# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=179 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 180 --- ## [9/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11/736622)
**Author:** [@jroth7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jroth7)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11/736622 "2015-11-04T19:36:04Z")
Just noticed that 9/11 is considered one of the Great Debates. I would argue 9/11 is one of the The Most Important Issues in the History of the Universe. But before I tell you why, consider the 9/11 official story \*Is so… --- ## [Should election district boundaries be fixed to prevent Gerrymandering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-election-district-boundaries-be-fixed-to-prevent-gerrymandering/736175)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2015, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-election-district-boundaries-be-fixed-to-prevent-gerrymandering/736175 "2015-11-04T00:44:47Z")
Politicians are always trying to move political boundaries around to their own benefit. I think the lines shouldn’t be movable at all. Once surveyed and established, they should be permanent. This would prevent gerrym… --- ## [(international) Trade in Services Agreement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-trade-in-services-agreement/736211)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-trade-in-services-agreement/736211 "2015-11-03T22:07:31Z")
There is another trade treaty in the negotiation stage, affecting services. Of course, left-wing sources are depicting it as evil. New Respublik projects all manner of abuses possible/likely under the terms of the very s… --- ## [Future of guns and mass killings in the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-guns-and-mass-killings-in-the-us/733411)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 236\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-guns-and-mass-killings-in-the-us/733411 "2015-11-03T20:01:26Z")
The way I see it, there is no way for strong gun control to pass in the US any time in the foreseeable future. And there is not much we are doing as a society to keep the mentally ill from access to guns. Given the abo… --- ## [The other use of the word Thug - by rappers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-use-of-the-word-thug-by-rappers/736462)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-use-of-the-word-thug-by-rappers/736462 "2015-11-03T18:43:57Z")
When Sean Hannity uses the term “Thug” to refer to a black person, there is an EXPLOSION on social media. When a rapper uses the word Thug all it does is sell more records. Why does social media explode for the first ca… --- ## [Biblical literalism in the primary text](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-literalism-in-the-primary-text/736065)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-literalism-in-the-primary-text/736065 "2015-11-03T03:16:09Z")
In this thread, post 252 the topic about Christian heaven, I made the point in several places about a literal reading of the bible is the only reliable interpretation, due to all the factors and mechanics in a topic so … --- ## [What's going to happen with this newfangled EM drive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-to-happen-with-this-newfangled-em-drive/726390)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-to-happen-with-this-newfangled-em-drive/726390 "2015-11-03T00:29:52Z")
New article today: Independent Expert Confirms That The "Impossible" EM Drive Actually Works : ScienceAlert Basically it’s saying another knowledgeable person has surprised himself by finding the thing actually works, f… --- ## [Why did the US reconcile with Vietnam before Cuba?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-us-reconcile-with-vietnam-before-cuba/735599)
**Author:** [@chacoguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chacoguy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-us-reconcile-with-vietnam-before-cuba/735599 "2015-11-02T19:55:38Z")
It’s not like there is a Cuba War Memorial in Washington. What’s up with that? --- ## [What policy changes are being proposed to lower healthcare costs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-policy-changes-are-being-proposed-to-lower-healthcare-costs/735987)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-policy-changes-are-being-proposed-to-lower-healthcare-costs/735987 "2015-10-31T20:40:22Z")
What policy changes are being proposed by the experts to lower the costs of health care in the US, besides UHC? Thanks, Rob --- ## [Why are gun owners not required to carry insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-gun-owners-not-required-to-carry-insurance/735454)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-gun-owners-not-required-to-carry-insurance/735454 "2015-10-31T14:51:45Z")
Why is there no law to make sure that all gun owners be required to carry insurance coverage against accidental injury to others. I think that if an owners gun is in anyway accidentally used to cause injury to another p… --- ## [Outlook for high-yield agriculture is not good.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-for-high-yield-agriculture-is-not-good/735853)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2015, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outlook-for-high-yield-agriculture-is-not-good/735853 "2015-10-31T03:28:32Z")
Somehow we hijacked the Canadian election thread after the election was over. I pointed out that using fossil resources for fertilizer isn’t sustainable, and got this in response. If you didn’t insist on growing human … --- ## [Obama, like Bush, ignores military recommendations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-like-bush-ignores-military-recommendations/734881)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2015, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-like-bush-ignores-military-recommendations/734881 "2015-10-31T03:04:08Z")
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/oct/15/obama-ignores-generals-on-troop-levels-for-unprece/ Oh my. I thought that liberals held advice from the military to be well-nigh sacred. At least that’s the impression … --- ## [ISIS captures Ramadi...now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isis-captures-ramadi-now-what/720328)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2015, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isis-captures-ramadi-now-what/720328 "2015-10-30T21:37:02Z")
I’m surprised by the lack of threads on this subject, especially right now when it looks like ISIS/ISIL is doing a major offensive push and putting them the closest they have been to the capital (less than 70 miles). :e… --- ## [What DO you do with murderous mentally handicapped or mentally ill people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-murderous-mentally-handicapped-or-mentally-ill-people/735875)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2015, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-with-murderous-mentally-handicapped-or-mentally-ill-people/735875 "2015-10-30T19:39:25Z")
So I was reading the thread on the OSU Homecoming tragedy, and ran across this post that was in reference to the treatment of a schizophrenic woman who had done something similar, and is on death row. And periodically,… --- ## [State inspection stations should not be allowed to do repairs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-inspection-stations-should-not-be-allowed-to-do-repairs/735874)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-inspection-stations-should-not-be-allowed-to-do-repairs/735874 "2015-10-30T19:16:48Z")
