled across this video, adapted from the book Chasing The Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs, that claims that what we think we know about addiction is wrong. The video posits that we assume tha… --- ## [How about that Illuminati?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-that-illuminati/196549)
**Author:** [@Thylacinewas\_taken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thylacinewas_taken)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-that-illuminati/196549 "2015-11-06T12:27:19Z")
What does everyone have to say about the Illuminati? According to Cecil they existed and have since fizzled out. According to the friend I’m talking to now they are behind everything. Can someone give me some convinci… --- ## [Okay, fine, Islam is this violent, evil religion. What do you want us to DO about it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-fine-islam-is-this-violent-evil-religion-what-do-you-want-us-to-do-about-it/736328)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 431\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-fine-islam-is-this-violent-evil-religion-what-do-you-want-us-to-do-about-it/736328 "2015-11-06T11:45:34Z")
So there’s this thread on Reddit about this Pew survey from 2010 that apparently means that 84% of Egyptians think death is the proper response to one who leaves Islam, and of course that means that Islam is a violent, e… --- ## [What invention or scientific discovery was most significantly ahead of it's time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-invention-or-scientific-discovery-was-most-significantly-ahead-of-its-time/732399)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-invention-or-scientific-discovery-was-most-significantly-ahead-of-its-time/732399 "2015-11-06T05:55:51Z")
I’m trying to identify the invention and/or scientific discovery that was most significant and truly “ahead of its time?” And it’s the “ahead of its time” part that is the most critical to me. For example, I’ve recent … --- ## [Social security spousal benefits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-spousal-benefits/736541)
**Author:** [@BrightSunshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrightSunshine)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-spousal-benefits/736541 "2015-11-06T02:08:07Z")
The current social security spousal benefits system for retirement is 1/2 of the spouse’s benefit while the spouse is living (if it’s lower than one’s own) and the spouse’s benefit upon their death. This spousal benefit … --- ## [A Man Who Kills a Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-man-who-kills-a-man/736569)
**Author:** [@jroth7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jroth7)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-man-who-kills-a-man/736569 "2015-11-06T01:51:58Z")
I noticed the debate on “Why do we try to stop people who are threatening suicide?” did not include a discussion of G.K. Chesterton and his quote, “The man who kills a man kills a man. The man who kills himself kills a… --- ## [Firearm rights hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firearm-rights-hypothetical/736547)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2015, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firearm-rights-hypothetical/736547 "2015-11-06T00:38:46Z")
There does not seem to be much discussion of gun rights anywhere on this board. (sarcasm smiley here) There does seem to be a wide variety of opinions across the spectrum. Here is a hypothetical scenario, based in the … --- ## [Is this actually racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-actually-racist/736174)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 433\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-actually-racist/736174 "2015-11-05T18:56:27Z")
http://educationblog.dallasnews.com/2015/10/smu-says-its-looking-into-racially-offensive-fraternity-party-that-was-planned.html/ Are we now sanctioning groups on their perceived intentions rather than their actual actio… --- ## [What is Marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-marriage/231124)
**Author:** [@Wrenchslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenchslinger)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-marriage/231124 "2015-11-05T18:51:10Z")
So this is really what it comes down to. What do you think marriage is? What do you think marriage should be? I say the essential element of any marriage is the publicially made monogamous committment made by two people… --- ## [End game in Syria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-game-in-syria/731133)
**Author:** [@Yersenia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersenia_Pestis)\ **Replies:** 614\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-game-in-syria/731133 "2015-11-05T06:38:32Z")
The chaos in Syria is one of the biggest foreign policy developments in this generation… Whats the end game? My opinion - US and Russia make a deal to get Assad out and one of his trusted generals (aka Egypt) takes ove… --- ## [Why is the Fed so anxious to raise interest rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-fed-so-anxious-to-raise-interest-rates/728785)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-fed-so-anxious-to-raise-interest-rates/728785 "2015-11-05T06:21:56Z")
From Reuters: Inflation rates for this year are: Jan.: -0.1 Feb: 0.0 Mar: -0.1 Apr.: -0.2 May: 0.0 June: 0.1 July: 0.2 The Fed itself has said its goal is 2%. Back to the Reuters article again: When Lockhart… --- ## [Taiwan v China context?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taiwan-v-china-context/736589)
**Author:** [@Peter\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Doubt)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taiwan-v-china-context/736589 "2015-11-05T03:51:02Z")
With what NYT describes as an historic meeting, looking to understand what each side has to fear from the other, and what they can agree on. --- ## [Some thoughts on taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-thoughts-on-taxes/735639)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-thoughts-on-taxes/735639 "2015-11-05T03:12:14Z")
The share of national income going to labor (vs. capital) has been falling for decades. But the decline has been particularly steep since about 2000. (Chart about 3 paragraphs down.) Real wages have remained mostly stagn… --- ## [What will it take to revise US disability benefits programs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-it-take-to-revise-us-disability-benefits-programs/736539)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-it-take-to-revise-us-disability-benefits-programs/736539 "2015-11-05T02:32:26Z")
My impression is that two of our primary disability programs - Social Security and Veterans Administration - could use considerable improvement. But I’m seeing little to no indication that intelligent, measured improvem… --- ## [Gus Savage & the pitfall of abusing racism accuations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gus-savage-the-pitfall-of-abusing-racism-accuations/736562)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gus-savage-the-pitfall-of-abusing-racism-accuations/736562 "2015-11-05T01:29:16Z")
I was thinking about this after a discussion in another thread. I saw Gus Savage’s obituary. This part caught my eye. It’s a quote from a rival of Savage’s, Mel Reynolds, who is also black, complaining about Savage’s ra… --- ## [End-of-life care/heroic measures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-life-care-heroic-measures/736348)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2015, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/end-of-life-care-heroic-measures/736348 "2015-11-05T00:31:21Z")
This is really a two part question, and the first part is more of a general question, but I thought I’d put both parts here. I know that England is considered to be the world leader in palliative/end-of-life care. I … --- ## [Anna Stubblefield: Sexual abuse case involving facilitated communication](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anna-stubblefield-sexual-abuse-case-involving-facilitated-communication/735296)
**Author:** [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anna-stubblefield-sexual-abuse-case-involving-facilitated-communication/735296 "2015-11-04T23:07:22Z")
In the NY Times Magazine there’s a lengthy article about the fascinating case–and I mean “fascinating” in a horror-show, car-wreck kind of way–against therapist Anna Stubblefield. She worked with a man w/cerebral palsy (… --- ## [Women Against Feminism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-against-feminism/732667)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 689\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-against-feminism/732667 "2015-11-04T20:50:26Z")
I came across this site: Women Against Feminism. I hope some of you will read what they have to say before responding. The question is: Who are these people? An irrelevant minority? A growing backlash against modern f… --- ## [Alan Watts...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-watts/736643)
**Author:** [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alan-watts/736643 "2015-11-04T20:20:11Z")
Do the teachings and lectures still carry weight? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=177) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=179)