# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=241 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 242 --- ## [Greatest idea in years... \[NFL may penalize racial slurs\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-idea-in-years-nfl-may-penalize-racial-slurs/682006)
**Author:** [@FairPlay222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairPlay222)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-idea-in-years-nfl-may-penalize-racial-slurs/682006 "2014-03-01T07:06:49Z")
NFL proposes policy to curb/ban use of the N word. One of the biggest double-standards in society is the use of this word. OK for some, just everyday slang amongst, racist vitriol to others. End this double standard NF… --- ## [Science gets its own Sokal hoax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-gets-its-own-sokal-hoax/682452)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2014, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/science-gets-its-own-sokal-hoax/682452 "2014-03-01T01:06:43Z")
According to Nature: Publishers withdraw more than 120 gibberish papers. The publishers Springer and IEEE are removing more than 120 papers from their subscription services after a French researcher discovered that the… --- ## [Prove that the Earth orbits the sun](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prove-that-the-earth-orbits-the-sun/681795)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prove-that-the-earth-orbits-the-sun/681795 "2014-02-28T22:41:46Z")
Prompted by a letter to the editor in this morning’s Austin American-Statesman, using only equipment or observations easily obtained by an ordinary person on the surface of the planet, how can it be proved that the Earth… --- ## [Ayn Rand and the needy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-and-the-needy/681794)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-and-the-needy/681794 "2014-02-28T21:28:08Z")
A discussion was brought up on another thread. I had said Rand had disdain for the poor, for the needy. The response was as such: Rand did not dislike the needy. Again, that is an incorrect assumption on your part. What… --- ## [Reply Ronald Raygun from closed thread: Why Special Relativity is wrong and the speed of light](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-ronald-raygun-from-closed-thread-why-special-relativity-is-wrong-and-the-speed-of-light/682505)
**Author:** [@mythoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mythoughts)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reply-ronald-raygun-from-closed-thread-why-special-relativity-is-wrong-and-the-speed-of-light/682505 "2014-02-28T19:16:41Z")
It is a length contraction paradox, so it is going to have length and contraction in it. And I made it look like the barn paradox because I am vaguely aware of it. But there are no doors and no issues with simultaneit… --- ## [For Believers: article on Rapture.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-believers-article-on-rapture/682090)
**Author:** [@karol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karol)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-believers-article-on-rapture/682090 "2014-02-28T18:12:13Z")
Is Rapture just a symbol ? If no, then when will it occur ? http://www.wordwatcher.net/rapture.htm --- ## [Just how harmful is pornography anyway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-harmful-is-pornography-anyway/680705)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-how-harmful-is-pornography-anyway/680705 "2014-02-28T15:03:35Z")
Hundreds of millions of men and teenagers look at porn every day. Most of them don’t end up trying it out on their 8 year old sister because she is small and “couldn’t remember stuff”. Is the daily mail wrong in its la… --- ## [There actually is no public debt...or is there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-actually-is-no-public-debt-or-is-there/682425)
**Author:** [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-actually-is-no-public-debt-or-is-there/682425 "2014-02-28T09:26:06Z")
Critique this article and chart therein, which compares public assets to public debt and suggests that the usual way to state a debt load is to compare assets to debt and come up with a net figure. Using values for pub… --- ## [Will we become more xenophobic with a second superpower of a different race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-become-more-xenophobic-with-a-second-superpower-of-a-different-race/681448)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-become-more-xenophobic-with-a-second-superpower-of-a-different-race/681448 "2014-02-28T04:12:32Z")
I was born in the 80s and so my only recollection of an opposing superpower was the stories of the Soviet Union that I heard growing up. With the rise of the Asian nations, India and China, I wonder if any potential host… --- ## [If postmodernism is now officially dead, where is philosophy and the arts today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-postmodernism-is-now-officially-dead-where-is-philosophy-and-the-arts-today/681705)
**Author:** [@Jumpin-Jack-Flash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpin-Jack-Flash)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-postmodernism-is-now-officially-dead-where-is-philosophy-and-the-arts-today/681705 "2014-02-28T03:30:22Z")
It has been said that the Financial Crisis of 2008 and 911 Terrorist Attack were the final two nails in the coffin of post-war postmodernism. If that is accepted as true, then what are the cutting-edge ideas which show … --- ## [Why should I care about gay marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-care-about-gay-marriage/681766)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 543\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2014, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-care-about-gay-marriage/681766 "2014-02-28T02:25:40Z")
