# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=210 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 211 --- ## [Shouldn't Bruce Jessen and Jim Mitchell lose their licenses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-bruce-jessen-and-jim-mitchell-lose-their-licenses/707140)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2014, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-bruce-jessen-and-jim-mitchell-lose-their-licenses/707140 "2014-12-15T06:47:42Z")
Googling seems to turn up no indication that this is in the works, though I would have assumed whoever’s in charge of licensing psychologists would be jumping at the chance to disown these two. (The two named people are… --- ## [in defense of Abu Gahaib guards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-abu-gahaib-guards/398212)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2014, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-abu-gahaib-guards/398212 "2014-12-15T01:03:52Z")
A prof Zimbardo wrote a book entitled “The Lucifer Effect.” It was about an experiment he ran in 1971. He took 24 Stanford students and split them into 2 groups. Half became guards. Half became prisoners. The prisoners … --- ## [A plea for sanity regarding recent rape cases.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plea-for-sanity-regarding-recent-rape-cases/706645)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-plea-for-sanity-regarding-recent-rape-cases/706645 "2014-12-14T21:13:17Z")
Rolling Stone magazine published a stunning story of a brutal gang rape at UVA, for which virtually every detail that can be checked has turned out to be false. Lena Dunham accused a man named Barry at Oberlin College o… --- ## [US Grand Jury system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-grand-jury-system/706496)
**Author:** [@BOOM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BOOM)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2014, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-grand-jury-system/706496 "2014-12-14T00:35:18Z")
Just listened to an interview on the BBC earlier with a law professor from, I think, Chicago. Based on what he said, the Grand Jury system sounds really antiquated and messed up - picked this up: \[ul\] \[li\]A Grand Jury… --- ## ["Homicide"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homicide/707129)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2014, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homicide/707129 "2014-12-13T22:11:28Z")
I’m a little bothered by the media making a huge deal of the medical examiner rulings in the recent cop shootings - “HOMICIDE!” the headlines scream. But… aren’t \*all \*cop shootings, even the most patently justifiable, … --- ## [Women: Does objectification = degradation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-does-objectification-degradation/706677)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-does-objectification-degradation/706677 "2014-12-13T17:31:41Z")
That is, if a man sees you as a sex object, is that an instance of male chauvinism? Is he seeing you/treating you as something less than an equally autonomous person with your own needs, views and feelings? Is pornograph… --- ## ["Nobody really knows what happens after death." Is that just pc BS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-really-knows-what-happens-after-death-is-that-just-pc-bs/615278)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2014, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nobody-really-knows-what-happens-after-death-is-that-just-pc-bs/615278 "2014-12-13T06:00:50Z")
Is this just something Atheist are supposed to say out of respect for theists? I’m not condoning being an “in your face” Atheist. I just find it rather dubious that whenever people DO engage in religious debate; Atheist… --- ## [What is the argument against "separate but equal" civil unions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-argument-against-separate-but-equal-civil-unions/704764)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 270\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-argument-against-separate-but-equal-civil-unions/704764 "2014-12-13T03:33:25Z")
It seems to me that marriage is a social construct with fairly strict parameters for legitimacy. And that allowing nontraditional partners to marry both undermines the construct and waters down meaning to those who care … --- ## [If we legalize all drugs, what happens to the drug-pushers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-legalize-all-drugs-what-happens-to-the-drug-pushers/705654)
**Author:** [@InfiniteJest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfiniteJest)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2014, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-legalize-all-drugs-what-happens-to-the-drug-pushers/705654 "2014-12-13T02:05:53Z")
Legalization has often been proposed as a method to cut the gangs off at their knees, so to speak. Legalizing drugs would diminish their black-market value as people would likely instead walk into a store and purchase wh… --- ## [Analogies are poor debate tools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/analogies-are-poor-debate-tools/706757)
**Author:** [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2014, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/analogies-are-poor-debate-tools/706757 "2014-12-12T23:54:47Z")
In a previous thread, I made a half-hearted attempt to explain that all analogies are inherently flawed. I thought I would elaborate on the topic. In general, analogies can be an effective and powerful learning tool. … --- ## [Immunity is the problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-is-the-problem/706252)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2014, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-is-the-problem/706252 "2014-12-12T19:57:51Z")
