# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=25 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 26 --- ## [Democrats are not standing up to "Big Pharma"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-are-not-standing-up-to-big-pharma/969340)
**Author:** [@sweepkick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweepkick)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2022, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-are-not-standing-up-to-big-pharma/969340 "2022-08-24T03:40:00Z")
I’m from Minnesota, 2nd District, and my representative, Angie Craig, is continually touting about how she is “standing up to Big Pharma”. I fail to see how any bill put forth has done anything to hurt “Big Pharma”. act… --- ## [Do cops not know the law or just don't care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cops-not-know-the-law-or-just-dont-care/969276)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2022, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-cops-not-know-the-law-or-just-dont-care/969276 "2022-08-22T02:09:36Z")
I figure there is not a FQ answer and this will fall into GD anyways. I see plenty of video where cops will threaten and/or arrest people for legal acts such Not giving ID in a state that does NOT have Stop and ID. “T… --- ## [The Changing Roles of Men and Women in Relationships/Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-changing-roles-of-men-and-women-in-relationships-marriage/970050)
**Author:** [@thescrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thescrr)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2022, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-changing-roles-of-men-and-women-in-relationships-marriage/970050 "2022-08-21T22:24:55Z")
So the typical and traditional model of a male/female relationship/marriage is usually that the man is the provider, the breadwinner, the one who will secure the woman financially and take care of her because he usually … --- ## [Dear Americans, how do you feel about this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-americans-how-do-you-feel-about-this/969991)
**Author:** [@thescrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thescrr)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2022, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-americans-how-do-you-feel-about-this/969991 "2022-08-20T17:56:07Z")
So the US has just updated the total amount of money they have sent to Ukraine so far: $50 billion. $50 billion is a lot of money. Where is it coming from? Out of your pockets? Taxpayers money? Someone is making all t… --- ## [Does revealing that the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago for top-secret nuclear weapons documents give would-be defendant Trump some legitimate cause for grievance that would help his case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-revealing-that-the-fbi-raided-mar-a-lago-for-top-secret-nuclear-weapons-documents-give-would-be-defendant-trump-some-legitimate-cause-for-grievance-that-would-help-his-case/969533)
**Author:** [@Octagon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octagon)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2022, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-revealing-that-the-fbi-raided-mar-a-lago-for-top-secret-nuclear-weapons-documents-give-would-be-defendant-trump-some-legitimate-cause-for-grievance-that-would-help-his-case/969533 "2022-08-19T12:41:33Z")
Does revealing that the FBI raided Mar-a-Lago for top-secret nuclear weapons documents give would-be defendant Trump some legitimate cause for grievance that would help his case? At what point would DOJ have to draw the … --- ## [Supersonic Airliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supersonic-airliner/943774)
**Author:** [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2022, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supersonic-airliner/943774 "2022-08-18T17:22:36Z")
From the Concorde thread. With the way the world has changed in the last 18 months, does anyone really believe that there is a market for this? --- ## [Question on qualified immunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-qualified-immunity/969797)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2022, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-qualified-immunity/969797 "2022-08-17T03:20:49Z")
I think this is a GD since there is no factual answer and it’s not IMHO since it is not a current legal issue I’m facing. Qualified immunity is partly based on “clearly established statutory or constitutional rights of … --- ## [What should US policy be toward Saudi Arabia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-us-policy-be-toward-saudi-arabia/937162)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2022, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-us-policy-be-toward-saudi-arabia/937162 "2022-08-17T02:08:15Z")
On the one hand, the US depends on Saudi oil and military cooperation. On the other hand, the Saudi leader has destabilized the Arabian peninsula with a pointless and devastating war (and has dismembered a US resident in… --- ## [Prayer and an omnipotent and infinitely wise God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-and-an-omnipotent-and-infinitely-wise-god/968902)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2022, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-and-an-omnipotent-and-infinitely-wise-god/968902 "2022-08-15T00:36:12Z")
I invite the faithful to reconcile these two points. I do not think these are strawman arguments because I have heard them made, but I do not know if these represent the perspectives of experts in theology. People sho… --- ## [Inflation is not currently a menace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflation-is-not-currently-a-menace/955738)
