# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=279 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 280 --- ## [Sugar, Salt, Fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-salt-fat/657549)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sugar-salt-fat/657549 "2013-05-08T02:53:46Z")
Thought of putting this in Cafe Society due to the recent popularity of this book, but I’d appreciate some GD-style discussion/debate concerning the subject matter. The premise is essentially that food producers manipul… --- ## [Atheists - What drives you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-drives-you/657030)
**Author:** [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Replies:** 296\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-what-drives-you/657030 "2013-05-07T21:29:53Z")
Atheists, the title question essentially asks it all, but I will summarize, what drives you? I consider myself to be agnostic. I don’t believe in any man-made religion, organized religion, etc etc. However I do feel tha… --- ## [Obama Administration Criminalizes Christianity in the Military](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-administration-criminalizes-christianity-in-the-military/657344)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-administration-criminalizes-christianity-in-the-military/657344 "2013-05-07T21:15:16Z")
This has popped up on my FB feed the last couple days, but it seems that neither Snopes nor the SDMB has gotten to it (or my google-fu is weak). If you google you get several sites of dubious veracity reporting the … --- ## [Why is the Obama administration fighting so hard to legally restrict access to contraception?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-obama-administration-fighting-so-hard-to-legally-restrict-access-to-contraception/657270)
**Author:** [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-obama-administration-fighting-so-hard-to-legally-restrict-access-to-contraception/657270 "2013-05-07T21:13:25Z")
It wasn’t enough for the foreign policy, the secrecy, and the domestic surveillance to be George W Bush’s third and fourth terms, we had to go there on women’s health too? --- ## [Minarchism: How "min" is too "min"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minarchism-how-min-is-too-min/657617)
**Author:** [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/minarchism-how-min-is-too-min/657617 "2013-05-07T13:57:47Z")
In this thread, Der Trihs wrote, in reference to the difference between anarchist and minarchist libertarianism: This is a sentiment I’ve encountered before, so I thought it bore discussion. So, the question: What are… --- ## [Beginning of the end of Internet file sharing of any kind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-of-the-end-of-internet-file-sharing-of-any-kind/656679)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beginning-of-the-end-of-internet-file-sharing-of-any-kind/656679 "2013-05-07T00:33:38Z")
A New York appeals court has barred DCMA “safe harbor” for a music locker service for old songs still under copyright that were released before 1972 under a loophole in state/federal jurisdiction over copyright. Thus, t… --- ## [The EURO Experience : Good or Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-euro-experience-good-or-bad/271662)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-euro-experience-good-or-bad/271662 "2013-05-06T22:18:42Z")
As far as I know, three european nations opted out of the Euro common currency scheme…they were the UK, Denmark, and Sweden. How has this turned out for them? As far as I can see, the conversion to the Euro has created w… --- ## [Why are some disease and illness so easy cure and others so hard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-disease-and-illness-so-easy-cure-and-others-so-hard/657051)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-some-disease-and-illness-so-easy-cure-and-others-so-hard/657051 "2013-05-06T21:27:13Z")
Why are some disease and illness so easy cure and others so hard? Note this thread is similar too Is the war on cancer an ‘utter failure’?: A sobering look at how billions in research money is spent - Great Debates - St… --- ## [Has North Korea ever entered the 5th stage of collapse, is it realistic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-north-korea-ever-entered-the-5th-stage-of-collapse-is-it-realistic/657058)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2013, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-north-korea-ever-entered-the-5th-stage-of-collapse-is-it-realistic/657058 "2013-05-06T19:39:07Z")
There is a theory on the collapse of North Korea, explaining that it will occur in seven stages. Supposedly this formula is based on the collapse of other communist countries. North Korea seems like it is fluctuating… --- ## [Is society driving down men’s testosterone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-society-driving-down-men-s-testosterone/657496)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-society-driving-down-men-s-testosterone/657496 "2013-05-06T15:42:44Z")
I have started similar threads in the past and was accused of trying to sound like I knew something about something I knew nothing about. So I will say at the start, I know nothing beyond just being a casual observer of … --- ## [Can government social programs be replaced with a charitable mandate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-government-social-programs-be-replaced-with-a-charitable-mandate/656949)
