# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=265 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 266 --- ## [Should we be able to sue non-vaccinating parents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-able-to-sue-non-vaccinating-parents/666145)
**Author:** [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-be-able-to-sue-non-vaccinating-parents/666145 "2013-08-22T01:13:34Z")
My law professor friend Dorit argues yes. I am not a lawyer but some of these vaccine preventable diseases are incredibly dangerous and highly contagious. To court them by non-vaccination seems as deliberate a threat to… --- ## [Question about the 25th amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-25th-amendment/666828)
**Author:** [@marcus903](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marcus903)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-the-25th-amendment/666828 "2013-08-21T22:54:49Z")
I got a curious question regarding the 25th amendment. Let’s say the President died of cancer and that the Vice President would have to take over the Presidency. Does he legally required to take over the presidency? Wh… --- ## [Shooting police who enter illegally](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-police-who-enter-illegally/666362)
**Author:** [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-police-who-enter-illegally/666362 "2013-08-21T21:34:45Z")
I don’t think this has beeen covered here, I came across it while doing some research. This law was passed in response to the Indiana SC ruling in 2011 that said a person can be arrested for even trying to stop an offic… --- ## [Would a massive outlay of solar power to North Africa create peace ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-massive-outlay-of-solar-power-to-north-africa-create-peace/666583)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-massive-outlay-of-solar-power-to-north-africa-create-peace/666583 "2013-08-21T18:32:07Z")
So much conflict in N Africa and Middle East is over oil resources, these places are sun rich - if they were given abundant solar power would it calm the constant fighting and terrorism ? --- ## [What duty of care do media organisations have when dealing with classified information?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-duty-of-care-do-media-organisations-have-when-dealing-with-classified-information/666787)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-duty-of-care-do-media-organisations-have-when-dealing-with-classified-information/666787 "2013-08-21T18:18:06Z")
There’s an ongoing debate in the other thread debating the arrest of David Miranda whilst transiting through Heathrow Airport. But there’s also a different debate that I think is also relevant here, regarding the behavi… --- ## [Ex-staffer of senator lashes out at Obama administration for secrecy about spying on American public](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-staffer-of-senator-lashes-out-at-obama-administration-for-secrecy-about-spying-on-american-public/666198)
**Author:** [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-staffer-of-senator-lashes-out-at-obama-administration-for-secrecy-about-spying-on-american-public/666198 "2013-08-21T17:04:33Z")
Former aide to Sen. Ron Wyden has written a lengthy blog post on the ways the Obama administration has attempted to suppress debate on privacy issues After talking about how the Senator’s efforts to express his concerns… --- ## [So, this Missouri "angel priest" turned out to be a great example of how "miracle" stories spread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-missouri-angel-priest-turned-out-to-be-a-great-example-of-how-miracle-stories-spread/666325)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-this-missouri-angel-priest-turned-out-to-be-a-great-example-of-how-miracle-stories-spread/666325 "2013-08-21T15:14:04Z")
Maybe this should be in MPSIMS, but I can see some debate coming out of it. Many of you probably heard about this incident; http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/08/10/small-town-searching-for-identity-mysterious-angel-priest… --- ## [Secular America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-america/666330)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-america/666330 "2013-08-21T10:32:38Z")
Since most of the people on here are American I was wondering whether you thought that as a Secular nation in theory the USA is secular in practice. It doesn’t seem like religion and state are properly separated and all … --- ## [Does the US have the power to be oil independent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-have-the-power-to-be-oil-independent/666698)
**Author:** [@lazarus86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazarus86)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-have-the-power-to-be-oil-independent/666698 "2013-08-21T00:21:44Z")
In the 70’s, the United States started to import oil. Why? Allegedly its demand outstripped its supply. But that could be seen in different ways. Did the US not have enough oil in the ground for a long-term goal of s… --- ## [Are you sure you know who God is?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sure-you-know-who-god-is/663422)
**Author:** [@Okieshowedem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okieshowedem)\ **Replies:** 267\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-sure-you-know-who-god-is/663422 "2013-08-20T18:12:03Z")
Okie --- ## [God is dying.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-dying/666729)
