# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=27 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 28 --- ## [Power and Corruption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-and-corruption/965704)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2022, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-and-corruption/965704 "2022-06-06T21:20:15Z")
I’ve been reading a new book on corruption. It’s a good read. It talks about those interested in power, whether bad people aspire to power and what can be done, whether power changes people, and so forth. It tells a l… --- ## [So what if Roe v. Wade is overturned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned/921653)
**Author:** [@razordance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razordance)\ **Replies:** 266\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-if-roe-v-wade-is-overturned/921653 "2022-06-06T20:08:56Z")
That won’t mean abortion is illegal. All it means is that abortion, no longer enjoying constitutional protection, becomes an ordinary legislative issue. Which would be very bad for the Pubs electorally. I think that m… --- ## [Make it illegal for gun companies to promote their products in movies and TV shows](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-it-illegal-for-gun-companies-to-promote-their-products-in-movies-and-tv-shows/965712)
**Author:** [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2022, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-it-illegal-for-gun-companies-to-promote-their-products-in-movies-and-tv-shows/965712 "2022-06-06T19:48:39Z")
How about taking a page from the anti-tobacco movement? Ban product placement of guns in movies, television and video games. Ban gun companies from sponsoring events like music concerts. --- ## [British and American WW2 tanks were inferior to German ones](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-and-american-ww2-tanks-were-inferior-to-german-ones/963450)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2022, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-and-american-ww2-tanks-were-inferior-to-german-ones/963450 "2022-06-06T14:19:51Z")
Moving to another thread to avoid hijacking this one the comment was made in regards to the film Fury that one of the issues with the movie was it was based on the false premise that “American tanks are inferior to the … --- ## [Judging People From Past Homophobic Or Racist Statements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judging-people-from-past-homophobic-or-racist-statements/963497)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judging-people-from-past-homophobic-or-racist-statements/963497 "2022-06-04T21:44:45Z")
Something I at least have thought about for some time now. Should famous people (politicians, actors and other celebrities) be judged by homophobic and racist statements that they have made in the past? I say that, with… --- ## [Warren Student Loan Forgiveness Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-student-loan-forgiveness-plan/832931)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 337\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2022, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-student-loan-forgiveness-plan/832931 "2022-06-02T03:36:14Z")
As part of her presidential bid, Elizabeth Warren is pushing for a student loan forgiveness program along with Bernie’s free college plan. Naturally conservatives are going to hate this idea, partly because it’s a massi… --- ## ["There Have Been, On Average, 10 Mass Shootings In The U.S. Each Week This Year"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-have-been-on-average-10-mass-shootings-in-the-u-s-each-week-this-year/941793)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 199\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2022, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-have-been-on-average-10-mass-shootings-in-the-u-s-each-week-this-year/941793 "2022-05-31T20:14:29Z")
When a man walked into a birthday party in Colorado Springs, Colo., over the weekend, killing six people and then himself, it was the deadliest mass shooting in the state since March, when a rampage at a grocery store… --- ## [Can we put the myth of a "good guy with a gun" as an argument to allow more permissive gun laws to rest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-put-the-myth-of-a-good-guy-with-a-gun-as-an-argument-to-allow-more-permissive-gun-laws-to-rest/965395)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2022, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-put-the-myth-of-a-good-guy-with-a-gun-as-an-argument-to-allow-more-permissive-gun-laws-to-rest/965395 "2022-05-31T00:51:56Z")
The recent mass murder at the school in Uvalde is the prompt for this post. AIUI the school in Uvalde had an armed guard on duty. Numerous law enforcement officers responded but did nothing for an hour. Texas ha… --- ## [Can states or the Federal government restrict abortions on Native American lands?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-states-or-the-federal-government-restrict-abortions-on-native-american-lands/964884)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-states-or-the-federal-government-restrict-abortions-on-native-american-lands/964884 "2022-05-29T16:46:28Z")
Note: This is not a debate about abortion itself, but about possible state or Federal control of health measures on Native American lands. I just read an article about Republican Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt striking back… --- ## [The 'if everyone did it' argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-if-everyone-did-it-argument/964787)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2022, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-if-everyone-did-it-argument/964787 "2022-05-28T20:00:58Z")
