# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=201 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 202 --- ## [What if the Nationalists had won the Chinese Civil War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-nationalists-had-won-the-chinese-civil-war/715440)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2015, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-nationalists-had-won-the-chinese-civil-war/715440 "2015-03-21T03:01:18Z")
Mao Zedong was brilliant at running a political movement, brilliant at running an army, brilliant at running a revolution, and tragically incompetent at running a country; see the Great Leap Forward. But would Chiang Ka… --- ## [How Timothy Leary is thought of in the mainstream psychology community?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-timothy-leary-is-thought-of-in-the-mainstream-psychology-community/711760)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2015, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-timothy-leary-is-thought-of-in-the-mainstream-psychology-community/711760 "2015-03-20T22:57:14Z")
While being famous as a counter culture and LSD guru Timothy Leary, was at least by trade a psychologist. Did he actually achieve anything that mainstream psychologists, who don’t wear tie-dye and smell of patchouli, wo… --- ## [What does it mean when Gallup says "Americans Name government #1 problem"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-gallup-says-americans-name-government-1-problem/715136)
**Author:** [@Iacob\_Matthew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iacob_Matthew)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-when-gallup-says-americans-name-government-1-problem/715136 "2015-03-20T22:42:50Z")
According to Gallup, for the past 4 months, weighted polls of Americans have identified “Government” as their #1 concern. This trumps other categories which are explicitly listed like “economy”, “healthcare”, “immigra… --- ## [Crypto Wars II: All Over But The Shouting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crypto-wars-ii-all-over-but-the-shouting/715371)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crypto-wars-ii-all-over-but-the-shouting/715371 "2015-03-20T12:40:00Z")
This is pretty much the conclusion reached by one of the major players: I’m inclined to suspect that he’s right, because this is one of those “issues” that isn’t really an issue at all, like evolution and climate chang… --- ## [Are Gay Sex-in-Public Scandals Treated the Same Way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-gay-sex-in-public-scandals-treated-the-same-way/715258)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-gay-sex-in-public-scandals-treated-the-same-way/715258 "2015-03-19T23:11:35Z")
I was wondering, are gay sex-in-public scandals treated the same way as hetero ones, by the law enforcement, the media, the public? I am also interested in getting people’s opinions on this message board. I know what ga… --- ## [Let's talk about supply side economics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-supply-side-economics/713670)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-supply-side-economics/713670 "2015-03-19T19:49:11Z")
First of all, let’s define it: The theory has been desired and implemented by Republicans in America since Reaganomics in the early '80s and it’s principles are still at work in states such as Wisconsin, Kansas and Nor… --- ## [If you were the commander of an army, how would you fight the IS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-the-commander-of-an-army-how-would-you-fight-the-is/714744)
**Author:** [@MorphinePoet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MorphinePoet)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2015, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-the-commander-of-an-army-how-would-you-fight-the-is/714744 "2015-03-19T07:31:55Z")
If you were the commander in chief of a moderately-armed army (no phantom bombers or nuclear weapons), what would your military/intelligence strategy be in fighting the IS in both Syria and Iraq? Bear in mind the terrai… --- ## [Anti-Austerity Party Wins in Greece: Will Greece Leave the Euro?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-austerity-party-wins-in-greece-will-greece-leave-the-euro/710909)
**Author:** [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-austerity-party-wins-in-greece-will-greece-leave-the-euro/710909 "2015-03-19T03:24:32Z")
If what both Tsipras and European leaders have said can be believed it looks like Greece will leave the Euro–the positions are too far apart. But politicians have a strong tendency to lie so both may back down substan… --- ## [Smaller families = bigger government: true or false?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smaller-families-bigger-government-true-or-false/713964)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smaller-families-bigger-government-true-or-false/713964 "2015-03-19T00:08:57Z")
I just read this opinion piece: What We Lose With Only Two Children Per Family. Quick synoposis: The writer compares the unfortunate ramifications of the one-child policy in China to the current trend in the US towards … --- ## [Is Egypt following the South Korean model?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-egypt-following-the-south-korean-model/715130)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-egypt-following-the-south-korean-model/715130 "2015-03-18T20:44:11Z")
http://www.themiddleeastmagazine.com/wp-mideastmag-live/2014/11/current-affairs-egypt-economic-development-conference/ There was an investor conference hosted by Al Sisi yesterday promising a new dawn in regards to Egyp… --- ## [Elementary School Homework - Yay or Nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elementary-school-homework-yay-or-nay/714386)
