# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=240 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 241 --- ## [Is the cloning of animals for food unethical or detrimental for animal welfare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-cloning-of-animals-for-food-unethical-or-detrimental-for-animal-welfare/683101)
**Author:** [@Bibliovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bibliovore)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-cloning-of-animals-for-food-unethical-or-detrimental-for-animal-welfare/683101 "2014-03-08T00:12:30Z")
I would posit that it isn’t. If we’re talking about “vat-grown” steaks then surely that is better for animals in that none would have to die to produce the meal on your plate? If we’re talking about cloning entire animal… --- ## [Have you ever changed your mind? What did it take?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-mind-what-did-it-take/682793)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2014, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-changed-your-mind-what-did-it-take/682793 "2014-03-07T23:17:18Z")
I have read numerous studies and surveys lately that paint humans - but especially Americans - as impervious to facts. Whether it’s the anti-vaccine crowd, creationists, climate change denialism, those holding certain p… --- ## [PSH \[Philip Seymour Hoffman\] has died; discuss drugs and addiction here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psh-philip-seymour-hoffman-has-died-discuss-drugs-and-addiction-here/680477)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2014, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psh-philip-seymour-hoffman-has-died-discuss-drugs-and-addiction-here/680477 "2014-03-07T06:19:21Z")
To avoid more sidetracking and tangents from this thread: Philip Seymour Hoffman has died. - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board --- ## [US Embassy refuse help to persona non grata activists in Cairo](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-embassy-refuse-help-to-persona-non-grata-activists-in-cairo/683005)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-embassy-refuse-help-to-persona-non-grata-activists-in-cairo/683005 "2014-03-07T00:51:05Z")
http://madamasr.com/content/activists-seeking-enter-gaza-face-deportation-cairo-airport Medea Benjamin the leader of the group has condemned the US Embassy for not helping after she spent 17 hours on Twitter etc asking… --- ## [a progressive tax system is inherently more fair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-progressive-tax-system-is-inherently-more-fair/682950)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2014, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-progressive-tax-system-is-inherently-more-fair/682950 "2014-03-07T00:05:52Z")
As Cecil commented in this column: That’s one decent argument for why income tax should be progressive. But another argument, which I don’t hear put forth nearly as often, is that it’s inherently more fair for the ov… --- ## [Ukraine - Proof (again) that an insurrectionary overthrow of a soverign government is possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-proof-again-that-an-insurrectionary-overthrow-of-a-soverign-government-is-possible/682992)
**Author:** [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-proof-again-that-an-insurrectionary-overthrow-of-a-soverign-government-is-possible/682992 "2014-03-06T18:19:17Z")
I know it’s still early days yet, but based on the fact that the President of the Ukraine could be sent packing and, apparently, enough opposition to his government could be mustered that those wanting to change the path… --- ## [14,000 Hamas with Egyptian citizenship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/14-000-hamas-with-egyptian-citizenship/683006)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/14-000-hamas-with-egyptian-citizenship/683006 "2014-03-06T16:09:15Z")
Breaking Egypt TV announced that Egypt’s Ministry of Interior is collecting all the information of Hamas members who were given Egyptian citizenship by ousted President Mohammed Morsi when he was in power. Egypt recent… --- ## [Gulf States withdraw Qatar ambassadors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-states-withdraw-qatar-ambassadors/683000)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2014, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-states-withdraw-qatar-ambassadors/683000 "2014-03-06T15:15:16Z")
Egyptian Streets I’m guessing the little petrol station called Qatar will be asking if it can join the EU next. :smiley: In the entire region this little emirate that funds and supports the Muslim Brotherhood activiti… --- ## [Satanism--tenets, beliefs & values?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/satanism-tenets-beliefs-values/681757)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2014, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/satanism-tenets-beliefs-values/681757 "2014-03-06T07:36:31Z")
After the recent mention of the whole Kansas statue thing, the question leaps to mind–exactly what do satanists believe? What are the tenets of their beliefs? Side question–has anybody known a family where the kids were… --- ## [unacceptable: Ukraine nationalists in power call Chechen terrorists for help](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unacceptable-ukraine-nationalists-in-power-call-chechen-terrorists-for-help/682822)
**Author:** [@Teoleor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teoleor)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2014, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unacceptable-ukraine-nationalists-in-power-call-chechen-terrorists-for-help/682822 "2014-03-05T21:12:11Z")
subject: ItemFix - Social Video Factory Dmitry Yarosh… Please, if I’m wrong on the following, I welcome any reasonable correction, but doesn’t this man currently taking an OFFICIAL post in newly self formed Kiev’s gover… --- ## [Ayn Rand and Children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-and-children/682771)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-and-children/682771 "2014-03-05T18:02:56Z")
