# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=196 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 197 --- ## [Need some expert opinion to confirm a debate I won on Gay Marriage and the Baltimore Riots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-expert-opinion-to-confirm-a-debate-i-won-on-gay-marriage-and-the-baltimore-riots/719948)
**Author:** [@Calron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calron)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-some-expert-opinion-to-confirm-a-debate-i-won-on-gay-marriage-and-the-baltimore-riots/719948 "2015-05-13T15:59:50Z")
A troll posted this demotivational poster on a website I frequent. Basically the troll is arguing that Texas Republican Rep. Bill Flores is blaming the Baltimore riots on gay MARRIAGE, which is not true. Here is her po… --- ## [Agreement for framework for Iran nuclear deal reached](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agreement-for-framework-for-iran-nuclear-deal-reached/716648)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 572\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2015, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agreement-for-framework-for-iran-nuclear-deal-reached/716648 "2015-05-13T11:16:55Z")
Some details here. Not a final agreement, but a “framework” for a future deal. President Obama stresses that it is not based on trust, but rather on detailed and ongoing verification. On the surface, it sounds great –… --- ## [Being president is easy.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-president-is-easy/719559)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-president-is-easy/719559 "2015-05-12T22:32:13Z")
The United States government has more resources at its disposal than any organization in the history of the world, so that is settled. A banana republic is severely limited in resources. A “ludicrous” comparison. empi… --- ## [Hersh: Obama lied about bin Laden raid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hersh-obama-lied-about-bin-laden-raid/719791)
**Author:** [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hersh-obama-lied-about-bin-laden-raid/719791 "2015-05-12T17:47:05Z")
I really don’t know what forum this belongs in. Eventually, I hope we get a factual answer, but for now, informed speculation will have to do. I’m aware Seymour Hersh is relying on a retired intelligence official. I’m a… --- ## [Re Kansas what happens welfare benefits are slashed, do poor people leave the state or what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-kansas-what-happens-welfare-benefits-are-slashed-do-poor-people-leave-the-state-or-what/716838)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 320\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-kansas-what-happens-welfare-benefits-are-slashed-do-poor-people-leave-the-state-or-what/716838 "2015-05-12T11:04:16Z")
Re the story above Kansas welfare recipients will be unable to get more than $25 per day in benefits under a new law sent this week to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s desk by the state legislature. Kansas has currently… --- ## [Why no one cares about global warming.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-one-cares-about-global-warming/718337)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 310\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-one-cares-about-global-warming/718337 "2015-05-12T04:40:28Z")
In his State of the Union address this January, President Obama said, “No challenge – no challenge – poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.” The American people, when asked to name the nation’… --- ## [What Happens If Assad (Syria) Falls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-assad-syria-falls/719661)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-assad-syria-falls/719661 "2015-05-12T02:21:57Z")
The civil war in Syria has been going on for years now, and one report I read says that Assad has almost exhausted his cash reserves. Plus, his army is losing ground and men-it is getting hard to recruit new soldiers. Si… --- ## [Abolishing Corporate Income Tax!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolishing-corporate-income-tax/719550)
**Author:** [@Cato\_Younger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cato_Younger)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolishing-corporate-income-tax/719550 "2015-05-11T19:11:39Z")
I was doing some research earlier on sources of US taxes when I stumbled upon this quick breakdown from the Center on Budget and Policy Prioties: USA tax revenue for 2014: 3 trillion dollars 46% Income Taxes 34% Payro… --- ## ["Institutional Racism" in health care - buzzword or useful concept?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/institutional-racism-in-health-care-buzzword-or-useful-concept/718593)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2015, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/institutional-racism-in-health-care-buzzword-or-useful-concept/718593 "2015-05-10T21:46:44Z")
Stemming out of this thread in which Jackmannii (a poster for whom I generally have great respect) bemoans changes to the entrance exam for medical schools (the MCAT) for now testing concepts from intro psychology and so… --- ## [Please help me understand why this \[radical change to voting rules\] is a bad idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-understand-why-this-radical-change-to-voting-rules-is-a-bad-idea/719659)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 10, 2015, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-understand-why-this-radical-change-to-voting-rules-is-a-bad-idea/719659 "2015-05-10T01:13:40Z")
