# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=287 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 288 --- ## [The Far Right, The Far Left, What Do They Have In Common.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-far-right-the-far-left-what-do-they-have-in-common/648004)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2013, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-far-right-the-far-left-what-do-they-have-in-common/648004 "2013-03-04T01:07:07Z")
They both have to eat. It’s the economy gals and guys. Whether we are talking about the U.S. or around the world, people have to eat. So what is the economy of the future going to look like. Since the politicians in … --- ## [Liberal Tax Myths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-tax-myths/651421)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-tax-myths/651421 "2013-03-03T19:53:57Z")
Although the highest marginal tax rate may be have been 91% in the Eisenhower/Kennedy years, only 250 or so households were actually taxed at this rate. Plus no one paid 91% because of the various “loopholes” or deductio… --- ## [A question of Omniscience](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-of-omniscience/651452)
**Author:** [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-of-omniscience/651452 "2013-03-03T18:34:17Z")
I want to put up front that my question stems from thinking about the singularity and advancements in AI. I don’t remember whether the singularity posits an omniscient AI or merely a close to omniscient AI. I’m not sure… --- ## [What will our descendants be like in 3bn years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-our-descendants-be-like-in-3bn-years/651642)
**Author:** [@MrLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrLee)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2013, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-our-descendants-be-like-in-3bn-years/651642 "2013-03-03T12:34:10Z")
Hi all My understanding is that life on earth began, give or take, 3.5 billion years ago. So, in another 3.5 billion years’ time, what will we have turned into (this is bearing in mind biological evolution as well as cu… --- ## [Was It All An Accident...Or Did An Intelligent](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-all-an-accident-or-did-an-intelligent/647721)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 765\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2013, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-it-all-an-accident-or-did-an-intelligent/647721 "2013-03-03T11:01:01Z")
Being Start the Ball Rolling. Here’s the problem…if the Universe just developed in an evolutionary manner and let’s say it just happened randomly, then the thoughts of agnostics and atheists are just random thoughts and… --- ## [YAGunThread - Let's keep it simple](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yagunthread-lets-keep-it-simple/650725)
**Author:** [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2013, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yagunthread-lets-keep-it-simple/650725 "2013-03-03T07:09:01Z")
Sorry to start the 8 millionth gun control thread, but I heard an interesting idea on a podcast and wondered what the pro-gun contingent thought. Simple plan - screw buybacks, assault weapons bans, heavier registration,… --- ## [When does a joke go too far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-a-joke-go-too-far/651761)
**Author:** [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-a-joke-go-too-far/651761 "2013-03-02T22:17:35Z")
We’ve had several joke controversies in recent memory. There was Tracy Morgan’s homophobic flap. Daniel Tosh’s rape joke controversy. Dane Cook made a joke about the Aurora, Co. mass shooting. Sarah Silverman’s “I love c… --- ## [Should We Have TWO Classes of Athletics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-have-two-classes-of-athletics/651028)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-have-two-classes-of-athletics/651028 "2013-03-02T16:20:34Z")
“Doped” and “Natural”? To me, it makes sense-I think there is a case to be made, that the limits of human performance should be pushed as much as possible-if this is done with performance enhancing drugs, so much the be… --- ## [Does the Buddhist idea says it actually harms other people to let them harm you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-buddhist-idea-says-it-actually-harms-other-people-to-let-them-harm-you/651239)
**Author:** [@TheCrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCrow)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-buddhist-idea-says-it-actually-harms-other-people-to-let-them-harm-you/651239 "2013-03-02T12:42:30Z")
It actually harms other people to let them harm you? If so, how is it possible? --- ## [Temperature and punctuality: is there a relationship?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-and-punctuality-is-there-a-relationship/650615)
**Author:** [@CoastalMaineiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoastalMaineiac)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-and-punctuality-is-there-a-relationship/650615 "2013-03-01T20:37:21Z")
I’ve been hypothesizing in my mind that there may be some relationship between cold weather and punctuality. It seems to me that the closer to the equator you get, the less people seem to be driven to be on time. I live… --- ## ["Born This Way" : Sympathy and Science for Pedophiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-this-way-sympathy-and-science-for-pedophiles/649889)