With a lot of discussion of specific police encounters, what we’d like police and people to do, what is realistically possible to change, there’s an aspect of the conversation that hasn’t been touched on with any depth t… --- ## [Self-driving cars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-cars/706033)
**Author:** [@InfiniteJest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfiniteJest)\ **Replies:** 204\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2014, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-driving-cars/706033 "2014-12-12T12:11:51Z")
You’re designing a self-driving car. Obviously there are scenarios in which the self-driving car or even a human driver would be incapable of avoiding an accident. I.e. a tire blew out, a la Firestone. So in that sce… --- ## [When are we going to invest in infrastructure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-we-going-to-invest-in-infrastructure/706852)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-we-going-to-invest-in-infrastructure/706852 "2014-12-11T22:12:56Z")
We always seem to have plenty of money to waste on pointless wars, or to give away to 3rd world countries. But here in the USA, our own infrastructure is crumbling, and “we can’t afford to fix it”. What happened to loo… --- ## [Maybe 32x leverage is imprudent (New FHA policy)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-32x-leverage-is-imprudent-new-fha-policy/706891)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maybe-32x-leverage-is-imprudent-new-fha-policy/706891 "2014-12-11T21:21:38Z")
Standard mortgage downpayments are 20%. The Federal Housing Finance Agency wants to underwrite mortgages for first time borrowers with strong credit histories with a downpayment as low as 3%. The mortgage industry loves… --- ## [In the future, will everyone be rich?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-future-will-everyone-be-rich/706493)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-future-will-everyone-be-rich/706493 "2014-12-11T03:36:16Z")
In the future, will technology make it so that everyone is rich? I know the idea of richness is subjective; my definition includes high levels of material consumption as well as control over one’s time (being time rich).… --- ## [Areas of agreement between conservatives and liberals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/areas-of-agreement-between-conservatives-and-liberals/706435)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/areas-of-agreement-between-conservatives-and-liberals/706435 "2014-12-10T22:35:20Z")
So, with all the disagreement and gridlock…what are areas of broad agreement between conservatives and liberals today? The media is awful. The United States’ days as No. 1 are numbered. Governmental spying on citizens … --- ## [A visible God would deny us of free will. True or false?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-visible-god-would-deny-us-of-free-will-true-or-false/706576)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2014, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-visible-god-would-deny-us-of-free-will-true-or-false/706576 "2014-12-10T14:33:18Z")
While falling asleep last night, my addled mind started thinking about how the world would be different if there was a real Eye of Providence somewhere on the Earth. How much better would humanity behave if we knew ther… --- ## [Did the universe begin to exist or has it always existed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-universe-begin-to-exist-or-has-it-always-existed/706556)
**Author:** [@dopestraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dopestraight)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-universe-begin-to-exist-or-has-it-always-existed/706556 "2014-12-10T14:21:35Z")
Did time, space and matter have a beginning or have they always existed and their fore always will exist? --- ## [The USA Without An Independent Judiciary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-without-an-independent-judiciary/706792)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-without-an-independent-judiciary/706792 "2014-12-10T03:06:13Z")
I at least first heard George W. Bush say it. He said, the Supreme Court shouldn’t set public policy. Furthermore, he said we should be more like the parliamentary system they have in Britain. I guess since most American… --- ## [When did animal based foods become "bad"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-animal-based-foods-become-bad/706628)
**Author:** [@ArztWolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArztWolf)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2014, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-animal-based-foods-become-bad/706628 "2014-12-09T11:22:07Z")
Things like meat, butter, milk, cheese and lard. Things humans have eaten for centuries. When did they become the health worlds evil incarnate? To me, everything (fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, bread, sugar), is good … --- ## [To what extent should the state protect children from their parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-the-state-protect-children-from-their-parents/705684)
