# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=294 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 295 --- ## [The New York Times thinks Obama is biased in favor of white males](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-times-thinks-obama-is-biased-in-favor-of-white-males/647242)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2013, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-york-times-thinks-obama-is-biased-in-favor-of-white-males/647242 "2013-01-16T05:35:09Z")
There have been a series of articles in the New York Times recently, nothing that Obama’s most recent set of appointments have resulted in a staff dominated by white males, and implying (subtly or not) that this is some … --- ## [Time to Get Tough on Animal Cruelty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-get-tough-on-animal-cruelty/646610)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-get-tough-on-animal-cruelty/646610 "2013-01-15T20:56:44Z")
I remember there was this story a while back in California. In an incident of road rage, a man takes a woman’s little dog, and throws it into oncoming traffic. No further description was given, but you can image what fol… --- ## [Why don't Elizabeth and Charles get along?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-elizabeth-and-charles-get-along/646678)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-elizabeth-and-charles-get-along/646678 "2013-01-15T17:13:07Z")
Occasionally I read on the Intertubes, stated as an everybody-knows thing, that Queen Elizabeth II does not want Prince Charles ever to be King, that she is determined to outlive him if she can and would cut him out of t… --- ## [Would an impartial observer think belief in "God" is delusional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-impartial-observer-think-belief-in-god-is-delusional/646860)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2013, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-an-impartial-observer-think-belief-in-god-is-delusional/646860 "2013-01-15T13:38:12Z")
First let me preface by stating that I am agnostic and while I am trying to be unbiased, I am certainly not. Second let me say that an impartial observer IMO could not be anyone on our planet. However if some intelligen… --- ## [Is scarless healing already here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-scarless-healing-already-here/491303)
**Author:** [@tealeavesgatherers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tealeavesgatherers)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-scarless-healing-already-here/491303 "2012-06-28T04:36:29Z")
My friend claims it is here already, and he has the report to prove it? It is a very detailed report. http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Scarless-Healing-t157005.html Its in the PDF file in the first post. Anyone or any… --- ## [Is the notion of transsexuality incompatible with the concept of socially defined gender?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-notion-of-transsexuality-incompatible-with-the-concept-of-socially-defined-gender/646096)
**Author:** [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-notion-of-transsexuality-incompatible-with-the-concept-of-socially-defined-gender/646096 "2013-01-14T18:01:34Z")
Something that’s been bugging me while trying to get a handle on the thread about transsexuals and sex-segregated locker rooms, that I think I have finally managed to articulate: It is held as axiomatic by many people t… --- ## [Was Nagasaki the greater U.S. sin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-nagasaki-the-greater-u-s-sin/646202)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-nagasaki-the-greater-u-s-sin/646202 "2013-01-14T17:35:08Z")
So now, Oliver Stone is going to make a series “proving” that the U.S. didn’t have to drop the bomb on Hiroshima. After that guy’s ridiculous movie JFK, I don’t bother with his historical views anymore. There’s endless… --- ## [Aspartame Artificial Sweetener, how bad is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspartame-artificial-sweetener-how-bad-is-it/633628)
**Author:** [@Luk3112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luk3112)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aspartame-artificial-sweetener-how-bad-is-it/633628 "2013-01-14T17:15:47Z")
What do you think about this? --- ## [Swearing 'Before God' or on the Bible, malfeasor struck dead. Any cases?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swearing-before-god-or-on-the-bible-malfeasor-struck-dead-any-cases/646990)
**Author:** [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swearing-before-god-or-on-the-bible-malfeasor-struck-dead-any-cases/646990 "2013-01-14T03:01:28Z")
To expand on the title: Can anyone come up with a case (documented or anecdotal) where someone swears ‘Before God’, on the Bible (or any other holy book), or any other religious type of oath, where the person doing the s… --- ## [Americans Under 50 die earlier and live in poorer health than their counterparts in other developed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-under-50-die-earlier-and-live-in-poorer-health-than-their-counterparts-in-other-developed/646898)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-under-50-die-earlier-and-live-in-poorer-health-than-their-counterparts-in-other-developed/646898 "2013-01-14T00:20:09Z")
countries. So says a NY Times article from Wednesday. Gun deaths, car wrecks, drug overdoses, and poor health care all contributed. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/10/health/americans-under-50-fare-poorly-on-health-mea… --- ## [Immigration Reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-reform/646323)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-reform/646323 "2013-01-13T21:57:36Z")
