# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=191 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 192 --- ## [Miss. police: Open carry laws kept us from arresting shotgun-toting man who terrorized shoppers.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-police-open-carry-laws-kept-us-from-arresting-shotgun-toting-man-who-terrorized-shoppers/723257)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/miss-police-open-carry-laws-kept-us-from-arresting-shotgun-toting-man-who-terrorized-shoppers/723257 "2015-07-06T22:56:01Z")
So we have idiots racking shells in a Walmart and the police are (or at least think they are) powerless. The opponents of open carry laws haven’t been successful in getting these laws repealed. It may instead be the … --- ## [SC mass shooting (etc) informed by gun culture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-mass-shooting-etc-informed-by-gun-culture/723416)
**Author:** [@Uqbar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uqbar)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-mass-shooting-etc-informed-by-gun-culture/723416 "2015-07-06T20:44:16Z")
Just looking at one of Skippy’s pictures here, where he couldn’t be a better poster child for the local culture, confederate flag with its sometimes-undertones of racism, oh, and he’s got his forty-five dangling between … --- ## [Should the "vilification" argument ever work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-vilification-argument-ever-work/723570)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-vilification-argument-ever-work/723570 "2015-07-06T20:29:43Z")
In his dissent to today’s SSM ruling, Samuel Alito said that this will lead to vilification of SSM opponents: But is there ever a major decision that can’t be used to vilify someone? Would there ever be a time when it… --- ## [Political experience: is it all it's cracked up to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-experience-is-it-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/723499)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-experience-is-it-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/723499 "2015-07-06T17:38:25Z")
Hi SD, I’d like to ask you about the value of political experience in winning elections. It seems to me that people are saying they want someone well-equipped to handle the unique challenges facing this country–in effe… --- ## [So - why does US spurn Kurds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-does-us-spurn-kurds/724016)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-why-does-us-spurn-kurds/724016 "2015-07-06T14:36:02Z")
The United States has blocked attempts by its Middle East allies to fly heavy weapons directly to the Kurds fighting Islamic State jihadists in Iraq, The Telegraph has learnt. Some of America’s closest allies say Pres… --- ## [What Is The Appeal Of Radical Islam (to Young People)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-appeal-of-radical-islam-to-young-people/723011)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-appeal-of-radical-islam-to-young-people/723011 "2015-07-06T08:48:53Z")
I was reading about the (large) numbers of young people in the West, who travel to Syria/Iraq to joint ISIS. The appeal seems (to me) to get in on the start of the new caliphate-and kill the enemies of ISIS. However, t… --- ## [So, Terr, how is Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions anti-Semitic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-terr-how-is-boycott-divestment-sanctions-anti-semitic/722629)
**Author:** [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-terr-how-is-boycott-divestment-sanctions-anti-semitic/722629 "2015-07-06T03:39:49Z")
Spinoff from the Bernie Sanders thread. Starting around post #200, Terr decided to start arguing that anti-Semitism is widespread on the left, and pointed to an article about the Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions movement ag… --- ## [CEO's pay -- 300 times regular folks'!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceos-pay-300-times-regular-folks/723259)
**Author:** [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Replies:** 229\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ceos-pay-300-times-regular-folks/723259 "2015-07-05T17:11:43Z")
At the risk of sounding petty, I have a problem with too many American CEOs bloating themselves up at corporations that they didn’t create or in any way help nurture into success. They seem to go into these places like … --- ## [How long would the US last in a war with China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-the-us-last-in-a-war-with-china/723829)
**Author:** [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-the-us-last-in-a-war-with-china/723829 "2015-07-05T15:44:19Z")
A couple of recent threads have discussed the fates of Germany and Japan in WWII. One theme is that, regardless of early victories, once the greater industrial capacity of the US and USSR were brought on-line, the Axis w… --- ## [Just how bad is the TPP and other such agreements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-bad-is-the-tpp-and-other-such-agreements/724292)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-bad-is-the-tpp-and-other-such-agreements/724292 "2015-07-05T15:07:22Z")
