# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=245 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 246 --- ## [Why is/was there so much hate against the Jewish people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-there-so-much-hate-against-the-jewish-people/96675)
**Author:** [@Peppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peppy)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-was-there-so-much-hate-against-the-jewish-people/96675 "2014-01-29T23:00:04Z")
Please understand that this is not meant to be an inflammatory thread. I know I can probably obtain good answers from the libary but that would require the reading of several books to obtain several opinions. If this is… --- ## [Can atheists provide rational arguments that terrorists should spare their lives?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-atheists-provide-rational-arguments-that-terrorists-should-spare-their-lives/678773)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 470\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-atheists-provide-rational-arguments-that-terrorists-should-spare-their-lives/678773 "2014-01-29T15:55:03Z")
I’ll start by stating clearly that I deeply dislike war (of any sort) and I find terrorism a major contemporary threat. It so happens that I sometimes come into contact for long periods of time with people from the Midd… --- ## [The effect of solar on power utilities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effect-of-solar-on-power-utilities/679452)
**Author:** [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-effect-of-solar-on-power-utilities/679452 "2014-01-29T15:26:37Z")
From Monetary Realism, the basic argument is this: Solar is rapidly decreasing in price. Quite rapidly. Amazingly rapidly. There is no reason to believe that the current trend will end. Understandable. Once you sta… --- ## [From a Palestinian perspective,](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-palestinian-perspective/680010)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-a-palestinian-perspective/680010 "2014-01-29T15:20:19Z")
Is sodastream good guys or bad guys? Is sodastream a bridgebuilder or an occupier? Is even benign (at least it seems benign) presence by non-Palestinians in the West Bank met with so much criticism? --- ## [Will there be a US economic collapse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-us-economic-collapse/679337)
**Author:** [@Gateway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gateway)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-a-us-economic-collapse/679337 "2014-01-29T04:39:41Z")
We are inflating our currency with our central bank. As I understand it the main thing keeping us afloat is the fact that other countries are backed by the US dollar (originally because the US dollar was very solid due t… --- ## [The Homeless in Atlanta: A Reflection on controversy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-homeless-in-atlanta-a-reflection-on-controversy/679421)
**Author:** [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-homeless-in-atlanta-a-reflection-on-controversy/679421 "2014-01-29T03:35:20Z")
This article recently popped up on my newsfeed, and I thought it would make for an interesting discussion. The following is my best attempt at an unbiased summary (the source is somewhat biased): The Georgia Department … --- ## [Are humans a plague on the Earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-a-plague-on-the-earth/679799)
**Author:** [@ktribe808](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ktribe808)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-a-plague-on-the-earth/679799 "2014-01-29T01:21:42Z")
David Attenborough According to Dictionary.com The definition of plague is - Looking at the third and fourth definitions, I might conclude that humans are indeed a plague upon the planet and the planet would doubtles… --- ## [Did the last ice age slow down our technological evolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-last-ice-age-slow-down-our-technological-evolution/679003)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-last-ice-age-slow-down-our-technological-evolution/679003 "2014-01-28T18:00:45Z")
I’m curious, if it were not for the last ice age, would humans have developed faster as a society? What are your thoughts? --- ## [How has British economy managed to turn around?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-british-economy-managed-to-turn-around/679351)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2014, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-british-economy-managed-to-turn-around/679351 "2014-01-28T15:30:25Z")
Last year the IMF chastised the British government for following an austerity policy and urged the government to change course. As far as I am aware, they did not. One credit rating agency, Fitch, downgraded the UK’s c… --- ## [Do you still consider Edward Snowden a hero now that we know he's disclosed secret and LEGAL info?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-consider-edward-snowden-a-hero-now-that-we-know-hes-disclosed-secret-and-legal-info/679236)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2014, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-still-consider-edward-snowden-a-hero-now-that-we-know-hes-disclosed-secret-and-legal-info/679236 "2014-01-28T03:59:42Z")
Yes, another Edward Snowden thread. No apologies. This recent article from the New York Times (and thus, presumably accurate) notes that Edward Snowden disclosed secret and obviously politically sensitive information ab… --- ## [If you can read this in English thank a veteran. Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-read-this-in-english-thank-a-veteran-really/541398)
