# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=216 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 217 --- ## [What should be done about police violence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-about-police-violence/701324)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-about-police-violence/701324 "2014-10-16T22:37:12Z")
First off, the disclaimer: there are many people who say there’s no issue here. Any incidents are just a normal part of law enforcement that’s being overblown by the media. Obviously if you don’t think there’s a problem,… --- ## [Internet censorship and surveillance: US, China, Russia pretty much the same? Seriously?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-censorship-and-surveillance-us-china-russia-pretty-much-the-same-seriously/701073)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2014, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-censorship-and-surveillance-us-china-russia-pretty-much-the-same-seriously/701073 "2014-10-16T22:07:58Z")
I like Wikipedia and often find myself defending it and its articles against accusations of inaccuracy and bias (although, obviously, there’s going to be some of both). So, when I was looking at the Wiki article on "Int… --- ## [Reverse infinity (as it pertains to time)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-infinity-as-it-pertains-to-time/53153)
**Author:** [@Mnementh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mnementh)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2014, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reverse-infinity-as-it-pertains-to-time/53153 "2014-10-16T12:32:41Z")
Whether we exist or not, whether there is an Earth, or if all this is some omnipotent’s great dream is not in question. The fact is, SOMETHING exists. Be it us, or something that’s dreaming us, or anything else, somethin… --- ## [Religious proselytizers.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-proselytizers/700592)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2014, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-proselytizers/700592 "2014-10-16T05:20:21Z")
There’s a guy who goes to Boston sporting events (and other crowds) and has a sign that advises me to believe in Jesus or I will spend eternity in Hell. This guy claims that God told him to do this, yet he can’t explain… --- ## [Man returns Holocaust medal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-returns-holocaust-medal/695760)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 356\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2014, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-returns-holocaust-medal/695760 "2014-10-15T21:50:17Z")
A Dutchman who hid a Jewish girl from the Nazis has returned a medal that he received to the Israeli government, inprotest over family members killed in Gaza. (BBC Video). Don’t know why he should have done that. --- ## [Democracy doesn't work in the Middle East](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-doesnt-work-in-the-middle-east/701342)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-doesnt-work-in-the-middle-east/701342 "2014-10-15T17:25:09Z")
I’ve often heard it said that democracy doesn’t work in the Middle East. For those of you who support this statement, do you believe the factors that support your stance are unchanging over time? If not, what changes w… --- ## [Is China politically stable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-politically-stable/700208)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2014, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-china-politically-stable/700208 "2014-10-15T10:36:41Z")
I’m not just asking about the Hong Kong situation, but in general, is China’s Communist Party stable in their political control over the country? I’ve heard the CCP has learned quite a bit from the old Soviet powers, es… --- ## [Resolved: Governments that succeed in fixing elections are, by definition, popular.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-governments-that-succeed-in-fixing-elections-are-by-definition-popular/700425)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2014, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-governments-that-succeed-in-fixing-elections-are-by-definition-popular/700425 "2014-10-15T08:20:31Z")
Rather than hijack this thread in the BBQ pit, I invite Frank to make his case here in GD. I would say that a government which fixes an election by stuffing the ballot box, by disregarding votes that don’t produce the … --- ## [Is Judaism still a major world religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-judaism-still-a-major-world-religion/701253)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2014, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-judaism-still-a-major-world-religion/701253 "2014-10-14T23:08:14Z")
What is your opinion? Still a major religion, or well past its prime on the world stage? --- ## [Hypothetical Legal Question (Mind Reading).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-legal-question-mind-reading/701234)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2014, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-legal-question-mind-reading/701234 "2014-10-14T04:52:58Z")
Consider the following scenario. It is now the year 2525. The US government (or the One World Govt., or whatever) can and does read everyone’s mind, all the time. What will this mean human civilization? Will life be bet… --- ## [Is the concept of a "Muslim State" altogether invalid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concept-of-a-muslim-state-altogether-invalid/701120)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-concept-of-a-muslim-state-altogether-invalid/701120 "2014-10-13T19:54:04Z")
