# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=202 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 203 --- ## ["Being a person of one's own word"........"One'd word really means something"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-person-of-ones-own-word-oned-word-really-means-something/714623)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/being-a-person-of-ones-own-word-oned-word-really-means-something/714623 "2015-03-11T19:57:17Z")
One occasionally hears this lament, not only from old-timers but from the younger generation as well: “Back in the old days, a person’s word actually \*meant \*something. If they promised something, you knew they’d do it. … --- ## [Capitalism vs common sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalism-vs-common-sense/712015)
**Author:** [@mgalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mgalka)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/capitalism-vs-common-sense/712015 "2015-03-11T12:42:12Z")
Our free market society is based Adam Smith’s concept of the “invisible hand” that, when markets are allowed to operate freely, allocates resources in an optimal way. Time and again this theory has proven itself correct… --- ## [Idle Speculation on Race and Racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-speculation-on-race-and-racism/714660)
**Author:** [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2015, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/idle-speculation-on-race-and-racism/714660 "2015-03-11T12:10:04Z")
I’ve noticed that many racists argue that “blacks,” whatever that means, show evidence of systematic tendencies towards delinquency and lack of education. I won’t bother to link to the threads where these people make the… --- ## [Let's say the Warsaw Pact invaded Western Europe in the late 1970s.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-the-warsaw-pact-invaded-western-europe-in-the-late-1970s/714223)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2015, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-say-the-warsaw-pact-invaded-western-europe-in-the-late-1970s/714223 "2015-03-10T16:56:34Z")
This thread can go in either Great Debates or IMHO; please move this as you see fit, moderators… In the wake of the Vietnam War, the American public was anti-war, deeply demoralized and the United States was weakened on… --- ## ["America Works" : It's been tried. Could it be made to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-works-its-been-tried-could-it-be-made-to-work/714396)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2015, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-works-its-been-tried-could-it-be-made-to-work/714396 "2015-03-09T22:55:10Z")
Note : while I’ll be discussing a significant plot element in Season 3 of House of Cards, I will refrain from spoiling anything related to the main plotline. Please do the same. In Season 3 of “House of Cards”, Kevin S… --- ## [No Wonder the Council of Nicaea Banned This Gospel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-wonder-the-council-of-nicaea-banned-this-gospel/714347)
**Author:** [@SeekerofTruth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeekerofTruth)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-wonder-the-council-of-nicaea-banned-this-gospel/714347 "2015-03-07T18:09:21Z")
It’s called the Gospel of the Nazarene, alternate title “Gospel of the Holy Twelve” and you only have to read this to see why it was immediately banned from the Bible: More evidence the “Holy Bible” was just a politica… --- ## [Stingray Stings Florida Prosecutors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stingray-stings-florida-prosecutors/713424)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stingray-stings-florida-prosecutors/713424 "2015-02-25T19:37:43Z")
The commingling of secret surveillance and ordinary police work upended what had appeared to be a routine case: This raises an obvious question: Given that the legally available alternatives are to disclose the details… --- ## [Was it worthwhile to create the Department of Homeland Security?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-worthwhile-to-create-the-department-of-homeland-security/713814)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-worthwhile-to-create-the-department-of-homeland-security/713814 "2015-03-06T21:39:38Z")
DHS was formed in 2002 by taking 22 existing security-related agencies out of their departments and grouping them under new central management. Seemed like a good idea at the time; failure of coordination between such a… --- ## [Oh Obama LOL (back door for encryption)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-obama-lol-back-door-for-encryption/714218)
**Author:** [@JimNightshade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimNightshade)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-obama-lol-back-door-for-encryption/714218 "2015-03-06T14:33:09Z")
So, we want back-doors to encryption, Obama says. The rest of the world says :“Hey dude, do you know what your are saying?” Obama: “Sure, we want back-door magic encryption keys and a farting unicorn.” China says: “Th… --- ## [Can someone concisely formulate what makes torture so immoral?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-concisely-formulate-what-makes-torture-so-immoral/707903)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-concisely-formulate-what-makes-torture-so-immoral/707903 "2015-03-06T04:38:29Z")
Torture is bad. This should be obvious to everyone. But why is it bad? What, exactly, moves it from “immoral” to “we should never, ever do this even if it did hypothetically work”? The German supreme court makes it clea… --- ## [Given infinity, is everything imaginable inevitable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-infinity-is-everything-imaginable-inevitable/618974)