I hereby propose the following way to reform U.S. immigration law: All would-be immigrants must pass a background check or investigation of some sort to reduce the chance that they are major criminals or are associate… --- ## [Should doctors have to disclose hepatitis/HIV status, if their patients don't?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-doctors-have-to-disclose-hepatitis-hiv-status-if-their-patients-dont/647054)
**Author:** [@Endopotential](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Endopotential)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-doctors-have-to-disclose-hepatitis-hiv-status-if-their-patients-dont/647054 "2013-01-13T18:58:52Z")
A tragic experience of a friend leads me to post this. After 4 years of university, another 4 of med school, 7 years in surgical residency, and 2 more doing cardiothoracic fellowship (17 years total!), he finally became… --- ## [Ten years since Fast Food Nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-since-fast-food-nation/645793)
**Author:** [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-years-since-fast-food-nation/645793 "2013-01-13T08:39:44Z")
Eric Schlosser’s book Fast Food Nation was popular and even spawned a movie. I was listening to it yesterday and noticed that the references were mostly from the 1990s. Makes sense, it was published in 2003. So, here we … --- ## [Keeping things off the market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-things-off-the-market/647042)
**Author:** [@Qwakkeddup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qwakkeddup)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keeping-things-off-the-market/647042 "2013-01-13T06:09:11Z")
Midway’s Spy Hunter from 2001 features a music video and theme song performed by a band named Saliva. Looking through all of their albums, I don’t see any reference to that music anywhere, although Saliva has released s… --- ## [Another Gun Control Thread---Mental Illness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-gun-control-thread-mental-illness/646539)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-gun-control-thread-mental-illness/646539 "2013-01-13T01:16:35Z")
I know that gun control threads are everywhere, but I wanted to concentrate solely for the purposes of this thread (and we’ll see how that goes) as to the what, why, and how increasing access to mental illness databases … --- ## [Why are US prisoners not allowed sex changes or methadone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-us-prisoners-not-allowed-sex-changes-or-methadone/646398)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2013, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-us-prisoners-not-allowed-sex-changes-or-methadone/646398 "2013-01-13T00:15:04Z")
I can fully understand why the great unwashed would be all “I don’t want my tax dollars going on this”. But my understanding is that US prisoners have rights to full and proper medical treatment, and there is no doubt t… --- ## [Man has consensual sex with a woman then she falsely cries rape. Is it possible to prove innocence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-has-consensual-sex-with-a-woman-then-she-falsely-cries-rape-is-it-possible-to-prove-innocence/582074)
**Author:** [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Replies:** 206\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-has-consensual-sex-with-a-woman-then-she-falsely-cries-rape-is-it-possible-to-prove-innocence/582074 "2013-01-12T22:28:49Z")
Simple scenario: Man meets woman in bar/grocery store/church. Both are sober. He takes her to his hotel room and has sex with her, cumming in whatever hole fits the story. The next day she cries rape for any reason y… --- ## [A Gun Control Analogy to Driving](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gun-control-analogy-to-driving/646730)
**Author:** [@NamelessKing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NamelessKing)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-gun-control-analogy-to-driving/646730 "2013-01-12T22:25:10Z")
I was watching this Daily Show episode, and it had me thinking about the use of analogy between Gun Control laws and Driving Laws. It begins 8 minutes in. Specifically the analogy was that we regulate vehicles to cur… --- ## [What's The Difference Between a Freedom Fighter and a Terrorist.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-freedom-fighter-and-a-terrorist/645774)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-difference-between-a-freedom-fighter-and-a-terrorist/645774 "2013-01-12T19:19:26Z")
A Freedom Fighter won the war and a Terrorist lost the war. Hmmm…I might be a bit harsh here, so is there a real difference besides who won. --- ## [How much damage could an "Evil" U.S. President do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-damage-could-an-evil-u-s-president-do/646881)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-damage-could-an-evil-u-s-president-do/646881 "2013-01-12T19:02:15Z")
Morbid fascination question here that has no political bearing on our current or previous administration(s). Suppose that someone with deep seeded hatred for our country (terrorist minded) were born and raised in Americ… --- ## [How can economic inequality in the United States be reduced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-economic-inequality-in-the-united-states-be-reduced/645792)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-economic-inequality-in-the-united-states-be-reduced/645792 "2013-01-12T14:27:06Z")
