# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=24 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 25 --- ## [Should the West open its borders to Russians fleeing the draft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-west-open-its-borders-to-russians-fleeing-the-draft/972205)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-west-open-its-borders-to-russians-fleeing-the-draft/972205 "2022-10-06T19:48:40Z")
\[Originally posted in the thread “Russia invades Ukraine”\] A debate is shaping up within the EU over whether EU member states are right to be tightening border restrictions against Russian citizens fleeing the draft. T… --- ## [China v Russia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-v-russia/971392)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2022, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-v-russia/971392 "2022-10-06T03:30:17Z")
Let’s assume that Russia faces an ignominious defeat in Ukraine, leading to the downfall of the current President, Vladimir Putin. At this moment, the military of the nation will be spent, the government will be between … --- ## [If convicted, should Trump be pardoned for the long term good of the country?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-convicted-should-trump-be-pardoned-for-the-long-term-good-of-the-country/972275)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2022, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-convicted-should-trump-be-pardoned-for-the-long-term-good-of-the-country/972275 "2022-09-30T15:46:10Z")
If Trump is convicted of serious crimes, and given a long prison term, should Biden, or whoever is president, consider pardoning him to prevent civil unrest and to unify the country, or let the chips fall where they may? … --- ## [What IF? GB had signed a peace treaty with Germany? WW2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-gb-had-signed-a-peace-treaty-with-germany-ww2/972347)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2022, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-gb-had-signed-a-peace-treaty-with-germany-ww2/972347 "2022-09-30T13:23:55Z")
We just had a similar Alt-hist But I am afraid that the Hypothesis- What if the USA stayed Neutral in WW2" was both very unlikely, and many posters could not help but to fight the hypothetical. Yes, while both Hitler… --- ## [Will Putin be overthrown in the next 12 months as a result of his "partial" mobilization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-putin-be-overthrown-in-the-next-12-months-as-a-result-of-his-partial-mobilization/972209)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2022, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-putin-be-overthrown-in-the-next-12-months-as-a-result-of-his-partial-mobilization/972209 "2022-09-29T14:33:20Z")
I have often read in the past 6 months that, for historical reasons, mobilization would break the social contract Putin has with the masses and cause an uprising, but as we’ve seen, he is doing it anyways. Until now, it … --- ## [From a philosophical POV, is there another term other than 'purpose' to describe the 'purpose' of life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-philosophical-pov-is-there-another-term-other-than-purpose-to-describe-the-purpose-of-life/972295)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2022, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-philosophical-pov-is-there-another-term-other-than-purpose-to-describe-the-purpose-of-life/972295 "2022-09-28T20:34:05Z")
For the terms of this debate, I’m not debating what the purpose of life is (ie various religious philosophies, the purpose is to be happy, etc). I’m going off of evolution via natural selection. The ‘purpose’ is to posse… --- ## [Who is more selfish. Democrats or Republicans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-selfish-democrats-or-republicans/972189)
**Author:** [@Workingdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Workingdude)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2022, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-selfish-democrats-or-republicans/972189 "2022-09-25T09:27:26Z")
For starters I want to say that supporting criminals and illegal immigrants is not selflessness but stupidity and foolishness and liberals seem to support criminals and illegal immigrants. There is nothing selfish about … --- ## [Claims of "Ritual Abuse". Whats the reason?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-ritual-abuse-whats-the-reason/648254)
**Author:** [@Steener122](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steener122)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2022, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/claims-of-ritual-abuse-whats-the-reason/648254 "2022-09-24T14:26:03Z")
I recently downloaded a book on Kindle (it was free or I wouldn’t have wasted my money) called Rabbithole. It is supposed to be about the horrible Satanic Ritual Abuse that a man went through. By the time I got to the se… --- ## [Why do childless US taxpayers have to support other people's kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552)
**Author:** [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2022, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-childless-us-taxpayers-have-to-support-other-peoples-kids/63552 "2022-09-20T13:05:13Z")
I don’t get it. If I have a child in the US, I receive tax credit. For each qualifying child under 17, I can subtract up to $500 from my income tax. If I have 3 or more children, I can subtract even more per child. If … --- ## [BREAKING NEWS: The Netherlands to Abandon Multiculturalism!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-netherlands-to-abandon-multiculturalism/586606)
