# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=257 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 258 --- ## [Can someone define "Cultural Marxism" Please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-define-cultural-marxism-please/590262)
**Author:** [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Replies:** 215\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-define-cultural-marxism-please/590262 "2013-10-07T15:32:30Z")
I’m hearing this term thrown around lately from a few of our posters but I cannot seem to find anything that actually describes what this term actually means at all. The Wiki on it merely alludes to applying Marxist econ… --- ## [If Colin Powell Hadn't Blown It...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-colin-powell-hadnt-blown-it/670480)
**Author:** [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-colin-powell-hadnt-blown-it/670480 "2013-10-07T14:56:27Z")
Up until he did that bullshit dog & pony about Iraq’s "WMD"s at the UN, he was a fast-rising entity in the GOP. Had he maintained his integrity and reputation, maybe the GOP would have backed him for a Senate seat, or, … --- ## [Can anyone explain the government shutdown to me?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-the-government-shutdown-to-me/669994)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anyone-explain-the-government-shutdown-to-me/669994 "2013-10-07T04:42:23Z")
What, exactly, is going on here? Why is the government shutting down, because they can’t pass a budget? How is it that the republicans are shifting the blame here? --- ## [The War on Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-guns/669101)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 474\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2013, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-war-on-guns/669101 "2013-10-07T04:34:14Z")
Thesis: The media’s bias (and ignorance) is most clearly displayed when guns are the topic. Supporting evidence: http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/17/us/ar-15-gun-debate/?hpt=hp\_t1 which is, as near as I can tell, a hit piec… --- ## [The "Existence of God" debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-existence-of-god-debate/669664)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-existence-of-god-debate/669664 "2013-10-06T23:44:31Z")
Maybe this should be in General Questions or some other forum but, since it relates directly to a debate, I will post this question here. In view of the recent thread on an eternal hell and the inevitable argument/debat… --- ## ["I Own Me" - Libertarian Rap](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-own-me-libertarian-rap/514125)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2013, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-own-me-libertarian-rap/514125 "2013-10-06T10:36:15Z")
I debated whether this should go in Cafe Society or here, but ultimately I think it’s a political statement and worthy of debate. So I followed a link from Reason magazine to a youtube video of a libertarian rap song. … --- ## [What is/was Marx's legacy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-was-marxs-legacy/669859)
**Author:** [@MrLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrLee)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2013, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-was-marxs-legacy/669859 "2013-10-06T08:49:14Z")
I feel like I’m missing something big here. Marx seems to be thought of by many as a God-like-heroic-founding-father-of-20th-century-thought kinda-guy; yet I am too lazy and/or stupid to really understand why. Aside fro… --- ## [Civil Defence in the Nuclear Age - Pointless?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-defence-in-the-nuclear-age-pointless/669992)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2013, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/civil-defence-in-the-nuclear-age-pointless/669992 "2013-10-06T02:44:39Z")
I’m currently reading a rather well done alternate history timeline that posits a global nuclear exchange in 1984. If anyone is interested I can post the link. The author posits that while things are pretty devasting ov… --- ## [The AR-15 and the Navy Yard shooting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ar-15-and-the-navy-yard-shooting/669443)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 364\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ar-15-and-the-navy-yard-shooting/669443 "2013-10-05T20:41:54Z")
Without checking first… Did the Navy Yard shooter use an automatic weapon? Did he use an AR-15? Did he try to buy one? . . . . . . It’s my guess that many, if not most, people will be left with the impression t… --- ## [A proposed "welfare" scheme (from another thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposed-welfare-scheme-from-another-thread/668640)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-proposed-welfare-scheme-from-another-thread/668640 "2013-10-05T20:21:32Z")
This was mentioned here: So I tried to see what it would take to make this work. Rough numbers: 300M citizens, 150M taxpayers. Poverty level income is around 11-12K/year, so let’s make it 10K “distributions” for each c… --- ## [What difference would it make if Scientific methodology, reason, and rationality ruled the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-scientific-methodology-reason-and-rationality-ruled-the-world/670263)