How does Ayn Rand’s philosophy pertain to the caring and raising of children? One of her most famous quotes sums up her philosophy quite nicely: “I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sa… --- ## [1 in 4 Americans think the Sun goes around the Earth. Does it matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-4-americans-think-the-sun-goes-around-the-earth-does-it-matter/682797)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2014, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-in-4-americans-think-the-sun-goes-around-the-earth-does-it-matter/682797 "2014-03-05T16:59:42Z")
– “A Study in Scarlet,” Arthur Conan Doyle I do not agree with Doyle’s assessment of the limitations of human knowledge and memory and recall, I’ve spent my whole life learning things for the sake of learning them and … --- ## [This is the meta-solution to ethics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-meta-solution-to-ethics/682566)
**Author:** [@Ecmandu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ecmandu)\ **Replies:** 277\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2014, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-the-meta-solution-to-ethics/682566 "2014-03-05T14:12:43Z")
I have for 20 years typed more nonsense than most people have typed truths, and having done this for 20 years, I have become the smartest person on earth… I make arguments, refute them ALL and start again… I have spent … --- ## [Legalize it. \[Marijuana\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalize-it-marijuana/678782)
**Author:** [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalize-it-marijuana/678782 "2014-03-04T19:56:56Z")
I think weed should be legalized. Weed doesn’t lead to crime anymore then alcohol does. It CREATES crime if you make it illegal. The Capones couldn’t have existed except for the fact that alcohol was illegal. You can’t … --- ## [SCOTUS turns down 2 2nd Amendment appeals from NRA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-turns-down-2-2nd-amendment-appeals-from-nra/682112)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-turns-down-2-2nd-amendment-appeals-from-nra/682112 "2014-03-04T18:02:42Z")
The Supreme Court turned down 2 appeals brought by the NRA concerning gun rights for those under 21 years of age. Should underage citizens have the same 2nd Amendment rights as the rest of us? --- ## [Were Eva and Juan Peron really Nazi sympathisers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-eva-and-juan-peron-really-nazi-sympathisers/682014)
**Author:** [@Brynhildr\_Budladottir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynhildr_Budladottir)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2014, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-eva-and-juan-peron-really-nazi-sympathisers/682014 "2014-03-04T09:37:19Z")
\*? (Personal anecdote) Nine years ago when I was in Year 10 my history class went on a trip to the Sydney Jewish Museum as part of our unit on Genocide. I have a mild disability and I ended up walking around the museum… --- ## [What happened to John Kerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557)
**Author:** [@slowlearner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slowlearner)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557 "2014-03-04T00:48:40Z")
John Kerry used to be a rather silly presidential candidate married to a sort of exotic rich lady, and he once was a warrior hippie who threw, sort of, his combat decorations over the White House fence. What happened to … --- ## [Do food stamp (EBT) recipients now vote largely for the GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-food-stamp-ebt-recipients-now-vote-largely-for-the-gop/682563)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-food-stamp-ebt-recipients-now-vote-largely-for-the-gop/682563 "2014-03-03T17:06:36Z")
I base this question after reading a Bloomberg article which states: Also: The 2008 Financial Crisis changed a lot in this country. Did it change the demographics of federal EBT recipients too? Is it just a coinc… --- ## [Ukraine.... your predictions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-your-predictions/681948)
**Author:** [@Marmite\_Lover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marmite_Lover)\ **Replies:** 212\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2014, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-your-predictions/681948 "2014-03-03T16:42:50Z")
So what are your predictions now that Yanukovich has been ousted? My prediction is this, and bookmark this page for future reference: By the end of 2014 Ukraine will have US supported jihadists running wild just like … --- ## [Is the Pledge of allegiance inherently automatic invalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pledge-of-allegiance-inherently-automatic-invalid/681902)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2014, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-pledge-of-allegiance-inherently-automatic-invalid/681902 "2014-03-03T13:23:16Z")
‘With liberty and justice for all’ Does the pledge actually require the republic that it has such a thing as stated above as a condition of such pledge? I don’t think for a second anyone can say that the US does even … --- ## [Does her claim of Satanic influence make her less credible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-her-claim-of-satanic-influence-make-her-less-credible/681549)
