# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=208 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 209 --- ## ["Do not fire unless fired upon first" - suitable for policing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-fire-unless-fired-upon-first-suitable-for-policing/709110)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2015, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-not-fire-unless-fired-upon-first-suitable-for-policing/709110 "2015-01-07T02:20:14Z")
Rules of engagement of “do not fire unless fired upon first” might result in more police fatalities annually, but it might also significantly cut down on the policing controversies that we’ve seen recently. A cop shooti… --- ## [Would modern tactics have ended World War I quicker?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-modern-tactics-have-ended-world-war-i-quicker/708348)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2015, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-modern-tactics-have-ended-world-war-i-quicker/708348 "2015-01-06T21:50:09Z")
…and modern strategy and understanding of logistics, but the title was getting a bit long. If we sent a experienced modern generals back exactly 100 years ago to replace Sir John French and Joseph Joffrey as Commander-i… --- ## [2015 Economic Depression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-economic-depression/708834)
**Author:** [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2015-economic-depression/708834 "2015-01-06T18:24:38Z")
My friend has been telling me that various people, including Warren Buffett, have been predicting the US going into economic depression in 2015. Here are 2 articles I found about it: http://moneymorning.com/ext/article… --- ## [Good for you, CNN. (edit teen suicide/gender identity)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-for-you-cnn-edit-teen-suicide-gender-identity/708743)
**Author:** [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Replies:** 298\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-for-you-cnn-edit-teen-suicide-gender-identity/708743 "2015-01-06T18:04:11Z")
…for referring to Leelah Alcorn using her chosen name and her chosen pronouns, even when her parents refuse to do so. In the past, I have criticized your jounalism for being cowardly or sensationalist. But for this, I sa… --- ## [Atheism is now legally a religion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-is-now-legally-a-religion/703811)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 351\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-is-now-legally-a-religion/703811 "2015-01-05T17:00:27Z")
Well secular humanism which is atheistic and had no god or gods, is legally a religion. From : http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/11/03/3587801/district-court-declares-secular-humanism-a-religion/ --- ## [In the nomal course of events and without the western coalition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-nomal-course-of-events-and-without-the-western-coalition/708672)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2015, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-nomal-course-of-events-and-without-the-western-coalition/708672 "2015-01-01T21:04:56Z")
How far would ISIS have really got? Think just local actors involved. (Not sure. Maybe this is for great debates?) --- ## [If you like your health insurance, you can ... um ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-like-your-health-insurance-you-can-um/708410)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-like-your-health-insurance-you-can-um/708410 "2015-01-05T05:34:10Z")
Well, it’s been slightly over a year since the official launch of Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. In April, liberals from the President on downwards crowed about the 8 million people who had enrolled in … --- ## [The Newsroom mansplains rape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-newsroom-mansplains-rape/708319)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2015, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-newsroom-mansplains-rape/708319 "2015-01-04T13:13:59Z")
Here’s a scene from an episode of the extremely smug HBO show The Newsroom from about a month ago. In it, a producer from Newsnight (Don) attempts to convince a college student NOT to go on the show and name the student … --- ## [Craft the perfect American Presidential Candidate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craft-the-perfect-american-presidential-candidate/708367)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2015, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/craft-the-perfect-american-presidential-candidate/708367 "2015-01-04T07:05:46Z")
I’m curious as to what people would consider the traits and political opinions that they’d think would get a US Presidential candidate the highest chance of success. NOTE: This isn’t “craft \*your \*perfect Presidential c… --- ## [Why wasn't the police officer who killed Eric Garner indicted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wasnt-the-police-officer-who-killed-eric-garner-indicted/706271)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 769\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wasnt-the-police-officer-who-killed-eric-garner-indicted/706271 "2015-01-02T23:09:42Z")