**Author:** [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Replies:** 276\ **Last updated:** [August 11, 2022, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inflation-is-not-currently-a-menace/955738 "2022-08-11T22:19:16Z")
I’ll take the initiative to restart Kropotkin’s thread on inflation. I can think of only one thing to say about the article. Duh. Inflation can be an economic problem, and has been a few times in American history. How… --- ## [Secret Service vs the President: What if the president wants to do something the Secret Service opposes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-vs-the-president-what-if-the-president-wants-to-do-something-the-secret-service-opposes/948492)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2022, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secret-service-vs-the-president-what-if-the-president-wants-to-do-something-the-secret-service-opposes/948492 "2022-08-07T14:02:26Z")
The title kinda says it all. As I understand it presidents are restricted by the secret service from doing many things (e.g. driving). So, what if president Biden said he was hopping in a car and driving to Starbucks f… --- ## [Is Biden more of a danger than Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-more-of-a-danger-than-trump/969115)
**Author:** [@Foxtrot\_Tango](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxtrot_Tango)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2022, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biden-more-of-a-danger-than-trump/969115 "2022-08-04T23:13:10Z")
I never felt during Trump’s reign the utter fear I feel now with Biden. I am convinced we are heading to WW3 with Biden Would our existence be safer under Trump? --- ## [When talking about current American politics, does Godwin's Law apply?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-talking-about-current-american-politics-does-godwins-law-apply/969026)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-talking-about-current-american-politics-does-godwins-law-apply/969026 "2022-08-03T17:52:26Z")
Godwin’s Law- as an online discussion grows longer (regardless of topic or scope), the probability of a comparison to Nazis or Adolf Hitler approaches certainty. I think that, considering what is happening currently in … --- ## [What do you think of this argument for the existence of an afterlife? (Nothing to do with religion.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-argument-for-the-existence-of-an-afterlife-nothing-to-do-with-religion/968765)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-argument-for-the-existence-of-an-afterlife-nothing-to-do-with-religion/968765 "2022-08-01T15:10:09Z")
The following is an interesting thought experiment that I had recently in regards to the simulation hypothesis. Future humans will create simulations so good that they are indistinguishable from reality. Future humans,… --- ## [Good incels vs bad incels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-incels-vs-bad-incels/967114)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 299\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-incels-vs-bad-incels/967114 "2022-07-31T03:07:51Z")
I’ve been reading a bit about the incel phenomenon, and I think it lumps all of them into a negative category. The typical stereotype of an incel is that of someone like Elliott Rodger - violent, misogynistic, just does… --- ## [Are climate-change skeptics somehow more tolerant of heat? (in terms of comfort)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-climate-change-skeptics-somehow-more-tolerant-of-heat-in-terms-of-comfort/966713)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2022, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-climate-change-skeptics-somehow-more-tolerant-of-heat-in-terms-of-comfort/966713 "2022-07-30T23:50:34Z")
If climate-change skeptics want to deny that pollution is bad, okay, whatever. That’s another topic. But when it comes to the sheer heat issue - scorching summers that are only getting even hotter by the year - surely t… --- ## [What do you think of this argument for the existence of God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-argument-for-the-existence-of-god/968414)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-this-argument-for-the-existence-of-god/968414 "2022-07-27T20:17:35Z")
I am very interested in philosophical arguments for various different important philosophical questions. Instead of relying on previously existing arguments, I as a loose-hobby make up my own. The following is a unique a… --- ## [Is there a point at which violence is the only way to enact change and defend one’s self? How does one recognize that point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-point-at-which-violence-is-the-only-way-to-enact-change-and-defend-one-s-self-how-does-one-recognize-that-point/967922)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2022, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-point-at-which-violence-is-the-only-way-to-enact-change-and-defend-one-s-self-how-does-one-recognize-that-point/967922 "2022-07-27T19:04:11Z")
I’m on record as being skeptical of the wisdom of the left rising up with guns and assassinating the twenty people behind climate change and actually factually rioting, mostly because I just don’t think it’ll work. But a… --- ## [If no atom bombs dropped on Japan in WW2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-no-atom-bombs-dropped-on-japan-in-ww2/967011)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2022, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-no-atom-bombs-dropped-on-japan-in-ww2/967011 "2022-07-26T05:00:46Z")
Let say for some reason or other, the US never drops the Atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The response to the American ultimatum may have been mistranslated? The USSR invading may have changed minds, or just sani… --- ## [Rich Liberals OPPOSE Cape Cod Windmills-Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rich-liberals-oppose-cape-cod-windmills-why/187215)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rich-liberals-oppose-cape-cod-windmills-why/187215 "2022-07-24T02:17:48Z")