**Author:** [@RaleighRally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaleighRally)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2011, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-the-netherlands-to-abandon-multiculturalism/586606 "2011-06-30T10:33:41Z")
http://www.hudson-ny.org/2219/netherlands-abandons-multiculturalism Of the four most progressive countries in Europe (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Holland) TWO have now officially abandoned “American” multiculturalism. Are… --- ## [At what point do you kill Gilligan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-do-you-kill-gilligan/971290)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2022, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-do-you-kill-gilligan/971290 "2022-09-17T22:29:03Z")
That is, at what point is sheer incompetency, even in the absence of malice, contemptable? At what point do you say that their “tried their best” is pathetically inadequate, especially if you suffer as a result? --- ## [Should Europe give in and make Ukraine a sacrificial lamb so as to avoid a depression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-europe-give-in-and-make-ukraine-a-sacrificial-lamb-so-as-to-avoid-a-depression/970851)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-europe-give-in-and-make-ukraine-a-sacrificial-lamb-so-as-to-avoid-a-depression/970851 "2022-09-17T20:21:21Z")
Fuck Russia and what they’re doing to Ukraine. However, is it time for Europe to admit they fucked up and got caught with their pants down by Putin, by being so stupidly dependent on Russian gas that they will go into a… --- ## [A modest proposal: South Korea buys North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-south-korea-buys-north-korea/971097)
**Author:** [@EdwardFound](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardFound)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2022, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modest-proposal-south-korea-buys-north-korea/971097 "2022-09-16T05:15:55Z")
Say envoys make an offer to Kim Jong-on and his top generals: immunity from prosecution for any and all crimes for yourself and your family; a luxurious, palatial estate to retire in; $1B a year family stipend for the ne… --- ## [Weed and Mexico](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weed-and-mexico/971281)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2022, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/weed-and-mexico/971281 "2022-09-15T19:02:41Z")
Now that marijuana has been legal in many large states for many years, I was curious to see if the original hypothesis that legalized drugs here would reduce crime in Mexico. This is the first study that I found (look fo… --- ## [Extended Warranty on a new car. Is it ever a good buy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extended-warranty-on-a-new-car-is-it-ever-a-good-buy/970827)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/extended-warranty-on-a-new-car-is-it-ever-a-good-buy/970827 "2022-09-13T18:11:13Z")
Let’s say 2000 for the warranty that covers everything. We know insurance is feast or famine. You lose money when nothing goes wrong and save a tan of when something bad happens. On the dealer’s side (assume for a seco… --- ## [Does The Past Still Exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-past-still-exist/968408)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2022, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-past-still-exist/968408 "2022-09-11T15:21:32Z")
I guess I should tell you what inspired this question. I was watching this piece on a British museum on TV. And they were saying, the public really doesn’t like seeing depictions in museums about more relatively recent h… --- ## [Moving Window of Monarchical Selection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-window-of-monarchical-selection/971287)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2022, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-window-of-monarchical-selection/971287 "2022-09-11T02:27:08Z")
As an alternative to primogeniture, I would recommend this system: Figure out the line of succession according to the rules of primogeniture (including both boys and girls). Remove all persons from the list who are und… --- ## [Oberlin college and free speech debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oberlin-college-and-free-speech-debate/836070)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2022, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oberlin-college-and-free-speech-debate/836070 "2022-09-10T05:13:27Z")
I dont know if this has been discussed, but I wanted to discuss the case of Oberlin college vs a local bakery. It seems that in 2016 a black student was confronted for shoplifting and him and 2 friends got into a fight w… --- ## [What is the rationale behind the idea that accepting a pardon is an admission of guilt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rationale-behind-the-idea-that-accepting-a-pardon-is-an-admission-of-guilt/971186)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2022, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-rationale-behind-the-idea-that-accepting-a-pardon-is-an-admission-of-guilt/971186 "2022-09-10T01:39:54Z")
So I’ve read/heard this several places, most recently here. Why would this be the case. It would seem to me that the most obvious place in which a pardon would be appropriate would be when there has been a massive misc… --- ## [Hypothetical: South Korea absorbs North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-south-korea-absorbs-north-korea/971136)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2022, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-south-korea-absorbs-north-korea/971136 "2022-09-09T17:48:22Z")
