# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=204 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 205 --- ## [Is Halloween Healthy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-halloween-healthy/712982)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-halloween-healthy/712982 "2015-02-19T03:53:18Z")
I know I usually bring up holiday questions around the applicable holiday. But I felt compelled to ask this now. Halloween. In the US at least, it is a time to celebrate the evil and the macabre. Witches and dragons. An… --- ## [Invasion of Iraq, Operation: Iraqi Freedom, or...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-iraq-operation-iraqi-freedom-or/713051)
**Author:** [@Gerald\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gerald_II)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invasion-of-iraq-operation-iraqi-freedom-or/713051 "2015-02-19T01:39:40Z")
Sorry for the thread hijack in the “Obama was lying about…” thread. If it doesn’t make sense then there should at least be some kind of proof to go along with it. I’ll look into that. So there were people who, dur… --- ## [Obama was lying when he said he opposed gay marriage... anyone surprised?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-was-lying-when-he-said-he-opposed-gay-marriage-anyone-surprised/712306)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2015, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-was-lying-when-he-said-he-opposed-gay-marriage-anyone-surprised/712306 "2015-02-19T00:28:49Z")
The details are from David Axelrod’s new book. Obama never privately opposed gay marriage, but Axelrod convinced him to publicly support civil unions rather than gay marriage for political reasons. Anyone surprised? I… --- ## [Original Sin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-sin/712420)
**Author:** [@William\_Hanley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/William_Hanley)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-sin/712420 "2015-02-18T23:34:52Z")
Original Sin – Paradise Lost? In the spirit of full disclosure, my religious beliefs reside somewhere within the plausible theories of atheism, agnosticism, deism, theism, extraterrestrial intervention… and my personal … --- ## [Possible rift between Mossad and Netanyahu on Iran negotiations -- who is right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-rift-between-mossad-and-netanyahu-on-iran-negotiations-who-is-right/710564)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-rift-between-mossad-and-netanyahu-on-iran-negotiations-who-is-right/710564 "2015-02-18T02:56:07Z")
The story is here. According to the article, Israel is telling different things to the US regarding possible future sanctions against Iran – Netanyahu wants the US Congress to put through a bill that would automatically… --- ## [A lot of people like what Obama does until they are told that Obama is doing it. Then they hate it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-people-like-what-obama-does-until-they-are-told-that-obama-is-doing-it-then-they-hate-it/712548)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lot-of-people-like-what-obama-does-until-they-are-told-that-obama-is-doing-it-then-they-hate-it/712548 "2015-02-18T01:02:18Z")
Just saw this article in the Atlantic today discussed a survey about Obama’s stance on immigration: This mirrors what happened with the Affordable Care Act which people liked unless they called it ObamaCare: Even whe… --- ## [Women and work.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-and-work/712835)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-and-work/712835 "2015-02-17T22:54:48Z")
So I just have a few questions. No, I’m not a MRA… in fact, I’m asking these questions to combat those types of people. Here are the questions: What do I say when people claim that women would make as much as men in t… --- ## [Are American blacks more homophobic and if so, why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-american-blacks-more-homophobic-and-if-so-why/712431)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-american-blacks-more-homophobic-and-if-so-why/712431 "2015-02-17T13:22:21Z")
If at all possible, I would love it if African-Americans could speak on this thread. I am not asking whites or other races to stay off completely, but I would really like to hear what blacks have to say. In case you are… --- ## [Criminal Court Procedure in Scotland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-court-procedure-in-scotland/709337)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 213\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2015, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-court-procedure-in-scotland/709337 "2015-02-17T12:09:52Z")
Let us start by the final court of appeal in Scottish Criminal cases. Steophan erroneously holds that there is a criminal appeal process from the Scottish courts to the Supreme Court. I maintain that the Supreme Court i… --- ## [Axis Strategy Victory Scenario in WWII - Possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/axis-strategy-victory-scenario-in-wwii-possible/709729)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/axis-strategy-victory-scenario-in-wwii-possible/709729 "2015-02-16T21:21:21Z")
