# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=268 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 269 --- ## [What information should be classified? Who gets to decide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-should-be-classified-who-gets-to-decide/665094)
**Author:** [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2013, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-information-should-be-classified-who-gets-to-decide/665094 "2013-08-02T12:12:33Z")
So I heard a lot after the Snowden/Manning leaks that these guys are traitors for publicly disclosing classified information. It mostly comes down to “they broke the rules, therefore they are bad”. But I haven’t yet hea… --- ## [Could many wealthy entrepreneurs repeat their success? How much luck is involved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-many-wealthy-entrepreneurs-repeat-their-success-how-much-luck-is-involved/664604)
**Author:** [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2013, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-many-wealthy-entrepreneurs-repeat-their-success-how-much-luck-is-involved/664604 "2013-08-02T09:25:30Z")
Whether this belongs in GD, IMHO or even GQ, I don’t know, since I have no idea what sort of answers I’ll get or what data there is to support them. GD makes for the most interesting threads, I think, so let’s hope it fi… --- ## [Are there currently extra-terrestrial entities on Earth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-currently-extra-terrestrial-entities-on-earth/574504)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2013, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-currently-extra-terrestrial-entities-on-earth/574504 "2013-08-02T00:24:18Z")
Personally I would say YES, based on my own experiences and the experiences of people I trust, however, I’m not 100% sure. I think the reason why ET presence isn’t visible enough for it to be proven is because since all… --- ## ["Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's \[etc\]"-What's your interpretation of that story?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/render-unto-caesar-that-which-is-caesars-etc-whats-your-interpretation-of-that-story/664764)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2013, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/render-unto-caesar-that-which-is-caesars-etc-whats-your-interpretation-of-that-story/664764 "2013-08-02T00:19:48Z")
Almost the exact same wording in Mark 12:13-17. The way I have long interpreted this story is, VERY SIMPLY put, Jesus is espousing a sort of spiritual vs. physical dualism; He was saying "You have Earthly obligations a… --- ## [Reviving the Mummies in Egypt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-the-mummies-in-egypt/665062)
**Author:** [@David\_H\_Singanas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_H_Singanas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-the-mummies-in-egypt/665062 "2013-08-01T22:25:35Z")
Now the Defense Ministry has repeatedly asked our Defense Department for “more rhetorical support” for a new set of personalities to run the government. Now Mr. Hagel has to be mum because he knows the President doe… --- ## [Luke 16:1 through 16:9](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luke-16-1-through-16-9/664990)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luke-16-1-through-16-9/664990 "2013-08-01T13:04:38Z")
This is one of Jesus’ parables that I don’t remember hearing much (if at all) when I was growing up in Sunday school. I thought it would be an interesting topic of debate. The gist of what I’m getting is that we have w… --- ## [European contact with the New World... how could it have played out better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-contact-with-the-new-world-how-could-it-have-played-out-better/664620)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2013, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-contact-with-the-new-world-how-could-it-have-played-out-better/664620 "2013-08-01T01:12:41Z")
I think it’s pretty well accepted that the European contact with the New World starting with Columbus was a massive genocidal catastrophe, wiping out millions, destroying cultures and societies, and generally being a mas… --- ## [Dispelling US Health Care Myths: Part 1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dispelling-us-health-care-myths-part-1/525997)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 289\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dispelling-us-health-care-myths-part-1/525997 "2013-07-31T21:40:35Z")
Whenever the discussion of UHC and health care reform gets brought up, there is one very consistent statement made by the conservative side: I think it’s time to get rid of this meme once and for all, so the following … --- ## [Does the U.S. Constitution need a "Right to Vote" Amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-constitution-need-a-right-to-vote-amendment/662668)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-u-s-constitution-need-a-right-to-vote-amendment/662668 "2013-07-31T20:29:45Z")
The U.S. Constitution provides that one cannot be denied the vote for certain enumerated reasons – but, nowhere is voting positively affirmed as a constitutional right. Some Americans want to change that. I think we sh… --- ## [Christians: Why are scientists more likely to be non-believers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-why-are-scientists-more-likely-to-be-non-believers/662322)
