# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=224 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 225 --- ## [Legal status of polygamy in the US - justification on other than moral grounds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-status-of-polygamy-in-the-us-justification-on-other-than-moral-grounds/694354)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2014, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-status-of-polygamy-in-the-us-justification-on-other-than-moral-grounds/694354 "2014-08-04T00:50:11Z")
As far as I can tell from a (not exhaustive) Google search, polygamy remains illegal in the US. Recent appeals against bigamy laws in Utah succeeded only insofar as clarifying that simple cohabitation per se by multiple… --- ## [MLM/Pyramid marketing question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlm-pyramid-marketing-question/694300)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2014, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlm-pyramid-marketing-question/694300 "2014-08-03T20:47:17Z")
Could MLM work if you opened a brick and mortar store and actually sold to customers walking down the street? Why must Amway operate out of the trunk of your car? (I’m NOT looking to invest in MLM). --- ## [Divide California into six states?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divide-california-into-six-states/693936)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/divide-california-into-six-states/693936 "2014-08-03T13:22:41Z")
Tim Draper’s idea. It will be an initiative on the ballot in November. Then Congress would have to approve it, of course, and admit six new states (each with two Senators) to the Union. The proposed map makes no sense… --- ## [Nuclear deterrence: why not station two boomers in the US Great Lakes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deterrence-why-not-station-two-boomers-in-the-us-great-lakes/694309)
**Author:** [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2014, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-deterrence-why-not-station-two-boomers-in-the-us-great-lakes/694309 "2014-08-02T08:46:50Z")
This has been bugging me for a long time. The US Great Lakes are huge, and no enemy attack submarine could reasonably expect to penetrate the locks and gain entry, much less sail up the seaway. US boomers could operate w… --- ## [New NRA Proposal: One Step Beyond?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-nra-proposal-one-step-beyond/694098)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-nra-proposal-one-step-beyond/694098 "2014-08-02T04:12:42Z")
In their newest video, the NRA proposes(among other things) that there be mandatory gun carry zones, some sort of rewards for people that carry, and that school children not be allowed to progress unless they take a gun … --- ## ["Physical suffering" is not what capital punishment is about.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-suffering-is-not-what-capital-punishment-is-about/694004)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/physical-suffering-is-not-what-capital-punishment-is-about/694004 "2014-08-01T22:46:20Z")
\*Note: In this thread, I’m not addressing the \*\*morality \*\*or \*\*ethics \*of the death penalty. That’s another topic. From time to time, opponents of the death penalty raise the issue of physical pain and suffering, which… --- ## [Research Scientists who are Christian](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-scientists-who-are-christian/693359)
**Author:** [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2014, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-scientists-who-are-christian/693359 "2014-08-01T21:11:39Z")
As suggested by a poster from this thread I started: Are you a Christian and a scientist who is willing to explain your beliefs? Note that in that thread, I’m looking for someone who does high level research in the ha… --- ## [NLRB has ruled that McDonald's qualifies as a joint employer of workers at its franchises.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nlrb-has-ruled-that-mcdonalds-qualifies-as-a-joint-employer-of-workers-at-its-franchises/694382)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2014, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nlrb-has-ruled-that-mcdonalds-qualifies-as-a-joint-employer-of-workers-at-its-franchises/694382 "2014-08-01T17:47:28Z")
McDonald’s plans to contest the ruling. This could affect other fast food chains. It could also affect retail businesses and the decision has prompted the National Retail Federation to issue a statement: “The last thi… --- ## [Most evil person ever who reformed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-evil-person-ever-who-reformed/694291)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-evil-person-ever-who-reformed/694291 "2014-08-01T15:09:57Z")
Can anyone give me historical (or at least purported) examples of people who after being notoriously evil mended their ways? I gather a few saints started out as pretty sinful, but I’d draw a distinction between the mere… --- ## [A proposed solution to the Net Neutrality Wars and ISP monopolies : Actual Costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposed-solution-to-the-net-neutrality-wars-and-isp-monopolies-actual-costs/694492)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2014, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposed-solution-to-the-net-neutrality-wars-and-isp-monopolies-actual-costs/694492 "2014-07-31T20:05:38Z")