Continuing the discussion from A modest proposal: South Korea buys North Korea: I think this is a interesting to consider regardless of the fantastical nature of the hypothetical. Premise: North Korea is dissolved and … --- ## [What WOULD a "sustainable existence" actually look like for the average person? Is it feasible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-sustainable-existence-actually-look-like-for-the-average-person-is-it-feasible/969868)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [September 7, 2022, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-sustainable-existence-actually-look-like-for-the-average-person-is-it-feasible/969868 "2022-09-07T23:16:56Z")
So all the discussion about droughts and water shortages across the world has rekindled discussion of what it would take to beat climate change and head off its related issues, including dwindling common resources. I’ve … --- ## [Do liberals share the same view of human nature as conservatives as far as war and violence are concerned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-liberals-share-the-same-view-of-human-nature-as-conservatives-as-far-as-war-and-violence-are-concerned/961129)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2022, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-liberals-share-the-same-view-of-human-nature-as-conservatives-as-far-as-war-and-violence-are-concerned/961129 "2022-03-28T18:46:23Z")
By and large, liberals and conservatives nowadays seem to share the same viewpoints as far as human nature is concerned: Negotiation and dialogue can stave off some conflicts, but sometimes an aggressor is simply bent … --- ## [I don't understand otherwise well-meaning liberals who continue to eat meat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-otherwise-well-meaning-liberals-who-continue-to-eat-meat/969149)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2022, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-otherwise-well-meaning-liberals-who-continue-to-eat-meat/969149 "2022-09-02T09:48:36Z")
I know this isn’t a new topic for this board, but I’m growing increasingly exasperated at the number of scientifically literate liberals who continue to eat meat. We’ve known for years now that “a vegan diet is probably… --- ## [Would there be Trump without Sarah Palin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-trump-without-sarah-palin/969979)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2022, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-there-be-trump-without-sarah-palin/969979 "2022-08-31T12:59:26Z")
Saw the headline below and clicked wondering how they would be in conflict. The article doesn’t talk about that, but skimming through it got me thinking. I haven’t thought about it except for the few minutes since I ski… --- ## [Forgiving College Debt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forgiving-college-debt/970576)
**Author:** [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2022, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/forgiving-college-debt/970576 "2022-08-30T02:42:51Z")
Biden Has proposed a forgiveness of school debt (amounts and student eligibility may vary). If the borrowers now don’t have to pay back the lenders…whomever they may be…are the lenders out of luck? Will we the taxp… --- ## [Why Parenting Doesn't Require Any License](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-parenting-doesnt-require-any-license/969981)
**Author:** [@thescrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thescrr)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2022, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-parenting-doesnt-require-any-license/969981 "2022-08-29T07:25:42Z")
I’ve always called parenting as the last bastion of freedom. Here me out for a minute. In almost everything else you do in life, there are requirements, licenses, certifications, surveillance, monitoring, tracking, re… --- ## [Sometimes too much is too little](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-too-much-is-too-little/961504)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2022, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sometimes-too-much-is-too-little/961504 "2022-08-28T11:07:50Z")
As a Nurse Faces Prison for a Deadly Error, Her Colleagues Worry: Could I Be Next? | Kaiser Health News (khn.org) (Note: the following is a pretty long quote, but the website says specifically that this article can be r… --- ## [Money and the economy should have no place in public health decisions…right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-and-the-economy-should-have-no-place-in-public-health-decisions-right/969672)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2022, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/money-and-the-economy-should-have-no-place-in-public-health-decisions-right/969672 "2022-08-25T14:37:59Z")
There’s a lot of criticism of the CDC’s recent lifting of recommendations involving quarantine and distancing. This includes a lot of implications, and outright stating, that the agency’s decisions are not scientifically… --- ## [Interesting article- SF progressive policies / failed city](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-article-sf-progressive-policies-failed-city/965882)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-article-sf-progressive-policies-failed-city/965882 "2022-08-24T20:07:36Z")
This article showed up in my Android news feed recently, and it’s pretty interesting. Basically the author posits that San Francisco is a city where the political fighting is between “leftists and liberals” and that the… --- ## [Does the State have the power to force an abortion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-state-have-the-power-to-force-an-abortion/969987)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-state-have-the-power-to-force-an-abortion/969987 "2022-08-24T09:50:52Z")
Under the new abortion regime in the US where it’s up to the States to decide on the legality of abortion, does that also grant the State the right to force an abortion? My understanding is that the States have an inter… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=25)