**Author:** [@Joshuagenes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joshuagenes)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2013, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-government-social-programs-be-replaced-with-a-charitable-mandate/656949 "2013-05-06T13:45:01Z")
It seems reasonable to me that government social programs can be replaced by a charitable mandate. Here is how it would work. A law would be passed that would require people to give 10% of their income either directly t… --- ## [How does the time-traveling USS Nimitz change the Cold War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-time-traveling-uss-nimitz-change-the-cold-war/657063)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-the-time-traveling-uss-nimitz-change-the-cold-war/657063 "2013-05-06T05:12:17Z")
Based on the movie The Final Countdown, of course, and inspired by Boyo Jim, who asked in post 76 of the aforementioned thread: “…if these guys from the future \[the \*Nimitz \*crew\] become powers behind the throne in th… --- ## [Purported Video of "Evacuation" During Boston Bombing Search](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purported-video-of-evacuation-during-boston-bombing-search/656495)
**Author:** [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/purported-video-of-evacuation-during-boston-bombing-search/656495 "2013-05-06T00:44:05Z")
This is a tape of what is said to be a neighbor taping the evacuation of a private home in Watertown during the search for the Boston Bomber #2. Boston Evacuation. Now, we were led to believe that this was all pretty m… --- ## [What are the psychological/socio-cultural roots of homophobia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-psychological-socio-cultural-roots-of-homophobia/657081)
**Author:** [@MrLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrLee)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2013, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-psychological-socio-cultural-roots-of-homophobia/657081 "2013-05-05T23:23:13Z")
I know, it would be easy just to say “Religion \[/thread\]”; but I suspect that homophobia predated religion, and that what Leviticus et al helped to do was legitimise, codify, and (perhaps) exaggerate pre-existing sociocu… --- ## [Volunteers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volunteers/657471)
**Author:** [@esmeralda2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/esmeralda2)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/volunteers/657471 "2013-05-05T18:24:20Z")
There is something I have read a few times, that people who are victims of crimes are usually “volunteers.” The idea seems to be that most people who are victims of crimes are so because of their own behavior or actions… --- ## ["Everything Is Rigged: The Biggest Price-Fixing Scandal Ever"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everything-is-rigged-the-biggest-price-fixing-scandal-ever/656781)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2013, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/everything-is-rigged-the-biggest-price-fixing-scandal-ever/656781 "2013-05-05T15:07:28Z")
The title of this Rolling Stone article: The main focus here is global interest rates and interest rate swaps, which in turn affect a LOT of debts and assets in turn. So… Thoughts? Assuming the article is correct, is… --- ## [Adam and Eve's childrens/childrens/children.......](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-and-eves-childrens-childrens-children/656883)
**Author:** [@mayel01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mayel01)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2013, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adam-and-eves-childrens-childrens-children/656883 "2013-05-05T06:27:19Z")
If the world started with adam and eve, How many generations do you really think that the human race would have survived?? --- ## [Evolutionary origin of belief in God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-origin-of-belief-in-god/656587)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2013, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evolutionary-origin-of-belief-in-god/656587 "2013-05-03T15:42:52Z")
Religion is one thing that is common to all races. Not everyone believes in the existence of a god, but a very significant number of people on this rock do. Barring personal feelings of belief or unbelief, I was wonderi… --- ## [What is this "Operation: Ring Of Fire" nonsense really about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-operation-ring-of-fire-nonsense-really-about/657117)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2013, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-operation-ring-of-fire-nonsense-really-about/657117 "2013-05-03T06:21:46Z")
Facebook acquaintance posts that one should Google Operation: Ring Of Fire. Upon doing so, I come upon “About 3,020 results,” every single one of which is from a conspiracy theory wackadoo website screaming something a… --- ## [Does an Assault Weapons Ban make sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-assault-weapons-ban-make-sense/655130)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 275\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2013, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-an-assault-weapons-ban-make-sense/655130 "2013-05-03T05:26:56Z")
In response to this request: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=16162398&postcount=49 It was very clear in the early weeks of the debate that many people who were jumping up and down about an AWB had no… --- ## [Tax just the rich more? Maybe not.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-just-the-rich-more-maybe-not/655878)
