# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=184 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 185 --- ## [Should smokers be paid a lower wage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-smokers-be-paid-a-lower-wage/730314)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-smokers-be-paid-a-lower-wage/730314 "2015-09-17T16:58:25Z")
People who smoke get to take a lot of breaks during the day, and non-smokers pretty much only get a lunch break. Shouldn’t smokers be penalized for wasting company time? If 5 times a day, I stopped working to play gam… --- ## [How much could colleges afford to cut tuition rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-could-colleges-afford-to-cut-tuition-rates/728761)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-could-colleges-afford-to-cut-tuition-rates/728761 "2015-09-17T16:54:08Z")
In today’s era of absurdly high tuition, if all US colleges and universities really started running a tight financial ship, could they afford to cut their tuition rates in half and still get by? Or are they really jacki… --- ## [Most convicted rapists are white males. Genetic component?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-convicted-rapists-are-white-males-genetic-component/646082)
**Author:** [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2015, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-convicted-rapists-are-white-males-genetic-component/646082 "2015-09-17T00:48:34Z")
In the spirit of this thread, can anyone provide biological evidence for the observation that white males are more likely to rape and/or sexually assault children and white women? Indeed, according to the U.S governme… --- ## [Is 'Islam' losing the culture war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islam-losing-the-culture-war/731348)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islam-losing-the-culture-war/731348 "2015-09-16T19:26:15Z")
I ask this question because I’ve been thinking, for people of a religion to be professing their religious devotion so loudly, to use it as a banner of their identity, for it to be used to justify actions or situations, i… --- ## [Should the US agree to take a share of the refugees trying to seek asylum in Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-agree-to-take-a-share-of-the-refugees-trying-to-seek-asylum-in-europe/729864)
**Author:** [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2015, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-agree-to-take-a-share-of-the-refugees-trying-to-seek-asylum-in-europe/729864 "2015-09-16T16:24:23Z")
For at least the last year, we’ve been seeing refugees from Syria and other war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa seek safety in Europe. Unfortunately, the EU seems, at best, unprepared or, at worst, openly h… --- ## [What's up with the "Swedistan" meme?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-swedistan-meme/729711)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2015, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-the-swedistan-meme/729711 "2015-09-15T11:18:28Z")
I’ve encountered this on a few discussion boards and it seems to pop up a bit through links here as well, and I’m curious where it comes from and why it seems so popular. Basically the idea seems to be that Sweden, a fo… --- ## [If Hillary wins, can she have Bill help her on every decision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-hillary-wins-can-she-have-bill-help-her-on-every-decision/730119 "2015-09-14T18:47:13Z")
First of all, I know the new thinking is that a lady asking her husband for help is highly patriarchal, etc. Except, in the case of Bill and Hillary Clinton, her husband is conveniently one of the most popular president… --- ## [Age of consent laws should be reformed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-laws-should-be-reformed/667995)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2015, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/age-of-consent-laws-should-be-reformed/667995 "2015-09-14T03:25:44Z")
This is adapted from a debate I am having with a friend on Facebook after she expressed outrage about a lenient sentence given a teacher who was convicted of statutory rape with a 14 year old student. I don’t agree with… --- ## [What happened to marriage opponents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-marriage-opponents/728211)
**Author:** [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-marriage-opponents/728211 "2015-09-13T20:59:52Z")
When I went to university in the 80s and 90s many people thought that the institution of marriage was becoming extinct. The thinking was that group marriage, open relationships would or should bury the institution of mar… --- ## [Body integrity identity disorder vs Transgender: Are we OK with surgery for both?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-integrity-identity-disorder-vs-transgender-are-we-ok-with-surgery-for-both/718743)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-integrity-identity-disorder-vs-transgender-are-we-ok-with-surgery-for-both/718743 "2015-09-13T18:34:18Z")
Body integrity identity disorder is a psychological disorder wherein sufferers feel they would be happier living as an amputee. It is related to xenomelia, “the oppressive feeling that one or more limbs of one’s body do… --- ## [Supreme Court disses AgDept, shields raisin farmers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-disses-agdept-shields-raisin-farmers/730381)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-disses-agdept-shields-raisin-farmers/730381 "2015-09-11T15:04:59Z")
