# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=206 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 207 --- ## [Yes, elections have consequences, but not these consequences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-elections-have-consequences-but-not-these-consequences/710632)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-elections-have-consequences-but-not-these-consequences/710632 "2015-01-27T18:39:37Z")
Rep. Trey Gowdy, Whichpartydoyathink-SC: Look, sir, a president gets to claim an electoral mandate of the whole people, independent of Congress’ mandate, for his whole term. That’s the presidential system for ya – if … --- ## [If MLK was a Commie, so much the better for Commies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mlk-was-a-commie-so-much-the-better-for-commies/710296)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2015, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mlk-was-a-commie-so-much-the-better-for-commies/710296 "2015-01-26T19:31:36Z")
He wasn’t one, of course, or the FBI would have found the proof – certainly they looked hard enough. Martin Luther King was a liberal Republican (a species now extinct). But he definitely had democratic-socialist leani… --- ## [Obama Feints To the Left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-feints-to-the-left/710330)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 227\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-feints-to-the-left/710330 "2015-01-25T15:33:23Z")
Obama is proposing raising taxes on the rich. I would say “Hallelujah! Obama has come back to his progressive roots,” except I don’t believe a word of it. Proposing a tax plan to a Congress which you KNOW will not enact … --- ## [Not Guilty vs Not Proven](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-guilty-vs-not-proven/710693)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/not-guilty-vs-not-proven/710693 "2015-01-25T12:53:37Z")
Fortunately not having much experience with the court system, and also not fully understand what Jury Nullification actually is, I put forth: From what I recently heard our (US) system of Guilty vs Not Guilty derived fr… --- ## [How would we best deal with real genetic intelligence differences between groups in society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-we-best-deal-with-real-genetic-intelligence-differences-between-groups-in-society/709606)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-we-best-deal-with-real-genetic-intelligence-differences-between-groups-in-society/709606 "2015-01-24T18:25:22Z")
So in this thread, there’s a lot of talk about whether intelligence differences are genetic, cultural, or due to external influences like racism, poverty, etc… All that aside, let’s say for the sake of hypothetical argu… --- ## [Malema has grown into a smart polished politician and represents a serious threat to Southern Africa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malema-has-grown-into-a-smart-polished-politician-and-represents-a-serious-threat-to-southern-africa/710749)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/malema-has-grown-into-a-smart-polished-politician-and-represents-a-serious-threat-to-southern-africa/710749 "2015-01-24T17:15:40Z")
After watching this interview I have changed my perception of Julius Malema. I used to think he was an idiot who only got people to follow him by talking like Robin Hood. Now I think he is a smart tactician who learns fr… --- ## [Why Are We the 'Least Democratic Country' (According to This Guy)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-the-least-democratic-country-according-to-this-guy/710425)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-the-least-democratic-country-according-to-this-guy/710425 "2015-01-24T14:12:29Z")
Interesting story, democracy in the USA and UK. We actually have been locked in a kind of competition for over 200 years. Did you know that? Who is the most democratic, and who will accomplish what first. For example, d… --- ## [Questions and critizisms about the Apollo's mission](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-and-critizisms-about-the-apollos-mission/710381)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2015, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-and-critizisms-about-the-apollos-mission/710381 "2015-01-24T01:08:59Z")
Part of Apollo’s mission seemed to be more of getting picts and vid’s, a publicity stunt. For that it worked great. My question is did we really know what to do there once we got there (and do we know today what to do i… --- ## [Revisiting "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisiting-if-it-doesnt-fit-you-must-acquit/710646)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2015, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisiting-if-it-doesnt-fit-you-must-acquit/710646 "2015-01-23T22:51:06Z")
I never understood why, during the OJ trial, the prosecution never pounced on the fact that leather gloves, when wet, then dried, SHRINK. Was this not common knowledge? I remember as a teen borrowing my fathers leather … --- ## [What is the point of college fraternities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-college-fraternities/705379)
**Author:** [@Cardboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardboard)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2015, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-point-of-college-fraternities/705379 "2015-01-23T19:23:01Z")
Not sure where to put this, but I could see it turning into a debate, so I put it here. In my view, college frats (/sororities) exist to maintain and perpetuate the cliquey high school social stratification of cool vers… --- ## [Texas gun group "simulates" Paris attack... result? Really hard to kill gunmen even if armed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-gun-group-simulates-paris-attack-result-really-hard-to-kill-gunmen-even-if-armed/709906)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texas-gun-group-simulates-paris-attack-result-really-hard-to-kill-gunmen-even-if-armed/709906 "2015-01-23T01:03:09Z")