**Author:** [@AdamF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AdamF)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2014, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-should-the-state-protect-children-from-their-parents/705684 "2014-12-09T07:38:53Z")
Lets poke this hornets nest. \>\>I am not talking about actual active physical/psychological harm.\<\< I am thinking about the state protecting the children from their parents’ mistakes. Say that parents want to put their… --- ## [Radical idea to explore -- law enforcement will never react to non-violent offenses with force](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radical-idea-to-explore-law-enforcement-will-never-react-to-non-violent-offenses-with-force/706453)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2014, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radical-idea-to-explore-law-enforcement-will-never-react-to-non-violent-offenses-with-force/706453 "2014-12-09T01:22:25Z")
Could be a nonsense idea, but it might be interesting to talk about. To reiterate, I’m not advocating this idea, just trying to explore it. Might be totally stupid. For the purpose of this discussion, assault, armed r… --- ## [Witnessing - Mars Hill releases data from study on the non/de-churched](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witnessing-mars-hill-releases-data-from-study-on-the-non-de-churched/706616)
**Author:** [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/witnessing-mars-hill-releases-data-from-study-on-the-non-de-churched/706616 "2014-12-08T20:51:56Z")
Mars Hill, the former church that conformed misogynist, plagiarist, fraudster, and bully Mark Driscoll started before it’s collapse just released the research that was intended for his now dead book, ‘The Problem with Ch… --- ## [Why is Monsanto evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-monsanto-evil/705658)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2014, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-monsanto-evil/705658 "2014-12-07T21:46:56Z")
I never quite got this. I keep hearing in conversations about GMOs how evil Monsanto is. Not because they produce GMOs, mind, but as evidence that the research on GMOs cannot be trusted. So… Why are they evil? I can neve… --- ## [Will there ever be a Great President ever again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-great-president-ever-again/706207)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-ever-be-a-great-president-ever-again/706207 "2014-12-07T16:08:53Z")
With close media scrutiny and the 24 hour news cycle creating this vacuum that sucks up any news story that exists, I don’t think we ever will. JFK was the last to get away with it and that’s mostly because he was shot a… --- ## [An idiot Ambassador is confirmed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idiot-ambassador-is-confirmed/706235)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2014, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-idiot-ambassador-is-confirmed/706235 "2014-12-07T08:13:47Z")
From NPR this morning, Obama has appointed two more political hacks to ambassadorships. Yes I can bash Obama because 40% of his appointments are hacks (i.e. not career foreign service personnel) whereas historically it … --- ## [William Lane Craig says you can disprove a negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-lane-craig-says-you-can-disprove-a-negative/705762)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-lane-craig-says-you-can-disprove-a-negative/705762 "2014-12-06T23:39:44Z")
William Lane Craig says you can disprove a negative. For example, “the are no Lions in Africa” can be disproven. Atheists, agnostics and rationalists use the term “you can’t disprove a negative” to defend such claims, “y… --- ## [Lawyers? Man buys land that includes public road, bars access to the public.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-man-buys-land-that-includes-public-road-bars-access-to-the-public/672572)
**Author:** [@hotflungwok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotflungwok)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2014, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawyers-man-buys-land-that-includes-public-road-bars-access-to-the-public/672572 "2014-12-06T07:19:05Z")
Vinod Khosla, California, Half Moon Bay, 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Is that how this is supposed to work? The treaty gives land parcels granted by the Mexican government immunity to the law so this guy can take a… --- ## [European "Right to be Forgotten" possibly extended Worldwide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-right-to-be-forgotten-possibly-extended-worldwide/704635)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2014, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-right-to-be-forgotten-possibly-extended-worldwide/704635 "2014-12-06T05:43:59Z")
A court case in France over a Libel trial and the “Right to be Forgotten” decision by the European Court of Justice has resulted in Google facing a Worldwide Take-Down order on a particular subject and individual. Frenc… --- ## [American vs. non-American conceptions of free speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-vs-non-american-conceptions-of-free-speech/706017)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-vs-non-american-conceptions-of-free-speech/706017 "2014-12-05T23:32:38Z")
To take the most well-known example, in Germany, it’s illegal to advance white supremacist beliefs, at least to a certain extent. From what I’ve seen, most non-American seem to think this is a good and worthwhile thing,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=209) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=211)