# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=214 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 215 --- ## [Why did US planners think Japan had to be invaded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-us-planners-think-japan-had-to-be-invaded/698786)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-us-planners-think-japan-had-to-be-invaded/698786 "2014-11-05T01:10:04Z")
The argument is often made that the Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bombs “saved countless lives” because they made Japan surrender, thus making an Allied invasion of Japan unnecessary. But I’m not sure why invading or A-bombi… --- ## [Is the practice of Islam declining in the face of modernity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-practice-of-islam-declining-in-the-face-of-modernity/701333)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2014, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-practice-of-islam-declining-in-the-face-of-modernity/701333 "2014-11-04T08:43:46Z")
I want to get a debate going here, I’ve come to a conclusion that the practice of the Islamic faith is going to face a similar situation that Christianity has faced, that it will be given token respect, but by and large … --- ## [Actually, no, the War on Poverty was not a failure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actually-no-the-war-on-poverty-was-not-a-failure/702936)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2014, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/actually-no-the-war-on-poverty-was-not-a-failure/702936 "2014-11-04T05:27:28Z")
As we celebrate its 50th anniversary, I keep seeing the “failure” meme popping up on the Intertubes. True, we still have poverty, and the whole thing might have been more effective if the Vietnam War had not drained the… --- ## [Should there be a deposit on disposable cups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-deposit-on-disposable-cups/703324)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2014, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-a-deposit-on-disposable-cups/703324 "2014-11-04T00:56:13Z")
One of the reasons many states introduced bottle deposits was to reduce litter. We should do the same thing for disposable cups. The streets are often lined with Styrofoam and paper cups. Maybe if they were worth s… --- ## [Roman Polanski - Victim says charges should be dropped.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-polanski-victim-says-charges-should-be-dropped/481340)
**Author:** [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2014, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roman-polanski-victim-says-charges-should-be-dropped/481340 "2014-11-03T08:54:46Z")
Accrording to this article: http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/polanski-rape-victim-calls-for-charge-to-be-dismissed-1600637.html The alleged victim in the Polanski rape case feels that the charges aga… --- ## [Is it anti-Semitic to claim Jews are too loyal to Israel and have too much power in business world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-anti-semitic-to-claim-jews-are-too-loyal-to-israel-and-have-too-much-power-in-business-world/651571)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-anti-semitic-to-claim-jews-are-too-loyal-to-israel-and-have-too-much-power-in-business-world/651571 "2014-11-03T01:21:03Z")
In the recent thread on Israel after one person denied that anti-Semitism was a problem in France and claimed the idea that it was was “American propoganda”, I noted that polls showed that 45% of all French citizens thou… --- ## [In Defense of Lower Education.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-lower-education/702409)
**Author:** [@Chicago\_Faucet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicago_Faucet)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-defense-of-lower-education/702409 "2014-11-03T00:26:23Z")
The title is meant to be shtick. :slight\_smile: But, seriously, some commentators declare that higher-education is the next bubble to burst, with reports of $1 trillion dollars in student loans out there, and a good po… --- ## [Obama - Netanyahu](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-netanyahu/703394)
**Author:** [@JesterX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JesterX)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2014, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-netanyahu/703394 "2014-11-02T23:49:11Z")
Reports are these two never liked each other but reports are the relationship has deteriorated to critical levels cite. I know when Obama entered office, the two had built-in friction from him wanting Israel to scale bac… --- ## [What to do if someone refuses to adhere to quarantine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-if-someone-refuses-to-adhere-to-quarantine/702902)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2014, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-if-someone-refuses-to-adhere-to-quarantine/702902 "2014-11-02T04:59:28Z")
Obviously, this question was inspired by the healthcare workers who returned to the U.S. from West Africa. particularly the case of Kaci Hickox, which you can read a little about here. In short, she doesn’t want to be q… --- ## [Operation Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-mockingbird/702725)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Mind)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2014, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-mockingbird/702725 "2014-11-01T14:31:54Z")
