# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=217 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 218 --- ## [One standard for you, one standard for me...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-standard-for-you-one-standard-for-me/700088)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2014, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-standard-for-you-one-standard-for-me/700088 "2014-10-06T18:06:31Z")
White House exempts Syria airstrikes from tight standards on civilian deaths he White House has acknowledged for the first time that strict standards President Obama imposed last year to prevent civilian deaths from U… --- ## [Shareholders Don't Own Public Corporations in a Meaningful Sense...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shareholders-dont-own-public-corporations-in-a-meaningful-sense/699943)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2014, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shareholders-dont-own-public-corporations-in-a-meaningful-sense/699943 "2014-10-05T19:24:04Z")
…and furthermore publicly traded corporations don’t maximize shareholder value. This is the thesis of Lynn Stout (2012). Although it has received some favorable press, I wouldn’t say that it is widely accepted. But it is… --- ## [Can Anyone Help Me Understand the Subject-Object Dichotomy in Feminism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-help-me-understand-the-subject-object-dichotomy-in-feminism/697569)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-help-me-understand-the-subject-object-dichotomy-in-feminism/697569 "2014-10-05T03:06:23Z")
I’m going to preface this by saying that so far, every time I’ve opened my mouth on feminism, I’ve ended up changing my position after someone else explained it to me. It was mostly a matter of me not understanding the i… --- ## [Will Hong Kong come under Chinese rule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-hong-kong-come-under-chinese-rule/699889)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2014, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-hong-kong-come-under-chinese-rule/699889 "2014-10-05T02:13:41Z")
Based on what I know, its pretty much in the cards right? Hong Kong will merge into China in 2047, right now is just a transitional period where rights afforded under the British system will slowly be eroded away. Or do… --- ## [What do survivalists really expect to do with gold if the world ends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-survivalists-really-expect-to-do-with-gold-if-the-world-ends/699500)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2014, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-survivalists-really-expect-to-do-with-gold-if-the-world-ends/699500 "2014-10-05T01:44:51Z")
If like many people suggest would happen, and we revert to a barter system, what will they do with gold? Are they expecting to run into a camp of dentists or electrical engineers that they can trade supplies with? --- ## [Good and Bad Neighborhoods of the World](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-and-bad-neighborhoods-of-the-world/699890)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2014, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-and-bad-neighborhoods-of-the-world/699890 "2014-10-02T19:59:03Z")
I heard this term applied to countries on a global scale, and thought it an interesting concept. What would you guys consider the good and bad neighborhoods of the world, places where countries are relatively benign tow… --- ## [French economist Thomas Piketty is raising a ruckus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-economist-thomas-piketty-is-raising-a-ruckus/686690)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 365\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2014, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-economist-thomas-piketty-is-raising-a-ruckus/686690 "2014-10-02T04:20:13Z")
Not on purpose, not at all. But his new book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century (I haven’t read it, but I’ve read a lot about it online in the past few days), apparently concludes that there is no economic force that … --- ## [The European Google Take Down Ruling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-european-google-take-down-ruling/699644)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2014, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-european-google-take-down-ruling/699644 "2014-10-02T02:26:15Z")
This news story appeared today: “Father’s fury as Google grants ‘right to be forgotten’ to the man serving 30 years for the murder of his daughter Father of victim Lesley Molseed says her killer has no right to be fo… --- ## [The "C" word.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-c-word/699916)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2014, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-c-word/699916 "2014-10-01T10:17:07Z")
There may be a factual answer to this, but why is the “C” word so bad, but calling someone a dick isn’t? I never liked the way the “C” word sounded, so it’s not as if I care. I HATE HATE HATE the word “tits”!! Can we … --- ## [The working world of tomorrow...today!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-working-world-of-tomorrow-today/699377)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-working-world-of-tomorrow-today/699377 "2014-10-01T02:07:06Z")
