# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=269 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 270 --- ## [Why do candidates need their spousal support to continue a race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-candidates-need-their-spousal-support-to-continue-a-race/664375)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-candidates-need-their-spousal-support-to-continue-a-race/664375 "2013-07-26T21:57:16Z")
In the wake of Weiner-Gate II, some columnists have said that the fact that his wife is staying with him, even after continued indiscretions, may bolster his chances to continue to make a run for the NYC Mayoral seat. E… --- ## [Were irregulars as important to the revolutionary war as the gun nuts would have us believe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-irregulars-as-important-to-the-revolutionary-war-as-the-gun-nuts-would-have-us-believe/662377)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-irregulars-as-important-to-the-revolutionary-war-as-the-gun-nuts-would-have-us-believe/662377 "2013-07-26T21:09:32Z")
So one of the arguments for the second amendment is that it provides a bulwark against tyranny. Gun nuts frequently point to the revolutionary war (along with stuff going on in the arab spring) to demonstrate the utilit… --- ## [Snowden Is A Hero: NSA Phone Capture And PRISM Are Blatantly Illegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snowden-is-a-hero-nsa-phone-capture-and-prism-are-blatantly-illegal/662810)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 307\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snowden-is-a-hero-nsa-phone-capture-and-prism-are-blatantly-illegal/662810 "2013-07-26T18:43:55Z")
An editorial in the New York Times points out that the NSA capture of metadata on all US phone calls is blatantly illegal under federal law. Section 215 of the Patriot Act is the statute cited as justification for the NS… --- ## [The Implications of being Born Without a Brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-implications-of-being-born-without-a-brain/663882)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-implications-of-being-born-without-a-brain/663882 "2013-07-26T18:21:16Z")
According to a Fox News story, a girl who while in utero was diagnosed with Hydranencephaly - a condition where the brain’s cerebral hemispheres are absent - has made it to six years old. The condition means that the ch… --- ## [Why do \[people\] want to punish so disproportionately to the crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-want-to-punish-so-disproportionately-to-the-crime/663758)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-want-to-punish-so-disproportionately-to-the-crime/663758 "2013-07-26T12:51:18Z")
Why exactly, does the human race have such an infatuation with punishment? I’m not talking about punishment’s that we mete out in the name of preserving the peace (or inhibiting the violent), such as incarcerating murde… --- ## [The amount of force used](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amount-of-force-used/664178)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-amount-of-force-used/664178 "2013-07-26T07:59:29Z")
Here in the UK if someone attacked another person the person being attacked would defend themselves,but why do Americans find it necessary to use firearms to defend themselves when being attacked by an unarmed individual… --- ## [The Detroit Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-detroit-thread/663955)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-detroit-thread/663955 "2013-07-26T04:09:32Z")
I was rather curious that no one had brought up the recently-filed Detroit bankruptcy, seeing as it’s a pretty major news story. I have my own take on it but were prefer not to blather endlessly. I’m interested in Doper’… --- ## [This American hawk says to Bush: Get a UN mandate NOW!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-american-hawk-says-to-bush-get-a-un-mandate-now/189625)
**Author:** [@GoHeels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoHeels)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2013, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-american-hawk-says-to-bush-get-a-un-mandate-now/189625 "2013-07-26T00:16:58Z")
OK, I’ll admit it. I, like a number of my fellow American hawks, sneered at the UN in the painful months leading up to the war. The UN is condemning itself to irrelevance, I thought. I am not sneering anymore. We need o… --- ## [Jewish influence in Politics and the Media Coincidence or Conspiracy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-influence-in-politics-and-the-media-coincidence-or-conspiracy/664506)
**Author:** [@12741](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/12741)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-influence-in-politics-and-the-media-coincidence-or-conspiracy/664506 "2013-07-25T21:45:24Z")
As the title says, is there a conspiracy, or is it coinicidence that many Jewish people support generally the same political views with the strong influence they have on America? Keep in mind that "The community self-ide… --- ## [What is the Tea Party movement, really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-tea-party-movement-really/664271)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [July 25, 2013, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-tea-party-movement-really/664271 "2013-07-25T20:13:01Z")
