# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=194 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 195 --- ## [EEOC v. Abercrombie & Fitch Stores, Inc.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eeoc-v-abercrombie-fitch-stores-inc/721344)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eeoc-v-abercrombie-fitch-stores-inc/721344 "2015-06-08T16:00:37Z")
I don’t see more than a blurb about this decision at the moment, although there are plenty of articles from back in February when the case was argued, so I don’t have much to link to just yet. \[ \](http://bigstory.ap.o… --- ## [Do wives deserve a "wife bonus"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wives-deserve-a-wife-bonus/721070)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2015, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-wives-deserve-a-wife-bonus/721070 "2015-06-08T14:48:23Z")
A story has recently lit up social media and sparked some controversy. Here is a bit on it: For my part I have an issue with this. I think a wife (or any stay at home spouse) deserves a piece of the pie. Hell, in di… --- ## ["Global economic collapse" by 2030?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-economic-collapse-by-2030/621054)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2015, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-economic-collapse-by-2030/621054 "2015-06-08T06:35:07Z")
Ran across this article which discusses an MIT study done in the 1970’s that modeled population growth and resource consumption. It predicted “global economic collapse” and “precipitous population decline” by 2030 if “d… --- ## [What were the Sumerians ethnically and linguistically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-sumerians-ethnically-and-linguistically/721378)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2015, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-were-the-sumerians-ethnically-and-linguistically/721378 "2015-06-06T12:35:54Z")
I think genetically their descendants are probably mostly Arabs and Kurds now, but we know for a fact that their language was not Semitic or Afro-Asiatic though they did gradually switch over to speaking Akkadian. Do yo… --- ## [Questions about politicians and debates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-politicians-and-debates/721707)
**Author:** [@pianodave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pianodave)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-politicians-and-debates/721707 "2015-06-06T02:27:33Z")
Hi SD, I am not well-versed in politics, so I’m relying on you to help me out with this one. When the field is wide, like it is now, there are tons of debates in which some come out looking better than others. Politic… --- ## [Lincoln after 150 years: Sainted liberator or hypocrite racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-after-150-years-sainted-liberator-or-hypocrite-racist/721711)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lincoln-after-150-years-sainted-liberator-or-hypocrite-racist/721711 "2015-06-05T22:53:18Z")
April 2015 was the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination. Like most great figures in history, he has gone through the ups and downs of apotheosis and villainy. He has been painted as the holy martyr for freedom, a… --- ## [So where does Snowden now stand in the US zeitgeist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-where-does-snowden-now-stand-in-the-us-zeitgeist/721579)
**Author:** [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2015, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-where-does-snowden-now-stand-in-the-us-zeitgeist/721579 "2015-06-05T19:46:48Z")
How are republicans dealing with Snowden as the source of surveillance reforms - is it still a straight liberal conservative hero/traitor situation? Given Obama pretty well embraced bulk collection in his first term, ar… --- ## [What percentage probability would be considered "beyond a reasonable doubt?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-probability-would-be-considered-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt/141827)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-probability-would-be-considered-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt/141827 "2015-06-05T18:54:28Z")
What would be the probable consensus among judges as to what probability of guilt meets the criteria of beyond a reasonable doubt? 95%? 90%? 99%? --- ## [On Feminism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-feminism/721023)
**Author:** [@MorphinePoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MorphinePoet)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-feminism/721023 "2015-06-05T14:12:59Z")
I find it sexist of women to appreciate and praise successful women just because they’re women. I find it sexist when the host of an international business forum says “I am happy and proud to be the host to the first bus… --- ## [Are Christains being Systematically Murdered in the Middle East?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christains-being-systematically-murdered-in-the-middle-east/721528)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2015, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-christains-being-systematically-murdered-in-the-middle-east/721528 "2015-06-05T10:44:21Z")
Despite all the reporting about ISIS and Islamic terrorism, there seems to be little factual info regarding the fate of Christians in the ME. Countries like Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, etc., have substantial Christian communit… --- ## [how will the decreas in sanctification affect future genarations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-decreas-in-sanctification-affect-future-genarations/721577)
**Author:** [@AviaC8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AviaC8)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-decreas-in-sanctification-affect-future-genarations/721577 "2015-06-04T19:40:49Z")
Rituals can be beautiful and sheltering and/or meaningless and hutfull. I feel there’s a downwards inclination in sanctification and was wondering how this could affect society. I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that… --- ## [Failing to pay a prostitute.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-to-pay-a-prostitute/721385)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/failing-to-pay-a-prostitute/721385 "2015-06-04T16:54:15Z")
Hello Everyone, I was talking to someone today and he tried to make the argument that if one had sex with a prostitute and didn’t pay her it would constitute theft of services rather than rape. It got me thinking, that… --- ## [Transgender People, your opinion: so now sex DOES mean gender??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-people-your-opinion-so-now-sex-does-mean-gender/720089)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transgender-people-your-opinion-so-now-sex-does-mean-gender/720089 "2015-06-04T15:48:40Z")
I post to a genderqueer \[del\]message board\[/del\] Facebook “group”. I’m really pissed off and want to vent, and also get some feedback. I use the word “sex” to refer to people’s biological plumbing (whether it be the pl… --- ## [Do libertarians have classicidal ideations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-libertarians-have-classicidal-ideations/720075)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-libertarians-have-classicidal-ideations/720075 "2015-06-03T20:14:45Z")
I’ve learned a lot about the so-called “libertarian” movement ala Tea Party and Ron Paul over the past few years, and the message I get from them is that those who are not able to “carry their weight” and need public ass… --- ## [When did humans become cognizant of God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-humans-become-cognizant-of-god/721080)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-humans-become-cognizant-of-god/721080 "2015-06-03T19:29:17Z")
