# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=213 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 214 --- ## [Are most men rapists in wartime? Historical wars and rape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-men-rapists-in-wartime-historical-wars-and-rape/701662)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2014, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-most-men-rapists-in-wartime-historical-wars-and-rape/701662 "2014-11-14T06:21:50Z")
For whatever it is worth I do NOT believe most men are rapists, or even interested or aroused by the idea of rape. This could be a cultural issue, or a result of the culture I and my peers were raised in. However when r… --- ## [Is there a limiting principle to Shelly v. Kramer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limiting-principle-to-shelly-v-kramer/703552)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2014, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-limiting-principle-to-shelly-v-kramer/703552 "2014-11-14T04:37:59Z")
As background for those unfamiliar with the case, we will start with the first proposition. Since 1883, the Supreme has held that the 14th amendment does not apply to private acts of discrimination but only to those tha… --- ## [Why do we allow monopilies for high speed internet access?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-allow-monopilies-for-high-speed-internet-access/703377)
**Author:** [@maxmrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maxmrb)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2014, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-allow-monopilies-for-high-speed-internet-access/703377 "2014-11-13T20:38:55Z")
Recently my internet cable company raised my rates by 30% without prior notice. I have no other option really, as Time Warner and Comcast have pretty much divied up the areas and there is no competition. My access spee… --- ## [California's refusal to allow carry of firearms: Unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/californias-refusal-to-allow-carry-of-firearms-unconstitutional/681278)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2014, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/californias-refusal-to-allow-carry-of-firearms-unconstitutional/681278 "2014-11-13T17:21:00Z")
As determined by the federal courts: ETA: The title of the thread should be “carry OF firearms.” Carry-on firearms on airplanes can, I think, safely be prohibited. --- ## [The Golden Plates of the Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-golden-plates-of-the-prophet/703155)
**Author:** [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-golden-plates-of-the-prophet/703155 "2014-11-13T15:13:19Z")
This is merely an discursion on the discovery by Joseph Smith of The Book of Mormon. Refraining from snark. The Prophet-to-be found the treasure through angelic instruction in a hill in New York State. Which makes one… --- ## [I feel like Cassandra...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-cassandra/703954)
**Author:** [@Lemmytheseal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemmytheseal2)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-cassandra/703954 "2014-11-13T14:13:00Z")
… which is far more alienating than feeling like Pauline Kael (allegedly) felt upon Nixon’s reelection. I’m sorry that this is so long. I thought that the struggles of what the media cluelessly called the “anti-globaliz… --- ## [The ethics of "Hoarding"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-hoarding/704170)
**Author:** [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2014, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-hoarding/704170 "2014-11-13T08:18:52Z")
In conversation with a new acquaintance yesterday she mentioned that she had a stockpile of food, enough to last her family for an entire year. (It had something to do with her religious beliefs, but whether it was requ… --- ## [Should anti-gay activists be public high school teachers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-anti-gay-activists-be-public-high-school-teachers/700995)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-anti-gay-activists-be-public-high-school-teachers/700995 "2014-11-12T18:22:59Z")
Fuquay Varina is really rockin the news lately. In addition to the pepper spray incident, it looks like a local high school teacher compared public schools to concentration camps for Christians, due to the fact that they… --- ## [The UK and the EU - what gives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-and-the-eu-what-gives/702636)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2014, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-uk-and-the-eu-what-gives/702636 "2014-11-12T09:41:52Z")
It seems lately that barely a week goes by without some new horror story about the antics of the European Union, or at least, someone getting upset about something the EU has apparently done. The UK in particular seems … --- ## [How close are we to a full-scale containment policy against the Russians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-are-we-to-a-full-scale-containment-policy-against-the-russians/704081)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2014, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-are-we-to-a-full-scale-containment-policy-against-the-russians/704081 "2014-11-11T22:23:07Z")
