# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=290 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 291 --- ## [The Decline of Unions is your Problem too](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decline-of-unions-is-your-problem-too/649319)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decline-of-unions-is-your-problem-too/649319 "2013-02-06T19:27:11Z")
Great essay about why the decline of unions hurts everyone, including workers not in a union, and even the rich: --- ## [Rank the constitutional amendments in order of importance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rank-the-constitutional-amendments-in-order-of-importance/648825)
**Author:** [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rank-the-constitutional-amendments-in-order-of-importance/648825 "2013-02-06T19:15:10Z")
How would you rank the constitutional amendments in order of importance? I’d say 1st Amendment: free speech, free religion, right to assemble 14th Amendment: citizenship, equal protection 4th Amendment: prohibits unre… --- ## [FCC Proposes public WiFi across the nation.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-proposes-public-wifi-across-the-nation/649327)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-proposes-public-wifi-across-the-nation/649327 "2013-02-06T18:47:40Z")
An economic boon? Legitimate infrastructure or unwarranted socialism? Practical? Impractical? Is it even politically possible? http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/tech-telecom-giants-take-sides-as-fcc-p… --- ## [Is It Ethical To Defend A Known Killer.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-defend-a-known-killer/648815)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2013, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-defend-a-known-killer/648815 "2013-02-06T18:21:52Z")
Let’s say that you know the guy is a killer and that he deserves the death penalty. Would it be ethical for an attorney to defend him? And suppose this killer told every attorney that he committed the murder and a doze… --- ## [Existence and enforcement of penalties for illegal gun ownership/use?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existence-and-enforcement-of-penalties-for-illegal-gun-ownership-use/648907)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2013, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/existence-and-enforcement-of-penalties-for-illegal-gun-ownership-use/648907 "2013-02-06T03:57:02Z")
One thing I do not hear mentioned much in the current (or past) gun debates concerns penalties for folk who are found to own guns which were not obtained legally, or who use them in illegal manners. Just about the only … --- ## [Why America's Prep Schools Aren't Following Arne Duncan's Public School Education Reforms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-americas-prep-schools-arent-following-arne-duncans-public-school-education-reforms/649242)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-americas-prep-schools-arent-following-arne-duncans-public-school-education-reforms/649242 "2013-02-06T02:39:25Z")
Why America’s Prep Schools Aren’t Following Arne Duncan’s Public School Education Reforms The basic premise of this piece is that if school “reforms” are so great, why aren’t the rich using them? Debate topic: What … --- ## [Scams](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scams/649250)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scams/649250 "2013-02-05T20:30:17Z")
I know a few great scams, which I’ll describe here. The question is, which of these is the greatest scam (or is there yet one even greater, unknown to me?) The poetry contest. You take out a little ad in some magazine… --- ## [Sam Harris on a world without guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-harris-on-a-world-without-guns/648808)
**Author:** [@Kable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kable)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sam-harris-on-a-world-without-guns/648808 "2013-02-05T19:31:58Z")
“Like most gun owners, I understand the ethical importance of guns and cannot honestly wish for a world without them. I suspect that sentiment will shock many readers. Wouldn’t any decent person wish for a world without … --- ## [Can all animals in principle be tamed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-all-animals-in-principle-be-tamed/648701)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-all-animals-in-principle-be-tamed/648701 "2013-02-05T17:25:51Z")
The animals that are domesticated today are quite diverse, ranging from herbivores such as cows, hogs, horses, sheep, and even elephants, etc, and carnivores such as cats and dogs. Based upon this already broad range of … --- ## [Parading victims of tragedy out to call for mob justice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parading-victims-of-tragedy-out-to-call-for-mob-justice/648703)
**Author:** [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parading-victims-of-tragedy-out-to-call-for-mob-justice/648703 "2013-02-05T16:06:18Z")
I hate the Oprahfication of politics where issues that need to be discussed rationally are reduced to a contest to see who can emote the hardest. Eventually elections will be replaced with scales where we weigh the volum… --- ## [Opposition to "buyback" programs is what invalidates what the NRA has become](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opposition-to-buyback-programs-is-what-invalidates-what-the-nra-has-become/649201)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opposition-to-buyback-programs-is-what-invalidates-what-the-nra-has-become/649201 "2013-02-05T14:18:00Z")