I get to vote every now and then, and it has proved to be a rather unsatisfying experience. In my district, the rep is actually a kind of decent guy, but he belongs to the party full of crazies, so he ends up standing in… --- ## [Seven assault convictions, yet a 'champion' in the boxing ring -- Floyd Mayweather](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seven-assault-convictions-yet-a-champion-in-the-boxing-ring-floyd-mayweather/719233)
**Author:** [@iLemming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iLemming)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2015, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seven-assault-convictions-yet-a-champion-in-the-boxing-ring-floyd-mayweather/719233 "2015-05-09T13:58:00Z")
Millionaires, celebrities, ‘people of import’ all turned up to the Pacquiao-Mayweather “Fight of the Century”. Vegas airport terminals were literally ‘traffic jammed’ with private jets, all clambering to get their money… --- ## [Could the ACA have happened before the Internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-aca-have-happened-before-the-internet/719473)
**Author:** [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2015, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-aca-have-happened-before-the-internet/719473 "2015-05-09T12:58:16Z")
For decades the political line was ‘socialized’ healthcare ‘unamerican healthcare’, themes bought by vested interests and honed by lobbyists. And it worked really well: if external noises from overseas did creep in they … --- ## [Voter fraud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-fraud/717615)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2015, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-fraud/717615 "2015-05-09T10:55:51Z")
What evidence exists to ascertain the level of it? Without ID requirements I can walk in to a voting booth and claim I’m Joe Blow and vote, if the real Joe Blow doesn’t vote who knows about the fraud and how? It’s a he… --- ## [Starving Sea Lions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-sea-lions/719271)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starving-sea-lions/719271 "2015-05-08T22:41:10Z")
Southern California has had an ongoing problem with sick and starving sea lion pups. The sea lion population in general has exploded compared to what it was 40 years ago. I really love seals but I also believe that when… --- ## [Superfast trains in the U.S. - why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superfast-trains-in-the-u-s-why-not/394385)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superfast-trains-in-the-u-s-why-not/394385 "2015-05-08T01:20:13Z")
Japan and France have 'em, why not us? Is it all about cost? Liability? NIMBY? I wonder if, as oil prices continue to rise longterm and congestion worsens, we’ll reach a point where it would be cost-effective to lay … --- ## [US Police operating Detention Blacksites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-police-operating-detention-blacksites/713577)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 280\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2015, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-police-operating-detention-blacksites/713577 "2015-05-07T16:59:56Z")
This article alleges that Chicago police maintain an off-the-books detention centre that has resulted in serious harm and death of detainees with no constitutional protection. It cites it as an extension of the tolera… --- ## [American Exceptionalism: Fair and Balanced.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-exceptionalism-fair-and-balanced/718420)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2015, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-exceptionalism-fair-and-balanced/718420 "2015-05-07T10:54:55Z")
Off the top of my head anyway, “American Exceptionalism” seems to be a justification for admitting or omitting certain things from school curriculums, among other things. Well, is American Exceptionalism a bare assertio… --- ## [Where are the naked white people in National Geographic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-naked-white-people-in-national-geographic/35533)
**Author:** [@Crazy\_Boob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crazy_Boob)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2015, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-naked-white-people-in-national-geographic/35533 "2015-05-06T23:22:12Z")
National Geographic Explorer sometimes shows naked people–usually undeveloped cultures who find no need for clothes. No problem! Of course National Geographic started publishing shortly after the establishment of Imperia… --- ## [Help with abortion argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-abortion-argument/718999)
**Author:** [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-with-abortion-argument/718999 "2015-05-06T14:11:09Z")
This isn’t a debate, at least not meant to be, but I had a question about how to respond to a certain point of view with regards to abortion. A friend of mine is pro-life, and wishes all abortions outlawed, except for c… --- ## [Should a man who self-identifies as a woman be allowed to compete in Female Olympic categories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-man-who-self-identifies-as-a-woman-be-allowed-to-compete-in-female-olympic-categories/718500)
**Author:** [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2015, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-man-who-self-identifies-as-a-woman-be-allowed-to-compete-in-female-olympic-categories/718500 "2015-05-05T20:49:05Z")
As I understand it - a great many believe that a person should have the freedom to self-identify when it comes to gender identity. Would this (should this) carry over to competitive sports which have historically been d… --- ## [Why is Israel providing Logistic and Military Support to Al-Qa'ida?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202)
