# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=291 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 292 --- ## [Suspending a six-year-old from school for pretending his finger was a gun and saying 'POW'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspending-a-six-year-old-from-school-for-pretending-his-finger-was-a-gun-and-saying-pow/646015)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspending-a-six-year-old-from-school-for-pretending-his-finger-was-a-gun-and-saying-pow/646015 "2013-01-31T19:07:44Z")
This article describes an incident last month when a six-year-old first-grade student was suspended from school "for pointing his finger like a gun and saying ‘pow’ ". According to school authorities and their lawyers, s… --- ## [Death Penalty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty/648062)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2013, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/death-penalty/648062 "2013-01-31T15:28:42Z")
Should punishment by death penalty remain active in the United States, or should it be abolished? --- ## [Controlled rhino dehorning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlled-rhino-dehorning/616300)
**Author:** [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2013, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/controlled-rhino-dehorning/616300 "2013-01-31T13:58:54Z")
What do you think of the controlled dehorning of rhinos in Africa to discourage poaching? The incidence of rhino poaching has increased exponentially in South Africa with 448 rhinos being killed last year and already in… --- ## [Should Obama salute military people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-salute-military-people/485362)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-obama-salute-military-people/485362 "2013-01-30T22:06:51Z")
i always thought he should not, even though he’s the CIC. He’s still a civilian, and civilians don’t even salute the flag; we put our hands over our hearts. Just wondering. --- ## [Agriculture: the worst mistake in human history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agriculture-the-worst-mistake-in-human-history/648518)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/agriculture-the-worst-mistake-in-human-history/648518 "2013-01-30T22:01:23Z")
The idea is that as hunter-gatherers people live peaceful, leisurely lives, and that agriculture introduced overcrowding, famine, disease, inequality and endless toil. But is it possible the h-g lifestyle was really so … --- ## [Does the possession of knowledge carry an ethical responsibility or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-possession-of-knowledge-carry-an-ethical-responsibility-or-not/648609)
**Author:** [@Klisterhjernen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klisterhjernen)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-possession-of-knowledge-carry-an-ethical-responsibility-or-not/648609 "2013-01-30T19:38:40Z")
Both sides of the argument would be greatly appreciated. --- ## [Biblical Scholarship](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-scholarship/648453)
**Author:** [@Lubricious\_Integument](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lubricious_Integument)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-scholarship/648453 "2013-01-30T19:19:02Z")
To paraphrase Richard Dawkins, Biblical scholar is an oxymoron. By definition a scholar has read more than one book. Amusing. Mundane. Pointless. Shared. --- ## [True Empathy Is It Impossible. Yes or No.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-empathy-is-it-impossible-yes-or-no/648713)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/true-empathy-is-it-impossible-yes-or-no/648713 "2013-01-30T18:53:32Z")
The answer is probably no. Not even Mother Teresa is truly empathic. I had a good friend who had a Master’s in Social Welfare. She spent a year with a poverty stricken family in the Kentucky hills. She said she for t… --- ## [Is the recent drop in violent crime due to banning lead in gasoline?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-recent-drop-in-violent-crime-due-to-banning-lead-in-gasoline/642569)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2013, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-recent-drop-in-violent-crime-due-to-banning-lead-in-gasoline/642569 "2013-01-30T12:54:42Z")
Noting that violent crime has dropped pretty much everywhere (in the world!) since the 90s, and this blog post suggests that the ban on leaded gasoline (by the EPA in the USA in the 70s and 80s, and most other countries … --- ## [Why is such a potentially powerful force being overlooked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-such-a-potentially-powerful-force-being-overlooked/648670)
**Author:** [@Pete737](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pete737)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2013, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-such-a-potentially-powerful-force-being-overlooked/648670 "2013-01-30T06:10:14Z")
American families earning median incomes… How many of the are there? It seems to me that if everyone could put their petty disputes aside (easier said than done, I have trouble recognizing creationists as human beings) … --- ## [Democracy -\> people who cannot be led even from incipient ruin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-people-who-cannot-be-led-even-from-incipient-ruin/646526)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-people-who-cannot-be-led-even-from-incipient-ruin/646526 "2013-01-29T23:38:06Z")