**Author:** [@JohnClay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnClay)\ **Replies:** 732\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-why-are-scientists-more-likely-to-be-non-believers/662322 "2013-07-31T17:28:36Z")
There was a Q & A session at a church about whether there is one way to God/Heaven and I asked why scientists, who supposedly seek the truth objectively, would be more likely to conclude that Christianity isn’t true. The… --- ## [Racism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism/663744)
**Author:** [@monavis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monavis)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism/663744 "2013-07-31T16:01:52Z")
There has been a lot of racist ideas and talk going on after the Zimmerman Verdict. I personally do not believe that there are many races, The only race I see is the human race, people of different skin colors, sizes,… --- ## [Liberal Mormons and Scientologists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-mormons-and-scientologists/664081)
**Author:** [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-mormons-and-scientologists/664081 "2013-07-31T15:58:26Z")
All this talk about liberal Christianity got me wondering. Does anyone think the Book of Mormon or Scientology books (when found not to accord with observation or science) are still “true” and just a metaphor for great… --- ## [Anybody interested in a SDMB weekly Bible study?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-interested-in-a-sdmb-weekly-bible-study/664376)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anybody-interested-in-a-sdmb-weekly-bible-study/664376 "2013-07-31T15:55:22Z")
Does anyone else want to do a weekly Bible study group here on SDMB-Great Debates? The plan would be to have a thread that went through a portion or book of the Bible, talked about what it means/what it meant, why it wou… --- ## [Why is Hispanic/Latino apparently the only ethnicity in the universe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-hispanic-latino-apparently-the-only-ethnicity-in-the-universe/664850)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-hispanic-latino-apparently-the-only-ethnicity-in-the-universe/664850 "2013-07-30T21:43:32Z")
In the US, almost every form I see, whether it be job, university, scholarship, or standardized test booklet that collects demographic data has a race field, these include East Asian, Black, White, etc. And then there’s … --- ## [How much legislative activity is about gaming the system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-legislative-activity-is-about-gaming-the-system/664839)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-legislative-activity-is-about-gaming-the-system/664839 "2013-07-30T15:24:02Z")
Is there any way to tell how many bills are introduced whose real purpose is to gain advantage for a particular business interest, e.g. erecting barriers to entry for potential competitors, etc.? I suppose it’s a matter… --- ## [Why does the U.S government refuse to pay its debts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-u-s-government-refuse-to-pay-its-debts/663992)
**Author:** [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2013, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-u-s-government-refuse-to-pay-its-debts/663992 "2013-07-30T04:26:30Z")
This seems to be a recent phenomena. When you look at the chart of U.S debt, there is a predictable cycle where debts are rapidly incurred followed by a quick discharge of that debt. The Revolutionary War Debt was cut i… --- ## [Poor Getting Richer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-getting-richer/664367)
**Author:** [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poor-getting-richer/664367 "2013-07-29T23:04:28Z")
Was recently sent an article: http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/07/yes-the-middle-class-has-been-disappearing-but-they-havent-fallen-into-the-lower-class-theyve-risen-into-the-upper-class/ …based on a Census table: http:/… --- ## [Could the earth's resources sustain a middle class lifestyle for everyone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-earths-resources-sustain-a-middle-class-lifestyle-for-everyone/664600)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-earths-resources-sustain-a-middle-class-lifestyle-for-everyone/664600 "2013-07-29T20:56:10Z")
By middle class, I’m thinking roughly equivalent to the lifestyle a family of four could expect on a 40,000 or 50,000 dollar salary in the USA. Does the earth even possess enough resources for such to be possible? --- ## [What's better/worse - Communism or neoliberalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-better-worse-communism-or-neoliberalism/664762)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-better-worse-communism-or-neoliberalism/664762 "2013-07-29T20:07:08Z")
Would you rather have an economy that was ran exclusively by Marxist/Maoist/Leninist principles or exclusively by Objectivist/Social Darwinist principles? --- ## [Women should learn from nra](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-should-learn-from-nra/664338)
**Author:** [@Renee\_RL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee_RL)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-should-learn-from-nra/664338 "2013-07-29T15:55:05Z")
The NRA won’t concede on anything because they feel their fun rights will be chipped away and they were successful. Why aren’t women’s groups meeting with the same success? Look at our reproductive rights being taken awa… --- ## [Big Pharma "Pay for Delay"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-pharma-pay-for-delay/664814)
