# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=185 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 186 --- ## [By what metrics do you evaluate a nation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-what-metrics-do-you-evaluate-a-nation/729429)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2015, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-what-metrics-do-you-evaluate-a-nation/729429 "2015-09-02T01:21:39Z")
The thread headline actually originated because I was contemplating the culture of patriotism in the US and other country. It’s not uncommon to hear Americans say that the US is the greatest country in the world or that … --- ## [Should universities care whether their graduates are honest people or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-universities-care-whether-their-graduates-are-honest-people-or-not/729479)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-universities-care-whether-their-graduates-are-honest-people-or-not/729479 "2015-09-01T20:23:47Z")
I’ve come across with an article by Professor Michael Bishop, in which he discusses academic fraud. Bishop states that cheating is quite widespread among university students and generally ignored by faculty members and a… --- ## [Trump's Immigration Proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-immigration-proposal/728082)
**Author:** [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-immigration-proposal/728082 "2015-09-01T17:30:36Z")
Trump finally has put together a policy proposal on illegal immigration. I’m surprised. I never thought he would get this far. I’ve been considering him a complete clown that has no chance to win, but I must admit tha… --- ## [What about nations that benefit from AGW?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-nations-that-benefit-from-agw/729516)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-nations-that-benefit-from-agw/729516 "2015-09-01T14:35:43Z")
Back when I was actually active in politics this was an issue I almost never brought up so I’ve never actually debated it with anyone, so here goes: Some countries, including Sweden where I live, will likely benefit fro… --- ## [White identity or democracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-identity-or-democracy/729515)
**Author:** [@ryu238](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryu238)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-identity-or-democracy/729515 "2015-09-01T14:14:17Z")
Here they try to make the argument that Trump is speaking to the people, and if it is white identity, then so be it…the problem is they have bad policies based on bad info. As I make the case in this response. --- ## [Blacks commit more crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-commit-more-crimes/728876)
**Author:** [@ryu238](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryu238)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2015, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-commit-more-crimes/728876 "2015-09-01T03:00:00Z")
I hope this doesn’t offend anybody A problem is that whites and Latinos get rolled together, so how badly would this skew results? --- ## [Has there ever been a de facto 'King of New York City'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-de-facto-king-of-new-york-city/729225)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-de-facto-king-of-new-york-city/729225 "2015-08-31T19:30:36Z")
Has there ever been someone who would be considered a de facto king of the city? Lots of people both in real life and the media seem to want to be considered that person and taking on and winning against NYC does have a … --- ## [Acidic OCEANS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acidic-oceans/729206)
**Author:** [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acidic-oceans/729206 "2015-08-31T16:46:52Z")
Enough people here are “skeptical” re AGW but how about ocean acidificaction? I “believe”! New@ this Tapa. Can someone provide a link? --- ## [How did North Korea get nuclear weapons before Iran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-north-korea-get-nuclear-weapons-before-iran/728524)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-north-korea-get-nuclear-weapons-before-iran/728524 "2015-08-31T00:18:04Z")
Did they have a head start? here is why I’m confused North Korea has 1/3 the population of Iran. That is a smaller talent pool of scientists, but more than that North Korea has a very strict class/caste system. Only abo… --- ## [Would Karl Marx have supported the actions of Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-karl-marx-have-supported-the-actions-of-stalin-mao-pol-pot-etc/728694)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-karl-marx-have-supported-the-actions-of-stalin-mao-pol-pot-etc/728694 "2015-08-30T20:28:56Z")
Would Karl Marx have supported the actions of Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc? I am talking about their harsh actions, not about the dogma they believe in. --- ## [South Africa who does the land belong to? Natives Land Act of 1913](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-africa-who-does-the-land-belong-to-natives-land-act-of-1913/729013)
**Author:** [@ryu238](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryu238)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/south-africa-who-does-the-land-belong-to-natives-land-act-of-1913/729013 "2015-08-30T07:56:55Z")
According to this guy, whites: http://mikesmithspoliticalcommentary.blogspot.de/2011/06/opening-pandoras-apartheid-box-part-32.html Liar. http://www.nativevillage.org/Editorials/Ancient%20Human%20Metropolis%20Found%2… --- ## [Garden of Eden](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garden-of-eden/729252)
**Author:** [@woodyemahiser\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodyemahiser_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/garden-of-eden/729252 "2015-08-30T04:27:19Z")
Did GOD! put more then one fruit to tempt Adam, did GOD also let the tree of good and evil be put in the Garden so that his children may choose to except him or to reject him,the LORD wants your LOVE, does not want robot… --- ## [An idea for peace in the Jerusalem/Isreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 203\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idea-for-peace-in-the-jerusalem-isreal/728693 "2015-08-30T01:57:08Z")
No Jews or Muslims are allowed to live there as permanent citizens. Any Jew or Muslim is allowed to visit there as a religious tourist any time they want. No police or military forces are allowed to operate that is eithe… --- ## [European immigration debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-immigration-debate/729171)
**Author:** [@ryu238](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryu238)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-immigration-debate/729171 "2015-08-29T22:09:17Z")
http://www.donotlink.com/ghj3 Someone made this picture to attack immigrants heading into Europe…is there any truth to it? --- ## [Ferguson judge withdraws all arrest warrants before 2015](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-judge-withdraws-all-arrest-warrants-before-2015/728763)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ferguson-judge-withdraws-all-arrest-warrants-before-2015/728763 "2015-08-29T02:18:59Z")
Is this a good thing? Does it set a bad precedent? Does it go to far? Not far enough? --- ## [What's wrong with voting against your self interest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-voting-against-your-self-interest/727542)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-voting-against-your-self-interest/727542 "2015-08-28T16:46:18Z")