Is the imminent danger of our age the evolution of a populist society in which citizens cannot be led, even from their own ruin? I’m going to back up in a direction that may be counter-intuitive, so bear with me. As so… --- ## [Sexual Identity and the "I don't like labels" Phenomenon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-identity-and-the-i-dont-like-labels-phenomenon/647085)
**Author:** [@I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Made_French_Toast_For_You)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-identity-and-the-i-dont-like-labels-phenomenon/647085 "2013-01-29T21:39:38Z")
Sexual orientation is commonly divided into four categories: asexuality, bisexuality, heterosexuality, and homosexuality. I understand that our sexual behavior may or may not correspond exactly to our orientation, and th… --- ## ['Habitable zone' redefined for alien planets — and maybe life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/habitable-zone-redefined-for-alien-planets-and-maybe-life/648741)
**Author:** [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/habitable-zone-redefined-for-alien-planets-and-maybe-life/648741 "2013-01-29T21:25:41Z")
From this article. The first thing that I noticed was that the earth is on the “hot” end of the scale, meaning that we could be farther from the sun and still have life, but not be much closer. This seems counter-intui… --- ## [Has the Internet got too big?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-internet-got-too-big/648660)
**Author:** [@Jimi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimi)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-internet-got-too-big/648660 "2013-01-29T17:55:07Z")
Personally,I think it has. There is just so much stuff on it nowadays that it’s impossible to go from one subject to another,there’s so much available it’s just mindblowing. --- ## [What if Sears (now Willis) Tower was hit by a plane 9/11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-sears-now-willis-tower-was-hit-by-a-plane-9-11/648711)
**Author:** [@Ladedadeda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ladedadeda)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-sears-now-willis-tower-was-hit-by-a-plane-9-11/648711 "2013-01-29T17:19:42Z")
Lets say, instead of the WTC, the terrorists flew a 767 into Sears Tower. Was it constructed in a similar way to the WTC, and do you think it would likely have collapsed? Do you think the aftermath of the attacks and res… --- ## [Is Britain well liked in Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-britain-well-liked-in-europe/645219)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-britain-well-liked-in-europe/645219 "2013-01-29T15:02:26Z")
I’ve pondered this question for quite a while, and was afraid to ask it lest I not like what I heard, anyway, I decided that I should satisfy my curiosity. Are the British well liked in Europe? I always seem to get the … --- ## [If all men are created equal ....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-men-are-created-equal/648102)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-men-are-created-equal/648102 "2013-01-29T14:15:38Z")
… they rapidly become less and less so. What factors are understood to be the most significant in determining a child’s development? Ranking the following is kind of what I’m looking for: Genetics of the parents (an… --- ## [Speculate on Alternate History: Soviets won their war in Afghanistan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculate-on-alternate-history-soviets-won-their-war-in-afghanistan/647825)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculate-on-alternate-history-soviets-won-their-war-in-afghanistan/647825 "2013-01-29T12:49:17Z")
Suppose the Soviets invade and conquer Afghanistan in the 80’s. Either the US does not intervene or the actions are ineffective. How would the world of today be different? Better or worse? --- ## [All men are created equal - does it need revising?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-men-are-created-equal-does-it-need-revising/648669)
**Author:** [@R3d\_Anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R3d_Anonymous)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-men-are-created-equal-does-it-need-revising/648669 "2013-01-29T03:38:52Z")
What about women? --- ## [Why can't we vote on issues at the Federal level?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-vote-on-issues-at-the-federal-level/648525)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-vote-on-issues-at-the-federal-level/648525 "2013-01-29T02:28:05Z")
Obvious answer: Because that’s what we elect our congresscritters to do. I know. But there are certain issues that are so polarizing (gun control, gay marriage), it seems the most democratic thing to do is let the peopl… --- ## [Flat Earth Theory -vs- Round Earth Theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earth-theory-vs-round-earth-theory/647864)