Consulting/accounting giant PwC put together this prediction of what the working world will look like in about a decade (I originally said “decades” until I realized 2022 is only 8 years away): http://www.pwc.com/en\_GX/… --- ## [Aftermath of Financial Crisis - No changes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermath-of-financial-crisis-no-changes/699800)
**Author:** [@JesterX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JesterX)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aftermath-of-financial-crisis-no-changes/699800 "2014-09-30T19:21:38Z")
It seems, nothing has changed that would shield us from another financial meltdown brought on by the banks. This article was published a couple of days ago about the culture of banking regulators at the Fed and being to… --- ## [Can someone plz explain what's happening in Syria or whatever with the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-plz-explain-whats-happening-in-syria-or-whatever-with-the-us/699758)
**Author:** [@electroFAYSEE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/electroFAYSEE)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-plz-explain-whats-happening-in-syria-or-whatever-with-the-us/699758 "2014-09-30T17:43:56Z")
it’s all scrambled out for me and i dont understand. plz explain? (i beg your pardon; my ignorance) --- ## [Why isn't cybercrime treated more seriously?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cybercrime-treated-more-seriously/699726)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2014, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-cybercrime-treated-more-seriously/699726 "2014-09-29T22:27:19Z")
Every few months there is a massive credit card breach, and nobody ever goes to jail for it. If someone robbed a bank and stole millions of dollars, they would either be dragged out by the FBI, or shot right there if th… --- ## [What if Nixon had destroyed the Oval Office tapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-nixon-had-destroyed-the-oval-office-tapes/699688)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-nixon-had-destroyed-the-oval-office-tapes/699688 "2014-09-29T21:51:29Z")
During the investigation of Watergate and the other misdeeds of the Nixon reelection committee, Pat Buchanan advised Nixon to have a tape bonfire on the White House lawn. Obviously, he didn’t take that advice, but what … --- ## [Past, Present, Future Worlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/past-present-future-worlds/699663)
**Author:** [@Vphoenix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vphoenix)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/past-present-future-worlds/699663 "2014-09-29T18:00:35Z")
Mankind dies off, except for a few who manage to survive that are spread across the planet. That population exists, through struggles that boarders to close extinction, for 100,000 yrs. All history is lost. Miraculously… --- ## [Workplace Beheading in Oklahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-beheading-in-oklahoma/699878)
**Author:** [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workplace-beheading-in-oklahoma/699878 "2014-09-29T17:24:12Z")
Have not seen anything in this so thought I would start a new thread with a poll --- ## [What are the real long-term costs to a perpetual conflict in the Middle East?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-real-long-term-costs-to-a-perpetual-conflict-in-the-middle-east/699541)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-real-long-term-costs-to-a-perpetual-conflict-in-the-middle-east/699541 "2014-09-29T16:56:01Z")
Is it wrong to believe that if we pay a lot of money to sustain our military, we might as well put it to use? Realistically is there any long-term downside to maintaining a perpetual war in the Middle East? From this l… --- ## [Evolution....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution/699832)
**Author:** [@Ecmandu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ecmandu)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2014, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolution/699832 "2014-09-29T05:52:45Z")
You could actually stop terrorism with this if you sent it out… not that terrorism is the largest problem here, I’m just saying… Arranged marriages have been a bad idea and set a horrible example, primarily because peop… --- ## [Why do the Democrats have so many rich leaders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-democrats-have-so-many-rich-leaders/699386)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2014, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-the-democrats-have-so-many-rich-leaders/699386 "2014-09-28T15:19:20Z")
The Obamas have between 2 and 7 million dollars. The Clintons have several times that amount. Al Gore has about 200 million dollars. The 2004 Presidential ticket was an embarrassment of riches. John Kerry measures hi… --- ## [Transsexual Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transsexual-question/164565)
**Author:** [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\ **Replies:** 385\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2014, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transsexual-question/164565 "2014-09-28T12:16:15Z")
So I saw the movie on HBO…‘Normal’. Its about a married man who suffers from gender identity…he feels he has to become a woman. He feels it so strongly, that it becomes a life and death situation for him. I don’t have… --- ## [Which one of these, in your view, is the correct definition of the word "nation?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-one-of-these-in-your-view-is-the-correct-definition-of-the-word-nation/698533)