I see a lot of people give flak to others, on both sides, (usually groups rather than individuals) about “voting against their own self interest” as if this is some moronic thing. One example is a few panels in this co… --- ## [Small businesses should be reimbursed for lost sales during road construction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-businesses-should-be-reimbursed-for-lost-sales-during-road-construction/729080)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-businesses-should-be-reimbursed-for-lost-sales-during-road-construction/729080 "2015-08-28T04:03:57Z")
I have seen a couple of restaurants that did decent business go under after the street they were on was put under construction. I think the construction company or state should reimburse businesses for lost sales. If W… --- ## [China stock market meltdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-stock-market-meltdown/726386)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-stock-market-meltdown/726386 "2015-08-27T18:25:07Z")
I haven’t seen a thread on this, and that surprises me. It seems that China is in the process of complete meltdown, unless I’m missing something here. Their stock market has been crashing for a while now, and China has… --- ## [The black plague was so deadly because people were already in marginal health](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-black-plague-was-so-deadly-because-people-were-already-in-marginal-health/728850)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2015, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-black-plague-was-so-deadly-because-people-were-already-in-marginal-health/728850 "2015-08-27T06:05:19Z")
I heard this theory, that a major reason the plague killed so much wasn’t so much due to the bacteria itself being extremely fatal but because people were already sickly from malnutrition and other diseases. Then again, … --- ## [How deadly could biowarfare be ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deadly-could-biowarfare-be/728734)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2015, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-deadly-could-biowarfare-be/728734 "2015-08-26T21:22:05Z")
Looking at the arguments about Iran and nukes - some claim that Iran is irrational and suicidal and could go for first strike against Israel. But I thought - if Iran wanted to make a national suicide attack would it not… --- ## [Divisions along Rule of Law versus Criminal Rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divisions-along-rule-of-law-versus-criminal-rule/727009)
**Author:** [@Josf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Josf)\ **Replies:** 454\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2015, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divisions-along-rule-of-law-versus-criminal-rule/727009 "2015-08-26T17:32:07Z")
Rule of law on one side includes many competitive examples that actually work to defend innocent people from guilty criminals in time and place. Criminal orders that must be obeyed without question on the other side, ag… --- ## [Is a backlash against mainstream politics beginning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-backlash-against-mainstream-politics-beginning/728823)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-backlash-against-mainstream-politics-beginning/728823 "2015-08-26T16:08:40Z")
We’re seeing the likes of Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders, to even Donald Trump being vocal and more able to resonate with an audience than say the likes of Hillary Clinton or other politicians who’ve had their careers … --- ## [Is the Swastika evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-swastika-evil/727403)
**Author:** [@BuddhaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuddhaBeast)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2015, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-swastika-evil/727403 "2015-08-26T15:13:34Z")
Will this symbol forever be associated with the evils of Nazi Germany or will it one day be restored to its pure religious meaning? It’s been over 70 years now since the fall of Nazi Germany and I’d like to propose that… --- ## [A Hijack of the WWII Kurita, Leyte Gulf thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-hijack-of-the-wwii-kurita-leyte-gulf-thread/728803)
**Author:** [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2015, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-hijack-of-the-wwii-kurita-leyte-gulf-thread/728803 "2015-08-26T01:57:15Z")
What would the outcome have been if the IJN had Gozilla AND Gamera on their side? :confused: --- ## [Student loan debt - what are the options?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loan-debt-what-are-the-options/626673)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loan-debt-what-are-the-options/626673 "2015-08-25T23:09:25Z")
To cut to the chase and answer my own question, I don’t think there are any appealing options. Either you: Are fortunate enough that your family has money to give you for college, or Go deeply into debt with student l… --- ## [Operation Unthinkable + fission bombs : who wins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-unthinkable-fission-bombs-who-wins/728280)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2015, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-unthinkable-fission-bombs-who-wins/728280 "2015-08-25T20:39:42Z")
Scenario. Churchill and Truman quietly agree to dispose of Soviet Russia by starting World War II - part II, the nuclear sequel. The Soviet Union did not have a working nuke until 1949, but outnumbered the Allied force… --- ## [Make a case against murder](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-a-case-against-murder/728225)
**Author:** [@gallan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallan)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2015, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-a-case-against-murder/728225 "2015-08-25T20:30:21Z")
Suppose you meet a purely logical being who asks you why murder is considered wrong. How would you go about explaining it to him? --- ## [The three most important win-win-win measures](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-most-important-win-win-win-measures/728696)
**Author:** [@Earthheart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthheart)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-three-most-important-win-win-win-measures/728696 "2015-08-25T13:32:37Z")
What are the most important measures to make the world better? Three measures have large and multiple benefits: veganism, family planning and a green tax shift with a basic income. These three measures are positive in te… --- ## [Fallout from higher minimum wage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-from-higher-minimum-wage/726182)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 276\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fallout-from-higher-minimum-wage/726182 "2015-08-25T04:59:57Z")
Seattle was the first major city to experiment with a vastly-higher minimum wage, earlier this year. The results are starting to become apparent, and are rather interesting. I daresay, however, that they will be surpri… --- ## [Do the police ever kill some of those "battle-ready" private citizens standing in a group?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-police-ever-kill-some-of-those-battle-ready-private-citizens-standing-in-a-group/727199)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2015, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-police-ever-kill-some-of-those-battle-ready-private-citizens-standing-in-a-group/727199 "2015-08-24T21:29:14Z")
As you have no doubt seen many places and in many media, private citizens in open carry states (and sometimes in non-open carry states) stand in the open carrying semiautomatic sporting rifles with pistol grips and other… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=184) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=186)