It seems our sanctions are hitting hard, the ruble is down 25% from the beginning of the year. I imagine that this will have devastating consequences to the Russian economy. Which makes me wonder how close we are to the… --- ## [CIA Insider Warns: "25-Year Great Depression is About to Strike America"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cia-insider-warns-25-year-great-depression-is-about-to-strike-america/701132)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2014, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cia-insider-warns-25-year-great-depression-is-about-to-strike-america/701132 "2014-10-16T04:36:54Z")
I came across this news article today. Read more here. \[noparse\]http:// moneymorning.com/ext/. articles/rickards/. 25-year-great-depression.php?iris=252778\[/noparse\] --- ## [Will government elections ever be held through phone apps?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-government-elections-ever-be-held-through-phone-apps/704139)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2014, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-government-elections-ever-be-held-through-phone-apps/704139 "2014-11-11T00:14:02Z")
It seems we have the technology to hold elections through phone or online applications. But we do not. I’m guessing there’s some security reason involved. In your opinion, do you think it will always be like this – that… --- ## [Would an Imperial US likely be more powerful today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-imperial-us-likely-be-more-powerful-today/704069)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2014, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-imperial-us-likely-be-more-powerful-today/704069 "2014-11-10T17:15:52Z")
What if the US decided to complete annexation of the Philippines, Canada, Puerto Rico, and any other territories it was eyeballing during its Imperial period? Would we likely be a more powerful nation than we already ar… --- ## [I don't buy "organic," because there's no nutritional difference](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-buy-organic-because-theres-no-nutritional-difference/702516)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-buy-organic-because-theres-no-nutritional-difference/702516 "2014-11-09T21:14:40Z")
Whole Foods may disagree, along with the flock of progressively liberal Whole Foods customers that are willing to pay premium prices for “organic” food, but I contend this is the functional equivalent of homeopathy. --- ## [Who to discriminate against next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-to-discriminate-against-next/704018)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2014, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-to-discriminate-against-next/704018 "2014-11-08T01:50:22Z")
It looks like the anti-gay movement is a shadow of its former self. What you guys think will be the next hot item? I’m looking for something with a mass backing from the Republicans, hopefully also under the blessing of … --- ## [question for liberals; you've won, now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-liberals-youve-won-now-what/701915)
**Author:** [@cornopean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornopean)\ **Replies:** 355\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2014, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-liberals-youve-won-now-what/701915 "2014-11-07T13:49:33Z")
Question: It is becoming increasingly obvious that the right has lost the culture war, and this nation is going to become another European-style, liberal society. Soon the moderately conservative majority on the Suprem… --- ## [Is The Gay Marriage Debate Over?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gay-marriage-debate-over/687472)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 876\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2014, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-gay-marriage-debate-over/687472 "2014-11-06T19:11:57Z")
Maggie Gallagher (NOM) seems to think so: I’m inclined to see this as a simple recognition of reality (albeit heavily tinged with self-pitying victimhood posturing). However, I doubt the situation is quite as good (fro… --- ## [Why does the liberal vote tend to split?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-liberal-vote-tend-to-split/703786)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-liberal-vote-tend-to-split/703786 "2014-11-06T18:02:37Z")
I think I see this every election year. A 3-way race between a Democrat, a Republican, and a liberal independent. The conservatives all vote for the man with an R after his name, while liberals split between the de… --- ## [Who Will Replace Eric Holder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-replace-eric-holder/700711)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2014, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-replace-eric-holder/700711 "2014-11-06T03:46:03Z")
Now that Attorney General Eric Holder has submitted his resignation, who will replace him? I mean… Will the replacement be more conservative? More liberal? More moderate? Mr. Holder (as I already pointed out on another … --- ## [What? No Brittany Maynard thread? (terminal disease, doctor-assisted suicide)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-no-brittany-maynard-thread-terminal-disease-doctor-assisted-suicide/701765)