N.B.: I’m asking “How?” Please do not hijack this into “Why?” For purposes of this thread, at least, we will simply assume that high income inequality in the United States is a Bad Thing and that Something Should Be D… --- ## [the Individual or the Collective??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-individual-or-the-collective/645051)
**Author:** [@wildorchid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wildorchid)\ **Replies:** 276\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-individual-or-the-collective/645051 "2013-01-12T13:53:34Z")
Individuality and self-dependence/ self-reliance are core American values, and Capitalism is a partner to them. (oppurtunity, ect…) Collectivism is becoming more mainstream in American ‘thinking’ and culture, and i see … --- ## [The GOP, Conservatives, and Insanity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gop-conservatives-and-insanity/641220)
**Author:** [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2013, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gop-conservatives-and-insanity/641220 "2013-01-12T12:42:50Z")
Put aside policy issues where we can disagree, but it seems to me that the right is starting to act in ways that are clearly insane. The earliest example I can think of is when GW Bush nominated Harriet Miers for the Su… --- ## [Pyramid schemes - the answer to dog breeding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pyramid-schemes-the-answer-to-dog-breeding/645460)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pyramid-schemes-the-answer-to-dog-breeding/645460 "2013-01-11T22:57:24Z")
I saw the recent link here to herbalife and since took a look at amway and other pyramid schemes, and actually think I can think of a way they could be useful - breeding a great pet dog. At present there are basically t… --- ## [How can we better prevent school shootings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-better-prevent-school-shootings/644051)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 585\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-better-prevent-school-shootings/644051 "2013-01-11T03:06:25Z")
Suppose it were your job to come up with a strategy, whether it be new legislation, new policies, etc. to prevent school shootings (or, if you’re feeling ambitious, mass shootings in general). Saying “People will always… --- ## [explain a miracle - religious debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-a-miracle-religious-debate/646335)
**Author:** [@Loreeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loreeee)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2013, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-a-miracle-religious-debate/646335 "2013-01-11T02:29:47Z")
I’m an italian atheist and I’m searching the rational explanation of the most recents christian catholics miracles. For the most famous miracles I found a rational explanation but there is a miracle, less famous, that I … --- ## [Is the Tea Party wing of the Republicans in fact a third party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tea-party-wing-of-the-republicans-in-fact-a-third-party/646782)
**Author:** [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2013, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-tea-party-wing-of-the-republicans-in-fact-a-third-party/646782 "2013-01-11T00:51:42Z")
More interested in hearing thoughts and opinions rather than trying to settle the matter, but since it is political GD seemed the right place for this. My thought is that the House of representatives is currently operat… --- ## [IMF study says it was wrong about Keynesianism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imf-study-says-it-was-wrong-about-keynesianism/646457)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2013, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/imf-study-says-it-was-wrong-about-keynesianism/646457 "2013-01-11T00:17:46Z")
To me, this seems intuitively obvious, but of course intuition does not equal science. So, does this study really say what Business Insider claims it says? Has Olivier Blanchard really “admitted” what it claims he ha… --- ## [Explain machine guns and the 2nd Amendment to me.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-machine-guns-and-the-2nd-amendment-to-me/644380)
**Author:** [@MrFloppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFloppy)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2013, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-machine-guns-and-the-2nd-amendment-to-me/644380 "2013-01-10T18:14:51Z")
It is my understanding that ownership of a machine gun/fully automatic weapon is heavily restricted/prohibited in the US. My questions are, how was this feat achieved with the 2nd Amendment in place? Are there reliabl… --- ## [O.J. Simpson, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/o-j-simpson-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt/645185)
**Author:** [@pchaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pchaos)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/o-j-simpson-beyond-a-reasonable-doubt/645185 "2013-01-10T16:39:44Z")
In order for the Jury to find O.J. Simpson guilty of murder, the prosecution had to prove that it was beyond a reasonable doubt that he was guilty. Is that a reasonable standard? Should it be higher or lower? In gener… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=293) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=295)