# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=225 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 226 --- ## [Since when have laws been for prevention and not punishment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-have-laws-been-for-prevention-and-not-punishment/693286)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/since-when-have-laws-been-for-prevention-and-not-punishment/693286 "2014-07-23T19:55:07Z")
The argument that existing gun laws don’t work and therefore there’s no point in passing new laws has been a very successful argument for gun extremists; they’ve succeeded in making it seem like the baseline of fact with… --- ## [Bars, Dress Codes and Racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bars-dress-codes-and-racism/560463)
**Author:** [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2014, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bars-dress-codes-and-racism/560463 "2014-07-23T12:57:53Z")
Story here A previous incident I’ve experienced this before. Typically the dress code will be no hats, hoodies, Timberlands, sports attire, baggy pants. The laughable part is that you can’t distinguish te gang bangers… --- ## [Claim: the NSA records and stores 80% of U.S. phone calls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claim-the-nsa-records-and-stores-80-of-u-s-phone-calls/692912)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claim-the-nsa-records-and-stores-80-of-u-s-phone-calls/692912 "2014-07-22T14:05:20Z")
According to the Guardian. What do you think? True? Police state, as I’ve seen some say? Will anything be done about it, ever, if true? --- ## [What use could God have for living things?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2014, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-use-could-god-have-for-living-things/693399 "2014-07-21T12:55:16Z")
As a thiest I like to think we are part of a plan. I have no idea where it is going but I assume that God has some useful reason for letting life evolve. The liklihood of humans or anything from earth ever having a real … --- ## [What does international law say about supplying electricity and water to Gaza?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-international-law-say-about-supplying-electricity-and-water-to-gaza/693455)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-international-law-say-about-supplying-electricity-and-water-to-gaza/693455 "2014-07-21T02:04:23Z")
As I understand it, Israel supplies a significant fraction of Gaza’s electricity and water. (Less than half, though). Prof. Avi Bell, a “Senior Fellow,” at the Kohelet Policy Forum, as well as a law professor at the San… --- ## [Big Oil are not Climate Change Denialists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-oil-are-not-climate-change-denialists/692303)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 288\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2014, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-oil-are-not-climate-change-denialists/692303 "2014-07-21T00:43:24Z")
Seems like most threads discussing climate change inevitably have someone talk about how evil Big Oil secretly funds all the Climate Change denialism going on. Therefore, I decided to look it up myself. Here’s what I’ve… --- ## [Morality vs. Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-vs-religion/692047)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2014, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-vs-religion/692047 "2014-07-21T00:24:29Z")
Obviously this is entirely anecdotal, and extremely subject to confirmation bias, but it’s always been my experience that the most moral–selfless, giving, noble, honest, honorable, insert your synonym of choice here–peop… --- ## [Did Christ ever preach to Non-Jews?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-christ-ever-preach-to-non-jews/692767)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2014, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-christ-ever-preach-to-non-jews/692767 "2014-07-20T23:04:13Z")
He bade His apostles and disciples to preach the Gospel to the gentiles. But did He Himself spread the Word of the Father to anyone without a Hebrew heritage? --- ## [Political negotiation - What would you be willing to give?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-negotiation-what-would-you-be-willing-to-give/690933)
**Author:** [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2014, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-negotiation-what-would-you-be-willing-to-give/690933 "2014-07-19T15:42:47Z")
Imagine that all of the members of congress and senators from both of the major political parties in the U.S. have decided that they are tired of all of the partisan bullshit that stops so much from getting done in this … --- ## [Job skills training in public schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-skills-training-in-public-schools/693181)
**Author:** [@DooProcess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooProcess)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2014, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-skills-training-in-public-schools/693181 "2014-07-19T14:56:05Z")
After attending a debate among the candidates for my fire-engine red district’s state representative seat one question sticks with me. The three Republican candidates as well as the lone hopeless Democrat railed for job… --- ## [Twins Separated at Birth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth/693237)
**Author:** [@l0k1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/l0k1)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2014, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twins-separated-at-birth/693237 "2014-07-19T03:26:28Z")
Debating with a friend and the subject of twins separated at birth was brought up, and it occurred to me that as often as I hear about such studies, I never read anything about one directly. After a short search, I foun… --- ## [How important is happiness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-happiness/693186)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2014, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-important-is-happiness/693186 "2014-07-18T19:07:52Z")
We live in an imperfect world. Ideally, a mentally healthy person is aware of this fact and is able to function and even progress without being defeated by external forces that do not go as expected or desired. I.e., thi… --- ## [What if Alaska was still Russian territory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-alaska-was-still-russian-territory/315932)
**Author:** [@StaberindeMk2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StaberindeMk2)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2014, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-alaska-was-still-russian-territory/315932 "2014-07-18T13:48:37Z")
I’m currently reading a book set during the Cold War, the central premise is that its discovered that Alaska is in fact still Russian territory. Shenanigans and hilarious japes ensue. I was wondering what the repurcussi… --- ## [Is there any evidence that guns prevent tyranny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-evidence-that-guns-prevent-tyranny/624802)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2014, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-evidence-that-guns-prevent-tyranny/624802 "2014-07-18T04:09:47Z")
One of the beliefs commonly held by Americans who advocate for broader gun rights is that broad based gun ownership is an effective tool in resisting tyranny. Is there evidence to support this assertion? It seems like C… --- ## [The meaning of "liberal" and "conservative" in the context of the minimum wage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-meaning-of-liberal-and-conservative-in-the-context-of-the-minimum-wage/692688)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2014, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-meaning-of-liberal-and-conservative-in-the-context-of-the-minimum-wage/692688 "2014-07-16T04:37:56Z")