**Author:** [@Okieshowedem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okieshowedem)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-is-dying/666729 "2013-08-20T18:09:49Z")
To bad so many will die along with the God of this world (2 Cor.4: 4 For the gods (elohim) of this world (led by Satan) have blinded the minds of those who do not believe, so that the light of the message of the glory of… --- ## [Setting the record straight on Americans born overseas and the presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-the-record-straight-on-americans-born-overseas-and-the-presidency/666177)
**Author:** [@Keyzer\_Soza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keyzer_Soza)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/setting-the-record-straight-on-americans-born-overseas-and-the-presidency/666177 "2013-08-20T14:31:22Z")
Hopefully this doesn’t get politicized but can someone help clear up the situation whereby Americans can run for president while being born overseas? Now from my understanding of the Obama Birth Certificate controversy … --- ## [Where is the end of the Universe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-end-of-the-universe/666186)
**Author:** [@breakneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breakneck)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-end-of-the-universe/666186 "2013-08-20T11:54:35Z")
where is the end of the universe ? it has to end right? --- ## [To what extent does the U.S. government control other countries' governments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-does-the-u-s-government-control-other-countries-governments/666700)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-does-the-u-s-government-control-other-countries-governments/666700 "2013-08-20T09:00:51Z")
Just a question that came up when reading about the latest in the Edward Snowden saga, and thinking back to other times terrorists and non-terrorists alike in other countries decided that the U.S. was doing something, co… --- ## [Would an alien race necessarily be pro-social](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-alien-race-necessarily-be-pro-social/666091)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-alien-race-necessarily-be-pro-social/666091 "2013-08-20T05:28:13Z")
Assume there are aliens, if they exist would they be a pro-social species, and would those pro-social attitudes extend to life on this planet? I am assuming no species would develop the level of technical sophistication… --- ## [Does anybody know why the US invaded Iraq in 2003?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-know-why-the-us-invaded-iraq-in-2003/666358)
**Author:** [@The\_Sheikh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Sheikh)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-know-why-the-us-invaded-iraq-in-2003/666358 "2013-08-20T04:07:44Z")
Now that 10 years have passed, I noticed that this question never crossed my mind. It’s like I’ve been convinced all the time that there was a rationale behind the invasion. But now that I tried to remember what the rati… --- ## [GOP warns CNN, NBC to drop Hillary Clinton programs or be shut out of 2016 Republican debates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-warns-cnn-nbc-to-drop-hillary-clinton-programs-or-be-shut-out-of-2016-republican-debates/665471)
**Author:** [@yellowjacketcoder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowjacketcoder)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-warns-cnn-nbc-to-drop-hillary-clinton-programs-or-be-shut-out-of-2016-republican-debates/665471 "2013-08-20T02:31:16Z")
In short, the GOP doesn’t want CNN or NBC to run biographies of Hillary Clinton, apparently fearing it will paint her in too positive of a light. If they do, the warn the GOP won’t let them air the 2016 GOP presidentia… --- ## [Gay Marriage = Infedility and Polygamy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-infedility-and-polygamy/666343)
**Author:** [@amyjoy013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amyjoy013)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-infedility-and-polygamy/666343 "2013-08-20T02:31:07Z")
Heard this on the radio this morning and about DIED! This lady is so stupid. It’s a little long… but you have to listen to the whole thing to fully appreciate her stupidity. She basically says the legalization of gay … --- ## [When did open hatred become fun family entertainment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-open-hatred-become-fun-family-entertainment/666077)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-open-hatred-become-fun-family-entertainment/666077 "2013-08-20T02:06:51Z")
At the Missouri State Fair, a rodeo clown puts on an “Obama” mask and asks the crowd repeatedly if they would like to see Obama attacked by the bull…and the crowd roars their approval. This wasn’t the Republican Missour… --- ## [Egypt trouble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egypt-trouble/666480)
**Author:** [@Caneknife](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caneknife)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2013, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egypt-trouble/666480 "2013-08-19T21:00:51Z")
Can someone please explain what all the trouble is about in Egypt . --- ## [OK Now I am asking in Great Debates... Whites cannot use the N word and blacks can. Racist idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-now-i-am-asking-in-great-debates-whites-cannot-use-the-n-word-and-blacks-can-racist-idea/662219)
