# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=281 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 282 --- ## [Don't Jump the Gun (Yes, another gun thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-jump-the-gun-yes-another-gun-thread/656433)
**Author:** [@AnthonyElite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnthonyElite)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-jump-the-gun-yes-another-gun-thread/656433 "2013-04-22T21:48:29Z")
Do you believe, if we eliminated firearms in the US, that other forms of violence would take the place of firearm violence? Rate your response from 10-20% as much 20-50% 50-75% 75-100% 100%+ as the current violenc… --- ## [What's the second worst government in the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-second-worst-government-in-the-world/655098)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-second-worst-government-in-the-world/655098 "2013-04-22T20:12:15Z")
I think we can all agree on which country has been cursed with the worst government in the world - it rhymes with ‘forth Maria’ and you’re probably sick of seeing threads about it. But which government is the runner up o… --- ## [What is misogyny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-misogyny/655771)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-misogyny/655771 "2013-04-22T17:52:51Z")
There is a train wreck of thread in ATMB that condemns mysogyny on the board. It is based on two other train wreck threads now in the Pit. In the ATMB thread the accusations are flying, and the language is contemptful al… --- ## [Is North Korea ready to commit "State Suicide" ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-north-korea-ready-to-commit-state-suicide/653997)
**Author:** [@Klaatu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klaatu)\ **Replies:** 343\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2013, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-north-korea-ready-to-commit-state-suicide/653997 "2013-04-22T08:14:45Z")
I think the endgame is on with North Korea. Yesterday the regime announced they are on “highest alert” and are ready to attack South Korea, Guam, Hawaii and the mainland US. While I know they have been posturing for year… --- ## [Firearm "Internet sales"? Do those actually happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firearm-internet-sales-do-those-actually-happen/655353)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [April 22, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firearm-internet-sales-do-those-actually-happen/655353 "2013-04-22T04:14:50Z")
Link says: Who buys a gun online and how do they avoid a background check? Where can I get a mail-order gun (or a dozen - for my future career with the ATF)? In a moderately-related note: I’m sick of the “90% of the p… --- ## [Don't the mentally ill in America have rights ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-the-mentally-ill-in-america-have-rights/655275)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2013, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-the-mentally-ill-in-america-have-rights/655275 "2013-04-21T23:03:08Z")
“Keeping guns out of the hands of convicted felons and the mentally ill” I heard that phrase today in the background checks debate on CNN By what means does the constitution of the United States abrogate the rights o… --- ## [Great gun control commercial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-gun-control-commercial/656010)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2013, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-gun-control-commercial/656010 "2013-04-21T07:26:27Z")
I think it’s quite effective. --- ## [Ayn Rand/Objectivism explained from a strongly left wing, preferably Marxist point of view?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-objectivism-explained-from-a-strongly-left-wing-preferably-marxist-point-of-view/655808)
**Author:** [@Amber\_in\_Treasury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amber_in_Treasury)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2013, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-objectivism-explained-from-a-strongly-left-wing-preferably-marxist-point-of-view/655808 "2013-04-21T06:18:58Z")
What it says in the title. I know it sounds like a very odd request, but there you go. Links as well as insight from Marxist Dopers (if there still are any) are welcome. --- ## [What if the Radical Republicans Had Achieved Earlier & Greater Success?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-radical-republicans-had-achieved-earlier-greater-success/656226)
**Author:** [@huck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huck)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-radical-republicans-had-achieved-earlier-greater-success/656226 "2013-04-20T16:56:03Z")
I’m an amateur at alternate history so this may have been done to death in the literature for all I know. If so, feel free to tell me so. I’ve been pondering what would have happened if the radical Republican wing of t… --- ## [Would better dressed/behaved '60s War Protestors have shortened the War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-better-dressed-behaved-60s-war-protestors-have-shortened-the-war/655052)