**Author:** [@CyclopticXander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CyclopticXander)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-infinity-is-everything-imaginable-inevitable/618974 "2015-03-06T01:54:43Z")
I realize this question is so impossibly broad and far out there that it almost seems silly to ask, but I keep finding myself pondering it anyway. I don’t think the human brain is even truly capable of understanding inf… --- ## [Ukraine talks breakthrough. Good deal or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-talks-breakthrough-good-deal-or-bad/712498)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-talks-breakthrough-good-deal-or-bad/712498 "2015-03-05T18:05:11Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/leaders-minsk-crucial-ukraine-peace-talks-051912803.html And good or bad for whom? The so-called rebels (in reality the supporters of the legitimate government overthrown in the Western-backed cou… --- ## [Nuclear nonproliferation and unavoidable hypocrisy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-nonproliferation-and-unavoidable-hypocrisy/713980)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2015, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-nonproliferation-and-unavoidable-hypocrisy/713980 "2015-03-05T07:17:39Z")
It seems that nuclear nonproliferation is one of the most hypocritical areas of diplomacy/international relations, and yet the double standard seems unavoidable. The United States, for instance, is the only nation to ev… --- ## [Did Hong Kong become Chinese in 1997 or earlier?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hong-kong-become-chinese-in-1997-or-earlier/714185)
**Author:** [@protoboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/protoboard)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hong-kong-become-chinese-in-1997-or-earlier/714185 "2015-03-04T21:04:44Z")
Even though technically Hong Kong wasn’t part of the PRC until 1997, it was agreed upon officially it would become Chinese in 1984, and the constitution for Hong Kong (The Basic Law) as an SAR of China as well as the Hon… --- ## [Right to a Private Life versus Freedom of Speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-a-private-life-versus-freedom-of-speech/714212)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2015, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-to-a-private-life-versus-freedom-of-speech/714212 "2015-03-04T18:45:20Z")
The European Court ruling over Google search results has resulted in previous threads here. There is obviously a conflict between right to privacy and right to free speech. Europe seems more inclined to value Privacy ov… --- ## [Israelis Illegally Taking Arab Land and Restricting Acess?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israelis-illegally-taking-arab-land-and-restricting-acess/713866)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2015, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israelis-illegally-taking-arab-land-and-restricting-acess/713866 "2015-03-04T17:06:21Z")
Are some Israelis illegally taking land from the Arabs and restricting Arabs access to their own land? --- ## [Is Iran in violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-in-violation-of-the-non-proliferation-treaty/714091)
**Author:** [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2015, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-iran-in-violation-of-the-non-proliferation-treaty/714091 "2015-03-04T13:52:11Z")
In this thread, buddy431 wrote: Agreed, so here goes: Is Iran, or is Iran not, in violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty? --- ## [The problem I have with the singularity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-i-have-with-the-singularity/713637)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-i-have-with-the-singularity/713637 "2015-03-03T22:25:59Z")
As I understand the basic idea of the singularity, is that once a greater than human intelligence AI is created, it will inevitably improve it’s own capabilities exponentially, and before very long, super intelligent AI’… --- ## [UK Border Force runs "Interment Sites" for Asylum Seekers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-border-force-runs-interment-sites-for-asylum-seekers/713965)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2015, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-border-force-runs-interment-sites-for-asylum-seekers/713965 "2015-03-03T20:26:20Z")
This article alleges that the UK Border Force maintains internment camps for asylum seekers, the management of which that has resulted in serious harm and deaths of detainees with no legal protection. It cites it invo… --- ## [Do Politicians Rank High On the Sociopathic Scale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-politicians-rank-high-on-the-sociopathic-scale/713566)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2015, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-politicians-rank-high-on-the-sociopathic-scale/713566 "2015-03-03T20:08:09Z")
I actually first heard this when I was taking a psychology class, in a local community college, a while back. Politicians often rank high on the sociopathic scale, perhaps more so than any other group. Anyways, it was i… --- ## [Resolved: We need a constitutional amendment to mandate non-partisan redistricting committees for a](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-we-need-a-constitutional-amendment-to-mandate-non-partisan-redistricting-committees-for-a/713555)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2015, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-we-need-a-constitutional-amendment-to-mandate-non-partisan-redistricting-committees-for-a/713555 "2015-03-03T08:01:18Z")