**Author:** [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Replies:** 344\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-no-brittany-maynard-thread-terminal-disease-doctor-assisted-suicide/701765 "2014-11-06T03:23:17Z")
If you haven’t heard it yet, this is the story of Brittany Maynard, a woman 29 years of age who has chosen physician-assisted suicide on Nov. 1, 2014. She has a grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme (brain tumor): Many peo… --- ## [Suicide: always a controversial top(ped oneself)ic.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-always-a-controversial-top-ped-oneself-ic/703822)
**Author:** [@brandewyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brandewyn)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide-always-a-controversial-top-ped-oneself-ic/703822 "2014-11-06T01:25:35Z")
Please, excuse the slightly desperate, (at least) desperately punning, (on balance) and puny desperation, (at most) of this slight title. I write as I find me: (he says, dropping his device in a puddle of piss) … --- ## [World War I](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-i/566037)
**Author:** [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-i/566037 "2014-11-05T23:56:54Z")
A lot of literature on the First World War talks about what callous butchers Allied commanders like Haig and Nivelle were for sending thousands to their deaths in frontal assaults at Somme, Passenchandale, Verdun etc. Wi… --- ## [What can we expect in the two years following the midterms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-expect-in-the-two-years-following-the-midterms/696457 "2014-11-05T23:56:42Z")
It looks like the Republicans will take the Senate and not lose the House. What will they do with that power? Of course a great deal of their base will demand they impeach Obama, but any sane Congresscritter knows that… --- ## [A call to libertarians, left and right (Pot and Taxes)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-call-to-libertarians-left-and-right-pot-and-taxes/703681)
**Author:** [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-call-to-libertarians-left-and-right-pot-and-taxes/703681 "2014-11-05T20:49:43Z")
I thought this link worth posting. Im not sure exactly which forum it should be in. A story about the IRS double taxing Marijuana stores in Colorado and elsewhere. These stores it seems are taxed up to 80%. I dont know … --- ## [To what extent is academic "doping" acceptable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-is-academic-doping-acceptable/703316)
**Author:** [@InfiniteJest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfiniteJest)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-is-academic-doping-acceptable/703316 "2014-11-05T19:39:38Z")
Colleges and universities already condone caffeine as most campuses have no shortage of vending machines with caffeinated beverages and at least one Starbucks on campus, if not multiple. So to what extent do you think t… --- ## [America, Africa, oil and corruption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-africa-oil-and-corruption/517903)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-africa-oil-and-corruption/517903 "2014-11-05T17:54:51Z")
This is an interesting article about the son of the president of Equatorial Guinea. Basically, he’s got millions and millions of money pilfered from his nation- one of the most corrupt on Earth. By all accounts, he is a … --- ## [Why no calls for an independent "Shiastan" / "Islamic Republic Of Iraq"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-calls-for-an-independent-shiastan-islamic-republic-of-iraq/701420)
**Author:** [@Steken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steken)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-calls-for-an-independent-shiastan-islamic-republic-of-iraq/701420 "2014-11-05T16:03:53Z")
All seem to agree, at this point, that the Shi’ite-majority Iraqi Army did an, uh, less-than-adequate job defending Iraq’s Sunni-majority areas - Mosul, Anbar, etc. - from the Islamic State. The Shi’ites seem to know the… --- ## [Please explain to me why Roman Polanski isn't a bad guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-to-me-why-roman-polanski-isnt-a-bad-guy/703126)
**Author:** [@spifflog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spifflog)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-to-me-why-roman-polanski-isnt-a-bad-guy/703126 "2014-11-05T16:00:32Z")
I have a hard time understanding why Hollywood types (and to a lesser extent athletes) get a pass on personal behavior. Roman Polanski is in the news again, as the United States made a halfhearted attempt to arrest him. … --- ## [What if NATO failed to respond to an invasion of Estonia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-nato-failed-to-respond-to-an-invasion-of-estonia/703595)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-nato-failed-to-respond-to-an-invasion-of-estonia/703595 "2014-11-05T07:03:54Z")
There is already a thread discussing a NATO-Russia war, this thread focuses on what would happen if most members ignore the treaty. So, what would happen? --- ## [I Wish We Could Elect Absence of government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wish-we-could-elect-absence-of-government/698151)
**Author:** [@regularshow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/regularshow)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-wish-we-could-elect-absence-of-government/698151 "2014-11-05T03:23:30Z")
Absence of U.S. government in our private households has been showing us that anarchy (defined absence of government) clearly isn’t chaos, and that anarchy can work outside of our private households. Discuss. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=212) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=214)