I’ll post this in GD because I imagine it will end up there anyway. I am a heterosexual, divorced male\*. I presently have literally not one care in the world whether same-sex marriage is legalized or not. Don’t have a d… --- ## [Was Washington 'Really' Gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-washington-really-gay/681538)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2014, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-washington-really-gay/681538 "2014-02-27T23:53:03Z")
Since it is Presidents’ Day, I thought I would do some research on the internet, mainly for myself, on the founders of our country. That is when I came across this article. Is this all true? Were Washington and Hamilton… --- ## [What did Reagan effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-reagan-effect/681695)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2014, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-reagan-effect/681695 "2014-02-27T23:12:20Z")
I originally wanted to post this in GQ, in order to constrain the bullshit from both sides, but I figured it would last about 34 minutes before getting moved here. I myself am highly opinionated on the issue, but I recog… --- ## [Could We End Up Like 'VENUS'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-end-up-like-venus/682315)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-we-end-up-like-venus/682315 "2014-02-27T04:10:57Z")
The theory of global warming is well-known, I obviously don’t need a cite. And ditto for the planet Venus. But let’s consider the planet Venus. The atmospheric pressure is oppressive. And the surface temperature is hot … --- ## [Denazification after WWII and Reconstruction after the American Civil War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denazification-after-wwii-and-reconstruction-after-the-american-civil-war/682260)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/denazification-after-wwii-and-reconstruction-after-the-american-civil-war/682260 "2014-02-26T20:00:32Z")
Denazification, the process of ridding German and Austrian society from the remnants of Nazi ideology, was (from what I understand) mostly successful. But Reconstruction, the process of readmitting the Southern States i… --- ## [When did faith evolve and is it an advantage for evolution ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-faith-evolve-and-is-it-an-advantage-for-evolution/681830)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2014, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-faith-evolve-and-is-it-an-advantage-for-evolution/681830 "2014-02-26T13:42:17Z")
1\> So following the evolution line : Homo Habilis to Homo Sapiens - when do we see faith emerge ? For the purpose of this thread, I am defining faith as the belief that an higher power exists that is non-physical : it ma… --- ## [North Korea - Should the West/UN take action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-should-the-west-un-take-action/681573)
**Author:** [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2014, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-korea-should-the-west-un-take-action/681573 "2014-02-26T07:06:39Z")
A UN investigation has revealed/confirmed (unsurprisingly) that North Korea is guilty of some pretty horrendous human rights violations. Is it incumbent upon the world community to tap NK on the shoulder, and say ‘cut i… --- ## [Why did Bush commute Henry Lee Lucas' sentence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bush-commute-henry-lee-lucas-sentence/494588)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2014, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-bush-commute-henry-lee-lucas-sentence/494588 "2014-02-26T03:02:28Z")
Enough with all these thread bashing Bush’s record as President. Let’s talk about his record as Governor. Okay, seriously, it’s an old issue but I was just reading an old article about Bush’s decision in 1998 to commut… --- ## [The Soviet collapse in a no-Gorby world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-soviet-collapse-in-a-no-gorby-world/682256)
**Author:** [@Princess\_Perfume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princess_Perfume)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2014, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-soviet-collapse-in-a-no-gorby-world/682256 "2014-02-26T02:49:00Z")
If Gorby hadn’t been elected CPSU general secretary and they’d continued the gerontocracy of ancients, how much messier would the fall of the Warsaw Pact have been? A hardliner would certainly have tried to keep the Ber… --- ## [Do the teachings of Marx matter once again in relation to historiography?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-teachings-of-marx-matter-once-again-in-relation-to-historiography/681706)
**Author:** [@Jumpin-Jack-Flash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpin-Jack-Flash)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2014, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-teachings-of-marx-matter-once-again-in-relation-to-historiography/681706 "2014-02-26T00:54:40Z")
With the supposed revival of labour history in British academia, and the renewed interest in the writings of E.P. Thompson and other Marxist historians, has Marx become relevant once again in the post-financial crash Wes… --- ## [Personal blame in acts of wrongdoing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-blame-in-acts-of-wrongdoing/682154)