Right now, it is technically true that some internet services, such as Netflix, use a huge percentage of bandwidth. In addition, some ISP users do use far more bandwidth than others. The problem here is that none of th… --- ## [Eleanor Holmes Norton Made a Mistake (Voting Rights for DC / Gun Rights for DC)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eleanor-holmes-norton-made-a-mistake-voting-rights-for-dc-gun-rights-for-dc/694352)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2014, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eleanor-holmes-norton-made-a-mistake-voting-rights-for-dc-gun-rights-for-dc/694352 "2014-07-31T19:29:48Z")
In 2009, a proposal was in the final stages of acceptance on Capitol Hill. The District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009 (H.R. 157 and S. 160) had passed the Senate. Democrats controlled the House. But the Se… --- ## [Successful genocides](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/successful-genocides/694126)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2014, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/successful-genocides/694126 "2014-07-31T15:43:00Z")
How many successful attempts at genocide have occurred in history, that we know about? I suspect there are many that we don’t, but which ones are we aware of, that actually succeeded in totally eliminating an ethnic gro… --- ## [US Billof rights and European Convention on Human Rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-billof-rights-and-european-convention-on-human-rights/694225)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2014, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-billof-rights-and-european-convention-on-human-rights/694225 "2014-07-31T08:21:50Z")
Warning- long set of OPs. Although a great respecter of the US Constitution (if not always a respecter of the way it has been interpreted over the years- slavery, sedition acts, Japanese detentions in WWII among others)… --- ## [Just how accurate can you expect low-level bombings to be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-accurate-can-you-expect-low-level-bombings-to-be/693983)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-accurate-can-you-expect-low-level-bombings-to-be/693983 "2014-07-29T23:31:09Z")
Recent events in Gaza, like the hospital bombing today, got me thinking about the limitations when bombing crowded populated areas with dumb iron bombs, like I assume the IAF is using because smart bombs are expensive an… --- ## [Could Nazi Germany Have Happened Without Hitler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-nazi-germany-have-happened-without-hitler/374689)
**Author:** [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-nazi-germany-have-happened-without-hitler/374689 "2014-07-29T03:38:03Z")
Most of the histories I’ve read (most influentially, Shirer) have named many key people involved in the organization and the rise to power of the Nazis. Some of the early ones (e.g. Roehm) were murdered before Hitler be… --- ## [Is Ray Jessel's "What She's Got" number offensive/bigoted/transphobic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ray-jessels-what-shes-got-number-offensive-bigoted-transphobic/692571)
**Author:** [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ray-jessels-what-shes-got-number-offensive-bigoted-transphobic/692571 "2014-07-29T00:52:13Z")
I can’t be the only person to have noticed that there’s a bit of an internet flap going on about the recent “America’s Got Talent” audition performance of showbiz-writing veteran Ray Jessel: Harmless novel… --- ## [Airliner shot down over Ukraine - what happens next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airliner-shot-down-over-ukraine-what-happens-next/693397)
**Author:** [@filmstar-en](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmstar-en)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2014, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airliner-shot-down-over-ukraine-what-happens-next/693397 "2014-07-29T00:33:53Z")
Malaysia Airlines MH17 flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down in the same rebel occupied area where two Ukranian airforce planes were shot down in the few days. The pro-Russian rebels are denying responsi… --- ## [Peace Corps overhauls application process](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peace-corps-overhauls-application-process/693558)
**Author:** [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peace-corps-overhauls-application-process/693558 "2014-07-28T21:18:53Z")
Like most returned Peace Corps volunteers, I have a complex relationship with the organization made of equal parts nostalgia and frustration. So it was with some interest that I read the recent need articles about the ma… --- ## [Brookings: Government failures are increasing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brookings-government-failures-are-increasing/693944)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brookings-government-failures-are-increasing/693944 "2014-07-28T15:25:29Z")
A think tank finally measures government failure in a way that might settle some arguments we’ve been having on the subject: Light finds the following patterns and characteristics in the dataset of significant governm… --- ## [Would insurgent SAM batteries in Ukraine be fair game for air strikes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-insurgent-sam-batteries-in-ukraine-be-fair-game-for-air-strikes/693824)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2014, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-insurgent-sam-batteries-in-ukraine-be-fair-game-for-air-strikes/693824 "2014-07-28T14:44:13Z")
If Russia disavows any connection to the insurgents who brought down MH17, have they opened the way for European or US fighters to knock them out? Either overtly or covertly. It seems Russia would hardly have room to com… --- ## [Is India's size a net positive or negative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-indias-size-a-net-positive-or-negative/693911)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2014, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-indias-size-a-net-positive-or-negative/693911 "2014-07-27T20:22:28Z")