I don’t know enough about the case to have an informed opinion, but at first glance this looks strange. The officer was stripped of gun and badge (which I assume is synonymous with being fired?) for what he did, which te… --- ## [Why doesn't the death penalty deter crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-death-penalty-deter-crime/707600)
**Author:** [@InfiniteJest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfiniteJest)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2015, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-death-penalty-deter-crime/707600 "2015-01-02T17:00:17Z")
Cute example, but this is just one state. Are there other states which experienced a similar trend or the opposite trend? Cool, but perhaps states with the death penalty instituted the DP precisely because there wa… --- ## [Is violence such as we have seen in Ferguson, MO ever appropriate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-violence-such-as-we-have-seen-in-ferguson-mo-ever-appropriate/705579)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2015, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-violence-such-as-we-have-seen-in-ferguson-mo-ever-appropriate/705579 "2015-01-02T05:55:33Z")
The events in Ferguson informed this thread but the question behind it is hardly specific to what has happened there. Throughout history, civil disobedience has always been one way - usually a last resort - if dealing w… --- ## [Creation with intelligence (Adam/Eve/angels/etc)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creation-with-intelligence-adam-eve-angels-etc/708343)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creation-with-intelligence-adam-eve-angels-etc/708343 "2015-01-01T03:02:55Z")
This is an argument against Judaism/Islam/Christianity that I just thought of. I’m not sure if other people have thought of it. In the case of Adam, Eve and the angels, they were apparently created with a lot of intellig… --- ## [Sony cancels "The Interview"; Wise or Foolish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-cancels-the-interview-wise-or-foolish/707669)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sony-cancels-the-interview-wise-or-foolish/707669 "2014-12-31T16:55:04Z")
Surprised there is no thread about this. There are a few threads in IMHO, but none specifically addressing this issue. Long story short, Sony had produced a comedy (Seth Rogan and James Franco) in which those two play … --- ## [We need to stop making such a big deal about terrorism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-to-stop-making-such-a-big-deal-about-terrorism/708506)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-to-stop-making-such-a-big-deal-about-terrorism/708506 "2014-12-31T12:13:09Z")
There are far more deaths and property damage from lightning strikes than from terrorism. But we never had a war on lightning, we just rebuilt and let it go. The amount of money, resources, and human lives we wasted in… --- ## [China fast-track "hypersonic missile" program -- Cold War: Part 2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-fast-track-hypersonic-missile-program-cold-war-part-2/706655)
**Author:** [@iLemming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iLemming)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-fast-track-hypersonic-missile-program-cold-war-part-2/706655 "2014-12-31T03:33:52Z")
International Business Times What does this mean for the U.S. – can it counter this emerging threat? What if it cannot? Can the U.S. dollar remain the global base trade currency if the rest of the world begin to lose… --- ## [Franken & Warren challenge Obama appointee Antonio Weiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franken-warren-challenge-obama-appointee-antonio-weiss/708469)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/franken-warren-challenge-obama-appointee-antonio-weiss/708469 "2014-12-30T20:19:42Z")
Stories here and here. Weiss is the nominated Undersecretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance. He is also an investment banker, i.e., part of the financial industry he is supposed to regulate. It’s about time some… --- ## [Executed child found to be innocent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executed-child-found-to-be-innocent/707549)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 261\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executed-child-found-to-be-innocent/707549 "2014-12-30T19:50:10Z")
Here’s the story of 14 year old George Stinney Jr., convicted of beating two white girls to death in 1944, and posthumously exonerated just this morning. I guess you could say “justice” was swift for the 95 lb. boy-alth… --- ## [Any evidence "broken windows" policing is effective?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-evidence-broken-windows-policing-is-effective/707806)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2014, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-evidence-broken-windows-policing-is-effective/707806 "2014-12-30T00:46:37Z")
The “broken windows” theory states that tolerating or ignoring very minor crimes breeds a culture where people think they can get away with more serious crimes, and that police should harshly enforce all laws even minor … --- ## [Are Jews Really Smarter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-jews-really-smarter/307900)
