# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=227 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 228 --- ## [Joseph Stiglitz makes a preposterous claim - can anyone defend him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-stiglitz-makes-a-preposterous-claim-can-anyone-defend-him/691867)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joseph-stiglitz-makes-a-preposterous-claim-can-anyone-defend-him/691867 "2014-06-30T22:46:34Z")
Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/06/the-myth-of-americas-golden-age-108013\_Page2.html#ixzz35wwitPkP He is saying that proceeds overnight discount window loans are then used to buy 10-year (2%) or … --- ## [War For Oil - What's the Problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-for-oil-whats-the-problem/691229)
**Author:** [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2014, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-for-oil-whats-the-problem/691229 "2014-06-30T21:00:46Z")
The latest events in Iraq have re-ignited the “It was a war for oil!!1!11!” debate, yet again, so I’m finally going to ask the same question I’ve had since the accusations were first made - why is that a bad thing? Wars… --- ## [Impeach Obama!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-obama/690264)
**Author:** [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2014, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/impeach-obama/690264 "2014-06-30T01:47:10Z")
Oh, my tea party friends are positively giddy over the thought that Obama is going to be impeached for retrieving Sgt. Bergdahl without Congressional approval. They are thrilled to finally get rid of that Kenyan Marxist … --- ## [Can we all agree that this is reason enough to have the border locked down and secure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-all-agree-that-this-is-reason-enough-to-have-the-border-locked-down-and-secure/691466)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-all-agree-that-this-is-reason-enough-to-have-the-border-locked-down-and-secure/691466 "2014-06-29T21:09:15Z")
By “this” I mean the public health concern. In an interview, Dr. Jane Orient, an internal medicine specialist and the Executive Director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons had this to say about the th… --- ## [Is evading a cop unethical/criminal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evading-a-cop-unethical-criminal/691255)
**Author:** [@EndlessEntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EndlessEntropy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-evading-a-cop-unethical-criminal/691255 "2014-06-29T17:02:09Z")
Yes, I’m aware it’s a felony (edit: OR misdemeanor), but what if, assuming you weren’t caught on camera, you were speeding a bit and see a cop come out from behind a freeway you just passed, and you take off at an exit… --- ## [Wal-Mart's unfair labor practices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-marts-unfair-labor-practices/289606)
**Author:** [@Laszlo\_Hollyfeld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laszlo_Hollyfeld)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2014, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wal-marts-unfair-labor-practices/289606 "2014-06-29T17:02:01Z")
Here is another in a long line of examples of Wal-Mart battling unions (this time in Canada). So, is this an example of unfair labor practices? Or should Wal-Mart be allowed to do whatever it wants to increase the bo… --- ## [Double standard re. lesbians vs. straight men](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-standard-re-lesbians-vs-straight-men/691742)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2014, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/double-standard-re-lesbians-vs-straight-men/691742 "2014-06-28T16:35:50Z")
Inspired by the 06-26-2014 “Dear Amy” advice column in which a teenage girl expressed concerns about showering in gym class when there’s an openly lesbian coach present. My question: why is it ok for a lesbian to have th… --- ## [Who SHOULD win in Syria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-win-in-syria/659711)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-win-in-syria/659711 "2014-06-27T16:27:05Z")
I notice in this thread there is, now and then, a lotta hate for the Syrian rebels – for war crimes, cannibalism, inclusion of Islamist extremists. Also a lotta hate for the Assad regime, for all of the obvious reasons,… --- ## [Who Is Winning In Syria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-winning-in-syria/639316)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2014, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-winning-in-syria/639316 "2014-06-27T16:25:31Z")
Apart from a few recent skirmishes, there seems to be little news from Syria. Despite reports that the rebels have captured parts of Aleppo and Damascus, it seems (to me) that the government is still in control. I have… --- ## [The terrorist haven of Iraq: A self-fulfilling prophecy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terrorist-haven-of-iraq-a-self-fulfilling-prophecy/690677)