**Author:** [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elementary-school-homework-yay-or-nay/714386 "2015-03-18T17:34:27Z")
According to this article an elementary school in NYC has opted to do away with homework for their students, stating that there is no evidence that elementary school kids do any better academically with homework as a req… --- ## [DOJ report on racism and shakedown-artistry in the Ferguson PD](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-report-on-racism-and-shakedown-artistry-in-the-ferguson-pd/714604)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 420\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2015, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-report-on-racism-and-shakedown-artistry-in-the-ferguson-pd/714604 "2015-03-18T07:35:34Z")
Whole report. Highlights. This thread is not about Brown/Wilson, we’ve got other threads for that. Taking this report at face value, it looks pretty bad. Like a classic Southern small-town speed trap, on steroids, ex… --- ## [Would a ruling against Net Neutrality NOT have foretold a world of multiple, parallel internets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-ruling-against-net-neutrality-not-have-foretold-a-world-of-multiple-parallel-internets/714490)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2015, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-ruling-against-net-neutrality-not-have-foretold-a-world-of-multiple-parallel-internets/714490 "2015-03-18T02:07:04Z")
Let’s say Tom Wheeler decides to vote against net neutrality and the FCC strikes it down. Is there any way in which, years down the line, we don’t live in a world where there isn’t one internet but several competing inte… --- ## [Why weren't University of Oklahoma students protected by the First Amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-werent-university-of-oklahoma-students-protected-by-the-first-amendment/714778)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-werent-university-of-oklahoma-students-protected-by-the-first-amendment/714778 "2015-03-18T01:30:41Z")
Story here. In a nutshell a bunch of racist frat boys at the University of Oklahoma were caught on camera singing a racist chant that contained the n word and a bunch of other offensive crap. Someone leaked the video wh… --- ## [My Three Arguments Against Retribution...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-three-arguments-against-retribution/714059)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-three-arguments-against-retribution/714059 "2015-03-17T22:28:58Z")
As I’ve said, many times before, I don’t believe in retribution. I just think there are better things we can strive for. Anyways, I have been giving it some thought. And I think I have three arguments against retributio… --- ## [Let's say the US defense budget was reduced to half its current size.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-the-us-defense-budget-was-reduced-to-half-its-current-size/715029)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-the-us-defense-budget-was-reduced-to-half-its-current-size/715029 "2015-03-17T21:27:59Z")
Hypothetical scenario: It is the year 2017, and a new President is in the Oval Office. This President is not afraid to make bold and drastic changes. You’ve been assigned to draw up the defense budget for the upcoming … --- ## [Supreme Court to hear Arizona redistricting case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-to-hear-arizona-redistricting-case/714023)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2015, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-to-hear-arizona-redistricting-case/714023 "2015-03-17T14:03:13Z")
AZ State Legislature v. AZ Indep. Redistricting (13-1314) As recounted here, the Supreme Court is today hearing the case of Arizona State Legislature vs. the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, which consists … --- ## [How will the UK cope with a possible Minority Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-uk-cope-with-a-possible-minority-government/715177)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2015, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-uk-cope-with-a-possible-minority-government/715177 "2015-03-17T12:24:14Z")
There are several reasons why there is likely to be a minority government rather than a new coalition after the May election. The LibDems need to detoxify, SNP have said that they will only go so far as confidence and su… --- ## [How did the human race survive (procreation factoids)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-human-race-survive-procreation-factoids/715027)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-human-race-survive-procreation-factoids/715027 "2015-03-16T04:45:30Z")
I read a few facts (at least I assume they are facts, they came from the internet after all) about pregnancy in pre-medical times. 3/4 of conceived eggs died before the baby was born 1/2 of all children born died befor… --- ## [Should non-vaccinating parents be held liable for disease transmitted by their child?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-non-vaccinating-parents-be-held-liable-for-disease-transmitted-by-their-child/711297)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2015, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-non-vaccinating-parents-be-held-liable-for-disease-transmitted-by-their-child/711297 "2015-03-16T04:07:20Z")
