# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=266 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 267 --- ## [The NYT Ethicist and Dueling Donations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nyt-ethicist-and-dueling-donations/664113)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nyt-ethicist-and-dueling-donations/664113 "2013-08-17T01:13:43Z")
Via The Volokh Conspiracy, I was led to this NYT feature, in which The Ethicist answers ethical questions. Briefly: Being a legal-focused blog, Volokh commentator Will Blaude points out that their agreement is in fact… --- ## [North Africa for Dummies (in Congress)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-africa-for-dummies-in-congress/666387)
**Author:** [@David\_H\_Singanas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_H_Singanas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-africa-for-dummies-in-congress/666387 "2013-08-16T04:30:09Z")
North Africa for Dummies81513.rtf Let’s pretend for a moment that the United States has been superimposed on North Africa. Let’s picture Morocco on the African west coast as California, Tunisia as Illinois on the Lakes… --- ## [Email service used by Snowden shuts itself down, warns against using US-based companies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-service-used-by-snowden-shuts-itself-down-warns-against-using-us-based-companies/665846)
**Author:** [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/email-service-used-by-snowden-shuts-itself-down-warns-against-using-us-based-companies/665846 "2013-08-16T03:57:22Z")
Continued at --- ## [All new nurses by 2014 must have bachelor’s degree](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-new-nurses-by-2014-must-have-bachelor-s-degree/655117)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2013, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-new-nurses-by-2014-must-have-bachelor-s-degree/655117 "2013-08-16T00:14:58Z")
All new nurses by 2014 must have bachelor’s degree !! It seems Canada is moving into that direction and US probably move very soon !! http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Nurses+will+soon+need+university+degree/82083… --- ## [Is cannabis actually healthy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cannabis-actually-healthy/658140)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2013, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cannabis-actually-healthy/658140 "2013-08-15T23:46:43Z")
I would say that this board sways heavily towards a liberal/evidence based attitude towards cannabis and drugs in general, so I expect some objective and balanced reasoning. Basically my question is: Is cannabis actually… --- ## [Who deserves/deserved more hatred: Bush or Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-deserves-deserved-more-hatred-bush-or-obama/666213)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-deserves-deserved-more-hatred-bush-or-obama/666213 "2013-08-15T22:02:59Z")
Spinoff from this thread, related but essentially different question for debate. Given the cultural-demographic makeup of a messageboard-community ultimately rooted in an alternative-tabloid newspaper column (Blessings … --- ## [Profits are a tax on labor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profits-are-a-tax-on-labor/663283)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 509\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2013, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/profits-are-a-tax-on-labor/663283 "2013-08-15T17:06:03Z")
Consider a simple hypothetical: A man is a corporation. He’s the CEO, CFO, the security guard and everybody else, all rolled into one. At the end of the quarter, he pays himself a salary, and turns the rest of the corpor… --- ## [Where does right-wing paranoia come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-right-wing-paranoia-come-from/647551)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2013, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-right-wing-paranoia-come-from/647551 "2013-08-15T16:14:19Z")
I don’t want to make this about gun control or any other particular political topic. But based on the rantings I’ve read from various right-wing sources, there appears to be what I would almost consider a psychotic leve… --- ## [Is there a chance for Schwarzenegger to become president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-chance-for-schwarzenegger-to-become-president/665636)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2013, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-chance-for-schwarzenegger-to-become-president/665636 "2013-08-15T07:50:29Z")
Let’s forget for a moment, how well or poorly he performed as a governor and just use him as a convenient prop. In other words, is there a chance of repealing the part in Article II, Section 1, Clause 5 of the Constitut… --- ## [FreedomWorks is right about Obamacare \*sigh\*](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedomworks-is-right-about-obamacare-sigh/665709)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedomworks-is-right-about-obamacare-sigh/665709 "2013-08-13T00:10:15Z")
Well, not about the law in general, or in wanting to repeal it; but they have a powerful message that highlights a serious vulnerability in the law’s structure. I am a strong Obama supporter, keep in mind, and it pains … --- ## [Who gets/got more hatred: Bush or Obama:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-got-more-hatred-bush-or-obama/647635)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2013, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-got-more-hatred-bush-or-obama/647635 "2013-08-15T01:34:55Z")
