# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=221 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 222 --- ## [Should we abolish the FDA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-abolish-the-fda/380931)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-abolish-the-fda/380931 "2014-08-30T16:11:26Z")
In this thread, we were talking about Milton Friedman and I claimed Friedman was a nutbag for wanting to abolish the FDA among other things. Opus1 challenged me to back up my statement and make a cogent argument about wh… --- ## [FINALLY Stared a Ministry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-stared-a-ministry/696941)
**Author:** [@Sasha\_Gallagher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sasha_Gallagher)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2014, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/finally-stared-a-ministry/696941 "2014-08-30T10:23:59Z")
About a week ago I made a thread to let everyone know that I finally got my ministry credentials, even though I have been a minister for 5 years. Texas did not honor my faith, so I didn’t see the need. But, now I have it… --- ## [Media bias in Israel-Palestinian conflict](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-bias-in-israel-palestinian-conflict/696728)
**Author:** [@guesswhoiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guesswhoiam)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2014, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-bias-in-israel-palestinian-conflict/696728 "2014-08-30T03:22:46Z")
What’s up with both sides claiming that the Western media is biased against them? For example, Wikipedia says “Commentators on both sides have claimed that the media is biased either for or against Israel”. And it seems … --- ## [What's the deal with Feminists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-feminists/695513)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-feminists/695513 "2014-08-29T22:39:27Z")
I often wonder if I’m a “Feminist” or not. I believe in equality. I want women to get paid as much as men. I believe in reproductive rights. I’ve had female bosses that were some of the best leaders I’ve ever had the… --- ## [Elo Ratings for Trial Lawyers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elo-ratings-for-trial-lawyers/696816)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elo-ratings-for-trial-lawyers/696816 "2014-08-29T21:56:41Z")
It’s generally accepted that one can hire a “better” or “worse” lawyer. If you’re wealthy and can afford an expensive lawyer, then (conventional wisdom would have it), you can get away with almost any crime. Whereas, if … --- ## [Conservatives: explain to Europeans/Canadians why their health care should be more like the U.S.'s](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-explain-to-europeans-canadians-why-their-health-care-should-be-more-like-the-u-s-s/696411)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2014, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-explain-to-europeans-canadians-why-their-health-care-should-be-more-like-the-u-s-s/696411 "2014-08-29T12:59:18Z")
Heck, I’d be satisfied with links to articles written by bigger name pundits. I know this is a spinoff of my old thread asking conservatives to explain how Europe is so oppressed for not having to pay to get medical car… --- ## [Media bias on race and criminal justice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-bias-on-race-and-criminal-justice/696784)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-bias-on-race-and-criminal-justice/696784 "2014-08-28T21:25:44Z")
The article is here. It notes a few things: Black suspects of crimes receive disproportionate coverage. From the study: Further, the coverage itself is different. Black defendants are more likely than non-black … --- ## [Does the Hamas Charter call for genocide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-hamas-charter-call-for-genocide/696530)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-hamas-charter-call-for-genocide/696530 "2014-08-28T21:14:07Z")
The charter of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is a deeply anti-semitic document, and is certainly against having any Jewish state in the region (in much the same way the Likud Charter is against having any Palesti… --- ## [An Apology for Philosophy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-apology-for-philosophy/693524)
**Author:** [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-apology-for-philosophy/693524 "2014-08-28T06:13:48Z")
As is usual for my Great Debates threads, this has gotten rather more lengthy than intended; as a result, I’ve tried to break it down into different sub-headings for better legibility. That way, anybody who’s interested … --- ## [Postmodern era = the second Dark Age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/postmodern-era-the-second-dark-age/657140)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/postmodern-era-the-second-dark-age/657140 "2014-08-28T05:33:22Z")
Do you think the rise of new media and the end of old media and the Cold War is leading us into a second Dark Age? Prior to 1991, there was a real world order. It was often made of scary stuff (- YouTube) but it was an … --- ## [If Neoliberalism is dying, what will replace it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-neoliberalism-is-dying-what-will-replace-it/681704)
