# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=231 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 232 --- ## [Judge Make-You-Dead by suffocation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648)
**Author:** [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2014, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-make-you-dead-by-suffocation/688648 "2014-05-25T22:05:14Z")
Since May is evidently Capital Punishment Month, what about suffocation as a method of execution, assuming that execution is necessary? Recycle an old gas chamber and strap in the condemned, then gradually and as silent… --- ## [lets shoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-shoot/689228)
**Author:** [@bannerrefugee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bannerrefugee)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2014, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-shoot/689228 "2014-05-25T10:19:48Z")
Wow that was a pretty disappointing massacre. At least it involves Hollywood so maybe the killers dad and the NRA can do a good movie together. --- ## [Should the military make self-defense training mandatory as a sexual assault prevention measure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-military-make-self-defense-training-mandatory-as-a-sexual-assault-prevention-measure/688742)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2014, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-military-make-self-defense-training-mandatory-as-a-sexual-assault-prevention-measure/688742 "2014-05-24T15:56:17Z")
Several US Air Force bases have started teaching Gracie Jiu Jitsu under the umbrella of “resiliency training,” which is team-building/suicide prevention. Rumor has it that there’s some hesitation about bringing it in un… --- ## [If Money is Speech, Why Can't I Sell My Vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-money-is-speech-why-cant-i-sell-my-vote/688807)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2014, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-money-is-speech-why-cant-i-sell-my-vote/688807 "2014-05-24T07:40:19Z")
This confuses me. For some reason, it’s illegal to sell my vote. But if money is covered under free speech, surely there isn’t that much difference between someone giving me a hundred dollars of free speech to convince m… --- ## [What happens in a post-Christian society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-in-a-post-christian-society/688041)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-in-a-post-christian-society/688041 "2014-05-24T00:31:42Z")
In “Star Trek” Spock once said “nature abhors a vacuum”. Lets say you have a society where over time, the influence of the Christian church drops to a point where it has become almost non-existent. What then? How do p… --- ## [Assume plutocracy/oligarchy = what we have now & bad, democracy good - how to get there from here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-plutocracy-oligarchy-what-we-have-now-bad-democracy-good-how-to-get-there-from-here/689040)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assume-plutocracy-oligarchy-what-we-have-now-bad-democracy-good-how-to-get-there-from-here/689040 "2014-05-23T19:43:56Z")
This Princeton study by Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page looks at whether American policymaking outcomes best conform to one of four models – “Majoritarian Electoral Democracy,” “Economic Elite Domination,” “Majoritarian … --- ## [Is there any necessary value in preserving a traditional cultural practice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-necessary-value-in-preserving-a-traditional-cultural-practice/687984)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-necessary-value-in-preserving-a-traditional-cultural-practice/687984 "2014-05-23T19:15:13Z")
I’ll explain what I mean with an example: suppose ethnic group A does a fertility ritual, involving song and dance, with every full moon. Due to contact with other cultures, this traditional practice is dying out – most… --- ## [How advanced is contemporary medicine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-advanced-is-contemporary-medicine/689035)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-advanced-is-contemporary-medicine/689035 "2014-05-23T18:48:54Z")
I was reading about the growth of AI in medical diagnostics, and an article mentions that there are roughly 10,000+ diagnosed medical conditions in humans and how AI would do a much better job of sifting through data for… --- ## [The Da Vinci Contention - Was it (and if not, is it now) his surname?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-da-vinci-contention-was-it-and-if-not-is-it-now-his-surname/688902)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-da-vinci-contention-was-it-and-if-not-is-it-now-his-surname/688902 "2014-05-23T18:14:18Z")
To avoid further hijack of thisthread, I’ve opened another (this one) to discuss further the question of the rights and wrongs of considering ‘Da Vinci’ (or ‘da Vinci’) to be the surname of the famous Florentine polymath… --- ## [Can the condemned choose their own demise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-condemned-choose-their-own-demise/689021)
**Author:** [@Scantzen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scantzen)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-condemned-choose-their-own-demise/689021 "2014-05-23T18:04:20Z")
After reading “A Tale of Two Cities”, ruminating on different methods of execution (not to mention Cecil’s articles on decapitation), and the horror of contemplating my own demise as I await a specific time, I wonder if … --- ## [Why Do Men Commit Most Of The Crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-commit-most-of-the-crime/219779)