**Author:** [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-scientific-methodology-reason-and-rationality-ruled-the-world/670263 "2013-10-05T00:30:52Z")
I am posting this mostly because of the trainwreck of a thread about atheism ruling the world and I suspect that this is what he was really after. So the debate, How would the world be different if we woke up one fine c… --- ## [The right to refuse treatment and Suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-to-refuse-treatment-and-suicide/670348)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 5, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-right-to-refuse-treatment-and-suicide/670348 "2013-10-05T00:26:48Z")
This was inspired by the JW thread, in which I learned something about them that I didn’t know: blood transfusions are taboo. In this country, for the most part, we think that suicide is a bad thing. If someone attempts… --- ## [An honest discussion re: JW hatred](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-honest-discussion-re-jw-hatred/670310)
**Author:** [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-honest-discussion-re-jw-hatred/670310 "2013-10-04T18:22:40Z")
I’m not interested in witnessing to ya’all. I just want to have a legit discussion. There’s a flameoutgoing on down in the pit spurred by a thread about some Jehovah’s Witnesses being shot at. I’m done wasting my time… --- ## [Conjecture humanity is on two levels, logical and emotional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conjecture-humanity-is-on-two-levels-logical-and-emotional/669471)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conjecture-humanity-is-on-two-levels-logical-and-emotional/669471 "2013-10-04T18:21:56Z")
In a recent thread that came down to faith vs logic, I believe humanity is motivated by 2 drives, one of logical and one of emotion. Both compete for our actions, and each person has their own balance between the two. … --- ## [Does the US run its budget on a weekly schedule?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-run-its-budget-on-a-weekly-schedule/670094)
**Author:** [@Doughbag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doughbag)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-run-its-budget-on-a-weekly-schedule/670094 "2013-10-03T23:57:04Z")
TheseUS Government shutdown reports in the news are confusing to a Non-US citizen. How can it be that government employees cannot be paid next week because of the budget debate in Congress. This seems rather small mind… --- ## [Intent of the US Founding Fathers, Stand on Compromise or Fall on Principle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intent-of-the-us-founding-fathers-stand-on-compromise-or-fall-on-principle/670002)
**Author:** [@hkepotat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hkepotat)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intent-of-the-us-founding-fathers-stand-on-compromise-or-fall-on-principle/670002 "2013-10-03T23:45:44Z")
When the United States was being formed, a group of men came together to iron out the framework and laws that would be included in this new union. Reading the documents and letters from these people of the time show that… --- ## [Trail of tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trail-of-tears/670095)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trail-of-tears/670095 "2013-10-03T23:35:17Z")
You hear a lot about the different kinds of genocides that have happened in the past, like the Holocaust, Armenian and Rwandan. However not many people seem to recognize the TOT as a genocide, is that because it wasn’t o… --- ## [What difference would it make if Atheist ruled the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188)
**Author:** [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Replies:** 373\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188 "2013-10-03T18:48:10Z")
After experiencing doing one thread here, I came away from that experience with a curiosity about Atheism, because it seems to be a lot of Atheist here. I have never posted on a dominant Atheist site , or should I say a … --- ## ["Campaign finance reform" supporters should rejoice at the results](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-finance-reform-supporters-should-rejoice-at-the-results/670226)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-finance-reform-supporters-should-rejoice-at-the-results/670226 "2013-10-03T04:24:21Z")
The reality is that deep-pocketed financial services executives and their lobbyists have little leverage against tea party lawmakers who don’t much care for financiers or big banks and don’t rely heavily on the industr… --- ## [Was 9/11 an inside job?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-9-11-an-inside-job/669984)
**Author:** [@onefour1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onefour1)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-9-11-an-inside-job/669984 "2013-10-03T02:56:54Z")
After watching many of the “Loose Change” videos and others regarding the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center, I am curious if others have viewed these videos and whether they think 9/11 was an inside job. If you have… --- ## [So How's RomneyCare Working Out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-hows-romneycare-working-out/670216)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2013, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-hows-romneycare-working-out/670216 "2013-10-03T02:37:58Z")
