# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=244 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 245 --- ## [\[The USA should be a constitutional monarchy\] Do you agree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-should-be-a-constitutional-monarchy-do-you-agree/680804)
**Author:** [@emily223](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emily223)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 8, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-should-be-a-constitutional-monarchy-do-you-agree/680804 "2014-02-08T03:28:02Z")
We, the membership of the official Royalist Party of America, commit ourselves to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy for the United States of America. It is our belief that to create a true sense of trust bet… --- ## [An online registry for serious felons, not just sex offenders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-online-registry-for-serious-felons-not-just-sex-offenders/680639)
**Author:** [@JessicaHoyt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessicaHoyt)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-online-registry-for-serious-felons-not-just-sex-offenders/680639 "2014-02-06T23:34:29Z")
I was reading here about how Rhode Island is apparently considering a murder registry. http://news.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/2014/01/ri-lawmakers-propose-murderer-registry.html I think this is a good idea. Tha… --- ## [Court strikes down net neutrality. Who's on the side of the angels here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-strikes-down-net-neutrality-whos-on-the-side-of-the-angels-here/678801)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-strikes-down-net-neutrality-whos-on-the-side-of-the-angels-here/678801 "2014-02-06T22:59:46Z")
Story here. I have to admit I’m more than a little confused. Ensuring the openness of the internet is something I’m all for but further on in that story I see that one of the options open to the FCC is to reclassify th… --- ## [Is Wikipedia too 'masculine'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wikipedia-too-masculine/680415)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wikipedia-too-masculine/680415 "2014-02-06T22:36:42Z")
Here’s the story. I confess that I haven’t a clue what they’re talking about. “It’s aesthetically very masculine in design.” What does that even mean? OK, I’m a well-educated white male, perhaps I’m not seeing somethin… --- ## [Walmart Responsible for Drunk Driver Accident in Parking Lot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-responsible-for-drunk-driver-accident-in-parking-lot/676850)
**Author:** [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walmart-responsible-for-drunk-driver-accident-in-parking-lot/676850 "2014-02-06T16:00:02Z")
Here’s a case against Walmart that’s happening close to where I live and thought it would be interesting to throw into GDs. For those who can’t click the article, here’s the Reader’s Digest version: Customer goes into … --- ## [WTF is going on in the Ukraine ?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-the-ukraine/680469)
**Author:** [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-going-on-in-the-ukraine/680469 "2014-02-06T15:37:35Z")
This is half a debate, half a request for information. I’m aware that there’s something of a revolution going on in the Ukraine. I’m aware that Ukrainians are using both modern (Molotov) and medieval (trebuchets, mornin… --- ## [What was so extreme about Barry Goldwater?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-so-extreme-about-barry-goldwater/680281)
**Author:** [@Donald\_Rump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Donald_Rump)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-so-extreme-about-barry-goldwater/680281 "2014-02-06T07:47:25Z")
I’m trying to educate myself on the history of the Republican Party, particularly its conservative wing. I know that Goldwater’s nomination was the conservatives’ high watermark for many years, and that establishment Rep… --- ## [Why is religion exempt from federal Truth in Advertising laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-religion-exempt-from-federal-truth-in-advertising-laws/680417)
**Author:** [@cns21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cns21)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-religion-exempt-from-federal-truth-in-advertising-laws/680417 "2014-02-06T05:31:33Z")
Shouldn’t religion be held to, at a minimum, the same Truth in Advertising standards as “junk food”, or be required to have a Mental Health Warning on its packaging and advertising? --- ## [Religion vs. Non Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-vs-non-religion/680616)
**Author:** [@jmliny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmliny)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-vs-non-religion/680616 "2014-02-06T01:21:12Z")
Indestructibility vs. Destructibility --- ## [What if everything everyone did was recorded and visible to everybody?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-everything-everyone-did-was-recorded-and-visible-to-everybody/679649)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2014, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-everything-everyone-did-was-recorded-and-visible-to-everybody/679649 "2014-02-05T14:20:12Z")
Assume some dystopian future where everything we do and think is recorded (e.g. via brain implants) and not only that, but everything is viewable by anyone in the world. Assume that this recording happens for every human… --- ## [Paul Bremners Economic reforms of Iraq, any positive aspects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-bremners-economic-reforms-of-iraq-any-positive-aspects/680456)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2014, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-bremners-economic-reforms-of-iraq-any-positive-aspects/680456 "2014-02-05T04:08:54Z")
