# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=29 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 30 --- ## [Will Russia go nuclear if they lose the conventional war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-russia-go-nuclear-if-they-lose-the-conventional-war/961624)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2022, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-russia-go-nuclear-if-they-lose-the-conventional-war/961624 "2022-03-31T02:04:06Z")
With the sinking of a Russian cargo / transport ship, and the gains made by Ukraine around Kyiv, it feels like the war has possibly reached a turning point in Ukraine’s favor. Let’s assume this is the case, and over th… --- ## [Spousal Voting Behavior should be Analyzed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spousal-voting-behavior-should-be-analyzed/961746)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2022, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spousal-voting-behavior-should-be-analyzed/961746 "2022-03-30T23:24:42Z")
In recent times, it has been popular to recount and analyze ballots. The one, potentially true, risk of mail-in voting is that it means that people who live together are not guaranteed a private space to vote as they se… --- ## [Let's have a nice debate about race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-nice-debate-about-race/961990)
**Author:** [@Blue\_Thunderbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Thunderbird)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-have-a-nice-debate-about-race/961990 "2022-03-30T16:57:04Z")
Let this be a nice one. :slightly\_smiling\_face: --- ## [Let's Debate Race!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-race/961982)
**Author:** [@Blue\_Thunderbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Thunderbird)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-debate-race/961982 "2022-03-30T15:57:02Z")
I would like to debate race. We should not think for a moment that the internet prohibits this (Reno v ACLU, 521 US 844), or that we must agree with laws we believe are wrong. I’ll take all you suckers on with one hand… --- ## [Could our current economic situation lead to overproduction and oversupply of goods down the line](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-our-current-economic-situation-lead-to-overproduction-and-oversupply-of-goods-down-the-line/961841)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-our-current-economic-situation-lead-to-overproduction-and-oversupply-of-goods-down-the-line/961841 "2022-03-28T18:56:14Z")
So right now demand is exceeding supply and causing prices to spike. Is there a risk in a year or two there will be so much investment in new supply that it outstrips demand and the market is glutted? I get the impressi… --- ## [Human Rights in Other Countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-in-other-countries/951473)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2022, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-in-other-countries/951473 "2022-03-28T02:29:04Z")
I think this is a factual question. But someone along the lines will turn it into a debate, which is okay I guess. I know a little about law in this country (US). I am always eager to read anything I get on law. And I g… --- ## [Should Visa and Mastercard be broken up for being a duo-monopoly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-visa-and-mastercard-be-broken-up-for-being-a-duo-monopoly/961446)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-visa-and-mastercard-be-broken-up-for-being-a-duo-monopoly/961446 "2022-03-27T21:43:38Z")
Forgive my boundless ignorance on this subject, but it seems like there are only two real choices nowadays for bank-issued credit/debit cards - a card with the Visa or Mastercard logo. Have these companies reached the p… --- ## [What exactly would western special forces unit be doing in Ukraine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-western-special-forces-unit-be-doing-in-ukraine/961052)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-would-western-special-forces-unit-be-doing-in-ukraine/961052 "2022-03-27T02:19:00Z")
So I have a couple things I’ve been wondering about lately. Since Ukraine is taking in volunteers from foreign nations to fight, can western nations send special forces units to the Ukraine, but if they’re captured/ca… --- ## [Think maybe we're going a little too far with sanctions against Russia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-maybe-were-going-a-little-too-far-with-sanctions-against-russia/961004)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/think-maybe-were-going-a-little-too-far-with-sanctions-against-russia/961004 "2022-03-23T15:17:49Z")
This is me speaking as someone who thinks that Putin’s war in Ukraine is a crime against humanity. But surely, the thousands of Russian citizens trapped overseas in tourist destinations with no access to their money and… --- ## [China after Ukraine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-after-ukraine/960190)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2022, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/china-after-ukraine/960190 "2022-03-22T14:54:22Z")
China has got to love this. The West fails to maintain sanctions? Green light for them on Taiwan. And more importantly Taiwan knowing it. Hence even a threat will lead to concessions. The West maintains sanctions? Russ… --- ## [Lawfare - Russian Edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawfare-russian-edition/960260)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2022, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lawfare-russian-edition/960260 "2022-03-22T13:42:25Z")
