# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=273 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 274 --- ## [Was it a False Flag attack by a couple of IRS employes to lead to mainstream Tax Revolt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-a-false-flag-attack-by-a-couple-of-irs-employes-to-lead-to-mainstream-tax-revolt/659850)
**Author:** [@NotfooledbyW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotfooledbyW)\ **Replies:** 498\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-a-false-flag-attack-by-a-couple-of-irs-employes-to-lead-to-mainstream-tax-revolt/659850 "2013-06-27T20:09:01Z")
Could the targeting of Tea Party groups for IRS harassment have been a means to incite the mainstream anti-government and anti-ObamaCare Republicans to justify civil disobedience and rebellion against paying Federal Inco… --- ## [The Voting Rights Act and judicial activism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voting-rights-act-and-judicial-activism/661920)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2013, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voting-rights-act-and-judicial-activism/661920 "2013-06-27T13:39:19Z")
It seems to me that the Supreme Court decision overturning section 4 of the Voting Rights Act is practically pure-form judicial activism. SCOTUS didn’t rule that section 4 was unconstitutional in principle. Rather, fro… --- ## [Has homosexuality ever been any real harm to any civilization or culture ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-homosexuality-ever-been-any-real-harm-to-any-civilization-or-culture-ever/661252)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2013, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-homosexuality-ever-been-any-real-harm-to-any-civilization-or-culture-ever/661252 "2013-06-27T03:29:55Z")
I ask that because a lot of historical writers of several periods seem to assume that “rampant homosexuality” is a sign of cultural decadence, but I never have encountered any actual argument to the effect – it is, as I … --- ## [Salinas v Texas: "What you don't say may be used against you" or "Why do we even have Miranda laws?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salinas-v-texas-what-you-dont-say-may-be-used-against-you-or-why-do-we-even-have-miranda-laws/661287)
**Author:** [@trabajabamos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trabajabamos)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2013, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/salinas-v-texas-what-you-dont-say-may-be-used-against-you-or-why-do-we-even-have-miranda-laws/661287 "2013-06-27T01:09:49Z")
Some background can be found here, from the CATO Institute, or here, from The Atlantic: \[QUOTE=The Atlantic\] …in a 5-4 ruling on Salinas v. Texas… if you remain silent before police read your Miranda rights, that silen… --- ## [I can't get over this way of thinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-get-over-this-way-of-thinking/661667)
**Author:** [@lankyBlonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lankyBlonde)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-get-over-this-way-of-thinking/661667 "2013-06-26T21:22:55Z")
I absolutely abhor and despise my parents for giving me life and thrusting me into this world WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. This isn’t a little \*\*\*\*\*y rant about how difficult my privileged life but rather a rant about humanity… --- ## [If the Depression and WW2 never happened](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-depression-and-ww2-never-happened/661868)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2013, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-depression-and-ww2-never-happened/661868 "2013-06-26T19:36:59Z")
The culture of the United States in the 1950’s (and arguably by backlash, in the 1960’s) was in part due to a reaction to the previous sixteen years of poverty and war. The older generation focused on domesticity and fin… --- ## [Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) vs. DSM 'taxonomy' - pick one](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-domain-criteria-rdoc-vs-dsm-taxonomy-pick-one/661978)
**Author:** [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2013, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-domain-criteria-rdoc-vs-dsm-taxonomy-pick-one/661978 "2013-06-26T18:57:15Z")
Pick one. Why? Because the battle for grant money is ON! And the two paradigms seem so fundamentally at odds that it’s hard to see their co-existing. RDoC is a project launched by the National Institute of Mental Hea… --- ## [Bush Appointed IRS Head Investigated Liberal Groups - Scandal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-appointed-irs-head-investigated-liberal-groups-scandal/661876)
**Author:** [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2013, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-appointed-irs-head-investigated-liberal-groups-scandal/661876 "2013-06-26T17:02:30Z")
Apparently the IRS, while headed by a Bush appointee, gave extra scrutiny to groups that used the word “Progressive”. This sounds like a big scandal for the Republicans. --- ## [What should children be taught about strangers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-children-be-taught-about-strangers/661879)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2013, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-children-be-taught-about-strangers/661879 "2013-06-26T14:06:20Z")
There’s some minor disagreement in this thread over what kids should be taught about interaction with strangers. Some think that the teaching of “stranger danger” makes kids’ lives poorer and may keep them from getting … --- ## [The Voting Rights Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voting-rights-act/651160)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2013, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-voting-rights-act/651160 "2013-06-26T10:55:09Z")