Inspired by this post of Debaser’s in this thread on RW paranoia: Well, that ain’t how I remember it. Liberals gave Bush a chance. At the start of his term, their general attitude was, “Oh, well, the Pub stole the ele… --- ## [What should replace capitalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-replace-capitalism/575357)
**Author:** [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Replies:** 401\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-replace-capitalism/575357 "2013-08-15T01:23:05Z")
To avoid a massive hijack in this thread, I’ve decided to open this up for debate here. I see that some people think that capitalism is the greatest scourge in the history of mankind. These same people make the assumpti… --- ## [What is legally 21?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-legally-21/662794)
**Author:** [@MichaelXD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelXD)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2013, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-legally-21/662794 "2013-08-14T23:29:21Z")
I got a question. 21 years is 7,670 days so if the dates were 7,670 days apart, example March 1, 1991 and February 29, 2012 or February 28, 1991 and February 28, 2012 and the person was allowed to walk into a bar born on… --- ## [Who can be the first to predict the 45th president of the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-can-be-the-first-to-predict-the-45th-president-of-the-united-states/471207)
**Author:** [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-can-be-the-first-to-predict-the-45th-president-of-the-united-states/471207 "2013-08-14T20:51:37Z")
Only one prediction per calender month per poster. I will go with Mike Huckabee. --- ## [Poster on tips to avoid sexual assault. Does it provide good advice, or does it blame the victim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-on-tips-to-avoid-sexual-assault-does-it-provide-good-advice-or-does-it-blame-the-victim/665835)
**Author:** [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2013, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poster-on-tips-to-avoid-sexual-assault-does-it-provide-good-advice-or-does-it-blame-the-victim/665835 "2013-08-14T14:14:12Z")
This is a poster hanging in a women’s restroom where I work. Story here. Do you think the poster provides good advice? Or do you think it only serves to blame the victim? --- ## [Cable TV: Exhibit A against the free market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cable-tv-exhibit-a-against-the-free-market/666118)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2013, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cable-tv-exhibit-a-against-the-free-market/666118 "2013-08-14T11:48:07Z")
This NPR story is not the first time I have come across a discussion of bundling versus à la carte, but it got me thinking about it in terms of free markets and the idea of consumer choice. Normally, the Ayn Rand crowd … --- ## [Why do so many people believe in ghosts (and other paranormal)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-believe-in-ghosts-and-other-paranormal/664802)
**Author:** [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2013, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-so-many-people-believe-in-ghosts-and-other-paranormal/664802 "2013-08-14T08:01:41Z")
A few months ago I was basically accused of being a dick for saying ghosts don’t exist and psychics are either frauds or deluded. The person I was talking to isn’t obviously the type to believe in such things, so I was a… --- ## [Is truth really up for debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-truth-really-up-for-debate/665823)
**Author:** [@Okieshowedem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okieshowedem)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-truth-really-up-for-debate/665823 "2013-08-13T21:41:29Z")
There is the truth then there is every ones opinion. Those who think they know are the very ones that are deceived by the most subtle creature that the Creator of all things has created so says the Scriptures. Want to … --- ## [Why are senior citizens turning against the GOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-senior-citizens-turning-against-the-gop/666036)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-senior-citizens-turning-against-the-gop/666036 "2013-08-13T20:48:24Z")
This poll suggests that they are – – but it’s not clear why. The only theories offered are: Most significantly, even on social issues, where seniors are generally believed to be reliably conservative: Nobody analy… --- ## [Is worldwide "communism" inevitable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-worldwide-communism-inevitable/665790)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-worldwide-communism-inevitable/665790 "2013-08-13T19:07:40Z")
Not top down Soviet style communism. Clearly that doesn’t work. You can’t dictate communism. It has to be something people believe in for it to work. Something more like the admittedly vague Star Trek Federation. But wit… --- ## [Cities w/o suburbs: Every metro area in America should have consolidated metro government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cities-w-o-suburbs-every-metro-area-in-america-should-have-consolidated-metro-government/665395)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 241\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cities-w-o-suburbs-every-metro-area-in-america-should-have-consolidated-metro-government/665395 "2013-08-13T16:48:27Z")