So Paul Bremner who is a right wing ideologue, and when they implemented free market reforms in Iraq it consisted of; Order 37, which lowered Iraq’s corporate tax rate from roughly 40 percent to a flat 15 percent. Orde… --- ## [Percentage of Str8 vs. Gay Pedophiles discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percentage-of-str8-vs-gay-pedophiles-discussion/680061)
**Author:** [@Beelzebubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beelzebubba)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2014, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/percentage-of-str8-vs-gay-pedophiles-discussion/680061 "2014-02-04T16:55:20Z")
The thread on this topic in General Questions was closed by a Moderator just a few minutes ago before I had a chance to comment on it, so I started the new topic here in Great Debates as the Mod’s note suggested. Here’s… --- ## [Bicameralism in Senegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicameralism-in-senegal/635630)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2014, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bicameralism-in-senegal/635630 "2014-02-04T14:49:13Z")
Senegal has eliminated it’s Senate. While we’ve gone back and forth on the merits of bicameralism many times here in GD what interested me was the manner in which this was accomplished. The National Assembly passed the l… --- ## [Gays and Lesbians.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gays-and-lesbians/679700)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2014, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gays-and-lesbians/679700 "2014-02-04T10:55:21Z")
I don’t really know what the title of this post should be, because I haven’t really ‘nailed down’ what exactly I want to discuss. I guess I just have a few questions… First off; Is it offensive to say “gay women” over … --- ## [Following the financial crisis, is there anyone you feel deserved punishment who didn't receive it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/following-the-financial-crisis-is-there-anyone-you-feel-deserved-punishment-who-didnt-receive-it/679074)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/following-the-financial-crisis-is-there-anyone-you-feel-deserved-punishment-who-didnt-receive-it/679074 "2014-02-03T20:15:43Z")
I want to avoid populist retribution, but of the actors involved in the financial crisis, who do you feel should have been prosecuted who was not? For each name, what crime should they be charged with? Thanks, Rob --- ## [SSM and Marijuana are legal (kind of). What's next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssm-and-marijuana-are-legal-kind-of-whats-next/680046)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2014, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ssm-and-marijuana-are-legal-kind-of-whats-next/680046 "2014-02-03T16:38:12Z")
Over the last few years we have made inroads into legalizing same sex marriage and marijuana (medicinal and recreational). While not universal yet, I think it’s just a matter of time. So what is the next society-based … --- ## [Why is systemic poverty intractable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-systemic-poverty-intractable/676127)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 275\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2014, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-systemic-poverty-intractable/676127 "2014-02-03T15:34:29Z")
Of all human endeavors, with only possibly politics as a rival, the sphere of human activity we seem to have the least control over is prosperity. There are cities, regions, countries, even continents where under-develop… --- ## [On airlines, should obese people have to pay extra before boarding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-airlines-should-obese-people-have-to-pay-extra-before-boarding/679333)
**Author:** [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-airlines-should-obese-people-have-to-pay-extra-before-boarding/679333 "2014-02-03T03:17:49Z")
On most airlines, if you have excess baggage, you have to pay extra to check it in before taking your flight, and fair enough… it adds weight to the plane and that means more fuel. In light of this particular “lette… --- ## [Cutting off aid to Egypt is the law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-off-aid-to-egypt-is-the-law/662825)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2014, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cutting-off-aid-to-egypt-is-the-law/662825 "2014-02-02T12:13:04Z")
The law: "none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available pursuant to this Act shall be obligated or expended to finance directly any assistance to any country whose duly elected head of government is depos… --- ## [Why are f#@k and c&%t so bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-f-k-and-c-t-so-bad/680217)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2014, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-f-k-and-c-t-so-bad/680217 "2014-02-02T08:55:23Z")
There are swear word and words you do not use in polite company such as shit, bitch, pussy, damn, hell, etc. (yes I know YMMV on some of these). But why do the two words fuck and cunt have a special honor in the pantheo… --- ## [Shills - disinformation agents real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shills-disinformation-agents-real/680258)