The Voting Rights Act is being defended in front of the Supreme Court. Even in the last decade or two, there have been instances of pretty obvious attempts to disenfranchise black people. If significant parts of the Vo… --- ## [The AMA recognizes obesity as a disease...good or bad decision?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ama-recognizes-obesity-as-a-disease-good-or-bad-decision/661560)
**Author:** [@romadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romadea)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ama-recognizes-obesity-as-a-disease-good-or-bad-decision/661560 "2013-06-26T00:44:56Z")
Some of the arguments that have been put forth in this article: Pros -could force more insurance companies to cover treatments for obesity -could result in greater investments by the government to fight obesity -en… --- ## [Chinese Debt Crisis Looming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-debt-crisis-looming/661903)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2013, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-debt-crisis-looming/661903 "2013-06-25T22:44:40Z")
I’ve been hearing as of late of a big credit crisis coming due to under-performing loans, property speculation and wealth transfers out of China. What’s going on in China, it’s not another Greece style debt crisis in th… --- ## [The U.S.A and the British Commonwealth of Nations.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2013, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-a-and-the-british-commonwealth-of-nations/375040 "2013-06-25T15:22:29Z")
Why isn’t the U.S.A. a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations? Commonwealth members used to be part of the British empire. The U.S. used to be part of the British empire. Commonwealth nations live in cooperation w… --- ## [Serious question: Why not mandatory life sentences for murderers, rapists, and child predators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-question-why-not-mandatory-life-sentences-for-murderers-rapists-and-child-predators/661260)
**Author:** [@Doctor\_Why\_Bother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Why_Bother)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2013, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/serious-question-why-not-mandatory-life-sentences-for-murderers-rapists-and-child-predators/661260 "2013-06-25T04:18:15Z")
The gist of the plan is right there in the title, but I’ll expound briefly. After the revolution (which is scheduled for next Thursday, around tea time.) the new powers that be will put me in charge of administering jus… --- ## [Did John Kerry take a page out of Westboro Baptist Church's playbook?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-kerry-take-a-page-out-of-westboro-baptist-churchs-playbook/661798)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2013, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-john-kerry-take-a-page-out-of-westboro-baptist-churchs-playbook/661798 "2013-06-25T01:39:43Z")
Mother Nature Hates Carbon! Seriously? In the wake of 700 deaths and thousands displaced by flooding that has hit the country, he decides to make a political statement about climate change? Too soon John? Oh and he… --- ## [kickstarter policy and an assault-y PUA primer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarter-policy-and-an-assault-y-pua-primer/661581)
**Author:** [@Paranoid\_Randroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paranoid_Randroid)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kickstarter-policy-and-an-assault-y-pua-primer/661581 "2013-06-25T01:32:55Z")
Over the past few days, a bit of a controversy has brewed with regard to Kickstarter policy. Specifically: an individual named Ken Hoinsky, well-known in reddit’s pickup artist (PUA) community, kickstarted the physical … --- ## [What is Consciousness and can it be preserved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-consciousness-and-can-it-be-preserved/661105)
**Author:** [@mumbojumbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumbojumbo)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-consciousness-and-can-it-be-preserved/661105 "2013-06-24T21:31:26Z")
Where does consciousness reside? If you did away with every limb, every organ except for your brain, would you still be you? Assuming that you could keep the brain alive by itself, would you still be able to think in fir… --- ## [Is offering tea and biscuits to bigots a good idea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-offering-tea-and-biscuits-to-bigots-a-good-idea/659670)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 311\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-offering-tea-and-biscuits-to-bigots-a-good-idea/659670 "2013-06-24T16:48:20Z")
A mosque in York, England came up with a fairly unique way to deal with bigoted protesters from the EDL\* who’d been picketing them. The members have been offering them tea and biscuits. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-eng… --- ## [Does unconditional love really exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-unconditional-love-really-exist/574333)
**Author:** [@donnie\_darko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donnie_darko)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-unconditional-love-really-exist/574333 "2013-06-24T15:56:14Z")
I would hope the answer is yes. However, would a parent still love their child if they pulled Jeffrey Dahmer-type stuff on them? I wonder, is there always SOME condition? Like for example, with a marriage, you might lov… --- ## [Together but Unequal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/together-but-unequal/661178)