**Author:** [@ILikeForeignLanguages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ILikeForeignLanguages)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2014, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-one-of-these-in-your-view-is-the-correct-definition-of-the-word-nation/698533 "2014-09-28T11:46:58Z")
A sovereign state A people group with its own native language and identity --- ## [Why is this site overwhelmingly atheist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938)
**Author:** [@reef\_shark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reef_shark)\ **Replies:** 574\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938 "2014-09-28T03:14:59Z")
‘The law of biogenesis, attributed to Louis Pasteur, is the observation that living things come only from other living things, by reproduction (e.g. a spider lays eggs, which develop into spiders). That is, life does n… --- ## [Land Power Versus Water power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-power-versus-water-power/699535)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2014, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-power-versus-water-power/699535 "2014-09-28T01:35:32Z")
I’ve heard that geopolitically, India is considered a water power, whereas China is both a land and water power. What implications does this have for the destiny of each country? --- ## [Is there "money" in the Social Security Trust Fund?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-money-in-the-social-security-trust-fund/695391)
**Author:** [@KenBerthiaume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KenBerthiaume)\ **Replies:** 307\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2014, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-money-in-the-social-security-trust-fund/695391 "2014-09-28T01:17:42Z")
Recently, I’ve head Sean Hannity and other conservatives repeatedly say that the Social Security Trust Fund (SSTF) has no “money” in it. It’s been “looted, stolen, replaced with IOUs”. This makes no sense to me. Using… --- ## [Is Tech Making The Big-Brother Problem Irrelevant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tech-making-the-big-brother-problem-irrelevant/695306)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2014, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tech-making-the-big-brother-problem-irrelevant/695306 "2014-09-27T23:41:48Z")
Heightened public awareness of privacy and security issues has been leading to a wave of new developments. One of them is the rise in end-to-end encryption, recently given a big boost by a couple of heavy hitters in the … --- ## [Who was the worst leader of the old South Africa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-worst-leader-of-the-old-south-africa/699691)
**Author:** [@ILikeForeignLanguages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ILikeForeignLanguages)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2014, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-worst-leader-of-the-old-south-africa/699691 "2014-09-27T22:47:15Z")
Louis Botha (leader for 9 years, 1910-1918) Jan Smuts (leader for 14 years, 1919-1924, then 1939-1948; non-consecutive) J.B.M. Hertzog (leader for 15 years, 1924-1939) D.F. Malan (leader for 6 years, 1948-1954) J.G. Str… --- ## [US bombing in Syria - how is it justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-bombing-in-syria-how-is-it-justified/698246)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2014, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-bombing-in-syria-how-is-it-justified/698246 "2014-09-27T17:10:57Z")
Personally, I am all for bombing ISIS wherever they are. But, legally: The embattled Syrian regime and its closest allies, Russia and Iran, will oppose American military action in its territory against Islamic State, … --- ## [Are companies that produce power, gasoline and chemicals evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-companies-that-produce-power-gasoline-and-chemicals-evil/698870)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-companies-that-produce-power-gasoline-and-chemicals-evil/698870 "2014-09-27T16:30:50Z")
The production processes of products associated with power, gasoline and chemicals are the largest producers of greenhouse emissions (pollution), which scientists associate with man made climate change. So who’s to blam… --- ## [Rockefellers and clean energy - a sea change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockefellers-and-clean-energy-a-sea-change/699248)
**Author:** [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2014, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rockefellers-and-clean-energy-a-sea-change/699248 "2014-09-27T13:58:08Z")
The trend towards investment funds being diverted towards environmentally friendly energy and away from Big Oil seems to be gathering pace. The Rockefellers built their fortune on Oil, so for them to change like this is… --- ## [Why is socially provided universal healthcare 'better'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-socially-provided-universal-healthcare-better/612181)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 262\ **Last updated:** [September 27, 2014, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-socially-provided-universal-healthcare-better/612181 "2014-09-27T08:15:34Z")
Just to set the context for the debate. I’m not American, and have no interest in getting pigeonholed into one side or the other of the crazy ideological divide y’all have going on over there. This is not springing from … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=216) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=218)