**Author:** [@Surreal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surreal)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-men-commit-most-of-the-crime/219779 "2014-05-23T17:14:16Z")
Crime statistics show that, generally speaking, men are more likely to commit crime than women, especially violent crime. Why is this the case? Is it possible that many of these male criminals would not have committed t… --- ## [US College campuses are too often an environment of intolerance, parochialism, and outright hate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-college-campuses-are-too-often-an-environment-of-intolerance-parochialism-and-outright-hate/688927)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2014, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-college-campuses-are-too-often-an-environment-of-intolerance-parochialism-and-outright-hate/688927 "2014-05-23T16:23:10Z")
This opinion piece from the CBC’s website (by Neil MacDonald) neatly summarizes some very nasty developments that have taken place recently on some US college campuses. In fact, “developments” may not be the best choice … --- ## [Why are some people enjoying the possible break up of the UK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-enjoying-the-possible-break-up-of-the-uk/685820)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 554\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2014, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-people-enjoying-the-possible-break-up-of-the-uk/685820 "2014-05-22T06:01:45Z")
I’ve been reading the Guardian and all I see is a barrage of pro-yes sentiment in relation to Scottish independence, which has lead me to think, why is the Guardian intent on promoting a narrative of being a Unionist equ… --- ## [Do all monotheistic religions worship the same God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-monotheistic-religions-worship-the-same-god/563169)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2014, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-all-monotheistic-religions-worship-the-same-god/563169 "2014-05-22T03:27:36Z")
In a currently running IMHO thread, The most significant person in the history of the whole world, sitchensis posts this: Leaving aside the problem that “God” doesn’t qualify as a person, I have heard this from various… --- ## [Judicial Killing by Firing Squad](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-by-firing-squad/688637)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2014, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-by-firing-squad/688637 "2014-05-21T23:54:32Z")
This article: makes the claim that a firing squad causes immediate painless death. I find this hard to believe if the target is as stated the heart (shooting the head would probably be too gruesome. My understanding … --- ## [What percentage of guns used in crime are stolen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-guns-used-in-crime-are-stolen/648974)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-percentage-of-guns-used-in-crime-are-stolen/648974 "2014-05-21T17:05:23Z")
Are statistics kept on this? I searched for it, but my searches seem to indicate that they are not. Thanks and sorry about starting yet another gun thread, Rob --- ## [Did Da Vinci plagiarize a lot of his ideas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-da-vinci-plagiarize-a-lot-of-his-ideas/688748)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2014, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-da-vinci-plagiarize-a-lot-of-his-ideas/688748 "2014-05-21T11:30:14Z")
I had an opportunity to work on several full size Da Vinci recreations several years ago and I couldn’t help but notice that while parts of his inventions seemed brilliant other aspects seemed totally out of touch. It ra… --- ## [Dispelling the notion that "college is not worth it".](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dispelling-the-notion-that-college-is-not-worth-it/687216)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 183\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dispelling-the-notion-that-college-is-not-worth-it/687216 "2014-05-20T22:54:02Z")
There seems to be a popular message floating around media circles these days that there is an “education bubble” and that due to the high cost, college is no longer “worth it”. I believe this notion is misguided. A cou… --- ## [Is Tony Blair a war criminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tony-blair-a-war-criminal/688138)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2014, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tony-blair-a-war-criminal/688138 "2014-05-20T13:04:01Z")
It’s another Guardian piece I’ve thought about, Twiggy Garcia became famous for conducting a citizens arrest on Tony Blair on account of being a war criminal due to what happened in Iraq. I read some of the comments o… --- ## [Was the US founded on Christian principles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-us-founded-on-christian-principles/687358)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2014, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-us-founded-on-christian-principles/687358 "2014-05-20T12:44:42Z")