Given the sanctions being slammed on the country and its most prosperous residents, the best outcome for - I believe - every single citizen of the Russian Federation except the one man, Vladimir Putin, would be a change … --- ## [India should be added to the G7](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-should-be-added-to-the-g7/961199)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-should-be-added-to-the-g7/961199 "2022-03-18T19:41:58Z")
India hosts 17.7% of the entire human population, is 8.1% of the global economy, has the third largest military spending on the planet, has nuclear weapons, and is a functional democracy. By almost any measure, they sho… --- ## [Why did real estate prices skyrocket in the last half century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-real-estate-prices-skyrocket-in-the-last-half-century/960988)
**Author:** [@Midnight\_Shadow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Midnight_Shadow)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2022, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-real-estate-prices-skyrocket-in-the-last-half-century/960988 "2022-03-17T06:15:26Z")
My father bought his house in a small Massachusetts town in the fifties for peanuts. It’s worth about ten times that now. But salaries only went up about four times as much in the same time period. Someone told me thi… --- ## [Russia's future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russias-future/960670)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2022, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russias-future/960670 "2022-03-15T00:01:40Z")
These are decisive days for 44 million Ukrainians. They might also be decisive for 144 million Russians. Facing severe international sanctions, Putin appears to be taking Russia toward economic isolation and even harsh… --- ## [What is Putin thinking will happen after he dies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-putin-thinking-will-happen-after-he-dies/960517)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-putin-thinking-will-happen-after-he-dies/960517 "2022-03-13T21:42:40Z")
He’s nearly 70. Let’s assume he wants Russia to expand, gobble up Ukraine, and other former parts of the USSR before he dies. Does he expect this mega-state to hold together indefinitely? Does he not care if it does? Do… --- ## [How to distinguish between minority opinions and misinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-distinguish-between-minority-opinions-and-misinformation/958690)
**Author:** [@SpacemanSpiff\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpacemanSpiff_II)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-distinguish-between-minority-opinions-and-misinformation/958690 "2022-03-13T14:51:39Z")
As internet and other censorship and demands for more of the same have increased, this has become a bigger and bigger issue, IMHO. There have always been disagreements among the scientific community as well as in other f… --- ## [Achieving Ukrainian victory while not getting into a nuclear war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achieving-ukrainian-victory-while-not-getting-into-a-nuclear-war/960755)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2022, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/achieving-ukrainian-victory-while-not-getting-into-a-nuclear-war/960755 "2022-03-12T04:55:11Z")
I think most of us agree that we would like to see Ukraine win this war and we don’t want a nuclear war with Russia. The trick is threading the needle. As it currently stands, it appears that the ongoing flow of men, … --- ## [Is what's happening to Putin "cancel culture"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-whats-happening-to-putin-cancel-culture/960527)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2022, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-whats-happening-to-putin-cancel-culture/960527 "2022-03-10T22:28:38Z")
This is my issue with those who complain about 'cancel culture: it’s only cancel culture if you like the person being ‘canceled.’ Otherwise, it’s just “Good for the sonofabitch.” --- ## [Thoughts of a new defense doctrine in Ukraine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-of-a-new-defense-doctrine-in-ukraine/960451)
**Author:** [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2022, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-of-a-new-defense-doctrine-in-ukraine/960451 "2022-03-08T23:47:53Z")
A few numbers for context: Ukr. is a huge country with 44 mio habitants Rus. attack force: 200.000 for every rus. there are 220 Ukr. in the country the Rus. are clearly outgunning (heavy artillery, tanks,…) the Ukr. Ru… --- ## [American conservatism has exhausted its credibility](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-conservatism-has-exhausted-its-credibility/920373)
**Author:** [@razordance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razordance)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-conservatism-has-exhausted-its-credibility/920373 "2022-03-08T22:03:50Z")
It had quite a good run, from 1980 to now, pulling the political center-of-gravity to the right and obliging even the Dems to follow and catch up. But what’s left of it now? You guys let yourselves get too close to the… --- ## [Ukraine nukes Moscow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-nukes-moscow/960062)
**Author:** [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 8, 2022, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ukraine-nukes-moscow/960062 "2022-03-08T03:59:41Z")
I would not be altogether surprised if in the aftermath of the USSR breakup, a few nuclear weapons in Ukraine got ‘accidentally’ overlooked in the accounting. Probably with some money changing hands under the table…? I… --- ## [Would Putin have invaded Ukraine in 2022 if not for the world's shrugging reaction to the Crimea annexation in '14?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-putin-have-invaded-ukraine-in-2022-if-not-for-the-worlds-shrugging-reaction-to-the-crimea-annexation-in-14/960612)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-putin-have-invaded-ukraine-in-2022-if-not-for-the-worlds-shrugging-reaction-to-the-crimea-annexation-in-14/960612 "2022-03-07T19:40:13Z")