In many states, cars have to be inspected every year. Almost every repair shop will do a state inspection for you. I see this as a major conflict of interest. If they say a car failed the inspection, they can then sel… --- ## [Increase minimum wage or establish a living wage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increase-minimum-wage-or-establish-a-living-wage/735770)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2015, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increase-minimum-wage-or-establish-a-living-wage/735770 "2015-10-30T12:04:28Z")
Minimum wage is not enough to live on. But is an across the board minimum wage increase standard across the country the best solution? Or should there be a mandated schedule that ties local minimum wages to calculated l… --- ## [Prime minister vs president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-vs-president/734609)
**Author:** [@ric62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ric62)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2015, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prime-minister-vs-president/734609 "2015-10-30T06:41:09Z")
To those who have lived in countries that have a parliament vs congress/senate, what are the pros and cons of each system and which do you feel is the better? Would a parliamentarian system get the US out of its current … --- ## [Would a $15/hour min. wage create a shortage of skilled workers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-15-hour-min-wage-create-a-shortage-of-skilled-workers/736012)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-15-hour-min-wage-create-a-shortage-of-skilled-workers/736012 "2015-10-30T02:45:13Z")
Any job that currently pays $15/hour usually requires special skills. Raising the minimum wage to that level means that those skills are almost worthless. Who is going to take the time to learn how to become say, a comp… --- ## [A non-Communist Russian Empire and WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-non-communist-russian-empire-and-ww2/734836)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-non-communist-russian-empire-and-ww2/734836 "2015-10-29T21:50:19Z")
I’m currently reading an English language book published in Moscow in 1972 called, ‘Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union’. Not really surprisingly a consistent theme running through it is how the Soviet state could n… --- ## [Did Russia's ISIS Air Strikes Actually Make A Difference](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-russias-isis-air-strikes-actually-make-a-difference/735985)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2015, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-russias-isis-air-strikes-actually-make-a-difference/735985 "2015-10-29T21:25:30Z")
I’ve been seeing Facebook memes suggesting that Putin was able to do more damage to ISIS with a few air strikes than Obama was able to do in… however long ISIS has been a problem. Is there any truth to this? Is Russia’s… --- ## [A few questions about the Christian heaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-questions-about-the-christian-heaven/735643)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 258\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-few-questions-about-the-christian-heaven/735643 "2015-10-29T06:35:32Z")
I’ve long wondered about some of the aspects of the Christian belief in heaven. First up I’m an atheist but Christianity and other religions interest me. Most Christians seem to believe that good people when they die g… --- ## [Scientific proof for "God"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-proof-for-god/735977)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientific-proof-for-god/735977 "2015-10-28T16:08:28Z")
This 5 minute Youtube video explained God to me in a scientific way that I find very hard to argue against. Since I am no longer a hard-core atheist I am calling on the SDMB to have a really tough discussion to see if th… --- ## [What should be the punishment for a civilian kicking a protester on the ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-the-punishment-for-a-civilian-kicking-a-protester-on-the-ground/735774)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-the-punishment-for-a-civilian-kicking-a-protester-on-the-ground/735774 "2015-10-27T17:41:42Z")
Trump supporter drags immigration protester, then kicks him when he is on the ground. Video here: Crowd Chants ‘USA’ As Protestor Is Kicked, Dragged Out Of Trump Rally (VIDEO) - TPM – Talking Points Memo I’m guessing th… --- ## [Trans HS students participating on sports teams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-hs-students-participating-on-sports-teams/735529)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2015, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-hs-students-participating-on-sports-teams/735529 "2015-10-27T06:24:49Z")
In another thread I raised the issue of trans HS students’ use of locker rooms. One aspect of that topic involved trans students’ participation on HS sports teams. Obviously, I am ignorant about a great many things. B… --- ## [Does God write ALL books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-god-write-all-books/735526 "2015-10-26T01:13:07Z")
If God is the creator and is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, doesn’t that mean all books are the word of god, rather than just handful of rather long winded, contradictory and outdated tracts that the religions use … --- ## [Too bad Sanders is jewish](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-bad-sanders-is-jewish/734507)
**Author:** [@Scandic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scandic)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/too-bad-sanders-is-jewish/734507 "2015-10-25T16:19:18Z")
Bernie Sanders have a Jewish background and consider him selves to be jewish. I guess that under his rule (if he’s elected), USA will follow the same line towards Israel as under Clinton and Bush/Cheney. What are his p… --- ## [Central Concept in Judaism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/central-concept-in-judaism/735457)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2015, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/central-concept-in-judaism/735457 "2015-10-25T02:29:54Z")
The central concept in Christianity is Salvation. The central concept in Islam is Submission. The central concept in Buddhism is Enlightenment. What is the central concept in Judaism? --- ## [Why \[were the Jews\] chosen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-jews-chosen/735595)
**Author:** [@tooldtocare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tooldtocare)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2015, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-jews-chosen/735595 "2015-10-24T19:22:28Z")
(Deu 7:6 KJV) For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. (Deu 7:7 KJV) The LORD did no… --- ## [Free Will is a Bug, not a Feature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-is-a-bug-not-a-feature/735236)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2015, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-will-is-a-bug-not-a-feature/735236 "2015-10-24T07:04:25Z")
The Game of Life is about moving up different ego developmental levels to achieve unity with Ultimate Reality (some call this Spirit or Godhead). Along the way we learn many valuable lessons as our cognitive and emotiona… --- ## [Have we been getting the creation wrong all this time ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-been-getting-the-creation-wrong-all-this-time/735527)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-been-getting-the-creation-wrong-all-this-time/735527 "2015-10-24T00:07:17Z")
New International version. Now take note: earth, not Earth. This is not a story of planetary creation, this is a story of soil creation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=178) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=180)