**Author:** [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-can-read-this-in-english-thank-a-veteran-really/541398 "2014-01-27T15:22:41Z")
I have some friends on Facebook who are the sort of mushy thinkers that reflexively spout patriotic banalities and I’ve seen the, “If you can read this thank a teacher. If you can read it in English, thank a veteran.” st… --- ## [An Independent Scotland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-independent-scotland/637871)
**Author:** [@manila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manila)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2014, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-independent-scotland/637871 "2014-01-26T02:24:30Z")
Stirring stuff indeed! Well I will say one thing, this Tory/Liberal coalition has been more radical in the last couple of years than the Labour Party has been since the introduction of the welfare state. Referendums … --- ## [The Golden Circle: Simon Sinek's TED Talk about how great leaders inspire action](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-golden-circle-simon-sineks-ted-talk-about-how-great-leaders-inspire-action/679562)
**Author:** [@fir3drill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fir3drill)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2014, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-golden-circle-simon-sineks-ted-talk-about-how-great-leaders-inspire-action/679562 "2014-01-25T14:57:08Z")
I recently watched Simon Sinek’s TED Talk on how great leaders inspire action. It’s a very interesting concept that uses examples ranging from Apple to the Wright Brothers to brain biology. I was wondering what people’… --- ## [What- OTHER THAN guns- do you think people can't be trusted with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-than-guns-do-you-think-people-cant-be-trusted-with/679242)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2014, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-other-than-guns-do-you-think-people-cant-be-trusted-with/679242 "2014-01-25T13:33:31Z")
What things do you think the general public isn’t competent to handle, and should be banned or limited to specially licensed experts?Since the beginning of the twentieth century narcotics haven’t been allowed to be freel… --- ## [Who is the second greatest civil rights figure in US history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-second-greatest-civil-rights-figure-in-us-history/679276)
**Author:** [@Los\_Anconfused](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Los_Anconfused)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2014, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-second-greatest-civil-rights-figure-in-us-history/679276 "2014-01-25T04:28:32Z")
If we accept Martin Luther King, Jr. as the greatest civil rights figure in United States history (and feel free to dispute that if you disagree), then who is the second greatest civil rights figure in United States hist… --- ## [Why is denying the Jewish Holocaust such a bad thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-denying-the-jewish-holocaust-such-a-bad-thing/335727)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-denying-the-jewish-holocaust-such-a-bad-thing/335727 "2014-01-24T23:18:06Z")
Six million Jews did die and that is a major crime against humanity. But sadly in the 20th century alot of atrocities have happened. All were evil, and all perpetrators should be held accountable by any means necessary. … --- ## [Who is the most influential person of all time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-influential-person-of-all-time/679364)
**Author:** [@weemart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/weemart)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2014, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-influential-person-of-all-time/679364 "2014-01-24T00:26:09Z")
I read this last year when it was first released. But there seems to be 2 notable exceptions especially as far as influencing our current culture goes. Given the influence tv and telephone have on our societies does it… --- ## [Atheism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism/649288)
**Author:** [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Replies:** 737\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism/649288 "2014-01-23T22:37:25Z")
I am trying to find videos on you tube or anywhere for that matter that can explain how someone can actually be a REAL atheist. All I can seem to find is “atheists” who point out how ridiculous most religious teachings … --- ## [Limits of ordinary intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limits-of-ordinary-intelligence/679118)
**Author:** [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limits-of-ordinary-intelligence/679118 "2014-01-23T17:19:58Z")
Hello all, I was watching a show a few nights ago about dolphins and how they can recognize themselves in a mirror and that means they are significantly more intelligent than most animals that think the mirror image is … --- ## [Why is Privatisation so popular for governments? Is it anymore efficient?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-privatisation-so-popular-for-governments-is-it-anymore-efficient/679220)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-privatisation-so-popular-for-governments-is-it-anymore-efficient/679220 "2014-01-23T15:22:32Z")