In the Hobby Lobby pit thread, this article was posted. Rather that derail that, I’ll just ask the question separately. Here’s the part that has me scratching my head: There seems to be a distinction between “bleeding… --- ## [The notion that one's employer should not influence one's health care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-notion-that-ones-employer-should-not-influence-ones-health-care/692722)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-notion-that-ones-employer-should-not-influence-ones-health-care/692722 "2014-07-16T03:37:06Z")
In the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling that restored religious freedom to some, though not all, employers in the choice of their health care, we’re hearing a lot of Democrats saying things like this: “No woman s… --- ## [Is America actually the wealthiest nation on earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-actually-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth/693172)
**Author:** [@Habeed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Habeed)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-actually-the-wealthiest-nation-on-earth/693172 "2014-07-16T02:20:36Z")
American society has several enormous inefficiencies in it. The Medical system - due to an unholy mix of 19th century capitalism and onerous government regulations, medical costs spiral out of control and yet provide mi… --- ## [Any stats on US casino proliferation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-stats-on-us-casino-proliferation/692766)
**Author:** [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-stats-on-us-casino-proliferation/692766 "2014-07-15T18:44:03Z")
I’m working up a blog post on the expansion of casinos and other various permutations of private gaming (“racinos”, jai alai, etc.), and want to compare the accessibility of gaming today to what it was when it was basica… --- ## [Re-Focused essay on suicidality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-focused-essay-on-suicidality/693068)
**Author:** [@Ecmandu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ecmandu)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-focused-essay-on-suicidality/693068 "2014-07-15T16:55:05Z")
I just read the Bagavad Gita 18:6 “But even these works should be done in the freedom of pure offering, and without expectation of a reward. This is my final word.” There is a very fundamental problem with this passage… --- ## [Abortion clinic "Buffer zones" in Massachusetts not legal, says unanimous SCOTUS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-buffer-zones-in-massachusetts-not-legal-says-unanimous-scotus/691698)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 635\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2014, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-clinic-buffer-zones-in-massachusetts-not-legal-says-unanimous-scotus/691698 "2014-07-15T14:06:53Z")
The 35-foot buffer zones Massachusetts created to separate abortion clinic traffic and abortion clinic protestors went too far, literally. Unanimous decision. And of course in my view, the correct one. --- ## [On the Vagaries of News Value and Cyber Bullying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-vagaries-of-news-value-and-cyber-bullying/693093)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2014, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-vagaries-of-news-value-and-cyber-bullying/693093 "2014-07-15T05:34:46Z")
People may be aware of the case of Madeleine McCann who disappeared from a vacation in Portugal seven years ago. It has parallels with several US cases of child abductions or killings where there was some suspicion ov… --- ## [When can I choose my gender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-choose-my-gender/693026)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2014, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-i-choose-my-gender/693026 "2014-07-15T01:34:11Z")
I raise this question because I’ve been considering the new law in California and similar laws proposed in other places. As I understand it–feel free to correct me if I’m wrong–the law allows public school students to c… --- ## [Bail and the presumption of innocence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bail-and-the-presumption-of-innocence/692948)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2014, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bail-and-the-presumption-of-innocence/692948 "2014-07-14T14:59:33Z")
Inspired by this article from a local newspaper. I often see restrictions placed on defendants who have been arrested and released on bail. I was under the impression that, in this country, the defendant is considered i… --- ## [God's math](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-math/692992)
**Author:** [@Treat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treat)\ **Replies:** 287\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2014, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gods-math/692992 "2014-07-14T10:19:11Z")
Anyone who likes math care to dispute the claims in the video?:smack: --- ## [Ban meat from office?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-meat-from-office/692535)
**Author:** [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-meat-from-office/692535 "2014-07-13T18:25:16Z")
This weekend, “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” was re-running “classic” episodes, and in one segment, a person claimed that his officemates had all become vegetarian or vegan, and ultimately, HR informed him that the office h… --- ## [Why is health care for the elderly so much more expensive in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-health-care-for-the-elderly-so-much-more-expensive-in-america/692606)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2014, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-health-care-for-the-elderly-so-much-more-expensive-in-america/692606 "2014-07-13T02:57:53Z")
There have been debates on health care costs, how the US pays more for pretty much everything than the rest of the world. But these graphs make me realize a lot of that seems like it can be traced to health costs for tho… --- ## [What killed the malls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-the-malls/692470)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2014, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-killed-the-malls/692470 "2014-07-13T02:44:04Z")
Our landscape is littered with “dead malls”. Once vibrant places of commerce, now empty shells. Obviously the internet played a part. But it seems to me that internet shopping only came into its prime about 10 years ago… --- ## [\[Is religion really\] "A fraudulent money-making scheme"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-really-a-fraudulent-money-making-scheme/500109)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [July 12, 2014, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-really-a-fraudulent-money-making-scheme/500109 "2014-07-12T19:10:23Z")
In a recent thread Cagey Drifter said that all religions are fraudulent money-making schemes. Many posters challenged him on that point and he made no attempt to defend the claim. Hence I would have let the point drop … --- ## [You Might Be An Extremist If...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-extremist-if/692275)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2014, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-might-be-an-extremist-if/692275 "2014-07-11T23:10:35Z")
…you use software to make it harder to spy on you: (emphasis added) Is this a sign of overreach even worse than we’ve learned in l’année Snowden, or is the government simply that incompetent at distinguishing between … --- ## [Gavrilo Princip and the Archduke](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gavrilo-princip-and-the-archduke/691306)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2014, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gavrilo-princip-and-the-archduke/691306 "2014-07-11T17:45:50Z")
As next Saturday is the Centenniversary of the thing that precipitated a lot of ugliness, I thought it might be a good thing to make note of it and see if anyone has any thoughts on the subject. Cobbled together and abr… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=224) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=226)