Picking up pebbles from the beach, in the UK, is apparently a crime, punishable by a £1000 fine, so I am informed. Now, I don’t really see it as a very significant problem if a kid wants to take home a shiny rock as a s… --- ## [Thoughts on GD moderation change for Gun Debate threads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-gd-moderation-change-for-gun-debate-threads/964717)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2022, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-gd-moderation-change-for-gun-debate-threads/964717 "2022-05-28T12:40:31Z")
I’m thinking about a rule adjustment. Gun Debate threads need to be narrow focused and preferably touch on new regulations or proposed regulations or cover some new aspect on guns themselves. When starting a GD on guns… --- ## [Legal or not, how much would mass gun banning and confiscation do to stop shootings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-or-not-how-much-would-mass-gun-banning-and-confiscation-do-to-stop-shootings/965227)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legal-or-not-how-much-would-mass-gun-banning-and-confiscation-do-to-stop-shootings/965227 "2022-05-27T19:05:06Z")
Let’s temporarily handwave away all the legal/Constitutional stuff about Second Amendment and gun rights and everything, and just say we ban guns and start going door to door in every gun-owning household in America, “FB… --- ## [Putin /Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-trump/963085)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2022, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putin-trump/963085 "2022-05-23T18:31:20Z")
I don’t want to turn this into a political thing, instead I would like to talk about negotiation logic. I think the media and the people ourselves make serious negotiations difficult for one reason the negotiator has a r… --- ## [What parts of U.S. history are the most "important" for kids to know?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-parts-of-u-s-history-are-the-most-important-for-kids-to-know/964015)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2022, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-parts-of-u-s-history-are-the-most-important-for-kids-to-know/964015 "2022-05-21T02:42:57Z")
This sprang from a segment on Jimmy Kimmel the other night where people were asked questions about both Star Wars and U.S. history, and in one of those subjects people did quite well. This prompted me to wonder: what par… --- ## [Are Tanks Obsolete Weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tanks-obsolete-weapons/39083)
**Author:** [@egkelly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/egkelly)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2022, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tanks-obsolete-weapons/39083 "2022-05-20T16:39:34Z")
I understand that in the Gulf war, US Airforce and marine pilopts effectively destroyed an entire iraqui tank division, in about 3 hours. These were the finast main battle tanks that russia could make-not some cheap expo… --- ## [Can NATO countries bypass Turkey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nato-countries-bypass-turkey/964719)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-nato-countries-bypass-turkey/964719 "2022-05-20T15:49:45Z")
My understanding is Turkey is being an obstacle over NATO membership for Finland and Sweden. And that Turkey - along with every other country in NATO - has a veto right over new members. Assuming the other NATO countrie… --- ## [Is There Really Such a Thing As 'Evil'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-evil/917153)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2022, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-evil/917153 "2022-05-20T11:30:14Z")
I think I grew up much the same way as other people, who grew up white and middle class. Drug use was always evil. Police are your friends always. Need I go on? Anyway, the older I got, the more I started questioning my… --- ## [Is it more typical for a great power to collapse rapidly or fade away slowly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-more-typical-for-a-great-power-to-collapse-rapidly-or-fade-away-slowly/964324)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2022, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-more-typical-for-a-great-power-to-collapse-rapidly-or-fade-away-slowly/964324 "2022-05-20T06:55:07Z")
(This question straddles the line with Factual, because I’m interested in historical citation, but as there may be some disagreement about terms and conclusions, I’m choosing this forum to start. I have no objection to r… --- ## [Execution by lethal injection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-by-lethal-injection/693894)
**Author:** [@someone11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/someone11)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2022, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/execution-by-lethal-injection/693894 "2022-05-19T10:08:45Z")
Prompted by yet another case of bungled execution today, I feel obliged to put up for consideration a method of execution that to me seems to be the ideal solution for those who seek a reliable method. Let me first say … --- ## [Siren for an Animal Ambulance: Yea or Nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siren-for-an-animal-ambulance-yea-or-nay/430356)
**Author:** [@St.Urho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Urho)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2022, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/siren-for-an-animal-ambulance-yea-or-nay/430356 "2022-05-19T09:59:59Z")
From this article: I strongly oppose a siren for their pet ambulance. In my opinion, they shouldn’t have lights, either. Regular ambulances respond/transport emergent (with lights and sirens) far too often as it is. E… --- ## [Estimate the chance of a regime change in Russia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/estimate-the-chance-of-a-regime-change-in-russia/962990)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2022, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/estimate-the-chance-of-a-regime-change-in-russia/962990 "2022-05-19T05:33:26Z")