**Author:** [@NotfooledbyW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotfooledbyW)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2013, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-better-dressed-behaved-60s-war-protestors-have-shortened-the-war/655052 "2013-04-20T10:26:39Z")
Ibn Warraq thinks it might: --- ## [If we were drafting a new Constitution today, should it include the 2nd Amendment or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-were-drafting-a-new-constitution-today-should-it-include-the-2nd-amendment-or-not/654752)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 233\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-were-drafting-a-new-constitution-today-should-it-include-the-2nd-amendment-or-not/654752 "2013-04-20T00:58:51Z")
As Martin Hyde remarks in this thread: Just so. Therefore, let us set aside the question of what the FFs “meant” by the Second Amendment, and all the ventriloquism-in-a-cemetery that it invites, and instead debate the… --- ## ["dead children and monied politicians"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071)
**Author:** [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dead-children-and-monied-politicians/656071 "2013-04-19T23:12:46Z")
In this (new) article, David Simon seems in despair. I wouldn’t know what to quote, because there is nothing not to quote (fwiw, it’s only a few hundreds words long). His points capture my own concerns for the US, and I… --- ## [Is CISPA Something I Should Know About?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cispa-something-i-should-know-about/656069)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cispa-something-i-should-know-about/656069 "2013-04-19T19:53:23Z")
I’m hearing about The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA),and I don’t think I know anything about it. Is this a done deal? Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? Why or why not? --- ## [Would outlawing abortion make more babies available for adoption?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-outlawing-abortion-make-more-babies-available-for-adoption/638517)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-outlawing-abortion-make-more-babies-available-for-adoption/638517 "2013-04-19T14:30:01Z")
This is one of the anti-abortion people’s biggest claims: That pregnant woman who don’t want a baby should give it to a woman who can’t have a baby (okay, a straight, married couple). But what proof is there that this wo… --- ## [Non Believers; You just learned God existed. Now what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-believers-you-just-learned-god-existed-now-what/655074)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-believers-you-just-learned-god-existed-now-what/655074 "2013-04-19T14:05:13Z")
Luckly we’ll never have to deal with this. So God exists, and you must ‘follow him’ to score a place in heaven. The Christian fundamentalists were right – he IS an asshole. Do you submit? --- ## [Reid Admits No Support For "Assault Weapons" Ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reid-admits-no-support-for-assault-weapons-ban/653402)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 247\ **Last updated:** [April 19, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reid-admits-no-support-for-assault-weapons-ban/653402 "2013-04-19T00:17:36Z")
From today’s Washington Post: Good. For debate: will Democrats now return to the claim that they have no interest in gun control? For years, Second Amendment activists were told, in effect, “Stop worrying about guns … --- ## [Why is insider trading illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-insider-trading-illegal/655731)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2013, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-insider-trading-illegal/655731 "2013-04-18T22:56:23Z")
Yeah, I know: It takes all the sport out of the stock market, levels the playing field, means you can’t cheat, etc, but why on Earth would you want a level playing field in business? I mean, I stay away from casinos an… --- ## [Is 'Anti-Racist' just a Codeword For Anti-White??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anti-racist-just-a-codeword-for-anti-white/655270)
**Author:** [@formulaone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/formulaone)\ **Replies:** 845\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anti-racist-just-a-codeword-for-anti-white/655270 "2013-04-18T22:33:48Z")
Africa for Africans, Asia for Asians, White countries for Everybody. They say the RACE problem will be solved when the third world pours into EVERY white country and ONLY white countries. The Netherlands and Belgium ar… --- ## [Manchin-Toomey Background Check Deal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manchin-toomey-background-check-deal/655861)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manchin-toomey-background-check-deal/655861 "2013-04-18T19:18:13Z")
I know I’m starting with a question, but this will descend into a debate, but hopefully stay within the current bill under consideration and reasonably possible amendments that may be attached to it. I understand that t… --- ## [Universal Gun Background Checks: How would this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-gun-background-checks-how-would-this-work/651349)
**Author:** [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/universal-gun-background-checks-how-would-this-work/651349 "2013-04-18T18:50:19Z")
During the State of the Union, Obama had several requests regarding gun control. One of them was requesting background checks: Whenever people talk about universal background checks or closing the “gun show loophole” … --- ## [Means test for Social Security? Age of retirement based on work type?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/means-test-for-social-security-age-of-retirement-based-on-work-type/655791)
