# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=181 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 182 --- ## [Gentrification is bad, 'mmkay. But what happens to](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad-mmkay-but-what-happens-to/734005)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gentrification-is-bad-mmkay-but-what-happens-to/734005 "2015-10-13T19:27:14Z")
In this thread, gentrification was discussed. A definition: My question is this. All the artists and yuppies and hipster shops must come from somewhere, right? They don’t appear from thin air. And they leave empty… --- ## [Prayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer/734493)
**Author:** [@posskb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/posskb)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer/734493 "2015-10-13T10:43:00Z")
I am a sinner who is nothing without Christ. The Lord blessed me with the following words of love and praise. I have the blood of Christ in me. I have the power of Jesus Christ. The Lord loves me and protects me. I lov… --- ## [What waves in a double slit experiment is the "hidden subquantic medium"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-waves-in-a-double-slit-experiment-is-the-hidden-subquantic-medium/734361)
**Author:** [@mpc755](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mpc755)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-waves-in-a-double-slit-experiment-is-the-hidden-subquantic-medium/734361 "2015-10-13T00:19:37Z")
Wave-particle duality is a moving particle and it’s associated wave. “While the founding fathers agonized over the question ‘particle’ or ‘wave’, de Broglie in 1925 proposed the obvious answer ‘particle’ and ‘wave’. Is … --- ## [The 'Big Bang' is a shared hallucination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-is-a-shared-hallucination/734435)
**Author:** [@mpc755](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mpc755)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bang-is-a-shared-hallucination/734435 "2015-10-13T00:18:56Z")
Our Universe is a larger version of a galactic polar jet. Was the universe born spinning?’ http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/46688 “The universe was born spinning and continues to do so around a preferred axis” … --- ## [Is it ok to bomb an abortion clinic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-bomb-an-abortion-clinic/83987)
**Author:** [@justinh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justinh)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2015, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-bomb-an-abortion-clinic/83987 "2015-10-12T15:43:18Z")
This is not the same as "killing the people that work in an abortion clinic. Bear with me. I am talking about destroying a place that performs abortions without hurting anyone. Lets say that you thought abortion was kill… --- ## [How close to fascism is Russia, really ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-to-fascism-is-russia-really/734141)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2015, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-to-fascism-is-russia-really/734141 "2015-10-12T15:27:54Z")
There’s a lot of shit-flinging about Russia, and if we leave out the obvious propaganda memes of the large news services - he’s a Hitler, he wants to eat your children etc. etc., what have we got left ? Anyone listening… --- ## [ISIS want mass theocide ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isis-want-mass-theocide/733050)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isis-want-mass-theocide/733050 "2015-10-12T14:59:27Z")
\[ Not sure if this is great debate or general question \] “4.) ISIS ISN’T JUST AIMING AT CONQUERING THE MIDDLE EAST AND, EVENTUALLY, THE REST OF THE WORLD. RATHER, THEY WANT THE LARGEST “RELIGOUS CLEANSING” IN THE HIST… --- ## [The real problem with the Fed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-problem-with-the-fed/733959)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-real-problem-with-the-fed/733959 "2015-10-12T01:06:07Z")
Everyone on the Fed is a multi-millionaire. Chances are, their friends are too. This is a quote from the minutes of its September meeting: And I want to give credit where credit is due, because Jeff Spross says it bet… --- ## ["Christian values in America are under attack, these days"??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-values-in-america-are-under-attack-these-days/732295)
**Author:** [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Replies:** 249\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-values-in-america-are-under-attack-these-days/732295 "2015-10-10T19:04:52Z")
Driving into work this morning, I was listening to NPR coverage of Pope Frances’ visit to DC. NPR had a number of reporters, chiming in about various aspects of the Popes visit. They also did a few “man on the street” … --- ## [Facts won't change your mind about anything](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facts-wont-change-your-mind-about-anything/710293)
**Author:** [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Replies:** 338\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facts-wont-change-your-mind-about-anything/710293 "2015-10-10T17:38:17Z")
For many years I have stated “Facts are the last thing that will matter”. Usually in a debate over something scientific, (like climate, weather or the mass of glaciers in Greenland), things that you would think science … --- ## ["Canned" lion hunts and Chinese tiger parks:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-lion-hunts-and-chinese-tiger-parks/733907)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canned-lion-hunts-and-chinese-tiger-parks/733907 "2015-10-10T15:46:11Z")