**Author:** [@James52637](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James52637)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2013, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flat-earth-theory-vs-round-earth-theory/647864 "2013-01-29T00:02:04Z")
I cannot believe nobody has ever taken the bait on this one, and I felt very required to do so. Have you guys heard about Flat Earth Theory? There is their Frequently Asked Questions on their forum, which outlines th… --- ## [Firing Upheld of middle school science teacher / former porn star](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firing-upheld-of-middle-school-science-teacher-former-porn-star/647410)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/firing-upheld-of-middle-school-science-teacher-former-porn-star/647410 "2013-01-28T22:36:58Z")
Stacie Halas, a.k.a. “Tiffany Six,” was removed from her teaching post when her employment as a porn star became public knowledge at her middle school. Halas’ attorney, Richard Schwab (identified by one letter as “our a… --- ## [Militarily Speaking: How does South Korea stack against the North?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/militarily-speaking-how-does-south-korea-stack-against-the-north/648331)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/militarily-speaking-how-does-south-korea-stack-against-the-north/648331 "2013-01-28T22:09:42Z")
All this sabre ratting from North Korea and our discussions about threats to the U.S. have me searching for some feedback and information regarding current day South Korea’s ability to defend itself against the North. S… --- ## ["Increasing awareness" by preaching to the saved: what's the point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increasing-awareness-by-preaching-to-the-saved-whats-the-point/648484)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increasing-awareness-by-preaching-to-the-saved-whats-the-point/648484 "2013-01-28T21:09:21Z")
So, a few days ago, while I’m in the bathroom getting ready for work, I’m listening to the morning show on the community radio station. The guest was some young director of a new organization that was working, more or le… --- ## [What good does No Child Left Behind do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-no-child-left-behind-do/647291)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-good-does-no-child-left-behind-do/647291 "2013-01-28T17:37:38Z")
I am told that this is an un- or underfunded mandate that is placing a huge burden on the states and I don’t know that it has improved the education of children. However, I don’t have enough facts to form a good opinion… --- ## [Neanderthal DNA/non-African ancestry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neanderthal-dna-non-african-ancestry/648224)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neanderthal-dna-non-african-ancestry/648224 "2013-01-28T17:24:02Z")
Those of us who have a genetic background from homo sapiens ancestors who had migrated out of Africa can claim 1 to 4 % of their DNA from a separate homo species called Neanderthal. Africans do not share this genetic in… --- ## [Would you clone Einstein or Bach?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-clone-einstein-or-bach/648546)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-clone-einstein-or-bach/648546 "2013-01-28T01:25:49Z")
Accepted that true genius requires some freaky combination of genes and landing in fertile soil in which that seed can bloom. And that human culture as a whole has benefitted greatly from these once in a generation or tw… --- ## [What would REALLY happen if the US significantly reduced its global military presence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-really-happen-if-the-us-significantly-reduced-its-global-military-presence/648511)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-really-happen-if-the-us-significantly-reduced-its-global-military-presence/648511 "2013-01-27T17:48:24Z")
The levels at which we maintain our global Milty presence seems almost borderline insane compared to other countries. If at some point in the future we decided we cannot pay for SS, medicare and a ginormous military and … --- ## [Gen. Douglas MacArthur As Recipient of the Medal of Honor: Worthy or Not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-douglas-macarthur-as-recipient-of-the-medal-of-honor-worthy-or-not/343108)
**Author:** [@Carnac\_the\_Magnificent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnac_the_Magnificent)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2013, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gen-douglas-macarthur-as-recipient-of-the-medal-of-honor-worthy-or-not/343108 "2013-01-26T12:20:30Z")
Few US military leaders polarize quite like Gen. Douglas MacArthur, given his bombastic, preening ego; oft-expressed desire to engage the PRC in war, and his ultimate disgrace from publicly challenging and being sacked b… --- ## [Debt hawks: why is Japan not Greece?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debt-hawks-why-is-japan-not-greece/648031)
**Author:** [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2013, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/debt-hawks-why-is-japan-not-greece/648031 "2013-01-26T12:05:17Z")
In most discussions of the debt, deficit hawks threaten that the US is on the verge of bankruptcy, and that we are well down the road to becoming the economic basket case of Greece. And yet recent news about economic ref… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=290) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=292)