Relevant to this ongoing GD thread, and this one, and this one. I’m not talking about taking a bulldozer to the suburbs or disturbing their physical existence – only ending their political-and-taxing independence from t… --- ## [Bible verses: 2 Kings 2:23-24; Numbers 5:11-31](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-verses-2-kings-2-23-24-numbers-5-11-31/664473)
**Author:** [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Replies:** 318\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-verses-2-kings-2-23-24-numbers-5-11-31/664473 "2013-08-13T11:21:11Z")
I don’t think the punishment fits the crime. How about you? I don’t think it’s right to stone rebellious teenagers either. That’s what I get out of it too. However I’ve been accused of taking bible verses too lit… --- ## [Is it wrong to force feed a prisoner on hunger strike?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-force-feed-a-prisoner-on-hunger-strike/663851)
**Author:** [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-force-feed-a-prisoner-on-hunger-strike/663851 "2013-08-13T07:59:45Z")
A recent pit thread got me thinking about this topic. The idea of force feeding someone who has chosen to make a protest by denying themselves food is, to me, deeply disturbing But I honestly don’t know whether it is r… --- ## [Eastern promise: what, if anything, can non-believers learn from Buddhism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eastern-promise-what-if-anything-can-non-believers-learn-from-buddhism/590338)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eastern-promise-what-if-anything-can-non-believers-learn-from-buddhism/590338 "2013-08-13T02:06:37Z")
I know we have Buddhists on the boards, views from them are welcome. By non-believers, I mean atheists/agnostics/antitheist/apatheists/etc. The SDMB has a history of brutally dissecting the claims of religion, particul… --- ## [Why did we develop sweat glands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-develop-sweat-glands/665466)
**Author:** [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-we-develop-sweat-glands/665466 "2013-08-12T22:44:43Z")
Ok, I’m not a creationist, nor an irreducible complexist (is that a word?) but I did think about this earlier today as I sweltered in the Texas heat. How/why did we develop sweat glands? Traditional evolutionary biolog… --- ## [So, If We Gave Every Household In The USA A FREE Electric Car](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-we-gave-every-household-in-the-usa-a-free-electric-car/663960)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-if-we-gave-every-household-in-the-usa-a-free-electric-car/663960 "2013-08-12T22:42:10Z")
Just wondering…if we gave every household in the entire USA a FREE electric car, would that solve enough problems to make it worthwhile? Just thinking of short term and long term effects: Cleaner air. Drastic drop in … --- ## [DOMA struck down in a 5-4 decision](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doma-struck-down-in-a-5-4-decision/661962)
**Author:** [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2013, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doma-struck-down-in-a-5-4-decision/661962 "2013-08-12T21:51:17Z")
There’s the PDF of the opinion of the court and its three dissenting opinions. Here’s a key part of the opinion from page 4 I haven’t read all of it. In fact, I haven’t read most of it yet. Feel free to do so yoursel… --- ## ["Businesses hire only when more employees are needed to meet unmet demand." - anyone disagree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-hire-only-when-more-employees-are-needed-to-meet-unmet-demand-anyone-disagree/665796)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 12, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/businesses-hire-only-when-more-employees-are-needed-to-meet-unmet-demand-anyone-disagree/665796 "2013-08-12T14:45:44Z")
Is there any legitimate doubt to the statement in the thread title? I mean, other than a few business who hire their brother-in-law’s kid to give him a first job (and the like)? It seems to me like this is an intuitive… --- ## [The 10,000 Year Explosion - a book review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-000-year-explosion-a-book-review/579355)
**Author:** [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\ **Replies:** 320\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-000-year-explosion-a-book-review/579355 "2013-08-05T18:46:47Z")
In The 10,000 Year Explosion: How Civilization Accelerated Human Evolution Gregory Cochran and Henry Harpending argue just that: human evolution is advancing faster and faster. Cochran and Harpending are anthropology pr… --- ## [Did Ayn Rand sincerely believe that Objectivism would be good for mankind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ayn-rand-sincerely-believe-that-objectivism-would-be-good-for-mankind/663784)
**Author:** [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2013, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-ayn-rand-sincerely-believe-that-objectivism-would-be-good-for-mankind/663784 "2013-08-10T07:55:55Z")
I have been mocked for struggling with her books and her philosophy. When I try to discuss it, I’m told her writing is simple and is only interesting to first year college students and blah blah blah. This has made me … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=265) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=267)