Britain has just recently sold off the post office, an institution which had been government owned for hundreds of years, it was turning a profit, and was as efficient as any privately owned organisation, so now it joins… --- ## [Is the Tea Party "the Right's New Left"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tea-party-the-rights-new-left/679307)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tea-party-the-rights-new-left/679307 "2014-01-23T14:58:38Z")
Found this interesting bit at the end of the RationalWiki page on the New Left: And another difference is that the Tea Party has some corporate money behind it. I doubt the New Left ever did. But another important di… --- ## [Obama vs. the Nuns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-vs-the-nuns/678300)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-vs-the-nuns/678300 "2014-01-23T12:19:53Z")
There’s currently a bit of a kerfuffle between the Obama Administration and a Catholic ministry known as The Little Sisters of the Poor, a group of a nuns who assist elderly poor people by providing nursing homes and car… --- ## [what is wrong with the world??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-the-world/679473)
**Author:** [@mommyoftwins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mommyoftwins)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-the-world/679473 "2014-01-23T01:49:29Z")
today i was just reading my normal facebook drama. and i came across someone that posted about a store that had gotten robbed yesterday. the guys walked in and started to make themselves some coffee and the cashier walke… --- ## [kin to the sherriff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kin-to-the-sherriff/679474)
**Author:** [@mommyoftwins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mommyoftwins)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2014, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kin-to-the-sherriff/679474 "2014-01-23T01:43:16Z")
so…i know someone who was convicted of vehicular manslaughter 2nd degree…(in case you do not know 2nd degree is when you are not under the influence and is a misdemeaner not a felony). she had been driving with no licens… --- ## [The "insurrectionary theory" of the Second Amendment is nonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-insurrectionary-theory-of-the-second-amendment-is-nonsense/669597)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-insurrectionary-theory-of-the-second-amendment-is-nonsense/669597 "2014-01-22T20:10:33Z")
Every time there’s a guns-related thread, it seems, someone will post something to the effect that the purpose, or a purpose, of the Second Amendment is to allow the people to have guns to “keep the government honest,” o… --- ## [Jewish control of media](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-control-of-media/159369)
**Author:** [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-control-of-media/159369 "2014-01-22T18:19:59Z")
To my suprise a search of the SDMB thread titles for “control media” yielded no results. I’m inclined to disbelieve that Jewish control of the media exists as some sort of conspiracy in any meaningful sense. Certainly … --- ## [Proposal: Give everyone $1000 a month](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-give-everyone-1000-a-month/678294)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2014, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-give-everyone-1000-a-month/678294 "2014-01-22T04:28:40Z")
Well, not everyone: everyone who files a tax return. $1000 for each single person, $2000 for a married couple filing jointly. The payments would be offset by any cash payment you’re already getting: for example, Social S… --- ## [Why is threre so much hate among religions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-threre-so-much-hate-among-religions/679206)
**Author:** [@Artemis\_Tardis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Artemis_Tardis)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2014, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-threre-so-much-hate-among-religions/679206 "2014-01-21T22:55:07Z")
I am not sure where to post this thread, but as the theme is mostly religious… here it goes: Even in Abrahamic religions we see a lot of hate. They share stories, beliefs and traditions but still seem to have a lot of h… --- ## [Personal drones for fun & profit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-drones-for-fun-profit/679192)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/personal-drones-for-fun-profit/679192 "2014-01-21T02:32:33Z")
Seems like the way things are headed, it won’t be long before somebody on your block is flying their own personal snooping device over your back yard. What are the consequences and/or implications of personal drones bec… --- ## [US Federal Eugenics Program](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-federal-eugenics-program/677993)
**Author:** [@johngalt2014](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johngalt2014)\ **Replies:** 245\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2014, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-federal-eugenics-program/677993 "2014-01-20T22:34:38Z")
My proposal for a Federal Eugenics Program follows below. Importantly, all options are entirely voluntary, and as such neutral with regard to race, religion, ethnicity, education, etc. \[ol\] \[li\]Cash payment to any man… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=244) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=246)