I mean, there were plenty of sanctions imposed on Russia after its annexation of Crimea, including suspending it from the G8, but nothing compared to the grand scale we’ve seen during the current full-on invasion. If we… --- ## [Critical Race Theory Boogeyman](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critical-race-theory-boogeyman/944754)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2022, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critical-race-theory-boogeyman/944754 "2022-03-07T10:08:00Z")
I see Republican politicians talking about CRT and states banning it being taught in schools. Then, I see other sources that say Critical Race Theory is a college-level discussion, and is definitely not being taught any… --- ## [Unintended consequences of Russian invasions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintended-consequences-of-russian-invasions/960065)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2022, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unintended-consequences-of-russian-invasions/960065 "2022-03-04T18:28:34Z")
It’s my understanding that the 1979-1989 Russian invasion of Afghanistan is widely believed to have been a contributing factor in the rise, if not the creation, of Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and eventually ISIS. With the und… --- ## [Supreme Court agrees to hear case over death penalty for Boston Marathon bomber \[and upholds the sentence–edited\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-case-over-death-penalty-for-boston-marathon-bomber-and-upholds-the-sentence-edited/938437)
**Author:** [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2022, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-agrees-to-hear-case-over-death-penalty-for-boston-marathon-bomber-and-upholds-the-sentence-edited/938437 "2022-03-04T16:57:25Z")
Here is an early story on it. He is guilty as heck. He and his brother killed three people. Further, the Supreme Court is stacked to the max. It looks bad for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. That being said, I think I am still opp… --- ## [Russia and the Ukraine: Why should I care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-and-the-ukraine-why-should-i-care/960067)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2022, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-and-the-ukraine-why-should-i-care/960067 "2022-03-02T13:48:28Z")
I do not want to bog down the threads about Russia invading the Ukraine because presumably the people posting in those threads actually care about the issue. Whereas I am trying to figure out why I should. I am the oppo… --- ## [Would death still be bad if a positive afterlife existed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-death-still-be-bad-if-a-positive-afterlife-existed/960177)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2022, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-death-still-be-bad-if-a-positive-afterlife-existed/960177 "2022-03-02T09:07:18Z")
The existence of an eternal afterlife is proven definitively. It’s a place of unimaginable bliss, fulfillment, wonder etc and is governed by a generic, deistic, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent and omnibenevolent God.… --- ## [What's the maximum amount of military intervention possible against a nuclear state without triggering nuclear war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-maximum-amount-of-military-intervention-possible-against-a-nuclear-state-without-triggering-nuclear-war/960258)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2022, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-maximum-amount-of-military-intervention-possible-against-a-nuclear-state-without-triggering-nuclear-war/960258 "2022-03-02T01:53:20Z")
Anytime someone suggests direct military intervention against Russia, even if only a slight amount, some people immediately reply, “Then the nukes fly!” I would argue that this sort of absolutist stance ends up giving R… --- ## [How much is Germany/Western Europe to blame for not having the strategic foresight to not depend on Russia for their energy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-germany-western-europe-to-blame-for-not-having-the-strategic-foresight-to-not-depend-on-russia-for-their-energy/960198)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2022, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-is-germany-western-europe-to-blame-for-not-having-the-strategic-foresight-to-not-depend-on-russia-for-their-energy/960198 "2022-03-01T22:21:33Z")
By relying on Russia for energy, and taking actions such as Germany having a plan to decommission all nuclear power plants, and agreeing to Nordstream 2, they are (1) giving Russia money to build their military, and (2) … --- ## [What does a "good" negotiated settlement to the Ukraine invasion look like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-good-negotiated-settlement-to-the-ukraine-invasion-look-like/960083)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-a-good-negotiated-settlement-to-the-ukraine-invasion-look-like/960083 "2022-03-01T17:42:33Z")
I’ve seen plenty of discussion of what Putin would want to get out of any negotiation: pro-Russian government, permanently abandon Nato membership, accept independence of Donblas, and Russian ownership of Crimea. That wo… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=28) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=30)