Could criminal charges be successful? Should they be? What about a civil case? The article points out that the scientific capability exists to show that one person transmitted the disease to another with a high degre… --- ## [Why are Americans so fixated on "privilege" and "entitlement?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-so-fixated-on-privilege-and-entitlement/712571)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 256\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-americans-so-fixated-on-privilege-and-entitlement/712571 "2015-03-15T22:30:06Z")
There’s one odd thing that many American liberals and conservatives share in common, and that’s this fixation with making sure that people don’t get good things that they don’t deserve. Scarcely a day goes by without a … --- ## [F-35: top gun or 'dog'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-35-top-gun-or-dog/666914)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 347\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2015, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-35-top-gun-or-dog/666914 "2015-03-15T21:35:05Z")
Is the JSF a highly-capable world-leading fighter or a P.o.S. or something in between? Pro article Con article --- ## [Netanyahu's speech on Iran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netanyahus-speech-on-iran/714132)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netanyahus-speech-on-iran/714132 "2015-03-15T14:20:31Z")
Here’s a transcript. The bottom line seems to be this: Netanyahu’s argument that we can get a better deal is: Does anyone agree? I don’t see why we would think that we could get a better deal if only we tried harde… --- ## [Good African History Book?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-african-history-book/713894)
**Author:** [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-african-history-book/713894 "2015-03-13T23:37:18Z")
I just finished reading 1491, and I’m much enlightened, as well as royally pissed off on behalf of the Indians. Can someone recommend a similarly good and interesting book on the history of Sub-Saharan Africa, so I can b… --- ## [Highway departments leaving money on the table](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-departments-leaving-money-on-the-table/714545)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/highway-departments-leaving-money-on-the-table/714545 "2015-03-13T19:08:49Z")
There was a recent project where the highway department cut down a lot of trees along the highway. I could see workers shredding/chipping the wood and just leaving the shavings on the ground. Why don’t they sell the wo… --- ## [How should the United States have responded to Pearl Harbor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-the-united-states-have-responded-to-pearl-harbor/713526)
**Author:** [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-the-united-states-have-responded-to-pearl-harbor/713526 "2015-03-13T18:06:43Z")
\[Sorry for the TLDR, but the crux of the debate is straightforwardly expressed in the thread title.\] In his paper “Pearl Harbor: Military Inconvenience, Political Disaster,” Ohio State political science professor John S… --- ## [Proposed ban on 'armor piercing' 'assault rifle' ammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-ban-on-armor-piercing-assault-rifle-ammo/714639)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2015, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-ban-on-armor-piercing-assault-rifle-ammo/714639 "2015-03-13T01:17:48Z")
Was wondering what folks think of the proposed ban by the ATF on the M855 round. The thinking seems to be that this round is ‘armor piercing’ since it has a steel core, and that this move will save many police officer l… --- ## [Would a Country Work Better if Only Intellectuals Participated in Government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-country-work-better-if-only-intellectuals-participated-in-government/714331)
**Author:** [@Contemporary\_Logic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemporary_Logic)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2015, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-country-work-better-if-only-intellectuals-participated-in-government/714331 "2015-03-12T15:52:04Z")
This is more speculation than an idea ready-made for implementation. I’m not proposing any heuristic for testing whether a person meets this criteria or not. I’m simply asking if society would meet utilitarian goals bett… --- ## [What would have been required to win in Vietnam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-been-required-to-win-in-vietnam/704466)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2015, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-been-required-to-win-in-vietnam/704466 "2015-03-12T02:52:48Z")
I heard that the Tet Offensive was a military failure but political success, as it scared the US citizens back home into thinking we were not in the dominant position that the politicians claimed we were in. Support turn… --- ## [Debate: Does the Islamic community in the West have a culture of victimisation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-does-the-islamic-community-in-the-west-have-a-culture-of-victimisation/714589)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2015, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debate-does-the-islamic-community-in-the-west-have-a-culture-of-victimisation/714589 "2015-03-12T00:08:40Z")
I was reading a Guardian piece on the three schoolgirls who had traveled to Syria to join IS, now the parents of those teenagers are demanding an apology from the Metropolitan Police due to their perceived or actual mish… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=200) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=202)