I am an arm chair war historian at best, but am fascinated by the many facets of WWII. So I pose a question for debate among those with the knowledge: Is there any scenario aside from changes in faction allegiance (Russ… --- ## [Did any good come from the Arab Spring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-good-come-from-the-arab-spring/712831)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-any-good-come-from-the-arab-spring/712831 "2015-02-16T17:45:25Z")
A very cursory review seems to lead to the conclusion that it resulted in status quo ante in Egypt and civil war in Syria and Libya…which led the way to the growth of ISIS. Discuss. --- ## [Japan keeping the Emperor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-keeping-the-emperor/712383)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-keeping-the-emperor/712383 "2015-02-16T01:23:13Z")
Oh God, not another thread about the blasted war! Well yes, but I’ve two questions on the subject that I want your thoughts and opinions on, see if they’re in line with my own. Question the first: Why, in the Potsdam De… --- ## [Which events bookended the Middle Ages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-events-bookended-the-middle-ages/712096)
**Author:** [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-events-bookended-the-middle-ages/712096 "2015-02-15T23:29:12Z")
The Middle Ages didn’t start and stop at the same time everywhere in Europe, and the events that ended it–discovery of America, the Protestant Reformation, the European development of the printing press, the receding of … --- ## [Internet Death Threats, or "Like This Post Or Else!"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-death-threats-or-like-this-post-or-else/711334)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-death-threats-or-like-this-post-or-else/711334 "2015-02-15T21:58:12Z")
I’m trying to avoid this becoming a simple ranty-type complaint against the Internet denizens for whom threatening death is as mundane as eating potato chips. This morning, I happened across this gaming blog. Not my usu… --- ## ["Don't talk to the police... even at DUI checkpoints!" says Florida lawyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-talk-to-the-police-even-at-dui-checkpoints-says-florida-lawyer/712318)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2015, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-talk-to-the-police-even-at-dui-checkpoints-says-florida-lawyer/712318 "2015-02-15T05:03:52Z")
\[ \](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_DUI\_CHECKPOINT\_CHALLENGES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-02-10-12-47-21)It should come as no surprise that many police officers aren’t thrilled by this, b… --- ## [Should the President be more disposable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-president-be-more-disposable/712392)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-president-be-more-disposable/712392 "2015-02-13T02:04:14Z")
It seems to me the the powers of the presidency are ever-growing, particularly in committing US military forces to combat, but in all kinds of other ways as evidenced by “signing statements” explaining why the President … --- ## [Non Nude Teen Web Sites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-nude-teen-web-sites/99094)
**Author:** [@MarkusGoneAwry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarkusGoneAwry)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-nude-teen-web-sites/99094 "2015-02-12T15:17:34Z")
Should web sites like this : \[deleted\] be illegal? Are they immoral, or otherwise just bad? :confused: --- ## [Red isn't green](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-isnt-green/710316)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2015, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/red-isnt-green/710316 "2015-02-12T04:18:32Z")
At last year’s People’s Climate Change march in New York City, someone carried a banner saying “CLIMATE CHANGE is the symptom, CAPITALISM is the disease, SOCIALISM is the cure”. While that particular individual may not … --- ## [What would happen if the power imbalance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict shifted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-power-imbalance-in-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-shifted/712344)
**Author:** [@Knowledgable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowledgable)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-power-imbalance-in-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-shifted/712344 "2015-02-11T23:21:31Z")
I am specifically talking about Hamas (although it doesn’t represent all Palestinians, it represents all Gazans who seem to be the ones most affected by the conflict) when I say the power shifts to Palestinians. Hamas’ … --- ## [Can there be machine super intelligence without it being life altering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-there-be-machine-super-intelligence-without-it-being-life-altering/710788)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-there-be-machine-super-intelligence-without-it-being-life-altering/710788 "2015-02-11T17:54:49Z")