**Author:** [@David\_H\_Singanas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_H_Singanas)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-pharma-pay-for-delay/664814 "2013-07-29T15:16:08Z")
Last March there were six big medical cases pending before the Supreme Court. One of them, the patentability of human genes, has already been heard. The “pay for delay” issue is about pharmaceutical companies that pro… --- ## [Definition of "holocaust survivor"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-holocaust-survivor/664060)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-holocaust-survivor/664060 "2013-07-29T06:15:10Z")
It seems to me that there should be a straightforward definition of what a holocaust survivor is/was. Now that the vast majority of that generation is no longer here, the term “son/daugher or grandson/daugher of a holoc… --- ## [Is the war on cancer an ‘utter failure’?: A sobering look at how billions in research money is spent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-war-on-cancer-an-utter-failure-a-sobering-look-at-how-billions-in-research-money-is-spent/653155)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2013, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-war-on-cancer-an-utter-failure-a-sobering-look-at-how-billions-in-research-money-is-spent/653155 "2013-07-29T03:34:39Z")
I just found this news article today messy around with different news sites . I think medical breakthrough are kinda strange now here why. -lots of breakthrough with cloning has of late -lots of breakthrough with tis… --- ## [Is the Christian Trinity really pagan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-christian-trinity-really-pagan/664264)
**Author:** [@Okieshowedem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okieshowedem)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2013, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-christian-trinity-really-pagan/664264 "2013-07-28T22:50:02Z")
http://www.sabbathcovenant.com/book2MysteryReligionOfBabylon/Chapter3.htm#The%20Pagan%20Trinity I can not argue with what I read here can you? This shines a new light on why there are so many Christian denominations. … --- ## [protectionism and globalization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protectionism-and-globalization/662974)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protectionism-and-globalization/662974 "2013-07-28T21:35:35Z")
So I’m sure most folks here have been reading the news and public speeches by the government how we are being transformed into the 21 century of globalization. I find it contradictory when we still have protectionism wh… --- ## [Amateur Detectives: Does this sound like a genuine threat against this Canadian gay couple?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-detectives-does-this-sound-like-a-genuine-threat-against-this-canadian-gay-couple/664522)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amateur-detectives-does-this-sound-like-a-genuine-threat-against-this-canadian-gay-couple/664522 "2013-07-28T21:21:37Z")
I don’t know how much this has been reported outside Canada, but I wonder what kind of conclusion the combined intelligence of the teeming millions on the SDMB can come up with. The gist of the story is that a lesbian c… --- ## [Why Doesn't The U.S. Execute Spies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-u-s-execute-spies/664663)
**Author:** [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-u-s-execute-spies/664663 "2013-07-28T19:14:40Z")
U.S. will not seek death penalty for Snowden, attorney general says Why would this even be question? Aside from the Rosenbergs, I can’t think of any Soviet spies executed by the US, giving them lengthy prison sentences … --- ## [Why are the Old/New Testaments so different in tone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-old-new-testaments-so-different-in-tone/662722)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-old-new-testaments-so-different-in-tone/662722 "2013-07-28T19:03:36Z")
Something that’s been bugging me for a while now - why in the books of the Bible does God, or rather his character, seem to change so much from the Old Testament to the New? For example, in the Old, we have a wrathful, … --- ## [Is the bank of the south truly competitive with the IMF and world bank](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bank-of-the-south-truly-competitive-with-the-imf-and-world-bank/664353)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-bank-of-the-south-truly-competitive-with-the-imf-and-world-bank/664353 "2013-07-28T17:29:40Z")
Socialist latin american countries came together a few years ago and created the bank of the south, meant to be a counterbalance to the IMF and world bank. They felt those organizations fostered dependence on developed n… --- ## [Sears: A Libertarian Case-study](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sears-a-libertarian-case-study/663681)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2013, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sears-a-libertarian-case-study/663681 "2013-07-27T11:20:33Z")
Bloomberg Business Week has a fascinating article on the decline and fall of the retailer Sears. IMO the article presents a case study of how Libertarian theories of the free market inevitably fail when put into practic… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=267) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=269)