**Author:** [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2013, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-just-the-rich-more-maybe-not/655878 "2013-05-03T03:56:42Z")
I’m a pretty liberal guy. But a friend linked to this article from Wonkblog which really challenged my thinking. Therein, the author argues that we have the most progressive tax system in the world but the worst welfare … --- ## [Planet Money piece: UNFIT FOR WORK The startling rise of disability in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planet-money-piece-unfit-for-work-the-startling-rise-of-disability-in-america/654072)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/planet-money-piece-unfit-for-work-the-startling-rise-of-disability-in-america/654072 "2013-05-02T21:37:51Z")
Planet Money, the NPR economics show, just released an article about the dramatic increase in the number of people receiving disability. I linked to the article above, but I wanted to specifically highlight some of the … --- ## [An Underreported Aspect of the Immigration Debate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-underreported-aspect-of-the-immigration-debate/657007)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2013, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-underreported-aspect-of-the-immigration-debate/657007 "2013-05-02T15:13:47Z")
I just saw this article which explains that part of the proposed immigration bills not only gives “amnesty-light” to illegal immigrants, it gives full amnesty to employers who knowingly broke laws in hiring them. Accordi… --- ## [Total Extinction in 100 Years—What to Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-extinction-in-100-years-what-to-do/656849)
**Author:** [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2013, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/total-extinction-in-100-years-what-to-do/656849 "2013-05-02T11:36:50Z")
Imagine an astronomical event that will kill all life on Earth in exactly 100 years. The precise method of annihilation is not important, but the conditions include: The news is given authoritatively to everyone and bel… --- ## [US Changes in Opinion Regarding Gays.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-changes-in-opinion-regarding-gays/656573)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-changes-in-opinion-regarding-gays/656573 "2013-05-02T03:25:15Z")
Recently, and for the first time in US history, a majority of Americans support the legalization of gay marriage. (I don’t have too many cites for this. Wikipedia has an article on it, but I didn’t bother to read it thru… --- ## [What's the closest we've ever come to world peace?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-closest-weve-ever-come-to-world-peace/656632)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-closest-weve-ever-come-to-world-peace/656632 "2013-05-02T01:50:32Z")
Or I guess I should say “When did we have the least amount of war going on in the world?” For the sake of this thread we’ll say post Hunter/Gatherer era. --- ## [Marriage: Two Hypotheticals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriage-two-hypotheticals/656765)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marriage-two-hypotheticals/656765 "2013-05-01T16:29:27Z")
Okay, the topic of this thread is marriage generally, not SSM in particular. There are two distinct hypothetical propsals brought up in it separately; the first is relative to any and all marriages, and the second is not… --- ## [Arguments \*\*against\*\* gay marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-against-gay-marriage/654663)
**Author:** [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Replies:** 494\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2013, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-against-gay-marriage/654663 "2013-05-01T14:29:38Z")
A college student staying with us (from another country) has to write a paper presenting both sides of an issue. Since gay marriage has been in the news so much lately, she chose that topic. And she has to “interview” (c… --- ## [Who does the NRA really represent, overzealous gun owners, or gun manufacturers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-does-the-nra-really-represent-overzealous-gun-owners-or-gun-manufacturers/656510)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2013, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-does-the-nra-really-represent-overzealous-gun-owners-or-gun-manufacturers/656510 "2013-04-30T16:17:40Z")
In the ‘reasonable conversation about guns’ thread, BobLibDem said the following: I have heard that a number of times from people on the left since December. What I’ve yet to see is any convincing evidence of this. I… --- ## [Are there any solutions to resolving the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-solutions-to-resolving-the-conflict-between-sunnis-and-shiites/656630)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2013, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-solutions-to-resolving-the-conflict-between-sunnis-and-shiites/656630 "2013-04-29T18:33:44Z")
They have been fighting for over 1300 years. It’s about time they get over themselves, no? Is there anything that can be done about this issue? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=278) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=280)