The Tea Party Movement. Is it a reactionary movement as Christopher S. Parker maintains, or a reform movement as adaher insists in this thread, or both at once (which would be unprecedented)? Is it a true grassroots mo… --- ## [What restrictions (if any) should be in place for content in creative writing classes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-restrictions-if-any-should-be-in-place-for-content-in-creative-writing-classes/613256)
**Author:** [@lew\_cody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lew_cody)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2013, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-restrictions-if-any-should-be-in-place-for-content-in-creative-writing-classes/613256 "2013-07-24T22:12:18Z")
My query is based on this rather interesting scenario: http://abcnews.go.com/US/michigan-student-charged-intimidation-writing-hot-teacher-inspired/story?id=15648870 in which a student at Oakland University wrote a jour… --- ## [Going to Another Planet](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-another-planet/660534)
**Author:** [@Nihal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nihal)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-to-another-planet/660534 "2013-07-24T21:39:30Z")
Lot of people, even top scientists, say that once we have made this planet uninhabitable by sheer dint of perseverance we can pack our bags, get into a great big spaceship, go to another planet in a galaxy far, far away … --- ## [President Obama's Mouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obamas-mouth/663574)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obamas-mouth/663574 "2013-07-24T19:15:17Z")
I could be wrong, but ISTM that President Obama has a habit of making poorly thought out, off-the-cuff public remarks about matters, without enough consideration of the situation and the import of his words. One example… --- ## [What are the likely next big geopolitical changes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-likely-next-big-geopolitical-changes/663919)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-likely-next-big-geopolitical-changes/663919 "2013-07-24T17:35:53Z")
I was looking at a map of the world from around the Vietnam War era the other day and it was full of countries (or more specifically, the colonies of other countries) which no longer exist or have splintered into several… --- ## [President Will Not Be Involved in Decision to Prosecute Zimmerman: Why Not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-will-not-be-involved-in-decision-to-prosecute-zimmerman-why-not/663858)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-will-not-be-involved-in-decision-to-prosecute-zimmerman-why-not/663858 "2013-07-24T15:55:21Z")
A lot of outlets are reporting this, e.g. here Why is this done and why is it a “good thing”? President Obama is not just some political guy. He was elected president of this country. He is the boss of the Justice Dep… --- ## [Why isn't Europe enough for the white race?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-europe-enough-for-the-white-race/645438)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2013, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-europe-enough-for-the-white-race/645438 "2013-07-24T09:08:03Z")
Whenever I see these people who talk about the need for white power (under whatever name) in North America, I’m offended. If you want to defend the white world, go back to Europe. If you want to defend “Anglo-Saxon civi… --- ## [A legal proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-legal-proposal/664068)
**Author:** [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2013, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-legal-proposal/664068 "2013-07-24T06:48:46Z")
This is inspired by no case in particular … RESOLVED, the Criminal Code of the State of Kent is amended as follows: Would this be a good amendment to the Criminal Code of Kent? I think it would be. First, most defens… --- ## [Take a closer look at the House of Lords: it may not be quite what you think](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-closer-look-at-the-house-of-lords-it-may-not-be-quite-what-you-think/664070)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-a-closer-look-at-the-house-of-lords-it-may-not-be-quite-what-you-think/664070 "2013-07-23T20:25:08Z")
An article by Democratic Audit (A UK study group) Thought this might make an interesting point of discussion. Summarised: House of Lords is the oldest second chamber in the world, so easy to assume it’s not changed in … --- ## [Genghis khan vs Hitler](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genghis-khan-vs-hitler/664177)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genghis-khan-vs-hitler/664177 "2013-07-23T20:25:01Z")
These two individuals would arguably be considered to be some of the most evil people to have ever lived, but which do you think was worse. Bear in mind that Genghis Khan did a lot for the environment. --- ## [Wisdom of DC living wage ($12.50/h) bill for big box stores](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisdom-of-dc-living-wage-12-50-h-bill-for-big-box-stores/664007)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2013, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisdom-of-dc-living-wage-12-50-h-bill-for-big-box-stores/664007 "2013-07-23T16:09:31Z")
So the DC council just passed a living wage bill requiring stores with parent companies whose revenue exceeds $1 billion/year to pay all employees a living wage of $12.50/hour. The bill will go into effect unless it is … --- ## [What will happen to Snowden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-snowden/661888)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-snowden/661888 "2013-07-23T16:06:15Z")