This may be a bigger and more important case than merely takings case, as it could weaken many old\* agricultural regulations. (\*You may consider these “tried and true” as you will; I consider it “a terribly stupid plan… --- ## [Kim Davis and the high U.S. prison incarcaration rate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-davis-and-the-high-u-s-prison-incarcaration-rate/730320)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kim-davis-and-the-high-u-s-prison-incarcaration-rate/730320 "2015-09-11T11:26:59Z")
\*This isn’t a same-sex marriage debate, or a debate over religious exemptions for public employees. Whatever you may think of Kim Davis, there can be no dispute that she is currently in jail for actions that were non… --- ## [What Would Europe Be Like Today? (Germany defeats Russia)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-europe-be-like-today-germany-defeats-russia/730430)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2015, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-europe-be-like-today-germany-defeats-russia/730430 "2015-09-11T07:38:33Z")
In a stunning action, General Guderian’s panzer army smashes through the Russian defensive line around Moscow. Most of the Politburo is taken prisoner, Stalin commits suicide in the Kremlin. The defeated Russian forces a… --- ## [What is the most brutal US factory farmed animal product per meal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-brutal-us-factory-farmed-animal-product-per-meal/730234)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2015, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-brutal-us-factory-farmed-animal-product-per-meal/730234 "2015-09-10T05:57:04Z")
If somebody wanted to avoid one mass produced food in the US, which would it be? I’m not including niche products like Fois Gras, though I do include milk and eggs. Also pork, chicken, fish and beef. I’m also excluding t… --- ## [According to KY law, the same sex marriage licenses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-ky-law-the-same-sex-marriage-licenses/730227)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 367\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-ky-law-the-same-sex-marriage-licenses/730227 "2015-09-09T20:55:23Z")
that were issued in Rowan county after the county clerk was jailed are invalid. Or all other marriage licenses, if there were any. http://www.lrc.ky.gov/statutes/statute.aspx?id=36473 No marriage shall be solemnized wi… --- ## [When a hunter says "I eat what I kill"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-hunter-says-i-eat-what-i-kill/726611)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-hunter-says-i-eat-what-i-kill/726611 "2015-09-09T17:16:25Z")
Well, so what? How does that justify you killing an animal that is minding it’s own business and not hurting you? Groceries stores and restaurants throw out meat that is about to go bad, so hunting to “eat” seems like a … --- ## [Fortress America Isolationism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fortress-america-isolationism/729809)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fortress-america-isolationism/729809 "2015-09-09T16:50:01Z")
Across the political spectrum a new brand of isolationism is becoming politically popular uniting both the libertarian end of the Conservative spectrum and Progressives. It is new dawn for Fortress America in which our … --- ## [Supreme Court of the State of Washington kills charter schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-of-the-state-of-washington-kills-charter-schools/730217)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2015, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-of-the-state-of-washington-kills-charter-schools/730217 "2015-09-09T04:08:27Z")
I thought it would be amusing to light this fire again. The Washington state Supreme Court ruled (6-3) that charter schools are unconstitutional according to the state constitution. This undid a voter initiative passed … --- ## [Laughing While Black?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laughing-while-black/728894)
**Author:** [@Rhinocerosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhinocerosis)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2015, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laughing-while-black/728894 "2015-09-08T00:17:24Z")
A recent news report tells us that a large group of African-American women boarded the Napa Valley Wine Train and, after making excessive and disruptive noise, were asked and/or ordered to leave the train. Initial social… --- ## [Guns And Threats: A Thought Experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-and-threats-a-thought-experiment/728207)
**Author:** [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-and-threats-a-thought-experiment/728207 "2015-09-07T18:41:11Z")
First of all, I don’t wanna argue about gun control. I am not anti-gun. I’m anti-idiot. Regrettably, the process of legally restricting and controlling idiots has historically run into problems due to our bad habit of el… --- ## [Clinton's cap gains tax proposal vs status quo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-cap-gains-tax-proposal-vs-status-quo/726730)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2015, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-cap-gains-tax-proposal-vs-status-quo/726730 "2015-09-07T14:09:28Z")