Let me start by saying I am an avid animal lover. I don’t have anything against hunting, though personally I could never have the heart to kill a defenseless animal. In other words, Im OK if YOU want to do it, just not s… --- ## [Hypothetical: Insurgency in post-WWII Japan and Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-insurgency-in-post-wwii-japan-and-germany/733642)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2015, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-insurgency-in-post-wwii-japan-and-germany/733642 "2015-10-10T05:57:58Z")
Let’s say that after World War II officially ended with the surrender of Japan and Germany, there was a relentless anti-Allied insurgency in both countries; like the post-2003 insurgency in Iraq, but ten times worse. So… --- ## [If guns were banned, would civil war break out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-guns-were-banned-would-civil-war-break-out/731516)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 199\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-guns-were-banned-would-civil-war-break-out/731516 "2015-10-09T18:38:00Z")
If somehow guns were totally banned in the US, do you think violent opposition to it would be widespread? I don’t think there would be violent opposition to it if it were a matter of “you have until such-and-such date t… --- ## [One China or two?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-china-or-two/733321)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2015, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-china-or-two/733321 "2015-10-09T05:47:30Z")
In another thread over in GQ, I described the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan as two separate countries. I’m aware that both Beijing and Taipei claim on paper to be the rightful government of the whole shooting mat… --- ## [Bail and pretrial incarceration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bail-and-pretrial-incarceration/733488)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bail-and-pretrial-incarceration/733488 "2015-10-09T02:00:14Z")
\[QUOTE=Bail - Wikipedia\] Traditionally, bail is some form of property deposited or pledged to a court to persuade it to release a suspect from jail, on the understanding that the suspect will return for trial or forfeit… --- ## [Why is virgin-shaming still acceptable in society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-virgin-shaming-still-acceptable-in-society/719270)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-virgin-shaming-still-acceptable-in-society/719270 "2015-10-08T20:03:24Z")
Society now considers “fat-shaming” and “slut-shaming” unacceptable - along with many other forms of shaming - but it seems that mocking someone for being a virgin still remains widely acceptable. The idea seems to be t… --- ## [Can community organizing prevent record number of shootings in Chicago?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-community-organizing-prevent-record-number-of-shootings-in-chicago/733886)
**Author:** [@Alkash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alkash)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-community-organizing-prevent-record-number-of-shootings-in-chicago/733886 "2015-10-08T18:34:15Z")
According to Chicago Tribune, there has been 2360 shooting victims in Chicago so far this year. That’s roughly 8.5 shooting victims per day, or 1 shooting victim per 2.8 hours, or an absolute record in the city’s histor… --- ## [Why is free will still a debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-free-will-still-a-debate/733301)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-free-will-still-a-debate/733301 "2015-10-08T16:50:13Z")
From what I understand, it’s already been proven that decisions are made in the mind before the person is even aware of it consciously. Why is there still a debate in science and philosophy about whether a magical force … --- ## [Could the people on 4chan who encouraged the Oregon shooter be charged with conspiracy to murder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-people-on-4chan-who-encouraged-the-oregon-shooter-be-charged-with-conspiracy-to-murder/733427)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-people-on-4chan-who-encouraged-the-oregon-shooter-be-charged-with-conspiracy-to-murder/733427 "2015-10-08T15:22:09Z")
If you talked to someone in person, encouraged them to kill, and then they did it, you could be charged with conspiracy to commit murder. I think everyone on 4chan who pushed the shooter into commiting this crime should… --- ## [Is the "wacky" Xenu stuff a help or a hindrance to Scientology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-wacky-xenu-stuff-a-help-or-a-hindrance-to-scientology/732727)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-wacky-xenu-stuff-a-help-or-a-hindrance-to-scientology/732727 "2015-10-08T11:50:11Z")