**Author:** [@handsomeone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeone)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2014, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-jews-really-smarter/307900 "2014-12-29T22:48:28Z")
--- ## [47% not paying federal income taxes - what should the distribution be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/47-not-paying-federal-income-taxes-what-should-the-distribution-be/706336)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/47-not-paying-federal-income-taxes-what-should-the-distribution-be/706336 "2014-12-29T19:27:48Z")
Mitt Romney’s remarks notwithstanding, what would an ideal taxpayer distribution look like to you? Keep it at 53% paying federal income taxes and 47% not paying? Distribute it a bit more broadly/evenly; perhaps 80% pay… --- ## [Cheaper oil: How big a disaster for Climate Change investors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheaper-oil-how-big-a-disaster-for-climate-change-investors/708091)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2014, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheaper-oil-how-big-a-disaster-for-climate-change-investors/708091 "2014-12-29T13:50:09Z")
Given the default assumption that fossil fuel use drives worrisome climate change, to what extent will cheaper oil impair a shift toward a greener energy grid? Full disclosure: I have an ulterior motive. I’m intereste… --- ## [Colorado Sued By Nebraska and Oklahoma Over Pot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-sued-by-nebraska-and-oklahoma-over-pot/707639)
**Author:** [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colorado-sued-by-nebraska-and-oklahoma-over-pot/707639 "2014-12-27T21:13:10Z")
So, Nebraska and Oklahoma are suing Colorado over the legalization of recreational marijuana claiming it’s unconstitutional. http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/nebraska-oklahoma-file-suit-against-colorado-over-marijuana-l… --- ## [Plastic in the seas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-in-the-seas/706968)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2014, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-in-the-seas/706968 "2014-12-27T07:07:12Z")
So there’s a new report out estimating that there is around 250,000 metric tons of plastic debris in the oceans, much of it microscopic or not much larger. Okay. This is bad, conceded. It shouldn’t be there, conceded. B… --- ## [Unleaded gasoline is cheap but diesel is not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unleaded-gasoline-is-cheap-but-diesel-is-not/708241)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unleaded-gasoline-is-cheap-but-diesel-is-not/708241 "2014-12-26T23:18:56Z")
I just bought unleaded gas for $1.99 per gallon, but noticed that diesel was $3.55. I thought these were made out of the same basic stuff and are usually priced similarly. Why is diesel so much more expensive? This i… --- ## [What's the best non-single-payer solution for health care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-non-single-payer-solution-for-health-care/707690)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2014, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-non-single-payer-solution-for-health-care/707690 "2014-12-26T15:04:39Z")
If the American political climate demanded major health care reform - will allow any system \*except \*single payer, that is - what would be the next best alternative? Frivolous-malpractice lawsuit reform? Rationing? An… --- ## [Should businesses be required to give Election Day off with pay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-businesses-be-required-to-give-election-day-off-with-pay/707921)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-businesses-be-required-to-give-election-day-off-with-pay/707921 "2014-12-26T01:10:44Z")
Low voter turnout is very common in the USA. What if we required all businesses (except for media/ journalism and emergency services) to close, and give their employees the day off with pay? I imagine that this would b… --- ## [Does socioeconomic status/poverty account for violent crime rates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-socioeconomic-status-poverty-account-for-violent-crime-rates/707488)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-socioeconomic-status-poverty-account-for-violent-crime-rates/707488 "2014-12-26T01:04:35Z")
While discussing crime in America, someone told me that it is unfair to say that blacks commit more crimes than whites. According to him, both groups commit crimes at equal rates for a given level of socioeconomic status… --- ## [Should protests be allowed in malls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-protests-be-allowed-in-malls/707892)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-protests-be-allowed-in-malls/707892 "2014-12-24T20:30:42Z")
Yesterday there was a protest at Mall Of America about recent police violence. The protesters were informed this was private property and told to leave. It looks like most did peacefully although about 25 didnt and were … --- ## [Should Advent Be Joyous (Religious Question)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-advent-be-joyous-religious-question/708080)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-advent-be-joyous-religious-question/708080 "2014-12-24T19:44:15Z")
From a strictly religious point of view, should the season of advent be a joyous time? I don’t know what it is like in other countries. But in the USA, it certainly is. It begins around Thanksgiving. And due to lack of … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=207) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=209)