**Author:** [@arielburns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arielburns)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shills-disinformation-agents-real/680258 "2014-02-02T01:49:04Z")
I have been looking at various articles about the practice of paid internet trolls. I could not find anything substantial other than an article about practices of disinformation in other countries. I had an experience o… --- ## [Jewish Dopers: what are your opinions of the Ethiopian Jews?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-dopers-what-are-your-opinions-of-the-ethiopian-jews/512759 "2014-02-01T15:13:35Z")
I stumbled upon this interesting story after learning a man at work was an “African Hebrew”, as he put it. I’m just curious what you guys think, since I can’t really walk into the temple next door and ask the Rabbi there… --- ## [Florida man claims self defense after chasing a man over a fence and shooting him.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-claims-self-defense-after-chasing-a-man-over-a-fence-and-shooting-him/679404)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-man-claims-self-defense-after-chasing-a-man-over-a-fence-and-shooting-him/679404 "2014-02-01T06:20:57Z")
I can’t find four paragraphs in the article that tell the story sufficiently, but Claudius Smith noticed the man, Ricardo Sanes, walking around his yard and began chasing the unknown man after he had jumped a fence into … --- ## [Man tricks woman into taking pills to abort fetus. What should he be charged with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-tricks-woman-into-taking-pills-to-abort-fetus-what-should-he-be-charged-with/680074)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-tricks-woman-into-taking-pills-to-abort-fetus-what-should-he-be-charged-with/680074 "2014-02-01T04:46:25Z")
Story here. FTA: Apparently Florida has no “Injury to a fetus” type statute or I assume that he would have been charged with something like that. The abortion parallels are obvious. Should it become murder because t… --- ## [Who, in all of human history, has had the greatest impact upon modern society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-in-all-of-human-history-has-had-the-greatest-impact-upon-modern-society/622264)
**Author:** [@Chastain86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chastain86)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-in-all-of-human-history-has-had-the-greatest-impact-upon-modern-society/622264 "2014-02-01T03:43:36Z")
I will freely admit I stole this question from Reddit, and because of that, I’ll cite it here. But I’m honestly curious what the great minds here think about the query. --- ## [A proposal to improve job prospects for PhD holders and also alleviate college/university costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-improve-job-prospects-for-phd-holders-and-also-alleviate-college-university-costs/677666)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2014, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposal-to-improve-job-prospects-for-phd-holders-and-also-alleviate-college-university-costs/677666 "2014-02-01T02:33:03Z")
In the past few years, there have been repeated concerns in and around academia regarding two different problems: one is the bleak job outlook for newly minted PhD’s, and the other is skyrocketing tuition costs for stude… --- ## [Free unlimited energy is here, now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-unlimited-energy-is-here-now-what/679995)
**Author:** [@Consensus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Consensus)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2014, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-unlimited-energy-is-here-now-what/679995 "2014-01-30T21:56:22Z")
So somewhere somebody discovers a method to generate say 15kW from a small handheld cube. Quantumfluctuating strings in a darkmatterfield :confused: but basically safe and limitless. The inventor decides not to make mon… --- ## [Trans-Pacific Partnership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-pacific-partnership/680023)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trans-pacific-partnership/680023 "2014-01-30T19:52:37Z")
I have started to hear rumblings about this thing, obviously from the leftward-leaning types because rightward-leaning types would probably favor an enhanced business climate. But even the wikipedia article seems pretty… --- ## [A&E suspends Phil Robertson over anti-gay remarks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747)
**Author:** [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Replies:** 710\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2014, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747 "2014-01-30T14:24:29Z")
I don’t see a thread on this yet. Phil Robertson, Patriarch of the Robertson Family of “Duck Dynasty” fame has been suspended by A&E. The Drudge Report is having a field day with no less than a dozen stories about this… --- ## [Roll your own FOMC forward guidance (US Central Bank Policy)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roll-your-own-fomc-forward-guidance-us-central-bank-policy/680108)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2014, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/roll-your-own-fomc-forward-guidance-us-central-bank-policy/680108 "2014-01-30T13:15:09Z")
Re: Today’s release of FOMC forward guidance, little changed since last month IIRC. You have just been appointed Chairman of the US Federal Open Market Committee with your 11 clones making up the remainder of its member… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=243) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=245)