Agreed the denazification program in Ukraine is not proceeding according to Putin’s original plan, is there any realistic chance that it will end even more badly for him than we’re thinking? If the Russians start pourin… --- ## [Is there X amount of mass shootings that would change gun supporters' minds, or is that the wrong way to think?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-x-amount-of-mass-shootings-that-would-change-gun-supporters-minds-or-is-that-the-wrong-way-to-think/964380)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 317\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-x-amount-of-mass-shootings-that-would-change-gun-supporters-minds-or-is-that-the-wrong-way-to-think/964380 "2022-05-18T23:29:32Z")
In the past, I used to think that the only reason gun supporters hadn’t changed their minds yet was because there weren’t enough mass shootings to reach a critical mass. That is, despite Columbine, Sandy Hook, Virginia T… --- ## [Should schools have the right to offer mental health care to children without parental consent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-schools-have-the-right-to-offer-mental-health-care-to-children-without-parental-consent/964567)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2022, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-schools-have-the-right-to-offer-mental-health-care-to-children-without-parental-consent/964567 "2022-05-18T18:37:23Z")
Imagine you are a school counselor, principle, etc. at a public school. You are given the file for a middle school student, age 13, on her teacher’s suggestion that she may be depressed and at risk of self harm. It is al… --- ## [Abortion, a different perspective just perceived](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-a-different-perspective-just-perceived/964110)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2022, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-a-different-perspective-just-perceived/964110 "2022-05-17T18:54:49Z")
Hi all As some of you may know my postings, I came from pro-life to pro-choice through my walk of faith in Christ, and what I believe He showed me. Before that I was so sure that of my position as the obvious choice of… --- ## [The 'Flos Carmeli' Has Never Failed For Me ONCE](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flos-carmeli-has-never-failed-for-me-once/963767)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2022, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flos-carmeli-has-never-failed-for-me-once/963767 "2022-05-14T00:57:08Z")
Actually, some of you may not remember. Or some of you may have not been here even then. But I brought up this prayer and my devotion to it in 2007, when my father was in bad shape. Anyways, I do still believe in God. An… --- ## [For those who have had experiences that led them to believe in God, please share them here](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-have-had-experiences-that-led-them-to-believe-in-god-please-share-them-here/963278)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-have-had-experiences-that-led-them-to-believe-in-god-please-share-them-here/963278 "2022-05-12T21:55:05Z")
In this thread a few people mentioned that they have had experiences that they say leads them to believe that God exists. A couple of examples: So as not to derail the other thread, can folks share their experiences … --- ## [The Ongoing Death of Free Speech: Prominent ACLU Lawyer Cheers Suppression of a New Book](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ongoing-death-of-free-speech-prominent-aclu-lawyer-cheers-suppression-of-a-new-book/925913)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 533\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ongoing-death-of-free-speech-prominent-aclu-lawyer-cheers-suppression-of-a-new-book/925913 "2022-05-12T19:05:35Z")
New essay by Glenn Greenwald on the threat to free speech: He seems to think the ACLU is in danger of becoming just another group campaigning for liberal causes. But for numerous reasons, the ACLU — still with some n… --- ## [Bitcoin as legal tender](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-as-legal-tender/943705)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2022, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoin-as-legal-tender/943705 "2022-05-12T12:37:39Z")
It looks like this is about to happen: My first reaction was “this is a terrible, nonsensical idea that will only help legitimize the bad idea that is cryptocurrency”; that was not tempered by reading the article. (… --- ## [Study finds cleaner air leads to more Atlantic hurricanes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-finds-cleaner-air-leads-to-more-atlantic-hurricanes/964299)
**Author:** [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-finds-cleaner-air-leads-to-more-atlantic-hurricanes/964299 "2022-05-11T22:45:43Z")
Great. From the article: Cleaner air in United States and Europe is brewing more Atlantic hurricanes, a new U.S. government study found. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration study links changes in re… --- ## [Are there ties between belief in conspiracy theories and religiosity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-ties-between-belief-in-conspiracy-theories-and-religiosity/963558)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2022, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-ties-between-belief-in-conspiracy-theories-and-religiosity/963558 "2022-05-08T22:07:46Z")
An article in PsyPost titled “People who endorse conspiracy theories tend to be more religious, and this may be due to ideological overlap” People who endorse conspiracy theories tend to be more religious, and this may … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=28)