It wasn’t always what it is now. There was a time when the NRA was more open-minded to gun-control. But the organization has changed over time. And now look where that has led. See this Pit thread on that. IOW, it… --- ## [Are there kids who absolutly cannot be educated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-kids-who-absolutly-cannot-be-educated/647494)
**Author:** [@AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-kids-who-absolutly-cannot-be-educated/647494 "2013-02-05T13:46:49Z")
I am speaking of extreme profound special ed kids. The overwhelming majority of sped kids can and do aquire at least functional academic abilities, and or “life skills” Even a lot of profound kids can aquire some “skil… --- ## [How to support academia and view much academic work as nonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-support-academia-and-view-much-academic-work-as-nonsense/648766)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-support-academia-and-view-much-academic-work-as-nonsense/648766 "2013-02-05T02:39:36Z")
In the recent thread on Biblical scholarship I posted this link to an article by Richard Dawkins. It’s not unique, of course. One of my favorite essays is How to Deconstruct Almost by Chip Morningstar. The point of bo… --- ## [Insidiousness of "No Budget, No Pay"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insidiousness-of-no-budget-no-pay/648539)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2013, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/insidiousness-of-no-budget-no-pay/648539 "2013-02-05T02:10:00Z")
When I first heard about “No Budget, No Pay” I thought it was a pretty smart measure. It’s a great incentive to break through political deadlock. After all, no matter where one falls on the political spectrum I think we … --- ## [Abortion and gun control arguments, a symmetry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-gun-control-arguments-a-symmetry/648435)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-gun-control-arguments-a-symmetry/648435 "2013-02-04T21:16:35Z")
Steven Den Beste thinks there’s an odd symmetry between the arguments in America about abortion and those about gun control. I’ve spoilered the link because the site isn’t really SFW Prima facie he seems to be onto som… --- ## [East Africans more "civilized" than West Africans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-africans-more-civilized-than-west-africans/649107)
**Author:** [@cultivar07](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cultivar07)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-africans-more-civilized-than-west-africans/649107 "2013-02-04T19:23:06Z")
Both places have experienced pro-longed civil wars, ongoing rebellions etc. But I just noticed a difference, and I am not sure whether it is true. That is, the treatment of enemy civilians, in particular women and child… --- ## [Second Amendment: What does "well regulated" mean exactly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-amendment-what-does-well-regulated-mean-exactly/641547)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 396\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/second-amendment-what-does-well-regulated-mean-exactly/641547 "2013-02-04T14:22:48Z")
The Second Amendment reads: I often hear those who support gun rights quote the part that says “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed,” but I rarely hear anyone - even those on the gun c… --- ## [Does Mali matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mali-matter/648769)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-mali-matter/648769 "2013-02-04T14:09:55Z")
With the news that British forcesare to join the Malian and French forces already combatting an Islamist/ethnic insurgency in the north of the country I’m left wondering if Mali matters and if it does why? I mean with r… --- ## [The West Memphis Three](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-west-memphis-three/648880)
**Author:** [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-west-memphis-three/648880 "2013-02-04T08:41:15Z")
I’d like the opinions of the people here at SDMB because I’m sure that I will get an honest and diverse group of opinions; I don’t want a bunch of hysterical rambling that “THEM BOYS WAS SATANISTS!” nor do I want “THEY W… --- ## [The Whole HHO/Brown's Gas/Hydrogen Thing...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-hho-browns-gas-hydrogen-thing/649243)
**Author:** [@beagrie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagrie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-whole-hho-browns-gas-hydrogen-thing/649243 "2013-02-04T07:49:35Z")
Hi, I thought I’d pose this question here, as I doubt Cecil would be interested in this topic, and, in any case, I’m sure one of the teeming millions will be able to answer. I recently had to write a piece on HHO/Brown… --- ## [Why should I feel sorry for Aaron Swartz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-feel-sorry-for-aaron-swartz/648470)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-i-feel-sorry-for-aaron-swartz/648470 "2013-02-04T03:12:55Z")