**Author:** [@Jumpin-Jack-Flash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpin-Jack-Flash)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-neoliberalism-is-dying-what-will-replace-it/681704 "2014-08-28T05:22:05Z")
If we are now living through the last breaths of neoliberal economic theory in practice, what new system will replace it as the prevailing orthodoxy of capitalism? --- ## [Why do we not have resources for people like Robin Williams?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-not-have-resources-for-people-like-robin-williams/695616)
**Author:** [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-not-have-resources-for-people-like-robin-williams/695616 "2014-08-28T03:10:31Z")
By which I don’t mean ways to make him “better”, but why are we so against assisted suicide? Christianity? Religion? Robin should have been allowed to choose suicide. He was 63! He didn’t have young dependents, which is… --- ## [Can You Tell When Someone Is Staring at You From Behind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-when-someone-is-staring-at-you-from-behind/652812)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-tell-when-someone-is-staring-at-you-from-behind/652812 "2014-08-28T03:06:32Z")
This question involves an interesting phenomenon for me, because I’ve witnessed people claiming it happened to them, but it has never happened to me. A couple of examples. When I was still in high school, my mother told… --- ## [How media can maintain balance when covering a conflict](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-media-can-maintain-balance-when-covering-a-conflict/694529)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-media-can-maintain-balance-when-covering-a-conflict/694529 "2014-08-28T03:05:14Z")
like the Gaza one where because of the “conditions” (that is, full control of Hamas over the journalists inside Gaza) they have no way to present the photos of one of the sides? Here it is from NYT: "Our photo editor… --- ## [Is Obamacare a Success?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obamacare-a-success/696587)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2014, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-obamacare-a-success/696587 "2014-08-28T01:19:39Z")
I did a quick search. And I seem to be one of the first people to ask this question (which I find hard to believe). Anyways, President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act (i.e., Obamacare). What is the conclusion: Is it … --- ## [Mitch McConnell threatens to shut down the government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-threatens-to-shut-down-the-government/696442)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-threatens-to-shut-down-the-government/696442 "2014-08-27T20:33:27Z")
For real? Or is it just tough talk? Are the votes there to do this again? Does even this kind of talk benefit the Republicans? Is it effective at fund-raising? Is it just a cynical ploy to remind the Tea Party peopl… --- ## [The latest civilization ending climate change crisis: methane feedback loops and the big picture](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-civilization-ending-climate-change-crisis-methane-feedback-loops-and-the-big-picture/695224)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2014, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-civilization-ending-climate-change-crisis-methane-feedback-loops-and-the-big-picture/695224 "2014-08-27T11:47:37Z")
Basically, as I understand it, the idea is that a lot of methane is trapped under earth, under ground that’s usually frozen. Manmade climate change thaws those places, which releases the methane, which hurries the climat… --- ## [Federal District Court: CA's 10-day firearms waiting period unconstitutional if you already own guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-district-court-cas-10-day-firearms-waiting-period-unconstitutional-if-you-already-own-guns/696479)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2014, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-district-court-cas-10-day-firearms-waiting-period-unconstitutional-if-you-already-own-guns/696479 "2014-08-27T04:32:15Z")
Hat tip to the Volokh Conspiracy for the pointer: PDF of court’s decision. Basically, the court is evaluating the restriction under intermediate scrutiny, and pointing out that the ten-day “cooling off” period might m… --- ## [Was Fred Hampton murdered by police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-fred-hampton-murdered-by-police/696470)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2014, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-fred-hampton-murdered-by-police/696470 "2014-08-26T21:36:57Z")
In the Pit thread on Ferguson, MO, the subject of other police shootings that resulted in murder convictions has been brought up. As an example of a murder committed by police, I offered up the name of Fred Hampton. Th… --- ## [A veteran cops perspective on using lethal force.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-veteran-cops-perspective-on-using-lethal-force/696418)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-veteran-cops-perspective-on-using-lethal-force/696418 "2014-08-26T20:16:20Z")
I think this is the best written explanation for the use of lethal force that I’ve seen. He even includes videos of confrontations that didn’t end well for the cop. His comments and cites about cops being beaten to deat… --- ## [Who owns the copyright to this image of a monkey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-copyright-to-this-image-of-a-monkey/694987)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2014, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-the-copyright-to-this-image-of-a-monkey/694987 "2014-08-26T02:17:45Z")