I ask because the whole debate goes in circles: One side says, “if the people in a country are essentially all Muslims then it’s fair to call it a Muslim state.” The other side says, “that is unfair because the people … --- ## [Is the Koran significantly more violent than the Bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-koran-significantly-more-violent-than-the-bible/701034)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-koran-significantly-more-violent-than-the-bible/701034 "2014-10-13T18:45:22Z")
I think we all understand that there are both messages of peace and violence in each book. My question is specifically focused on magnitude and scope of the difference. Do the teachings of the Koran advocate, glamorize,… --- ## [Tying health insurance to your job is dumb and bad. So why are we still doing it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tying-health-insurance-to-your-job-is-dumb-and-bad-so-why-are-we-still-doing-it/700734)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tying-health-insurance-to-your-job-is-dumb-and-bad-so-why-are-we-still-doing-it/700734 "2014-10-13T15:15:10Z")
It’s one of the few things that both conservative and liberal folks can mostly agree on: Tying health insurance to one’s employer is not the best idea. Sure, both sides disagree on what should happen if we untie the tw… --- ## [Are the people of Liberia doomed at this point due to Ebola and all that comes with it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-people-of-liberia-doomed-at-this-point-due-to-ebola-and-all-that-comes-with-it/698538)
**Author:** [@Shooby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shooby)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2014, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-people-of-liberia-doomed-at-this-point-due-to-ebola-and-all-that-comes-with-it/698538 "2014-10-12T20:37:10Z")
The first world is probably safe from Ebola, but at this point, it seems like Liberia is facing an existential crisis. The international relief effort is notable, but this is all happening in a country of about 150-200 … --- ## [Is Russia's current model unsustainable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russias-current-model-unsustainable/701005)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2014, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-russias-current-model-unsustainable/701005 "2014-10-12T12:46:29Z")
I’ve heard that Russia’s current political and economic model is unsustainable. If this is true, what events could cause a breaking point that would result in another serious shock to the system? --- ## [Are OPEN CARRY VS. POLICE street stops going to come to a head?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-open-carry-vs-police-street-stops-going-to-come-to-a-head/700134)
**Author:** [@Shamozzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shamozzle)\ **Replies:** 218\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2014, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-open-carry-vs-police-street-stops-going-to-come-to-a-head/700134 "2014-10-12T06:58:01Z")
On YouTube, there is an increasing number of videos depicting confrontations between open carriers and police in the USA. In the most interesting videos, the conversation usually goes something like this: Police: “Why … --- ## [Does "Freedom of Religion" include "Freedom from Religion"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-freedom-of-religion-include-freedom-from-religion/700271)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-freedom-of-religion-include-freedom-from-religion/700271 "2014-10-11T14:24:05Z")
Not according to Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. At a speech he gave this Wednesday at Colorado Christian University No pretext here-the Pledge is to honor God. The article further notes that Explicitly? Her… --- ## [Is an intelligent person inherently better/more deserving than a dumb person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-intelligent-person-inherently-better-more-deserving-than-a-dumb-person/699913)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2014, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-an-intelligent-person-inherently-better-more-deserving-than-a-dumb-person/699913 "2014-10-10T20:39:00Z")
A question that came up in my mind while I was musing on Idiocracy and anti-intellectualism/science. Is a (very) smart person inherently better or more deserving (of whatever) than someone of lesser intelligence? If so,… --- ## [What if soviet union didn't disolve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-soviet-union-didnt-disolve/700733)
**Author:** [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2014, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-soviet-union-didnt-disolve/700733 "2014-10-09T19:30:21Z")
Let’s say that the commies managed to get more countries, including china and al the ----kistans. let’s say that they found oil and managed to make a lot of money. How would the world be today? I mean, in the 80s there w… --- ## [World War III](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-iii/699582)
**Author:** [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2014, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-iii/699582 "2014-10-09T15:54:13Z")
This is something I’ve wondered over the last few years, and recent developments with ISIS and western nations (and other participants) have got me thinking about it more. Do you think that in the near future (eg 20 or 3… --- ## [Biden angers Erdogan; forced to apologize](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-angers-erdogan-forced-to-apologize/700459)