I remember a lot of liberal protest over NAFTA, and it’s repeating itself with the Transpacific Partnership agreement. I’ve heard all sorts of dire things about how much it gives away to large corporations. And apparentl… --- ## [Why Do We Greet With Hell-Low (Hello) Hell-P(Help)??.. Demon=Nomed(ication)Will Help! Evil=A\*Live\*..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-greet-with-hell-low-hello-hell-p-help-demon-nomed-ication-will-help-evil-a-live/724182)
**Author:** [@GawdIZReal420](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GawdIZReal420)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-greet-with-hell-low-hello-hell-p-help-demon-nomed-ication-will-help-evil-a-live/724182 "2015-07-05T14:24:49Z")
A-L-E-R-T!! Bible:Satan who is the god of this earth has blinded everyone WHY!! Do We Greet With HELL-(L)O(W)…Hello (Hell is under the earth)…WHY Do We Cry For HELL-P (Help) In Life Threatening Situations? For More Time … --- ## [Politically, was the ACA individual mandate really worth it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-was-the-aca-individual-mandate-really-worth-it/724103)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2015, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-was-the-aca-individual-mandate-really-worth-it/724103 "2015-07-05T06:37:12Z")
It seems to me that if the ACA hadn’t included that individual mandate, that it would be a healthcare law nearly twice as popular with perhaps only half as much opposition. Politically, was the individual mandate really… --- ## [The fighting in the Ukraine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fighting-in-the-ukraine/723021)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fighting-in-the-ukraine/723021 "2015-07-04T20:51:48Z")
When fighting first broke out in the Ukraine, Putin swore up and down that the rebels had no connection with Russia. This is common knowledge, but since one of our favorite games here at the SD is yelling “Cite!” for co… --- ## [The Popes Influence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-popes-influence/723404)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-popes-influence/723404 "2015-07-04T17:29:19Z")
Regardless of whether or not the Pope is correct in his views is he misusing his influence as a religious leader to spread his own ideology? --- ## [Is free speech really essential for society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-free-speech-really-essential-for-society/724102)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-free-speech-really-essential-for-society/724102 "2015-07-04T14:28:52Z")
One could make the argument that a society could ban free speech and freedom of expression, yet still have a good health-care system, long life expectancy, a good economy, good infrastructure, a good transportation netwo… --- ## [Gun control working well in Connecticut](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-working-well-in-connecticut/722457)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2015, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-control-working-well-in-connecticut/722457 "2015-07-04T10:56:35Z")
Sounds like gun control is working pretty well in Connecticut: Connecticut gun controls estimated to have cut fatal shootings by 40% (Note: The article headline says fatal shootings, but I think the study only deals wi… --- ## [R.I.P. Confederacy----and good riddance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-confederacy-and-good-riddance/723221)
**Author:** [@russian\_heel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/russian_heel)\ **Replies:** 250\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-confederacy-and-good-riddance/723221 "2015-07-03T22:34:43Z")
SOOOO much so THIS: Let’s cut through decades after decades of Southern “revisionist” history: Cutting through the “economic and social reasons” and “States rights” crap, the bottom line is the Civil War was about … --- ## [If Greeks have that much confidence in their government, then why don't they buy Greek bonds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-greeks-have-that-much-confidence-in-their-government-then-why-dont-they-buy-greek-bonds/724097)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-greeks-have-that-much-confidence-in-their-government-then-why-dont-they-buy-greek-bonds/724097 "2015-07-03T11:59:37Z")
Could the Greek citizens solve the governments debt problems by buying Greek bonds? Is that allowed by the EU? --- ## [More on royal pretenders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-royal-pretenders/724089)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2015, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-on-royal-pretenders/724089 "2015-07-03T02:55:26Z")
I was reading up on Mongolia and found out that it was kind of forced to be communist but since has become a Republic. SInce they were last riled by the Qing Dynasty, that would make the pretender to the throne Yu-zhang.… --- ## [Do I have the right to defend myself from police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-the-right-to-defend-myself-from-police/723449)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-have-the-right-to-defend-myself-from-police/723449 "2015-07-02T21:17:36Z")
Self defense has been enshrined in our laws, as confirmed by the Supreme Court multiple times. There’s even a decision affirming that you can claim self defense when killing a cop, if the officer didn’t identify himself … --- ## [People who call the cops on "free range" kids: liberal or conservative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-call-the-cops-on-free-range-kids-liberal-or-conservative/723216)