**Author:** [@arielburns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arielburns)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2014, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-her-claim-of-satanic-influence-make-her-less-credible/681549 "2014-03-03T11:57:09Z")
A woman and her husband kill a man. She gives an interview to the press and says she’s killed more than twenty two people, and she was the leader of a Satanic cult since age thirteen. I was reading the comments sectio… --- ## [What should be done in the Medford School District/Teacher's Union Dispute?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-the-medford-school-district-teachers-union-dispute/681640)
**Author:** [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2014, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-be-done-in-the-medford-school-district-teachers-union-dispute/681640 "2014-03-03T01:51:59Z")
A friend of mine is blowing up my FB wall with posts about the ongoing strike between the Medford School District and the local Teacher’s Union. I know we’ve had union themed threads recently, but this seemed sufficientl… --- ## [Yes or no? Was Iraq in violation of international law in October 2002?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-or-no-was-iraq-in-violation-of-international-law-in-october-2002/682709)
**Author:** [@NotfooledbyW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotfooledbyW)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2014, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-or-no-was-iraq-in-violation-of-international-law-in-october-2002/682709 "2014-03-03T01:18:27Z")
In light of recent developments in Ukraine/Crimea the issue of the violation of international territorial borders has come up. So I’d like anyone to tell me if any of these statements are not true: When Senator John Ker… --- ## [Point at which a law should be considered futile?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-at-which-a-law-should-be-considered-futile/682599)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/point-at-which-a-law-should-be-considered-futile/682599 "2014-03-02T19:12:31Z")
Obviously laws will always be broken, but we still consider them worthwhile- no one is proposing decriminalizing murder for example. But in plenty of topics like the war on drugs or gun control (or back in the day, Prohi… --- ## [Denmark bans halal and kosher slaughter. Justifiable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denmark-bans-halal-and-kosher-slaughter-justifiable/681724)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denmark-bans-halal-and-kosher-slaughter-justifiable/681724 "2014-03-02T18:25:23Z")
Here’s the story. This is a difficult one for me. I hate cruelty to animals but is this form of slaughter really that cruel? And the statement by the Minister for Agriculture and Food bothers me, ie animal rights come … --- ## [Things that should be deductions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-be-deductions/682190)
**Author:** [@ThisUsernameIsForbidden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisUsernameIsForbidden)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2014, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-should-be-deductions/682190 "2014-03-02T06:43:54Z")
More specifically: things an individual should be able to exempt from taxable income on state and federal tax forms. It seems we pay taxes on some things several times. For example, gasoline, or diesel fuel. We pay about… --- ## [Should USA try to stop opium production in Afghanistan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-usa-try-to-stop-opium-production-in-afghanistan/681675)
**Author:** [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-usa-try-to-stop-opium-production-in-afghanistan/681675 "2014-03-01T23:30:50Z")
The opium production sustains Afghan farmers. The opium almost does not reach USA. The country most affected by the trade is Russia. Given that during their aggression in Afghanistan they wiped out many villages with … --- ## [A nuclear Ukraine.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-nuclear-ukraine/682606)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-nuclear-ukraine/682606 "2014-03-01T19:33:24Z")
If, Russia does take over the Crimea, would Ukraine seriously consider withdrawing from the NPT and becoming a nuclear state? The Ukraine has no lack of ability in this sphere. How would the US/NATO react to such a proj… --- ## [Are Republicans less empathic than Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-less-empathic-than-democrats/681768)
**Author:** [@dofe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dofe)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-less-empathic-than-democrats/681768 "2014-03-01T16:56:19Z")
First off, I apologize for the painting with the broad brush, as I understand Republicans (and Democrats) encompass quite diverse individuals who don’t necessarily share views on all subjects. On the topic of this threa… --- ## [Help out an idiot predict what Special Relativity would predict before I do an experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-out-an-idiot-predict-what-special-relativity-would-predict-before-i-do-an-experiment/682539)
**Author:** [@mythoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mythoughts)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-out-an-idiot-predict-what-special-relativity-would-predict-before-i-do-an-experiment/682539 "2014-03-01T10:44:26Z")
Hi, I am not going to describe a new experiment in this post. What I am going to ask is if anyone who has read any of my thought experiments in other threads can tell me what should happen if the experiment were to be p… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=239) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=241)