Clinton has proposed changing the capital gains tax rate structure from having a 1-year short/long-term cutoff between 39.6% and 23.8%\* to a 6-year stepped rate that holds steady for the first two years and decreases aft… --- ## [Why was jewish slavery and exodus from Egypt fabricated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-jewish-slavery-and-exodus-from-egypt-fabricated/729931)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2015, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-jewish-slavery-and-exodus-from-egypt-fabricated/729931 "2015-09-06T19:10:38Z")
This seems like such a pointless fabrication, if it is. So what was the point of fabricating this in the old testament? --- ## [Credulous "experts" on global warming](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credulous-experts-on-global-warming/729477)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2015, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/credulous-experts-on-global-warming/729477 "2015-09-06T15:49:08Z")
I maintain that a significant number of believers in global warming are some of the most gullible, credulous, biased, un-scientific people in existence. Far too many “experts” 9-10 years ago predicted all sorts of ho… --- ## [Should professors instruct students in what opinions to hold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-professors-instruct-students-in-what-opinions-to-hold/729577)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2015, 8:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-professors-instruct-students-in-what-opinions-to-hold/729577 "2015-09-06T08:58:23Z")
There’s a bit of a kerfuffle rising at Washington State University after various websites shone a light on certain statements appearing in course syllabi. For example, Professor John Streamas in his syllabus for Introdu… --- ## [Research driving claims about campus rape may be a fraud.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-driving-claims-about-campus-rape-may-be-a-fraud/729679)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-driving-claims-about-campus-rape-may-be-a-fraud/729679 "2015-09-05T20:15:34Z")
So the topic of rape on campus has been getting some attention of late. There have been high-profile reports of cases on several major universities, some of which didn’t turn out to be so reliable. There was the oft-ci… --- ## [The paradox of communism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paradox-of-communism/729168)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-paradox-of-communism/729168 "2015-09-05T19:16:37Z")
Here’s something I have trouble wrapping my head around: the Jekyll and Hyde nature of communist movements. While they’re still fighting as insurgents, communists look like heroes: selfless, brave, noble, idealistic. Du… --- ## [Flaws with the restaurant tipping system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flaws-with-the-restaurant-tipping-system/729719)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flaws-with-the-restaurant-tipping-system/729719 "2015-09-05T15:45:39Z")
Restaurant tipping seems to be an all-around flawed system. Oftentimes a waiter/waitress will get penalized for factors outside of his/her control - such as the cooks taking too long to cook the food, and a disgruntled … --- ## [Resolved: College athletes are employees (Sackos v. NCAA)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-college-athletes-are-employees-sackos-v-ncaa/729734)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-college-athletes-are-employees-sackos-v-ncaa/729734 "2015-09-04T15:54:19Z")
Samantha Sackos played soccer at the University of Houston. She has filed a lawsuit seeking restituition for unpaid wages, listing the NCAA and every signatory school at defendants (PDF!). She argues that college athle… --- ## [Religious liberty of public employee vs. same-sex marriage rights. How to reconcile?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-liberty-of-public-employee-vs-same-sex-marriage-rights-how-to-reconcile/723876)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 599\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-liberty-of-public-employee-vs-same-sex-marriage-rights-how-to-reconcile/723876 "2015-09-04T00:47:40Z")
I support gay marriage equality 100% (since I am gay and married here in Canada) and I celebrated the SCOTUS decision of last Friday in support of my American brothers and sisters. And predictably, we are witnessing the… --- ## [How do polygamists expect the gender ratio to work out, mathematically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-polygamists-expect-the-gender-ratio-to-work-out-mathematically/729530)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2015, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-polygamists-expect-the-gender-ratio-to-work-out-mathematically/729530 "2015-09-03T09:39:08Z")
Technically, polygamy could denote a woman having multiple husbands, but it’s far more common for it to denote a man having multiple wives. Since men and women exist in a roughly 1:1 ratio, 50-50 percentage in most coun… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=183) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=185)