**Author:** [@ombre12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ombre12)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-now-i-am-asking-in-great-debates-whites-cannot-use-the-n-word-and-blacks-can-racist-idea/662219 "2013-08-19T19:18:03Z")
Am opening this thread because I am curious about black arguments for it. Seems like a no brainer to me. Definitely a racist idea. --- ## [NSA spying tool XKeyscore provides direct search access to emails, etc. - Constitutional breach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nsa-spying-tool-xkeyscore-provides-direct-search-access-to-emails-etc-constitutional-breach/666518)
**Author:** [@Shooby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shooby)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nsa-spying-tool-xkeyscore-provides-direct-search-access-to-emails-etc-constitutional-breach/666518 "2013-08-19T17:39:37Z")
Edward Snowden and his reveals have been discussed here before, but I don’t think I’ve seen a thread specifically talking about the July 31st revelations about XKeyscore, one of the most comprehensive spying programs unv… --- ## [How can we get pedestrians across the road safely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-get-pedestrians-across-the-road-safely/665893)
**Author:** [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-get-pedestrians-across-the-road-safely/665893 "2013-08-19T17:11:18Z")
A couple of years ago Ann Arbor implemented a law requiring vehicles to stop at crosswalks where a pedestrian was waiting to cross. Some time after that, the city began installing HAWK signals at some of the mid-block c… --- ## [Minors charged with making child porn of themselves](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minors-charged-with-making-child-porn-of-themselves/666478)
**Author:** [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2013, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minors-charged-with-making-child-porn-of-themselves/666478 "2013-08-19T01:33:41Z")
Not sure if this belongs here or GD, but I figure I’d try for the legal opinions first. If a 15 year old texts a picture of their junk to someone on their own initiative without any provocation, they can be charged with … --- ## [Going all the way to Baghdad in 1991. Necessarily a quagmire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-all-the-way-to-baghdad-in-1991-necessarily-a-quagmire/664838)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-all-the-way-to-baghdad-in-1991-necessarily-a-quagmire/664838 "2013-08-18T00:32:35Z")
Well the “Hell no side” can point to the Mesopotamian Adventure of the New Millenium. On the other hand, in 1991, the Iraqi Army had been absolutely mauled, this was not the case in 2003, where it just more or less melt… --- ## [Why is the "Peak Oil" bell-curve so widely misunderstood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-peak-oil-bell-curve-so-widely-misunderstood/665735)
**Author:** [@eg8576736](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eg8576736)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-peak-oil-bell-curve-so-widely-misunderstood/665735 "2013-08-17T19:52:18Z")
When you bring up the topic of Peak Oil in conservative circles, you invariably get a lot of talk about how shale is the equivalent of the old Texas Tea or free flowing Pennsylvania crude in the glory days of those state… --- ## [Stop and Frisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-and-frisk/666131)
**Author:** [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-and-frisk/666131 "2013-08-17T16:17:11Z")
A federal Judge ruled NYC’s use of the TERRY stop was based on profiling. Bloomberg vows to appeal. The decision is on her webpage, but LENGTHY. Stop and Frisk --- ## [Free birth control and abortion- question for anti-abortion folks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-and-abortion-question-for-anti-abortion-folks/662827)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2013, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-birth-control-and-abortion-question-for-anti-abortion-folks/662827 "2013-08-17T12:18:07Z")
This question is for people who believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases: if completely free and freely available birth control for all was conclusively statistically shown to both lower the abortion rate … --- ## [What if Columbus had sailed for England?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-columbus-had-sailed-for-england/666246)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2013, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-columbus-had-sailed-for-england/666246 "2013-08-17T12:12:38Z")
Columbus wanted to sail across the ocean for Asia and he didn’t really care who he did it for. He visited London in 1487 and tried to convince Henry VII to back his trip. He was of course unsuccessful. But suppose Henry… --- ## [Egypt - "The Nile Runs Red"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egypt-the-nile-runs-red/666360)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2013, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egypt-the-nile-runs-red/666360 "2013-08-17T07:03:43Z")
A good analysis of the situation. I am about as unsympathetic to Muslim Brotherhood as one can get, and I still think this is a good analysis of the situation and that US/Obama missed the chance to dampen it, and in the … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=264) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=266)