**Author:** [@iLemming](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iLemming)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-terrorist-haven-of-iraq-a-self-fulfilling-prophecy/690677 "2014-06-27T04:26:11Z")
Now that the latest Islamic bogey men are running Blitzkrieg across Iraq, resulting in the almost certain re-involvement of the West in this region after its fruitless, protracted search for the infamous, O.J.'s “killers… --- ## [Should the government limit the number of people meeting at one's home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-limit-the-number-of-people-meeting-at-ones-home/687784)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-limit-the-number-of-people-meeting-at-ones-home/687784 "2014-06-27T00:08:55Z")
In Virginia, it seems they are. LINK: http://watchdog.org/142488/faiirfax-home-assemblies/ According to the site: "The proposed zoning ordinance limits “group assembly” at residences to 49 people a day. Such gatherings … --- ## [Seeds being sown: Hong Kong Elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeds-being-sown-hong-kong-elections/691649)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeds-being-sown-hong-kong-elections/691649 "2014-06-26T22:16:40Z")
Seems like Hong Kong has had notable scuffles with Beijing in regards to holding legitimate elections. Hong Kong’s unofficial pro-democracy referendum irks Beijing I think this might be the way in which China becomes … --- ## [Warrantless cell phone searches unanimously held unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warrantless-cell-phone-searches-unanimously-held-unconstitutional/691634)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2014, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warrantless-cell-phone-searches-unanimously-held-unconstitutional/691634 "2014-06-26T18:29:09Z")
New York Times link here. I was hoping it would go this way, and pleasantly surprised it was a unanimous decision. --- ## [What if Lawrence of Arabia had gotten his way?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-lawrence-of-arabia-had-gotten-his-way/691387)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2014, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-lawrence-of-arabia-had-gotten-his-way/691387 "2014-06-26T18:03:56Z")
Going by the movie, and by a piece I recently heard on All Things Considered, T.E. Lawrence’ end-goal in the Arab Revolt was an independent Arabia (defined. from what I can gather, as all Arabic-speaking lands east of Eg… --- ## [No-Fly list ruled unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fly-list-ruled-unconstitutional/691557)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fly-list-ruled-unconstitutional/691557 "2014-06-26T13:40:01Z")
By a U.S. District judge in Oregon. Story here. I expect the government to appeal, but what are the implications if this decision holds? The judge says that the government has to notify persons who are on the no-fly li… --- ## [Why is Little Black Sambo racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-little-black-sambo-racist/462908)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2014, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-little-black-sambo-racist/462908 "2014-06-26T13:11:24Z")
Seriously. Recently there was a fabricated story that ran across the blogsphere that Governor Palin had been overheard saying, to colleagues at lunch when they were discussing Obama’s primary win: “So Sambo beat the bitc… --- ## [Fool cells?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fool-cells/691637)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2014, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fool-cells/691637 "2014-06-25T22:46:56Z")
Elon Musk does not believe that fuel cells are a viable technology. His words, from here: He doesn’t go into specifics, but but this echoes the criticism I’ve seen of the notion of mass-market fuel cell vehicles suppor… --- ## [Should the Privileges or Immunities Clause in the 14th amendment be used more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-privileges-or-immunities-clause-in-the-14th-amendment-be-used-more/691323)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-privileges-or-immunities-clause-in-the-14th-amendment-be-used-more/691323 "2014-06-24T14:29:42Z")
I was reading Thomas’ concurrence in McDonald: and I must say that I’m sold. Why torture the due process clause when there is another more straight forward way to give rights to citizens? What would be the drawbacks… --- ## [Is Religion and Science Compatible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-and-science-compatible/690519)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 317\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2014, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-and-science-compatible/690519 "2014-06-24T09:36:56Z")
Are religion and science compatible? Some people I have encountered on the internet seem to think no. I get an email newsletter from a secular humanist organization. And they seem to think no. Carl Sagan was an atheist.… --- ## [for those who tithe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-tithe/691113)
**Author:** [@impatien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/impatien)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2014, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-tithe/691113 "2014-06-24T06:48:45Z")
A situation has come up at work with someone I work closely with. It’s just the two of us in our department, so I’m the only one she has to vent to. She is in her early 60’s, as is her husband. They have three adult c… --- ## [Are cops "civilians"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cops-civilians/360878)