Speaking strictly about the success of Scientology to gain and hold onto members, it seems to me that the Xenu stuff is a hindrance that has to be overcome. I understand that by the time it’s sprung on the follower, the… --- ## ['Cruel and Unusual' Punishment In Merry Olde England?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruel-and-unusual-punishment-in-merry-olde-england/733698)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cruel-and-unusual-punishment-in-merry-olde-england/733698 "2015-10-08T09:13:01Z")
Just one historical question I have had for some time now. Why wasn’t the punishment “hanged, drawn and quartered” considered “cruel and unusual” punishment in England, even after the 1689 English Bill of Rights? Here i… --- ## [Affirmative Action: Use enslavement history as a test?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/affirmative-action-use-enslavement-history-as-a-test/730659)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2015, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/affirmative-action-use-enslavement-history-as-a-test/730659 "2015-10-08T00:02:21Z")
Richard Rothstein suggests that, instead of using self-identified race as a criterion, University of Texas should use a history of (American) enslavement. “And although no race-neutral advocates have actually proposed t… --- ## [Can and should the Doctors without borders be charged with war crimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-and-should-the-doctors-without-borders-be-charged-with-war-crimes/733538)
**Author:** [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2015, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-and-should-the-doctors-without-borders-be-charged-with-war-crimes/733538 "2015-10-07T21:07:12Z")
So my facebook feed has been populated with posts regarding an American airstrike/bombardment in Afganistan. A number of the medical staff had been killed as well as several of the wounded civillians. The facility has b… --- ## [K-12 Schools should not be sorted by income level](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-12-schools-should-not-be-sorted-by-income-level/731144)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2015, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/k-12-schools-should-not-be-sorted-by-income-level/731144 "2015-10-07T20:46:57Z")
You often hear about rich and poor schools, and how the rich ones are almost always better. We should mix them together and stop having rich and poor schools. It would be better in many ways as kids can meet people fro… --- ## [So.... \*IS\* ISIS a state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-isis-a-state/732907)
**Author:** [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-isis-a-state/732907 "2015-10-07T14:52:07Z")
That is, does it have control of enough territory to have a functioning economy? We hear about the fight and the refugees, and I have heard the occasional report about the ‘ISIS capital’ of (I believe) Aleppo. But, behi… --- ## [Should an organization that receives public funds be able to make political donations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-an-organization-that-receives-public-funds-be-able-to-make-political-donations/733704)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-an-organization-that-receives-public-funds-be-able-to-make-political-donations/733704 "2015-10-07T14:49:56Z")
I’ve been meaning to ask this in light of the Planned Parenthood debate, but the question is much broader than them. It seems to me that any organization that receives government money should be in need of it to do the w… --- ## [Trans-Pacific Partnership Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-pacific-partnership-thread/719961)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2015, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-pacific-partnership-thread/719961 "2015-10-07T13:41:23Z")
It looks to that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is going to be Obama’s NAFTA - an international trade agreement that hurts America more than it helps and is a black mark on the tenure of an otherwise relatively successful… --- ## [Teabagger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teabagger/733628)
**Author:** [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2015, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teabagger/733628 "2015-10-06T21:16:18Z")
Is calling someone or group a teabagger(s) tantamount to calling them gay, queer, homo, etc.? --- ## [Why should we care if playing in the NFL has long time health problems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-care-if-playing-in-the-nfl-has-long-time-health-problems/731726)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-care-if-playing-in-the-nfl-has-long-time-health-problems/731726 "2015-10-06T16:33:01Z")
Why should we care if playing in the NFL has long time health problems? Nobody seems to care too much that working in a coal mine is dangerous so what’s so special about the NFL? Isn’t digging subway tunnels and tunnels … --- ## [Should the USA have black states?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-usa-have-black-states/729335)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-usa-have-black-states/729335 "2015-10-06T01:20:45Z")
Years ago, I had a small argument with BrainGlutton. I said the USA is not strictly a nation-state, in that the boundaries of ethnocultural identity and political identity were too disparate. (I still think this is true… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=180) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=182)