WEll, here we have one of the most progressive proposals to harness the wind…and save the earth! A company (Cape Cod Windfarms) wants to place windmills in the nantucket Shoals area, off cape Cod. These giant windmills w… --- ## [Criminal intent question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-intent-question/968296)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/criminal-intent-question/968296 "2022-07-21T19:53:20Z")
There seem to be two established yet opposing principles of criminal law. One is Mens rea - Wikipedia, which says that there has to be an element of intentional wrongdoing to establish criminal culpability. But the other… --- ## [Systemic Oppression, Personal Bigotry, and Jerkiness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/systemic-oppression-personal-bigotry-and-jerkiness/967712)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2022, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/systemic-oppression-personal-bigotry-and-jerkiness/967712 "2022-07-19T19:42:14Z")
This is something I’ve been thinking about for awhile. Systemic oppression, personal bigotry, and jerkiness are not the same, and they’re all bad. Systemic oppression involves historical, societal structures or norms th… --- ## [Why does anyone today under seventy years old smoke cigarettes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-anyone-today-under-seventy-years-old-smoke-cigarettes/960990)
**Author:** [@Midnight\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midnight_Shadow)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2022, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-anyone-today-under-seventy-years-old-smoke-cigarettes/960990 "2022-07-19T17:59:42Z")
The Surgeon General’s report on the dangers of smoking came out in 1964. That means if you are under seventy today, you have known about the dangers of smoking since you were twelve, or younger, or all your life. Assum… --- ## [Why is Murder Illegal in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-murder-illegal-in-the-us/647781)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2022, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-murder-illegal-in-the-us/647781 "2022-07-19T04:55:59Z")
Why is murder illegal in the US? I mean, if someone has the gall to murder someone, surely a few paragraphs of text won’t stop that someone from harming another person, right? :dubious: What’s a law going to do to some… --- ## [Why Should I PERSONALLY Care About Politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-personally-care-about-politics/967573)
**Author:** [@SmartBulbInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartBulbInc)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-personally-care-about-politics/967573 "2022-07-15T20:26:30Z")
I have been lurking on this message board for quite some time. There have been many passionate debates. This truly does feel like one of the most civilized and intelligent communities out there. But, I just have to ask,… --- ## [Holding Supreme Court justices accountable to what they said they'd do/wouldn't do during Senate confirmation hearings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holding-supreme-court-justices-accountable-to-what-they-said-theyd-do-wouldnt-do-during-senate-confirmation-hearings/967833)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2022, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holding-supreme-court-justices-accountable-to-what-they-said-theyd-do-wouldnt-do-during-senate-confirmation-hearings/967833 "2022-07-14T08:41:30Z")
Ever since Roe was overturned, there have been many complaints that Gorsuch/Barrett/Kavanaugh “lied” during Senate hearings by saying things like “Roe is settled law” and then voting to overturn it once they did get conf… --- ## [Is a gas tax holiday a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-gas-tax-holiday-a-good-idea/966757)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2022, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-gas-tax-holiday-a-good-idea/966757 "2022-07-14T02:48:29Z")
Economic policy is pretty much at the top of a long list I’m abjectly ignorant about. :smiley: But I don’t see how the proposed gas tax holiday is in any way a good thing - or anything other than pandering theater. An… --- ## [Gerrymandering Damages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerrymandering-damages/967899)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2022, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gerrymandering-damages/967899 "2022-07-14T00:05:41Z")
During the Gilded Age, parties were known to buy votes from people: Now while it may be the case that it’s illegal for me to sell my vote - either by taking money to vote in a certain way or selling my name to another… --- ## [Does the US have more psychopaths than other countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-have-more-psychopaths-than-other-countries/967474)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2022, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-have-more-psychopaths-than-other-countries/967474 "2022-07-10T17:48:31Z")
Prompted by yet another mass shooting of random innocent victims. We have more guns, by far, than any other country. And we have more gun deaths than any other country. And there is undoubtedly a correlation between t… --- ## [WNBA player Russian custody. Why should I care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wnba-player-russian-custody-why-should-i-care/967674)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2022, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wnba-player-russian-custody-why-should-i-care/967674 "2022-07-09T21:46:25Z")
Brittany Griner, a WNBA player, is in Russian custody for a drug offense. Apparently she travelled to Russia with a small amount of cannabis oil in her luggage. She claims it was unintentional - the result of packing h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=24) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=26)