In the year 1740 a prophet is walking around saying the world is about to drastically change. For all of human history virtually all labor had to be done by biological muscle, what a human or a horse could do was all tha… --- ## [Some ways to lower the cost of college](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-ways-to-lower-the-cost-of-college/711978)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-ways-to-lower-the-cost-of-college/711978 "2015-02-11T16:20:27Z")
College is getting far too expensive, and student loans ruin a lot of lives. No more silly games with giveaways. The college I went to had a lot of scavenger hunts, trivia contests, casino nights, all free. They gave… --- ## [Which part of the U.S. Constitution has been violated the most?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-part-of-the-u-s-constitution-has-been-violated-the-most/711443)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-part-of-the-u-s-constitution-has-been-violated-the-most/711443 "2015-02-10T20:40:07Z")
Debated whether to put this in GD (no pun intended), but I hope there might be a factual answer based on the findings of the Supreme Court and the lower courts. Unfortunately my knowledge of SCOTUS case law history and n… --- ## [eHealth says family health insurance premiums jumped 56% in 2014.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ehealth-says-family-health-insurance-premiums-jumped-56-in-2014/711064)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ehealth-says-family-health-insurance-premiums-jumped-56-in-2014/711064 "2015-02-10T17:57:19Z")
I find this difficult to believe. Is it correct? Is there a better study? --- ## [Non-existence as punishment : a hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-existence-as-punishment-a-hypothetical/711656)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-existence-as-punishment-a-hypothetical/711656 "2015-02-10T14:39:14Z")
A new technology comes around that allows us to erase people from existence, in the sense that they never existed in the first place. Every time this device is used, there’s no direct evidence of it actually working, bec… --- ## [A proposal for lower health care costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-for-lower-health-care-costs/711436)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 10, 2015, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-for-lower-health-care-costs/711436 "2015-02-10T02:04:05Z")
In my most recent thread about health care, some folks suggested that I offer my own solutions to the problem of rising costs. It’s a reasonable thing to ask for. Among politicians and pundits, complaints about the pro… --- ## [A lesser of two evils, regarding political parties.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesser-of-two-evils-regarding-political-parties/712021)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-lesser-of-two-evils-regarding-political-parties/712021 "2015-02-09T21:20:15Z")
Which, in your opinion, is worse: A two-party system divided along racial boundaries, or a two-party system divided along boundaries of affluence? As an example, would you prefer the Democrats be the party of the disen… --- ## [Should we make anti-vaccine parents pay more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-make-anti-vaccine-parents-pay-more/568685)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-make-anti-vaccine-parents-pay-more/568685 "2015-02-09T20:01:58Z")
An editorial on CNN today made a bold suggestion. He thinks parents who refuse to vaccinate their children should pay substantially higher insurance premiums than those who do. He gives the example of the San Diego p… --- ## [The Imperial Presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-imperial-presidency/710736)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2015, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-imperial-presidency/710736 "2015-02-09T02:45:17Z")
It’s quite possible this belongs in IMHO or MPSIMS, because I don’t know if there’s really much of a debate here, but maybe there is. There were two things that happened recently that, put together, got me thinking, and… --- ## [Should a kid be allowed counsel when in the Principal's office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-kid-be-allowed-counsel-when-in-the-principals-office/711798)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2015, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-kid-be-allowed-counsel-when-in-the-principals-office/711798 "2015-02-09T00:25:44Z")
Let’s say your kid gets summoned to the principals office and while they are there, are accused of some crime (ex. stealing, making threats, drugs). The principal or others start asking questions. Is that kid required t… --- ## [What's the deal with the declaration, "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-declaration-christianity-isnt-a-religion-its-a-relationship/712009)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-the-declaration-christianity-isnt-a-religion-its-a-relationship/712009 "2015-02-08T20:28:50Z")
I hear this sometimes from (some) Christians. At first glance, it sounds like they’re declaring that their religion is about their personal relationship with the Almighty, as opposed to some earthly authority (ala the P… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=203) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=205)