**Author:** [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2014, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-cops-civilians/360878 "2014-06-24T06:16:04Z")
Usually somewhere in some thread regarding cops, someone refers to non-police citizens as “civilians.” Whereupon someone else jumps in and says, “not all cops are in the reserves, so cops are civilians, too.” Technical… --- ## [Does political correctness preclude gay-stereotype comedy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-political-correctness-preclude-gay-stereotype-comedy/691192)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2014, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-political-correctness-preclude-gay-stereotype-comedy/691192 "2014-06-24T05:13:14Z")
Like this, or this. (Actually, I think, of the Monty Python boys, only Graham Chapman was really gay, but that’s beside the point.) Gay dudes, I don’t hate you and I don’t look down on you. I respect you, or at least … --- ## [The Church of England should be disestablished](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-church-of-england-should-be-disestablished/690511)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-church-of-england-should-be-disestablished/690511 "2014-06-24T01:46:10Z")
I don’t live in Britain, I’m not British and I’m not a Christian, so this affects me not at all. Also, I assume that the British are fully capable of deciding this issue without my input. However, I am currently reading… --- ## [What would be the net effect of a great world cup success for a third world country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-net-effect-of-a-great-world-cup-success-for-a-third-world-country/691196)
**Author:** [@guesswhoiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guesswhoiam)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2014, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-net-effect-of-a-great-world-cup-success-for-a-third-world-country/691196 "2014-06-23T15:36:27Z")
Say, if a country like Ivory Coast or Algeria were to unexpectedly win the world cup or get into the top 2. One one hand, the huge success will probably unify and stabilize the country, while on the other hand the exces… --- ## [What all major divisions are there among people in the middle east/north africa & south asia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-all-major-divisions-are-there-among-people-in-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia/690960)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-all-major-divisions-are-there-among-people-in-the-middle-east-north-africa-south-asia/690960 "2014-06-23T13:04:12Z")
The fighting in Iraq made me curious about this. I know there are divisions between Sunni muslims and Shi’ite muslims, as well as tensions between muslims and non-muslims (Jews, Christians, Hindu, etc) Is nationalism a r… --- ## [Do Broken Homes Lead to Crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-broken-homes-lead-to-crime/691017)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-broken-homes-lead-to-crime/691017 "2014-06-22T16:04:28Z")
Some people certainly think so. I myself, though, am skeptical about psychological theories that confirm what conservatives have been saying right along. Well, is it true? Do broken homes lead to crime? :slight\_smile: --- ## [Abortion and social rights/ Conspiracies and all else we want to rant off.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-social-rights-conspiracies-and-all-else-we-want-to-rant-off/691358)
**Author:** [@ZetherasReivere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZetherasReivere)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2014, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-social-rights-conspiracies-and-all-else-we-want-to-rant-off/691358 "2014-06-22T11:11:19Z")
:smack: --- ## [The train has been derailed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-train-has-been-derailed/679958)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-train-has-been-derailed/679958 "2014-06-21T17:26:30Z")
Five years ago, there was a movement to establish high-speed rail corridors in the USA. Whitehouse.gov is still touting the “historic $8 billion investment” and ambitious plans in this area. But most of the projects ne… --- ## [U.S. justices revive challenge to Ohio election law on false statements](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-justices-revive-challenge-to-ohio-election-law-on-false-statements/690914)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2014, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-justices-revive-challenge-to-ohio-election-law-on-false-statements/690914 "2014-06-19T14:09:54Z")
From the article: I am really torn on this one (being careful to remember it could just as easily be two groups I happen to agree with). One has to be really careful when political speech could be punished but at the … --- ## [Britain - better in EU or US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britain-better-in-eu-or-us/53546)
**Author:** [@Flag\_nor\_fail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flag_nor_fail)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2014, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britain-better-in-eu-or-us/53546 "2014-06-19T11:19:43Z")
OK, don’t get me wrong. I make fun of you yanks as much (probably more) than most Brits but come on guys, we are practically blood brothers, 1789 and all that was just an 'ickle mistake (if you think about it that war wa… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=226) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=228)