Is there any documented evidence of when human beings became aware of GOD or a supernatural being? --- ## [Patriot Act: Extend, Reform, Expire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patriot-act-extend-reform-expire/719483)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patriot-act-extend-reform-expire/719483 "2015-06-03T01:00:35Z")
Three possible outcomes from latest “security” kerfluffle on Capitol Hill: In the Senate, Mitch McConnell is trying to push through an unaltered extension, though the current indications are that the votes aren’t ther… --- ## [How were the pyramids in Egypt built?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-pyramids-in-egypt-built/706559)
**Author:** [@dopestraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dopestraight)\ **Replies:** 2459\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-pyramids-in-egypt-built/706559 "2015-06-03T00:52:39Z")
For what purpose were they built? Who built the ancient monolithic structures? Doesn’t it bother any of you that today WE CANNOT but long BEFORE US THEY COULD? --- ## [If my "driverless" car hits another vehicle...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-my-driverless-car-hits-another-vehicle/720862)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2015, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-my-driverless-car-hits-another-vehicle/720862 "2015-06-02T17:08:44Z")
… Am I liable or is the manufacturer? --- ## [Can someone educate me on what this \[UN Charter clause\] means.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-educate-me-on-what-this-un-charter-clause-means/721270)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2015, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-educate-me-on-what-this-un-charter-clause-means/721270 "2015-06-02T16:21:14Z")
UN Charter Ch1 Art2 #4 \*All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence \* Can someone explain this, elaborate on i… --- ## [China's south china sea adventure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-south-china-sea-adventure/720594)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-south-china-sea-adventure/720594 "2015-06-02T04:03:40Z")
I didn’t see any threads on this so wondering what 'dopers thoughts are on the recent developments in the South China Sea. For anyone who doesn’t know what’s been happening, here is a recent CNN report on the subject, i… --- ## [On the Many Failings of Capitalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-many-failings-of-capitalism/709911)
**Author:** [@Enterprise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enterprise)\ **Replies:** 353\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-many-failings-of-capitalism/709911 "2015-06-02T03:55:55Z")
I rather derailed this thread with an exasperated reply to Sam Stone’s sad libertarian rant on the blessings of free-market capitalism, and figured I should give him the opportunity to respond in a more appropriate venue… --- ## [Effects of 4 Pandemic Scenarios?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effects-of-4-pandemic-scenarios/721193)
**Author:** [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effects-of-4-pandemic-scenarios/721193 "2015-06-01T19:36:12Z")
The Flu Pandemic of 1918 infected 500 million people and killed 3 to 5% of the world’s population. It was unusual, in that it killed predominantly healthy adults, not children and elderly as is normally the case with inf… --- ## [Time To Change Law, Re: Police Shootings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-change-law-re-police-shootings/720822)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2015, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-change-law-re-police-shootings/720822 "2015-05-31T13:11:17Z")
Some people may not know this. But laws regarding self defense, for police, are pretty skewed to favor the cops. I don’t need a cite, it’s pretty universal. (Ironically, this is probably partly what led to the Rodney Kin… --- ## [Why I Support the Death Penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2015, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-support-the-death-penalty-for-dzhokhar-tsarnaev/718253 "2015-05-31T10:26:40Z")
I actually support the death penalty for Boston bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. And the reason may surprise you all. It is because I don’t believe in causing prolong suffering. And I don’t believe in vengeance (which is all I … --- ## [Any good attributes about Swedens immigration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-attributes-about-swedens-immigration/720810)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2015, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-good-attributes-about-swedens-immigration/720810 "2015-05-31T03:58:47Z")
Help me debunk the paranoia about Sweden’s Immigration policy. I’d like an informed view of what’s going on in Sweden, there’s an undercurrent about its immigration policy, which is stated as tantamount to national suic… --- ## [Would Robert Kennedy have defeated Richard Nixon in 1968?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-robert-kennedy-have-defeated-richard-nixon-in-1968/303431)
**Author:** [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-robert-kennedy-have-defeated-richard-nixon-in-1968/303431 "2015-05-30T22:10:47Z")
The anniversary of RFK’s murder is coming up on June 4th, and I was talking about the tenor of the times with a couple of people who would have been much more politically aware than me (I was 4) at the time. They are al… --- ## [Why would climate change be a hoax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-climate-change-be-a-hoax/719773)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-climate-change-be-a-hoax/719773 "2015-05-30T19:18:25Z")
Mah stoopid, it burns! It should be obvious, I guess, why approximately one gob of climatologists would fudge their data at the direction of a plethora of government leaders in a harmony that would make the London Philh… --- ## [should obesity be treated initially as a mental health issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obesity-be-treated-initially-as-a-mental-health-issue/719598)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2015, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obesity-be-treated-initially-as-a-mental-health-issue/719598 "2015-05-30T12:36:44Z")
The HAES (health at any size) movement is now demanding that doctors “do not prescribe weight loss as a medical intervention” and “provide me shame free medical care”. See the hand out card at the bottom of this page: … --- ## [Indefensible position 1 Have Bad News for Atheists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indefensible-position-1-have-bad-news-for-atheists/720080)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indefensible-position-1-have-bad-news-for-atheists/720080 "2015-05-29T22:18:22Z")
Note: I think I remember reading somewhere a series of articles called “Indefensible Postion” where the author made fun, off the wall arguments. They were tounge in cheek but thought provoking. I can’t find them now, … --- ## [Is our political system outdated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-political-system-outdated/720913)
**Author:** [@Dibbs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dibbs)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-our-political-system-outdated/720913 "2015-05-29T20:00:59Z")
For some time now I’ve felt that our system of government should be replaced with one that allows our home computers to implement the will of the people as the waste, corruption and cynicism stemming from the current one… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=193) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=195)