A continuation of the hijack from this thread. --- ## [War between USA and China is absurd in the near future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-between-usa-and-china-is-absurd-in-the-near-future/688213)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2014, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/war-between-usa-and-china-is-absurd-in-the-near-future/688213 "2014-05-20T04:07:11Z")
Rather than hijack another thread, I’ll just chain these quotes here: I’m sorry, I assumed you were implying the USA DoD had imminent plans to attack China, which would be absurd, given our intertwined economies. T… --- ## [Should Michael Sam be selected regardless of his playing ability?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-sam-be-selected-regardless-of-his-playing-ability/688076)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2014, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michael-sam-be-selected-regardless-of-his-playing-ability/688076 "2014-05-20T00:42:59Z")
(I hesitated as to which forum to place this in but decided it’s more of a debate than anything else. I’m quite content to see it moved should the mods disagree.) Prompted by this story. So is this a no-brainer (he sh… --- ## [Police Collusion over Statements after Firearms Use](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-collusion-over-statements-after-firearms-use/688717)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-collusion-over-statements-after-firearms-use/688717 "2014-05-19T20:41:34Z")
Recent cases in the UK where firearms have been used by the police have called into question the veracity of Police statements which have been shown by later analysis to be not true accounts of the situation. British po… --- ## [Criminals who got what they deserved...or precious snowflakes tragically murdered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminals-who-got-what-they-deserved-or-precious-snowflakes-tragically-murdered/642209)
**Author:** [@Snow\_Pea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snow_Pea)\ **Replies:** 450\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminals-who-got-what-they-deserved-or-precious-snowflakes-tragically-murdered/642209 "2014-05-19T19:54:37Z")
Teen cousins shot dead trying to burglarize a home…U.S. News | Latest National News, Videos & Photos - ABC News - ABC News Apparently the elderly homeowner had had his house broken into over and over recently and claime… --- ## [Campaign Finance Amendment (as a wedge issue)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-finance-amendment-as-a-wedge-issue/684626)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-finance-amendment-as-a-wedge-issue/684626 "2014-05-19T16:39:48Z")
So I haven’t paid a lot of attention to the proposed constitutional amendments to reign in campaign finance spending. I’ve heard there were issues with them but I didn’t take them seriously because it’s so difficult to a… --- ## [Hypothesis: The US income gap is caused by Asia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothesis-the-us-income-gap-is-caused-by-asia/686778)
**Author:** [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothesis-the-us-income-gap-is-caused-by-asia/686778 "2014-05-19T16:04:20Z")
I see a lot of discussions about the increase in income inequality in the US. Many attribute it to a transfer of wealth from the middle and lower classes to the wealthy. I suspect that instead, US middle class wealth w… --- ## [When is racial diversity important?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-racial-diversity-important/687457)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-racial-diversity-important/687457 "2014-05-19T11:06:04Z")
The recent debates about affirmative action have brought up this topic. For those who defend affirmative action, the most common argument is that it’s important to have racial diversity for its own sake. In Michigan, f… --- ## [Google told to "forget" old Internet content (lest someone be embarrassed)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-told-to-forget-old-internet-content-lest-someone-be-embarrassed/688334)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2014, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-told-to-forget-old-internet-content-lest-someone-be-embarrassed/688334 "2014-05-19T04:11:13Z")
The European Court of Justice has ruled that people have “the right to be forgotten”. So, for example, if some years ago you did something you’d rather no one know about it, Google would be obliged to wipe it off the ‘In… --- ## [Mussolini - the 20th Century's biggest idiot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mussolini-the-20th-centurys-biggest-idiot/676554)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mussolini-the-20th-centurys-biggest-idiot/676554 "2014-05-17T23:13:48Z")
In June 1940 Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini formally declared war on Britain and France, thinking that the conflict would be over quickly and sensing easy pickings, telling the Army’s Chief of Staff “I only need a … --- ## [Judicial Killing- Newspapers launch lawsuit to force disclosure of methods](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534)
**Author:** [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2014, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judicial-killing-newspapers-launch-lawsuit-to-force-disclosure-of-methods/688534 "2014-05-17T16:31:16Z")
"The growing secrecy adopted by death penalty states to hide the source of their lethal injection drugs used in executions is being challenged in a new lawsuit in Missouri, which argues that the American people have a … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=230) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=232)