**Author:** [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2013, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/born-this-way-sympathy-and-science-for-pedophiles/649889 "2013-03-01T10:29:36Z")
Ran across this interesting article today and doesn’t look like it was discussed here when it came out: It appears that pedophiles are born, not made. Like most people, I am disgusted by child sex abuse, but as the art… --- ## [Who is Jesus? God's Son or God Almighty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-jesus-gods-son-or-god-almighty/651662)
**Author:** [@ruben4ruben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruben4ruben)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-jesus-gods-son-or-god-almighty/651662 "2013-03-01T01:16:03Z")
I’ve only started looking at this forum a few days ago and i’m (not) surprised at the amount of claims about the identity of Jesus of Nazareth, the man millions identify to be the promised and prophesised “seed” (Genesi… --- ## [Athens loses at Marathon. How does the Western World change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/athens-loses-at-marathon-how-does-the-western-world-change/650768)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/athens-loses-at-marathon-how-does-the-western-world-change/650768 "2013-02-28T21:17:13Z")
I am reading Creasy’s The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World: from Marathon to Waterloo, and while I’d love to skip ahead to see an Englishman of 1851’s take on the Battle of Saratoga, I have a dozen other battles to … --- ## [How were the Popes as temporal rulers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-popes-as-temporal-rulers/651629)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2013, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-were-the-popes-as-temporal-rulers/651629 "2013-02-28T18:05:38Z")
Back when the Papacy actually had lands other than a tiny little piece of Rome, that is. Would you say they were better or worse, overall, than the typical emperor or king of the day in caring for their subjects, keepin… --- ## [Hey, Progressives and Liberals, Let's Pick Out A State To Take Over, Like Mississippi!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-progressives-and-liberals-lets-pick-out-a-state-to-take-over-like-mississippi/649318)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-progressives-and-liberals-lets-pick-out-a-state-to-take-over-like-mississippi/649318 "2013-02-28T16:16:54Z")
Fun concept. It’s occurred to me with all the marijuana legalization and anti-abortion initiatives, that what makes a real difference in living conditions might just be the state you live in, rather than the nation you l… --- ## [Are local curfews consitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-local-curfews-consitutional/651634)
**Author:** [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-local-curfews-consitutional/651634 "2013-02-28T16:16:27Z")
Not thinking so much about emergency situations, a la temporary curfews post-natural disaster… more about a standing law in a metropolitan area saying kids under a certain age can’t be on the streets certain hours. Seem… --- ## [Should the minimum wage be lowered to $6 per hour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-minimum-wage-be-lowered-to-6-per-hour/651463)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-minimum-wage-be-lowered-to-6-per-hour/651463 "2013-02-28T03:39:54Z")
Obama proposes to raise the minimum wage to $9 per hour. However, I think that is completely counter-productive as this will lead to more unemployment and inflated prices. Employers will need to make more money in order … --- ## [How can supreme court justify tossing warantless wiretapping on lack of standing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-supreme-court-justify-tossing-warantless-wiretapping-on-lack-of-standing/651483)
**Author:** [@doubled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doubled)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-supreme-court-justify-tossing-warantless-wiretapping-on-lack-of-standing/651483 "2013-02-28T02:16:52Z")
So the supreme court refused to say whether warantless wiretapping is constitutional or not, because even though we KNOW its happening \[from government whistle-blowers, and from the government accidentally releasing doc… --- ## [Do we care more for animals than battered women?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-care-more-for-animals-than-battered-women/651430)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2013, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-care-more-for-animals-than-battered-women/651430 "2013-02-27T23:08:06Z")
There are more animal shelters than battered women’s shelters- a LOT more. I read many articles talking about how people are more willing to donate to causes dedicated to saving animals than protecting women. The theory … --- ## [Is Fusion Power Going to Happen? Or Should We Just Hang It Up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fusion-power-going-to-happen-or-should-we-just-hang-it-up/522938)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-fusion-power-going-to-happen-or-should-we-just-hang-it-up/522938 "2013-02-27T21:12:07Z")
I mean, 50 years of research, and we seem no closer to a workable fusion reactor. The engineering problems (even assuming we can contain the reaction) are immense: structural materials will ail within weeks, we have no g… --- ## [Separate billiard competitions for men and women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separate-billiard-competitions-for-men-and-women/650655)