**Author:** [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2014, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-blame-in-acts-of-wrongdoing/682154 "2014-02-25T20:45:49Z")
There undoubtedly has always been evil in the world, along with good. But lately I’ve been thinking about evil from the evildoer’s point of view . . . everyone from a terrorist down to a litterbug, and so many in-between… --- ## [Why haven't progressive ideas in California and elsewhere produced better results?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-progressive-ideas-in-california-and-elsewhere-produced-better-results/680779)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2014, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-progressive-ideas-in-california-and-elsewhere-produced-better-results/680779 "2014-02-25T02:55:54Z")
The OP in this thread wanted to discuss what progressive ideas could be implemented by states, but not how progressive ideas already implemented have worked out. Hence I offer this new thread to discuss that issue. Whi… --- ## [Doctorate Degrees in the Humanities: Exclusive Domain of the Aristocracy and Upper Class Once Again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctorate-degrees-in-the-humanities-exclusive-domain-of-the-aristocracy-and-upper-class-once-again/681783)
**Author:** [@Jumpin-Jack-Flash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpin-Jack-Flash)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctorate-degrees-in-the-humanities-exclusive-domain-of-the-aristocracy-and-upper-class-once-again/681783 "2014-02-24T16:29:55Z")
Until the Second World War, academics associated with history, philosophy and English departments at the major universities of Europe and America were almost exclusively drawn from the aristocracy and the upper classes. … --- ## [The Future Homeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-homeless/682010)
**Author:** [@Abird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abird)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2014, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-homeless/682010 "2014-02-24T03:15:01Z")
Over the last 35 years the majority of children born with intellectual/developmental disabilities (Autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.) have been raised at home (not institutionalized)… --- ## [Can the Socratic Method win any argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-socratic-method-win-any-argument/681809)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2014, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-socratic-method-win-any-argument/681809 "2014-02-24T03:03:43Z")
You could use the Socratic method to win any argument right? You could “defend” slavery with the Socratic method right? Person A says slavery is wrong and Person B just keeps saying, why? why is that wrong? What do you m… --- ## [Was Malcolm X Gay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-malcolm-x-gay/682041)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2014, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-malcolm-x-gay/682041 "2014-02-24T01:40:59Z")
It was claimed in this post that a new biography of Malcolm X claims that he was gay or bisexual. I did some preliminary Googling, and I have not read the biography. Apparently this new bio claims that Malcolm had a lo… --- ## [Can you satisfactorily debunk Jesus/Horus and win $1000?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-satisfactorily-debunk-jesus-horus-and-win-1000/681988)
**Author:** [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2014, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-satisfactorily-debunk-jesus-horus-and-win-1000/681988 "2014-02-23T22:53:32Z")
While cruising the net earlier, I found this site, where the author of the page says he will pay $1000 to the first person who can show him that the similar origin stories of Jesus, Krishna, Horus, Mithra are legitimate,… --- ## [Should attending a cock fight be punished by a year in prison and a $100,000 fine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-attending-a-cock-fight-be-punished-by-a-year-in-prison-and-a-100-000-fine/681775)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2014, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-attending-a-cock-fight-be-punished-by-a-year-in-prison-and-a-100-000-fine/681775 "2014-02-23T21:29:11Z")
That seems harsh to me. A pro-cockfighting group (for which I have little respect) is attacking Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for support of such legislation encased in last month’s farm bill. The penalty for br… --- ## [VA attorney general refuses to defend gay marriage ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-attorney-general-refuses-to-defend-gay-marriage-ban/679535)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 273\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2014, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/va-attorney-general-refuses-to-defend-gay-marriage-ban/679535 "2014-02-17T20:31:19Z")
link This is of course good news for the pro gay rights side of which I am a member, but does raise a couple of questions in my mind. First a GQ type question: What are the practical effects of this? Does this mean t… --- ## [That's a nice VW plant you have there. Would be a shame if something happened to it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-a-nice-vw-plant-you-have-there-would-be-a-shame-if-something-happened-to-it/681073)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 194\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2014, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thats-a-nice-vw-plant-you-have-there-would-be-a-shame-if-something-happened-to-it/681073 "2014-02-23T13:18:17Z")
So say the thinly veiled threats of the Republican party in Tennessee, where workers at the VW plant in Chattanooga are going to vote this week on whether to join the UAW. \[QUOTE=State Sen. Bo Watson, R-Chattanooga\] Sh… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=240) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=242)