**Author:** [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2014, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-angers-erdogan-forced-to-apologize/700459 "2014-10-09T15:21:01Z")
Here’s the story, from the Washington Post: Why can’t Biden control his tendency to make ill-considered, goofball remarks? Is he unable to understand that this sort of thing can have very bad consequences? Is it not … --- ## [European Court of Human Rights and Scottish Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-court-of-human-rights-and-scottish-law/700375)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2014, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-court-of-human-rights-and-scottish-law/700375 "2014-10-09T10:12:45Z")
there is quite common knowledge that should the United Kingdom seek to withdraw from the EU, it is quite likely that Scotland would seek to leave the UK and join the EU. The earliest that could happen is 2020 or so if it… --- ## [Is confirmation bias used to freely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-confirmation-bias-used-to-freely/700802)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2014, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-confirmation-bias-used-to-freely/700802 "2014-10-09T06:37:39Z")
Sometimes I feel like I hear this term too often. I realize it can easily explain away a lot of things that are not as they appear but if used to often we can fail to recognize important trends in things as well. As a me… --- ## [Argue against "If you won't tolerate my intolerance, you're a hypocrite."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argue-against-if-you-wont-tolerate-my-intolerance-youre-a-hypocrite/682350)
**Author:** [@Haunted\_Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted_Pasta)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argue-against-if-you-wont-tolerate-my-intolerance-youre-a-hypocrite/682350 "2014-10-08T22:31:49Z")
The current flap over the “religious freedom” issue in Arizona has me once again seeing a lot of people trying to win the debate by insisting that the voices of acceptance and tolerance need to accept and tolerate views … --- ## [Artificial Scarcity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-scarcity/700596)
**Author:** [@Knowledgable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowledgable)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2014, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/artificial-scarcity/700596 "2014-10-08T16:07:41Z")
I have heard that today, we produce food enough to feed 10 billion people. Yet there are only 7 billion people today; 1 billion is starving; 3 billion is malnourished. Seeing these stats, it is pretty obvious that eith… --- ## [A good argument against minimum wage laws..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-argument-against-minimum-wage-laws/699750)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2014, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-argument-against-minimum-wage-laws/699750 "2014-10-08T02:37:48Z")
\[QUOTE=The dissent in WEST COAST HOTEL CO. V. PARRISH , 300 U.S. 379 (1937) \] 'The law takes account of the necessities of only one party to the contract. It ignores the necessities of the employer by compelling him to … --- ## [Joking about rape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joking-about-rape/699915)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joking-about-rape/699915 "2014-10-08T01:58:59Z")
I was reading a review for the Family Guy and Simpsons crossover. There were PLENTY of jokes against women in this episode. The reviewer at EW noted that the Family Guy writers don’t know how to write women. In the co… --- ## [Should we bail out the health insurance companies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bail-out-the-health-insurance-companies/700249)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-bail-out-the-health-insurance-companies/700249 "2014-10-07T01:37:56Z")
A lawsuit involving AIG has brought the monster federal bailouts of 2008 back into some people’s minds. There’s another bailout that may be occurring soon, which most people are unaware of. It comes from the so-called … --- ## [“ISIL isn’t Islamic”????](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isil-isn-t-islamic/698286)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 241\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2014, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isil-isn-t-islamic/698286 "2014-10-06T21:34:42Z")
For President Obama to assert that ISIL is not Islamic is a lot like saying “The Mafia Isn’t Italian.” Of COURSE the Mafia is Italian. The vast majority of Italians and Italian-Americans aren’t part of it and have no ti… --- ## [AIG Shareholders Suing the Government Over the AIG Bailout](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aig-shareholders-suing-the-government-over-the-aig-bailout/646554)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aig-shareholders-suing-the-government-over-the-aig-bailout/646554 "2014-10-06T19:43:36Z")
This has actually been going on for a while, led by former CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg. What brought it to the fore today is that Greenberg is trying to prevail on AIG itself to join the lawsuit. This prospect has prov… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=215) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=217)