**Author:** [@dataguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dataguy)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2013, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/separate-billiard-competitions-for-men-and-women/650655 "2013-02-27T05:49:28Z")
I saw than Danica Patrick won the pole position for the Daytona 500. I think that’s great and my post isn’t really about her directly. It seems that there are some activities where it makes sense to have separate compet… --- ## [The Walmartization of America comes full circle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walmartization-of-america-comes-full-circle/650757)
**Author:** [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Replies:** 252\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2013, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walmartization-of-america-comes-full-circle/650757 "2013-02-27T04:23:47Z")
There’s been a minor scandal recently as some leaked Walmart executive e-mails talking about how atrocious the sales so far this year have been, historically bad. I was reading up about it a bit and came across “A Scary… --- ## [Should Everclear be banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-everclear-be-banned/595830)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2013, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-everclear-be-banned/595830 "2013-02-26T07:12:24Z")
It’s already illegal in a few states, so I’m talking about a ban nationwide. HERE is a story about a guy who payed the ultimate price for over indulging. And, of course, his family wants to ban the product. :rolleyes: … --- ## [What will America do when it's not the only superpower?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-america-do-when-its-not-the-only-superpower/650184)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2013, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-america-do-when-its-not-the-only-superpower/650184 "2013-02-26T02:03:29Z")
For a long time (pretty much post-WWII), America and Europe have always been the ones to make decisions on a global scale. With the emergance of post-Soviet collapse Russia, a hardworking China, and the rapidly growing c… --- ## [An experiment with time travel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-experiment-with-time-travel/651245)
**Author:** [@Planetoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Planetoid)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-experiment-with-time-travel/651245 "2013-02-26T00:30:53Z")
Way back in 1927 J.W.Dunne published the findings of his work on dreams in ‘An Experiment with Time’. The data for his research he collected from volunteers keeping both a nightly updated diary and a log of their dream… --- ## [By golly, the NRA may be right!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-golly-the-nra-may-be-right/650605)
**Author:** [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-golly-the-nra-may-be-right/650605 "2013-02-25T20:30:20Z")
I’ve lately been a little irritated with the NRA over their paranoid opposition to any gun regs. However, this morning’s Sunday Seattle Times (by no means a bastion of conservative thought) has an article by one of thei… --- ## [Should rogue states shift focus onto biological weaponry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-rogue-states-shift-focus-onto-biological-weaponry/650563)
**Author:** [@cultivar07](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cultivar07)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-rogue-states-shift-focus-onto-biological-weaponry/650563 "2013-02-25T18:48:13Z")
It seems to me biological weaponry would be a much more rational choice for rogue states such as NK and Iran, for so many reasons. Research is cheaper. Bio-weapon research is usually much cheaper than nuclear researc… --- ## [Hitchens' Opponents on Iraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchens-opponents-on-iraq/651073)
**Author:** [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2013, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchens-opponents-on-iraq/651073 "2013-02-25T11:04:31Z")
Of Hitchens’ debating opponents, who has done the best job, either in rhetoric and style or rationality and simply making more rational claims? Who have done the worst? (Because if answered, this question will surely le… --- ## [What Are The True Costs of Government Spending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-true-costs-of-government-spending/650799)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2013, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-true-costs-of-government-spending/650799 "2013-02-25T03:54:53Z")
It seems to me that if a government spends money in its own nation, then, assuming relatively efficient management of taxes, we don’t loose anything as a people. One might take issue with the government deciding where t… --- ## [Guantanamo Bay: Prisoners Violate lease?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-bay-prisoners-violate-lease/188737)
**Author:** [@HPL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HPL)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2013, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guantanamo-bay-prisoners-violate-lease/188737 "2013-02-24T13:57:42Z")
I was reading about the lease we signed with Cuba over Guantanamo Bay and noticed that one of the terms was that the US can only use it as a Naval Base(and a coaling station, but that part is moot). Does Camp X-ray and … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=286) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=288)