Eugene Robinson in the Washington Post posited the following a couple of weeks ago: Even President Obama has taken this tact in recent stump speeches: I think it’s pretty obvious that there is a kernel of truth to th… --- ## [Pitbulls](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitbulls/657969)
**Author:** [@esmeralda2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/esmeralda2)\ **Replies:** 977\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2013, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitbulls/657969 "2013-10-02T15:01:33Z")
http://news.msn.com/us/4-pit-bulls-blamed-for-63-year-old-joggers-death Why do people say pitbulls are nice dogs? Everytime something like this happens, pitbull owners loudly protest what good dogs they are. Gentle, af… --- ## [Did Monetarism work in the early 1980's? Is it a Quack Philosophy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-monetarism-work-in-the-early-1980s-is-it-a-quack-philosophy/669744)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-monetarism-work-in-the-early-1980s-is-it-a-quack-philosophy/669744 "2013-10-02T00:59:08Z")
For those who don’t have time to watch this link, I’ll provide a summary, it makes the premise that the market can only be regulated and not manipulated to suit a governments strategy unless they accept the… --- ## [Robotics will lead to mass unemployment in a world where many are elderly. Howso](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robotics-will-lead-to-mass-unemployment-in-a-world-where-many-are-elderly-howso/670048)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 2, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robotics-will-lead-to-mass-unemployment-in-a-world-where-many-are-elderly-howso/670048 "2013-10-02T00:27:13Z")
In the book the lights in the tunnel the author talks about how mass unemployment will soon result due to automation of many jobs over the next few decades. Well and good but why doesn’t the fact that this will occur at… --- ## [The strange concept of eternal hell suffering.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-concept-of-eternal-hell-suffering/669528)
**Author:** [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Replies:** 992\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-strange-concept-of-eternal-hell-suffering/669528 "2013-10-01T23:28:17Z")
When I consider this concept some people have of eternal hell suffering, the more I consider it, the stranger it seems. I can’t see anything rational in punishing someone consciously for an eternity; it seems quite sever… --- ## [Does not raising the debt ceiling really mean default?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-raising-the-debt-ceiling-really-mean-default/669676)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2013, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-not-raising-the-debt-ceiling-really-mean-default/669676 "2013-10-01T23:10:50Z")
I keep seeing and hearing this not just argued in the media but stated as fact, essentially taken as a given. But I do not understand why that would be the case. Tax revenue would still be coming in; why couldn’t the f… --- ## [How does one say "Détente" in Persian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-say-detente-in-persian/669851)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-say-detente-in-persian/669851 "2013-10-01T22:18:37Z")
So, Obama and Rouhani spoke directly with each other. On the phone, but still directly. Good or bad? I say good. Forget Syria. (Yeah, I know, 100,000 dead, so I don’t mean forget that, just that Iran is sooooo much … --- ## [why is america obsessed with god and politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-america-obsessed-with-god-and-politics/669873)
**Author:** [@sentrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sentrix)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-america-obsessed-with-god-and-politics/669873 "2013-10-01T17:05:54Z")
just looking down the threads. well…why folks? --- ## [Effect of ACA on politics now that it is going into effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-aca-on-politics-now-that-it-is-going-into-effect/670017)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/effect-of-aca-on-politics-now-that-it-is-going-into-effect/670017 "2013-10-01T16:18:21Z")
So reading up on a cite to a previous question I wrote. Apparently, illegal immigrants do not have to buy insurance and will not be penalized if they do not have insurance. Many people are having their policies can… --- ## ["Workfare" OR "Community Service"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workfare-or-community-service/670080)
**Author:** [@jsutter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsutter)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2013, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/workfare-or-community-service/670080 "2013-10-01T13:01:33Z")
This OP is occasioned by this: From The New York Times. I am progressive in the sense that I believe govt has an important place in facilitating the equitable distribution of the wealth (the welfare) of the world. I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=256) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=258)