Here’s the link. They laid out an office similar to the Hebdo offices, with 12 people as the civilians, one of whom was “armed” (with a paintball gun), simulating concealed-carry. Then two gunmen entered at some point … --- ## [What about these Muslim "no-go areas" in France?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-these-muslim-no-go-areas-in-france/709643)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-these-muslim-no-go-areas-in-france/709643 "2015-01-22T21:58:04Z")
It’s all over the RW chattersphere this week, for instance here – a purported 750+ enclaves of unassimilated Muslim immigrants where Sharia law rules and French law does not and it’s not safe for an infidel to enter. Po… --- ## [Question about Matthew for Christians](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-matthew-for-christians/707984)
**Author:** [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Replies:** 331\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2015, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-matthew-for-christians/707984 "2015-01-22T12:16:35Z")
As an atheist, I’m reminded around Christmastime about how little many Christians know about the Bible. The Christmas displays almost always seem to conflate the contradictory nativity tales of Matthew and Luke, with th… --- ## [When discussing equality how come income is the most common measurement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-discussing-equality-how-come-income-is-the-most-common-measurement/710324)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-discussing-equality-how-come-income-is-the-most-common-measurement/710324 "2015-01-21T16:01:18Z")
It seems that when a debate about equality arises, especially when gender or race is discussed, income becomes the most relevant measure to determine if there is success in movement towards equality. Why is income consi… --- ## [Are protests less effective today than they were in the 1960s?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-protests-less-effective-today-than-they-were-in-the-1960s/709918)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2015, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-protests-less-effective-today-than-they-were-in-the-1960s/709918 "2015-01-21T04:14:16Z")
And if so, why? I wasn’t alive in the '60s, but it sure seems the marches and demonstrations of the Civil Rights Movement were effective in bringing about social change. The anti-war movement maybe less so? Nowadays i… --- ## [Does a Non-Muslim Have Any Business Declaring Someone Is "Not a Muslim"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-non-muslim-have-any-business-declaring-someone-is-not-a-muslim/709629)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-non-muslim-have-any-business-declaring-someone-is-not-a-muslim/709629 "2015-01-20T19:20:15Z")
Whenever a Muslim commits any kind of atrocity or terror attack, it’s only a matter of time before well-meaning Western Non-Muslims declare confidently that the killers were not truly Muslims. Howard Dean stated that th… --- ## [Why is religious exercise protected over secular exercise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-religious-exercise-protected-over-secular-exercise/692026)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-religious-exercise-protected-over-secular-exercise/692026 "2015-01-20T17:28:22Z")
An offshoot of some questions I had in theReach of Sibelius v. Hobby Lobby thread, which I realised I’d probably be hijacking. Usually, I don’t realise that until it’s much too late! To quote; \[QUOTE=Revenant Threshold… --- ## [Edward Snowden leaks reveal the extent of China's cyber theft](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edward-snowden-leaks-reveal-the-extent-of-chinas-cyber-theft/710223)
**Author:** [@iLemming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iLemming)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2015, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edward-snowden-leaks-reveal-the-extent-of-chinas-cyber-theft/710223 "2015-01-20T16:30:28Z")
China stole plans for a new fighter plane, spy documents have revealed And in return for defiling the most expensive military project in the history of the world we get… to confirm what we already knew? That the Chine… --- ## ["Orgazmo" & Mormons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgazmo-mormons/22367)
**Author:** [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/orgazmo-mormons/22367 "2015-01-20T00:51:43Z")
Not sure if this belongs here, MPSIMS, IMHO, wherever, but I’m sure our good Moderators and Administrators will correct me if I am errant… :wink: Just saw the Trey Parker movie “Orgazmo” last night (loved it!) and, alth… --- ## [A Simplification of Say's Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simplification-of-says-law/710212)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-simplification-of-says-law/710212 "2015-01-19T19:56:46Z")
From Wikipedia A simplification: You cannot consume a good or service without it being produced. \*production in this sense also including “finding” some natural resource and manipulating it in some way that it satis… --- ## [Is America Overcriminalized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-overcriminalized/709227)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2015, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-overcriminalized/709227 "2015-01-18T20:51:36Z")