Okay, so here’s the story. It’s not a Skald-worthy story, nor will I do it the justice that Mississippienne, but it’s still \[an interesting story: \](http://myfox8.com/2014/08/06/wikimedia-refuses-to-remove-animal-self… --- ## [Are all economic ideologies aside from free-market/Randian theory obsolete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-economic-ideologies-aside-from-free-market-randian-theory-obsolete/656625)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2014, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-economic-ideologies-aside-from-free-market-randian-theory-obsolete/656625 "2014-08-26T02:14:49Z")
I’ve noticed many of the big names in the “rational” community, such as Penn Jilette and Michael Shermer, are all about the free market and deregulation. In fact Shermer seems to equate socialists and other critics of c… --- ## [Should dogs be allowed more into public spaces?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-dogs-be-allowed-more-into-public-spaces/695479)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2014, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-dogs-be-allowed-more-into-public-spaces/695479 "2014-08-26T00:56:31Z")
Inspired partly by this thread and partly by some other threads, and largely just by how I feel . . .I, and many other people I know, have pets who are a huge part of our lives, and who we would describe as part of our f… --- ## [Should the US have negotiated for that reporters release?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-have-negotiated-for-that-reporters-release/696074)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-have-negotiated-for-that-reporters-release/696074 "2014-08-25T21:29:05Z")
The US has a policy to not negotiate or pay ransom for the release of hostages of American citizens by terrorist organizations. The European countries do. ISIS they say, makes over $200 million from ransoms. So who’s po… --- ## [Execution of "Alleged" Collaborators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-of-alleged-collaborators/696226)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-of-alleged-collaborators/696226 "2014-08-25T18:29:28Z")
Gaza militants execute 18 alleged collaborators What I’m wondering is how accurate Hamas’ info is on who is or is not a collaborator. IOW what percentage of the people that they execute as collaborators (and this is far… --- ## [Denial of Native Americans and Native Australians by analysts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denial-of-native-americans-and-native-australians-by-analysts/695544)
**Author:** [@ILikeForeignLanguages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ILikeForeignLanguages)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2014, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denial-of-native-americans-and-native-australians-by-analysts/695544 "2014-08-25T01:11:06Z")
So, I’ve recently started hearing Dinesh D’Souza and Rush Limbaugh say some profound things about the alleged genocide of Native Americans by white people…They seem to be saying that it has either been greatly exaggerate… --- ## [Can "capitalism" really work any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-capitalism-really-work-any-more/658125)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2014, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-capitalism-really-work-any-more/658125 "2014-08-24T06:05:52Z")
I hate the word “capitalism.” It was never used until the 20th century. Its use implies that we have rationally and purposely created an economic system. Of course, we haven’t. I prefer the term “legacy economic system” … --- ## [What has replaced communism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-replaced-communism/683739)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2014, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-has-replaced-communism/683739 "2014-08-24T05:52:15Z")
It seems communism was a failure. The economic models of central planning didn’t work (China, Vietnam, Laos, etc. all started to grow much faster when they abandoned communist economics), and the nations tended to be run… --- ## [Is it socially acceptable to be an atheist in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-socially-acceptable-to-be-an-atheist-in-the-us/694837)
**Author:** [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Replies:** 236\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2014, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-socially-acceptable-to-be-an-atheist-in-the-us/694837 "2014-08-23T21:23:30Z")
The attitude towards religion seems to be significantly different in the US compared to Europe. While the US constitution guarantees freedom of religion, does that mean protection is not exend to those who have no relig… --- ## [Stealth In Space](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stealth-in-space/696053)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stealth-in-space/696053 "2014-08-23T20:19:15Z")
A few previous threads have mentioned that the Project Rho (Atomic Rockets) site pretty much dismisses the idea of stealth in space, given that waste heat is inevitable and easily detectable. Now of course an enormously … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=220) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=222)