For a country of its population, India seems to be fairly small in size. Others may disagree, and say that India is a larger than average country. In any case, do you think India’s size is a net benefit or drawback to … --- ## [Why didn't the Nazis invade Switzerland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-nazis-invade-switzerland/693731)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-nazis-invade-switzerland/693731 "2014-07-27T19:49:36Z")
…and how would it have looked if they had? Wiki gives an overview of the planned German invasion of Switzerland, Operation Tannenbaum and says “Hitler never gave the go-ahead, for reasons still uncertain today.” What d… --- ## [My September 11 Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-september-11-thoughts/689989)
**Author:** [@The\_Antichrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Antichrist)\ **Replies:** 764\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2014, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-september-11-thoughts/689989 "2014-07-27T18:07:30Z")
Yes, I realise this has been done many times before, and indeed I searched for some earlier threads and even found that one had been closed within a few posts, but I think I’ll bring something different to the topic, so … --- ## [Why the sudden explosion of anti-immigrant sentiment in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-sudden-explosion-of-anti-immigrant-sentiment-in-the-usa/693369)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2014, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-sudden-explosion-of-anti-immigrant-sentiment-in-the-usa/693369 "2014-07-26T05:44:17Z")
This is technically just a question but it’ll become a debate so I might as well start it here. But I am not sure where the debate will go because I don’t know the answer to the question. In recent months the U.S. medi… --- ## [Current immigration debate in the US - why no market solutions proposed from the right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-immigration-debate-in-the-us-why-no-market-solutions-proposed-from-the-right/693073)
**Author:** [@Frank\_Gardener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Gardener)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2014, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-immigration-debate-in-the-us-why-no-market-solutions-proposed-from-the-right/693073 "2014-07-25T16:18:44Z")
Why have no Libertarians or Republicans made any attempt to form a market based solution to the current immigration problems in the US? They haven’t even mentioned that they should should try, let alone actualy try, to s… --- ## [Women's Health Protection Act (a pro-choice Senate bill)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-health-protection-act-a-pro-choice-senate-bill/693282)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2014, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/womens-health-protection-act-a-pro-choice-senate-bill/693282 "2014-07-25T10:42:56Z")
There has been a lot of state-level legislation recently (always in Pub-controlled states) which is rather transparently designed to make it more difficult for a woman to get an abortion. See this Pit thread which cove… --- ## [Limiting Sex Offender Registry to Rape and Child Molestation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limiting-sex-offender-registry-to-rape-and-child-molestation/693255)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2014, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limiting-sex-offender-registry-to-rape-and-child-molestation/693255 "2014-07-25T01:10:12Z")
I live in Michigan. And we have a unique sex offender registry law. And I am not even sure if it is typical. The third time you get caught urinating in public, you have to register as a sex offender. Are public urinato… --- ## [When Is It OK To Say I Should't Care About A Creator's Morality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-ok-to-say-i-shouldt-care-about-a-creators-morality/687588)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-it-ok-to-say-i-shouldt-care-about-a-creators-morality/687588 "2014-07-24T19:16:48Z")
In A Cafe thread on Fantasy novels with a female lead, someone brought up Marion Zimmer Bradley, and I responded with this: To which Wendell Wagner replied: There was a bit of back-and-forth, and now, to stop the hij… --- ## [Ramadan? Big Hypocrisy? Muslims Please Chime in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-big-hypocrisy-muslims-please-chime-in/549917)
**Author:** [@Gus\_Handsome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Handsome)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2014, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ramadan-big-hypocrisy-muslims-please-chime-in/549917 "2014-07-24T14:39:38Z")
Ramadan? Big Hypocrisy? Muslims Please Chime in Here’s a question based on my observations of several trips I’ve made to the UAE during Ramadan, but first… I understand Ramadan is a holy month, a time for Muslims to f… --- ## [Will the Iraqi Kurds declare independence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-iraqi-kurds-declare-independence/691495)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2014, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-iraqi-kurds-declare-independence/691495 "2014-07-24T11:12:10Z")
The Kurds have taken the city of Kirkuk, which they have always considered their capital, and its oilfields. The Iraqi government appears to have accepted that as a fait accompli, while still protesting the Kurds have n… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=223) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=225)