**Author:** [@YourAdHere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YourAdHere)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/means-test-for-social-security-age-of-retirement-based-on-work-type/655791 "2013-04-18T17:54:16Z")
What do you think of a system that says that people who make or have over a certain amount of money are entitled to less assistance from the government via social security ? Personally, I think it’s almost a good idea … --- ## [Pro-lifers asking: Why isn't the Gosnell trial bigger news in the traditional media?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-asking-why-isnt-the-gosnell-trial-bigger-news-in-the-traditional-media/655557)
**Author:** [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [April 18, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-asking-why-isnt-the-gosnell-trial-bigger-news-in-the-traditional-media/655557 "2013-04-18T17:11:05Z")
Have you heard of Kermit Gosnell? If you haven’t, you’re not the only one apparently. Kermit Gosnell is an abortion provider who is currently on trial for 8 counts of murder: 1 count for a woman who died after abortion,… --- ## [The Truth about Democratic People's Republic of Korea.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-democratic-peoples-republic-of-korea/655910)
**Author:** [@DPRK\_Truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK_Truth)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2013, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-truth-about-democratic-peoples-republic-of-korea/655910 "2013-04-17T14:35:30Z")
For years and years the vile American Empire and its “South Korean” puppets have been lying to the world about the true nature of the DPR Korea. The scheming pigs spoonfeed the mentally asleep with their dishonest propa… --- ## [Two dead in Boston. But many more dead elsewhere.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-dead-in-boston-but-many-more-dead-elsewhere/655810)
**Author:** [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2013, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-dead-in-boston-but-many-more-dead-elsewhere/655810 "2013-04-17T06:44:35Z")
Why do we (meaning the public and the media) react the way we do to terrible events like the deaths and injuries from the bombs in Boston today? Is it the “T” word, Terrorism, that makes these tragedies ‘big news’. There… --- ## [What's so wrong in calling a woman good-looking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-wrong-in-calling-a-woman-good-looking/654990)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 182\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2013, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-so-wrong-in-calling-a-woman-good-looking/654990 "2013-04-16T23:58:45Z")
In reference to the President’s remark about Kamala Harris for which he later apologized. I don’t see what the problem is here. Sure, if he’d commented on her looks to the exclusion of all else I could understand. But … --- ## [Should universities hire terrorists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-universities-hire-terrorists/655785)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-universities-hire-terrorists/655785 "2013-04-16T20:40:03Z")
Columbia University’s website has a biographical sketch for the new assistant professor, Kathy Boudin. It mentions that Boudin “has been an educator and counselor with experience in program development since 1964”, that… --- ## [If God proved that God existed , then what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 193\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2013, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-god-proved-that-god-existed-then-what/653659 "2013-04-16T07:14:07Z")
Decided not to start this in the “What kind of God would you believe in?” thread. Several people there posted " one that proved it existed" which got me wondering both "how, and the follow up, then what? The Bible say… --- ## [The letter of the law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-letter-of-the-law/655559)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-letter-of-the-law/655559 "2013-04-16T03:22:38Z")
The subject matter of this thread is not guns or stand-your-ground, this story only illustrates the basis for Frank Herbert’s complaint about the tyranny of statutes. Florida (Appeals) court allows felon illegally posse… --- ## [SCOTUS - Kachalsky v Cacace (2nd ammendment bear case)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-kachalsky-v-cacace-2nd-ammendment-bear-case/649372)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-kachalsky-v-cacace-2nd-ammendment-bear-case/649372 "2013-04-15T20:08:46Z")
Earlier this month, Alan Gura with the Second Amendment Foundation filed a petition for Cert at SCOTUS in the matter of Kachalsky v Cacace from the 2nd circuit. This is asking SCOTUS to decide whether discretionary issu… --- ## [Searching for a better descriptor \[than "atheist"\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-a-better-descriptor-than-atheist/654984)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/searching-for-a-better-descriptor-than-atheist/654984 "2013-04-15T17:38:07Z")
I seek a better title for my kind.you see, “atheist” is not an independent word, it concedes the presence of theism, almost thereby offering it validation. “Agnostic” is in a similar boat, though that is generally a term… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=280) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=282)