**Author:** [@Parthol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parthol)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2015, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-call-the-cops-on-free-range-kids-liberal-or-conservative/723216 "2015-07-02T06:29:24Z")
I have a conservative Facebook friend who seldom lets an opportunity slip by in which he can make a political dig. He’s a parent himself, and on the subject of having your neighbors calling the cops on your kids while t… --- ## [Obamacare Wins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamacare-wins/723444)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamacare-wins/723444 "2015-07-01T20:55:02Z")
Well, it looks like I was very very wrong. I thought the plain language would carry the day, but the Supremes disagreed, 6-3, with Roberts writing the opinion. The text is ambiguous, but they don’t analyze it under Che… --- ## [Forcing the unemployed to work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forcing-the-unemployed-to-work/591309)
**Author:** [@gallan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallan)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forcing-the-unemployed-to-work/591309 "2015-07-01T16:23:40Z")
This thread got me thinking. Couldn’t we require people who are collecting unemployment to work? They’re already getting unemployment, right? So why not just make their weekly unemployment payment conditional upon d… --- ## [So, Have The Obamacare "Exchanges" Lowered healthcare Costs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-the-obamacare-exchanges-lowered-healthcare-costs/723695)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2015, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-have-the-obamacare-exchanges-lowered-healthcare-costs/723695 "2015-07-01T05:50:39Z")
A key part of the ACA is the idea that healthcare exchanges would allow for competition, and the competition would result in lower insurance rates, thus saving the consumers of healthcare money. Has this been the case? I… --- ## [Questions about Purposed Gun Control Laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-purposed-gun-control-laws/723450)
**Author:** [@katpohl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/katpohl)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-purposed-gun-control-laws/723450 "2015-07-01T00:40:35Z")
My apologies , I will try again and this time try to sound less like a hick . I was raised and still live on the family cattle ranch and have been around guns all my life . None of our fire arms have ever been used … --- ## [Wikileaks now leaking a whole buncha Saudi Arabian diplomatic documents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-now-leaking-a-whole-buncha-saudi-arabian-diplomatic-documents/722991)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2015, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-now-leaking-a-whole-buncha-saudi-arabian-diplomatic-documents/722991 "2015-06-30T21:32:24Z")
http://time.com/3928584/wikileaks-saudi-arabia-cables/ Is it good or bad for Wikileaks to do this? I don’t know much about anything specific to the case. I think targeted disclosures concerning particular issues can so… --- ## [Osama bin Laden as Che Guevara or Pancho Villa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-bin-laden-as-che-guevara-or-pancho-villa/87045)
**Author:** [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-bin-laden-as-che-guevara-or-pancho-villa/87045 "2015-06-29T18:35:21Z")
That OBL is becoming something of a romanticized rogue in the eyes of some Middle Eastern Muslims is not surprising to me. They endure never-ending hardships, and they have effectively been indoctrinated with the mindset… --- ## [Why do bad things happen to good people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/722607)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people/722607 "2015-06-29T16:25:46Z")
Not sure if this one has been discussed before. Why do bad things happen to good people, and vice versa? I would guess the answer is basically that it’s all random chance, and that it’s foolish to try and apply rationa… --- ## [Why does Cuba forbid emigration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cuba-forbid-emigration/718237)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 197\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2015, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-cuba-forbid-emigration/718237 "2015-06-29T13:13:01Z")
When Cuban relations began to thaw a few months ago, a CBS News camera panned Havana harbor and noted that there were no boats. Boats were forbidden because they could be used to escape. And that got me to thinking abo… --- ## [Turkish Membership of the EU, outline the positives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkish-membership-of-the-eu-outline-the-positives/723402)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2015, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turkish-membership-of-the-eu-outline-the-positives/723402 "2015-06-28T16:58:06Z")
I’ve been reading about Turkeys accession negotiations to join the EU, and I’m skeptical, considering the eastern half of Turkey is very poor, accession would mean they would eventually get Visa free travel to anywhere i… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=190) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=192)