Hi all, I was reading President Putin’s address at Valdai (Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club • President of Russia) and was wondering why the Wester media did not or only very little report on this, in … --- ## [Is God a troll or like Nolan's "the Joker"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-a-troll-or-like-nolans-the-joker/701368)
**Author:** [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2014, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-god-a-troll-or-like-nolans-the-joker/701368 "2014-11-01T07:28:10Z")
:slight\_smile: Now please imagine everything created. But please concentrate on our emotions and on our brain. Anger, jealousy, sadness, misery, frustration, happiness, joy, pleasure, hatred… etc. Everything horrible, … --- ## [Resolved: single payer health care will not fix the US health care system's problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-single-payer-health-care-will-not-fix-the-us-health-care-systems-problems/701954)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2014, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-single-payer-health-care-will-not-fix-the-us-health-care-systems-problems/701954 "2014-10-31T22:23:49Z")
America spends about 16% of GDP on healthcare, as opposed to 8-11% that virtually all other wealthy countries spend. Health care systems have different setups. Public payer, public provider (NHS in the UK, US VA system)… --- ## [ISIS in the Middle East is growing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isis-in-the-middle-east-is-growing/690473)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 514\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isis-in-the-middle-east-is-growing/690473 "2014-10-31T18:52:21Z")
This offshoot of Al Queda has now apparentely for all intents and purposes taken Mosul. The fact they’re taken Iraqs third biggest city, and also hold Fallujah, parts of Ramadi, Samarra, Al Raqaa in Syria seems to me … --- ## [A national-scale high speed rail? For whom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-national-scale-high-speed-rail-for-whom/459750)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2014, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-national-scale-high-speed-rail-for-whom/459750 "2014-10-31T18:47:14Z")
Honestly, I’m a little confused as to whom is going to use this giant, national-scale rail network. Huge sections of it will carry virtually no one, ever. I don’t quite see what advantage it has over airplanes for passen… --- ## [Has rail privatisation in the UK worked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-rail-privatisation-in-the-uk-worked/597857)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-rail-privatisation-in-the-uk-worked/597857 "2011-09-28T21:19:33Z")
I’m in an argument with a friend of mine who advocates Irish rail privatisation. I know the UK and Ireland are different but I wondered to what extent privatisation has worked in the UK and whether it’s a path other nati… --- ## [Elon Musk warns about "summoning the demon" of artificial intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-warns-about-summoning-the-demon-of-artificial-intelligence/702689)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2014, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elon-musk-warns-about-summoning-the-demon-of-artificial-intelligence/702689 "2014-10-31T13:33:42Z")
Story here. Not that Musk is not a mind worth listening to, but this makes even less sense to me than that other great mind Stephen Hawking’s warning that if we ever do contact ETs they’ll treat us like the Euros treat… --- ## [50,000 reasons not to trust the USPS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-000-reasons-not-to-trust-the-usps/702768)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2014, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/50-000-reasons-not-to-trust-the-usps/702768 "2014-10-31T05:42:45Z")
In this New York Times article, it is revealed that the USPS . A little worrisome, but not enough evidence to accuse them of malfeasance, you say? As you read on, we find out that -in fact infamous Arizona sheriff J… --- ## [Washington hegemons:right or wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-hegemons-right-or-wrong/702984)
**Author:** [@Citizen5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Citizen5)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2014, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-hegemons-right-or-wrong/702984 "2014-10-30T21:52:32Z")
Do you believe that washingtons birth righters are justified in their quest to control other countries resources through hegemony .“exceptionalism” They seem to be losing the battle. "China, 20 Other Countries Initiate… --- ## [Has the Kim Jong Un regime in North Korea been overthrown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-kim-jong-un-regime-in-north-korea-been-overthrown/700450)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-kim-jong-un-regime-in-north-korea-been-overthrown/700450 "2014-10-29T22:15:04Z")
I’ve heard that Kim Jong hasn’t been seen for almost a month and there might’ve been a internal revolt, possibly a regime change. Couple things stick out to me about the current situation: Is it unusual for a lea… --- ## [Drug legalization: are some worse than others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-legalization-are-some-worse-than-others/702316)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-legalization-are-some-worse-than-others/702316 "2014-10-29T12:38:21Z")