Whereas partisan redistricting has substantially reduced the number of “swing” districts; Whereas this has led to radicalization of “safe” districts; Whereas radicalization has led to members of Congress being unwillin… --- ## [Take money out of politics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-money-out-of-politics/713419)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2015, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-money-out-of-politics/713419 "2015-03-03T01:00:09Z")
Our government is corrupt and too driven by donations. We need to limit campaign contributions to $1000, for both individuals and corporations. Also, ban PACs, and lobbyists. America always prides itself on being a d… --- ## [How realistic is this practical fusion timeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-realistic-is-this-practical-fusion-timeline/714041)
**Author:** [@Nom\_de\_Plume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nom_de_Plume)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2015, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-realistic-is-this-practical-fusion-timeline/714041 "2015-03-03T00:12:59Z")
According to an article in Forbes, Skunk Works, the experimental technology branch Lockheed Martin, has announced plans to build a practical fusion reactor that could be as small as a jet engine. According to that art… --- ## [Should the right to a fair trial mean an equal budget for defense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-right-to-a-fair-trial-mean-an-equal-budget-for-defense/712500)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-right-to-a-fair-trial-mean-an-equal-budget-for-defense/712500 "2015-03-02T01:01:27Z")
There is quite a bit of evidence that the cost and skill of defense attorneys make a large difference in whether or not a defendant is convicted, and what the penalty is if they are. Some state jurisdictions give the pu… --- ## [What would you change about the US government if you could start from scratch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-change-about-the-us-government-if-you-could-start-from-scratch/713268)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-you-change-about-the-us-government-if-you-could-start-from-scratch/713268 "2015-03-01T21:50:01Z")
I know it’s a brood question. I’ve REALLY been struggling with what I specifically would like to ask, and how I would like to ask it. I’m also not sure if this belongs in GD or IMHO. At first I was going to ask about … --- ## [Is Obama "Purging" The Military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-purging-the-military/713848)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obama-purging-the-military/713848 "2015-03-01T15:34:33Z")
So I recently found out that the Obama administration has been firing an awful lot of high-ranking military personnell. Hearing numbers like “9 admirals and generals”, “197 high-ranking officers”, and the like. Now, I wi… --- ## [US-Funded Free Syrian Army Units Defecting to ISIS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-funded-free-syrian-army-units-defecting-to-isis/713745)
**Author:** [@manfromuncle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manfromuncle)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-funded-free-syrian-army-units-defecting-to-isis/713745 "2015-03-01T02:42:49Z")
Real smart policy we got here. Send hundreds of millions of dollars in guns and money to rebels for the purpose of overthrowing Assad, rebels join ISIS. Now Obama asking congress for AUMF to fight ISIS. http://www.jer… --- ## [Will Homeland Security crisis lead Democrats to vote to help Boehner to keep his speakership?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-homeland-security-crisis-lead-democrats-to-vote-to-help-boehner-to-keep-his-speakership/713836)
**Author:** [@Mr.Frink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Frink)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2015, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-homeland-security-crisis-lead-democrats-to-vote-to-help-boehner-to-keep-his-speakership/713836 "2015-02-28T10:42:49Z")
After tonight’s debacle, there are rumors that conservative Republicans may launch a coup and vote Boehner out as speaker: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/john-boehner-republicans-homeland-security-funding-115588… --- ## [Should there be an international tax on wealthy nations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-an-international-tax-on-wealthy-nations/713547)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-an-international-tax-on-wealthy-nations/713547 "2015-02-28T07:33:41Z")
Why shouldn’t there be an international tax system in which many countries, particularly the wealthy ones (such as the USA, Western European nations, etc.) have to pay a tax - which would add up to perhaps $1 trillion pe… --- ## [Why is human-requested euthanasia illegal in the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-human-requested-euthanasia-illegal-in-the-united-states/713656)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2015, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-human-requested-euthanasia-illegal-in-the-united-states/713656 "2015-02-27T18:28:39Z")
Let’s say I have a terminal illness and am in so much pain and want to be put to death. Now why would I not be allowed to ask the physician to kill me? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=201) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=203)