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/01/overcriminalization-of-america-113991\_full.html#.VK1OMLHnbct Basic tenant of the article is that the proliferation of federal and state criminal laws (via overzealous legis… --- ## [Professions that will cease to exist in the future due to automation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professions-that-will-cease-to-exist-in-the-future-due-to-automation/709530)
**Author:** [@bugsy88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bugsy88)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professions-that-will-cease-to-exist-in-the-future-due-to-automation/709530 "2015-01-18T18:34:08Z")
I can understand telemarketers/retail workers. However, I was of the understanding that accounting isn’t simply plug and chug, and involves a lot more subjectivity that is beyond the grasp of computers. Is the Economist… --- ## [A group not protesting an atrocity = endorsing said atrocity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-group-not-protesting-an-atrocity-endorsing-said-atrocity/709312)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-group-not-protesting-an-atrocity-endorsing-said-atrocity/709312 "2015-01-18T16:01:39Z")
Or something like that. I have a family relation who loves to jump at every opportunity to attack Muslims, and his favourite criticism is that, for example, after the Paris shootings yesterday, or after the beheading of… --- ## [What Is Consciousness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-consciousness/696013)
**Author:** [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Replies:** 374\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-consciousness/696013 "2015-01-18T14:56:28Z")
This topic was just getting good in another thread when it was unfortunately shut down, so I am starting a new thread. What exactly does it mean to be conscious? Unconscious? Semi-conscious? Do animals have consciousnes… --- ## ["Black Brunch" protesting in "white spaces"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-brunch-protesting-in-white-spaces/709038)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 207\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2015, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-brunch-protesting-in-white-spaces/709038 "2015-01-17T23:50:48Z")
So now the latest from the Ferguson/NYC incidents is protest groups entering what they define as “white spaces” (fancy upscale Manhattan restaurants during brunch) and reading off the names of black people killed by cops… --- ## [Does France have a double standard on freedom of speech?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-france-have-a-double-standard-on-freedom-of-speech/709953)
**Author:** [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2015, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-france-have-a-double-standard-on-freedom-of-speech/709953 "2015-01-17T22:30:11Z")
PBS newhour aired an interesting interview exploring the limits of free speech and whether France applies a double standard when it comes to speech by Muslims. One of the guests, a French (non-Muslim) journalist, mentio… --- ## [Charlie Hebdo, racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-hebdo-racist/709482)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-hebdo-racist/709482 "2015-01-16T18:53:38Z")
Hey, dopers… Can anyone who speaks French and is familiar with the CH publication tell me if anti black racism is a part of their schtick? I am thinking “no”. Basically, I’m assuming that people making this charge prob… --- ## [Regarding "heaven is for real"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-heaven-is-for-real/604472)
**Author:** [@GeddyClaypoolBurton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeddyClaypoolBurton)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2015, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regarding-heaven-is-for-real/604472 "2015-01-16T16:22:58Z")
What do you all think of that “Heaven is for Real” book about that little kid’s supposed journey into the Christian afterlife? Personally, when I found out that his father is an evangelical pastor, I thought that that wa… --- ## [The attack on Charlie Hebdo was not an attack of freedom of speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-attack-on-charlie-hebdo-was-not-an-attack-of-freedom-of-speech/709707)
**Author:** [@Scandic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scandic)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2015, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-attack-on-charlie-hebdo-was-not-an-attack-of-freedom-of-speech/709707 "2015-01-16T05:41:40Z")
Many claims that the attack on Charlie Hebdo was an attack of freedom of speech, but I don’t think so. This seams to have been an attack on a publication that’s launched a vulgar war on Islam. Charlie Hebdo where targete… --- ## [Why do tipped food servers make $2.13/hr?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-tipped-food-servers-make-2-13-hr/650862)
**Author:** [@austerity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/austerity)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2015, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-tipped-food-servers-make-2-13-hr/650862 "2015-01-16T01:40:40Z")
Why don’t food servers go on strike or demand higher wages? like unions and teachers do? Why do Americans encourage employers to pay servers below the minimum wage of $9/hr (new Obama rate) by supplementing their income… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=205) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=207)