So one of the most complex parts of the drug legalization debate for me is whether to go “all or nothing” with it. Some drugs, like crystal meth, seem SO bad that it’s viscerally repulsive to imagine them being sold at … --- ## [Does Oxycontin do more harm than good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-oxycontin-do-more-harm-than-good/702286)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-oxycontin-do-more-harm-than-good/702286 "2014-10-29T12:12:07Z")
More people die from opioid overdoses than from car accidents. There is a huge black market for the stuff, and drug dealers have a tendency to shoot people who get in their way. Pharmacy robberies happen every few days,… --- ## [Who is 'Us'? (serious question on biblical passages)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-us-serious-question-on-biblical-passages/500389)
**Author:** [@Trinary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinary)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2014, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-us-serious-question-on-biblical-passages/500389 "2014-10-29T06:58:03Z")
Genesis 1:26 begins:Then God said, “Let us make man in our image…” Genesis 3:22 begins: And the LORD God said, “Behold, the man is become as one of us…” I could go on - but, I won’t. Who is ‘us’? I started asking th… --- ## [Will Google turn into something terrible? Has it already?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-google-turn-into-something-terrible-has-it-already/702314)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-google-turn-into-something-terrible-has-it-already/702314 "2014-10-28T20:01:06Z")
There’s been a lot of discussion over the amount of data Google collects and what it does with it. This has led to a lot of discussion over what Google COULD do with all that data, especially if it decides to join up wi… --- ## [Chemtrails and HAARP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemtrails-and-haarp/702041)
**Author:** [@orangeapples](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orangeapples)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2014, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chemtrails-and-haarp/702041 "2014-10-28T18:33:33Z")
A co-worker and I were discussing the notion of chemtrails last night. He contends that this is a real thing, and that HAARP (High Frequency Active Aural Research Program) admitted as much on their website. He repeated … --- ## [More attempts to shut down speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-attempts-to-shut-down-speech/702520)
**Author:** [@cornopean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cornopean)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-attempts-to-shut-down-speech/702520 "2014-10-27T22:33:22Z")
I posted on this awhile back…and then I read this story. It seems to me that even 5-10 years ago, people would have been appalled at any attempt by the govt to regulate speech and yet today…noone seems alarmed. Where’s… --- ## [Should lawyers be liable for their actions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lawyers-be-liable-for-their-actions/702545)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lawyers-be-liable-for-their-actions/702545 "2014-10-27T19:35:03Z")
Story: a really rich guy got sued for half of his empire by some guy he met before he got rich. The second guy did not really have much of a case, so the rich guy was able boot him out of court. Now the rich guy is suin… --- ## [What should we do/how should we feel about the stupid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-how-should-we-feel-about-the-stupid/702398)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-how-should-we-feel-about-the-stupid/702398 "2014-10-26T21:50:08Z")
There’s a Pit thread partly about rent to own companies, and a particular customer who got in deep because of their interest rates. Many posters there derided the customer and/or defended the store, asking whose fault it… --- ## [Original Sin and Final Judgment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-sin-and-final-judgment/701137)
**Author:** [@JohnSnape](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnSnape)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2014, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-sin-and-final-judgment/701137 "2014-10-25T11:49:25Z")
I was wondering, if the “punishment” for original sin is death, and we all eventually die, then why do we then have a final judgment day? Weren’t we already punished for our sin just by dying? --- ## [Is "Get Government Out Of Marriage" homophobic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-get-government-out-of-marriage-homophobic/700550)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2014, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-get-government-out-of-marriage-homophobic/700550 "2014-10-25T09:42:55Z")
So this proposition pops up, without fail, every time the gay marriage debate happens. Every single time, someone moans about something like this: Or What I’m wondering is, why do I never hear this when talking about… --- ## [Is Microsoft an evil corporation for laying off employees?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-microsoft-an-evil-corporation-for-laying-off-employees/698863)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2014, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-microsoft-an-evil-corporation-for-laying-off-employees/698863 "2014-10-25T09:06:36Z")
Microsoft announced that 2,100 employees were dismissed today. This is part of a previously announced workforce reduction plan which will see approx. 18,000 employees or 14% of the total workforce shed. Microsoft has… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=213) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=215)