**Author:** [@jezzaOZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jezzaOZ)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2015, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-providing-logistic-and-military-support-to-al-qaida/719202 "2015-05-05T16:57:24Z")
And why is the US Administration doing nothing about it? Jabhat Al-Nusra is listed as another name for Al-Qa’ida by United States Executive Order 13224 The US is prosecuting a war against Al-Qa’ida in Iraq and Syria in… --- ## [Are we on the verge of a national police force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-on-the-verge-of-a-national-police-force/718891)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-on-the-verge-of-a-national-police-force/718891 "2015-05-05T02:00:20Z")
Watching the latest sad nonsense from Baltimore, it occurred to me that this sort of progressive street unrest + thuggish, out of control cops is the usual fictive predecessor to the establishment of a national police fo… --- ## [Freedoms Based on Religion Should Not Exist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedoms-based-on-religion-should-not-exist/717899)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 262\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedoms-based-on-religion-should-not-exist/717899 "2015-05-04T23:03:48Z")
More accurately, “freedoms established on the basis of religion should not exist”. Or, to put it another way: if you want to do X, what your religion has to say about X should have absolutely no bearing. If it’s illegal … --- ## [Job Guarantee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-guarantee/717473)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-guarantee/717473 "2015-05-04T16:50:50Z")
Bill Mitchell, an economist at the University of Newcastle (Australia) argues (among other things) in this interview that sovereign currency issuers, like the US and Australia, ought to offer jobs to anyone who wants the… --- ## [Alt/Conventional medicine treating Cancer, Rubella, other diseases \[split off from Rubella thread\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-conventional-medicine-treating-cancer-rubella-other-diseases-split-off-from-rubella-thread/718940)
**Author:** [@Miss\_Spaulding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Spaulding)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alt-conventional-medicine-treating-cancer-rubella-other-diseases-split-off-from-rubella-thread/718940 "2015-05-04T16:39:34Z")
I know a few people who healed their cancer with juicing, supplements, intravenous vitamin C therapy, and overall diet changes to their health, and all of that without the conventional chemo and radiation. So why can’t i… --- ## [Could God incarnate as man and is Meher Baba God in human form?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-god-incarnate-as-man-and-is-meher-baba-god-in-human-form/718871)
**Author:** [@stephenchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stephenchurch)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2015, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-god-incarnate-as-man-and-is-meher-baba-god-in-human-form/718871 "2015-05-04T07:15:45Z")
Please judge for yourself based on his Universal Message. The Universal Message of Meher Baba I have come not to teach but to awaken. Understand therefore that I lay down no precepts. Throughout eternity I have laid… --- ## [One Theory On What Is Killing the Bees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-theory-on-what-is-killing-the-bees/717710)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-theory-on-what-is-killing-the-bees/717710 "2015-05-02T23:48:50Z")
I agree with most environmental issues, esp. if they are liberal ones. But one that has got me vexed, is what is killing the bees. Bees are necessary to pollinate just about everything. So it is no small matter. And in … --- ## [Should this veterinarian lose her license to practice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-veterinarian-lose-her-license-to-practice/718833)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-veterinarian-lose-her-license-to-practice/718833 "2015-05-02T07:45:24Z")
Sidewalk Dogis a Twin Cities based service which provides a directory of events, places, and services for the urban dog. It’s been good to find out what stores allows dogs or restaurants with pup friendly patios, and all… --- ## [The Saudi Palace Coup](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-saudi-palace-coup/718803)
**Author:** [@MorphinePoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MorphinePoet)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-saudi-palace-coup/718803 "2015-05-02T04:11:52Z")
Last night King Salman of Saudi Arabia - who’d just become king in January after the death of his predecessor King Abdulla - sacked his Crown Prince and totally skipped the first generation of royals - the sons of the fo… --- ## [Are The Ongoing Protests Legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-ongoing-protests-legal/718904)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-ongoing-protests-legal/718904 "2015-04-30T20:52:55Z")
Going strictly by the book here (a rarity in view of the chaos around us): While I recognize the US Constitution protects the “right to assemble”, still there are matters of public safety and public disruption that must… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=195) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=197)