Honest question, I don’t mean the slightest bit of snark or dismissal. As a parent and an individual who has my share of battle scars, I feel deeply for anyone, particularly someone young, who can’t see through their pr… --- ## [What's the conservative view on Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-conservative-view-on-iraq/647106)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-conservative-view-on-iraq/647106 "2013-02-03T20:54:32Z")
Eric Bolling, a Fox commentator, was speaking out against what he said is a liberal bias in school books. As an example he gave what a school book said about the 2003 Iraq invasion, “They were very, very liberally biased… --- ## [Does Chuck Hagel WANT the Job?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chuck-hagel-want-the-job/649043)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2013, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-chuck-hagel-want-the-job/649043 "2013-02-03T16:25:27Z")
Anybody else watch Chuck Hagel’s confirmation hearings? I haven’t much use for the guy, but if I were a Senator, I’d be inclined to confirm him, just because I believe almost ANY President has a right to appoint whoever… --- ## [Does the possession of knowledge carry an ethical responsibility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-possession-of-knowledge-carry-an-ethical-responsibility/649209)
**Author:** [@franklinmarshall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/franklinmarshall)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-possession-of-knowledge-carry-an-ethical-responsibility/649209 "2013-02-03T15:35:52Z")
I was having a conversation with a group of friends the other day and the subject has been sticking on my mind since then. I feel like the answer is quite simple, but I can’t really think of arguments to back up each si… --- ## [time to split up the USA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-split-up-the-usa/649024)
**Author:** [@crucible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crucible)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-split-up-the-usa/649024 "2013-02-02T23:12:25Z")
I’m in favor of giving Texas and the Louisiana Purchase area to the theocratic, gun loving folks who make me crazy with their crap. We could get them to take a healthy portion of the nation debt, coordinate overall def… --- ## [Can North Korea enter the 21st century successfully](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-north-korea-enter-the-21st-century-successfully/520221)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2013, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-north-korea-enter-the-21st-century-successfully/520221 "2013-02-02T22:22:40Z")
Assume that a successor of Kim Jong Il is picked and he turns out to be a reformer like another Deng Xiaoping or another Khrushchev. And this leader wants to implement democratic, human rights, civil rights, market and i… --- ## [Slavery in Africa](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slavery-in-africa/648877)
**Author:** [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slavery-in-africa/648877 "2013-02-02T20:03:21Z")
So before the white Europeans came to Africa, how much slavery actually went on there? Was African slavery similar to Euro-American slavery? --- ## [Stem Cell medical technology. Is this even possible? Scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cell-medical-technology-is-this-even-possible-scam/536564)
**Author:** [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stem-cell-medical-technology-is-this-even-possible-scam/536564 "2013-02-02T02:55:00Z")
There is some hospital in Ecuador advertising this Stem Cell medical procedure. It sounds like a scam to me. Is this really how Stem Cells heal? Is this possible, exaggerated, or just total BS? Their website is www.ascaa… --- ## [Tops off! The acceptability of public half-nudity for women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tops-off-the-acceptability-of-public-half-nudity-for-women/648630)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tops-off-the-acceptability-of-public-half-nudity-for-women/648630 "2013-02-01T15:52:06Z")
Despite the unfortunate trainwreck of this thread I thought the OP had a germ of an interesting topic on the subject of whether public toplessness for women is and/or should be acceptable in contexts where toplessness fo… --- ## [Federal court ruling slashes presidential recess-appointment power](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-court-ruling-slashes-presidential-recess-appointment-power/648466)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2013, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-court-ruling-slashes-presidential-recess-appointment-power/648466 "2013-02-01T06:26:18Z")
Story here. Apparently this means about 300 decisions made the National Labor Relations Board over the past year can be challenged and nullified, because the board lacked a quorum of legitimately appointed members. Bu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=289) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=291)