Apparently he is now at the Moscow airport and Putin has said that he won’t be extradited. What’s his next step? Ecuador ? Iceland ? Some embassy in Moscow? He possibly has valuable information that several governments… --- ## [If my kidneys were stolen, would I be entitled to get them back?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-my-kidneys-were-stolen-would-i-be-entitled-to-get-them-back/664252)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 23, 2013, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-my-kidneys-were-stolen-would-i-be-entitled-to-get-them-back/664252 "2013-07-23T10:46:53Z")
Based loosely upon the “Woman rapes man” thread, I began to wonder. If my kidneys were stolen via the well-known bath tub urban legend and I knew into whom they were transplanted, would I be within my rights to get them… --- ## [Most important historical battles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-important-historical-battles/663115)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-important-historical-battles/663115 "2013-07-22T19:48:14Z")
Give one battle you think would have had the biggest effect to modern life and explain. I’d go with Ain Jalut fought between the Mongols on one side and the Egyptian Mamelukes on the other in the Levant. If the mongols … --- ## [If Neanderthals had survived, would they have survived?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-neanderthals-had-survived-would-they-have-survived/664069)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-neanderthals-had-survived-would-they-have-survived/664069 "2013-07-22T19:46:39Z")
I know what you’re thinking, Kobayashi’s off his meds with a thread title like that. Forgive the tautology, and allow me to explain what I mean. Evidence suggests that the last enclave of surviving Neanderthals was a ca… --- ## [Prevention of Crime Act 1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-crime-act-1953/664176)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prevention-of-crime-act-1953/664176 "2013-07-22T14:40:16Z")
This act was passed to try and curb violent crime in the UK by restricting a citizen from carrying an offensive weapon, but because of the ridiculous ambiguity of it basically anything can be considered offensive. Do you… --- ## [What is the supposed biblical support for the modern state of Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-supposed-biblical-support-for-the-modern-state-of-israel/664158)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-supposed-biblical-support-for-the-modern-state-of-israel/664158 "2013-07-22T14:00:23Z")
I have some friends who to my mind buy almost anything put out by conservative Christian pastors, and they “know” that the bible supports the idea of Israel existing as a political state at this point in time. However, t… --- ## [Will we ever shed our religiocentric views](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-shed-our-religiocentric-views/662963)
**Author:** [@themysticalthread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themysticalthread)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-ever-shed-our-religiocentric-views/662963 "2013-07-22T13:36:14Z")
I should ask, how long before we shed our religiocentric views? In recent years, I’ve encountered more and more people that willing to accept the validity of other religious traditions. At the very least, more people a… --- ## [Royalty and democracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/royalty-and-democracy/663820)
**Author:** [@Longshanks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longshanks)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2013, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/royalty-and-democracy/663820 "2013-07-22T08:49:17Z")
How is it that in the modern world where democracy is the prevailing political ideology, some people still feel that the idea of a royal family is necessary. A democracy and meritocracy which aren’t exactly the same but … --- ## [Do certain philosophies merely refelct the nueral development of the philosopher ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-certain-philosophies-merely-refelct-the-nueral-development-of-the-philosopher/663872)
**Author:** [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2013, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-certain-philosophies-merely-refelct-the-nueral-development-of-the-philosopher/663872 "2013-07-21T20:14:31Z")
Say, for example, Ayn Rand. I’ve watched her interview on Youtube, and she just looks like someone with a low degree of empathy who constructs a philosophy around herself. Many psychologists now say they are discovering… --- ## [White Slaves of The GOP: Racist Fearmongering and the Debt Ceiling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-slaves-of-the-gop-racist-fearmongering-and-the-debt-ceiling/664112)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 21, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-slaves-of-the-gop-racist-fearmongering-and-the-debt-ceiling/664112 "2013-07-21T19:54:26Z")
Being a man of broad-ranging intellect and all (I was googling about a movie called “White Slaves of Chinatown”) I recently came across an academic Marxist site that links two GOP attack ads about the debt ceiling to a s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=268) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=270)