**Author:** [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/together-but-unequal/661178 "2013-06-24T11:29:18Z")
The IMHO thread on the “poor” mentality brought up issues of education and social mobility, which spurred me to think again about educational issues. Decades ago, we dismissed the idea of “Separate but Equal” as a reason… --- ## [Would gun posession on average lessen agression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-gun-posession-on-average-lessen-agression/661348)
**Author:** [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-gun-posession-on-average-lessen-agression/661348 "2013-06-24T07:08:34Z")
In ethology, or the science of animal behavior, I learnt that doves are much more agressive then wolves. Wolves have claws and teeth and could do each other serious damage in a fight. Both wolves might gt hurt or die. S… --- ## [Will attorneys subpoena NSA phone recordings for use in court cases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-attorneys-subpoena-nsa-phone-recordings-for-use-in-court-cases/661741)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2013, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-attorneys-subpoena-nsa-phone-recordings-for-use-in-court-cases/661741 "2013-06-24T01:59:50Z")
I was thinking that if the supposed call from Trayvon Martin to his friend on the night he was killed had actually happened, the prosecutors might want to have it to compare with the voices on the 911 call as well as to … --- ## [Africans discovered America - they both have pyramids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/africans-discovered-america-they-both-have-pyramids/213694)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/africans-discovered-america-they-both-have-pyramids/213694 "2013-06-23T22:26:36Z")
In this week’s Commentary, James Randi gives us the report of a man whose little sister, a fourth-grader in Savannah, Georgia, is learning in class: The man goes on to report that he and his family obtained some of the… --- ## [Can the NSA thing be explained?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-nsa-thing-be-explained/660878)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-nsa-thing-be-explained/660878 "2013-06-23T22:13:43Z")
I’d especially like to know how they got funding to build those gigantic buildings to store all the data, what with bridges falling down all over, and what practical use they can have for the data having gathered it. Fr… --- ## [U.S. to open direct talks with the Taliban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-to-open-direct-talks-with-the-taliban/661289)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-to-open-direct-talks-with-the-taliban/661289 "2013-06-22T21:19:33Z")
Do you think anything positive will come from this? Is the Taliban serious about wanting peace? Will they ever respect the rights of women, as is apparently a condition of these talks? And is now the time? Why only… --- ## [U.S. to Provide Military Assistance to Syrian Rebels](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-to-provide-military-assistance-to-syrian-rebels/660941)
**Author:** [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2013, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-to-provide-military-assistance-to-syrian-rebels/660941 "2013-06-22T12:58:18Z")
The White House says Syria has crossed a ‘red line’ by using chemical weapons against the rebels on multiple occasions, and the U.S. will provide as yet unspecified “direct support” to the rebels. So far, it looks like … --- ## [Are/were sociopaths overrepresented in the gay community](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-were-sociopaths-overrepresented-in-the-gay-community/660331)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2013, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-were-sociopaths-overrepresented-in-the-gay-community/660331 "2013-06-22T04:35:48Z")
I predict this thread will end well. I am reading a book written by an admitted and diagnosed sociopath. In it she claims that sociopaths tend to lean towards bisexuality, because a persons sexuality is a very easy way … --- ## [Intolerance is alive and well in Quebec](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerance-is-alive-and-well-in-quebec/660838)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2013, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intolerance-is-alive-and-well-in-quebec/660838 "2013-06-21T23:16:04Z")
The latest flap is that the Quebec Soccer Federation has decided to ban Sikhs from wearing turbans (they are really more like small head scarves) on the soccer field. Their claim is that it is a health issue, although t… --- ## [Should unsafe traditions be upheld?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-unsafe-traditions-be-upheld/660531)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2013, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-unsafe-traditions-be-upheld/660531 "2013-06-21T18:16:12Z")
In Gloucester in the UK, they apparently have this thing where they roll cheese down a hill and chase it. But in 2009, the British government withdrew its official sanction of the event, because people get hurt chasing… --- ## [Does white privilege exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-white-privilege-exist/660617)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-white-privilege-exist/660617 "2013-06-21T17:48:52Z")
If anyone wants to discuss whether there is such a thing as white privilege, or to what extent it exists, or how it is relevant, or what we should do about it, or any other privileges, I’m posing the question here. (I w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=272) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=274)