# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=297 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 298 --- ## [A modern military defense strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modern-military-defense-strategy/644846)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-modern-military-defense-strategy/644846 "2012-12-26T23:24:03Z")
This idea is not really applicable to specifically the US, because the US as a nation has different strategic goals with its military (such as force projection). What I’ve been thinking about is what a modern military de… --- ## [If a Newtown teacher had been armed and prevented many deaths...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-newtown-teacher-had-been-armed-and-prevented-many-deaths/644948)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-newtown-teacher-had-been-armed-and-prevented-many-deaths/644948 "2012-12-26T18:08:44Z")
would they have been charged with a crime? Should they have been? For purposes of this debate, assume that the teacher were legally licensed to carry a firearm but could not legally do so at the school. Also assume tha… --- ## [Time to change 2nd Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-change-2nd-amendment/644102)
**Author:** [@Nom\_de\_Plume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nom_de_Plume)\ **Replies:** 287\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-to-change-2nd-amendment/644102 "2012-12-26T03:40:45Z")
The framers of the U.S. Constitution were smart enough to make the document malleable. I believe it may be time to change the second amendment to make it very clear and to account for weapons the framers did not consi… --- ## [Truly understanding anothers point of view.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truly-understanding-anothers-point-of-view/644500)
**Author:** [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/truly-understanding-anothers-point-of-view/644500 "2012-12-26T03:03:48Z")
(Note: the debate is about the second paragraph, while I have no objections to the porn portion its not what I am after) Future breakthroughs in computer/bio/nano tech have led to the creation of a recording device that… --- ## [What to do about crazed shooters? Send them on a mission somewhere](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-crazed-shooters-send-them-on-a-mission-somewhere/645052)
**Author:** [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-about-crazed-shooters-send-them-on-a-mission-somewhere/645052 "2012-12-25T22:26:17Z")
I posted this in one of the other threads, so my apologies if this is redundant. Anyway, with all the talk about guns - I don’t think anyone is really afraid of guns per se, the real issue is what to do about the crazies… --- ## [Yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theater vs. Trying to prevent people opening fire in a crowded theater](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yelling-fire-in-a-crowded-theater-vs-trying-to-prevent-people-opening-fire-in-a-crowded-theater/644992)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2012, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yelling-fire-in-a-crowded-theater-vs-trying-to-prevent-people-opening-fire-in-a-crowded-theater/644992 "2012-12-25T13:10:16Z")
Okay, so the Second Amendment says that owning a firearm is a protected right. So is freedom of speech. So why is there a whole Wiki page showing dozens of exceptions and limitations for free speech? As far as I can … --- ## [If the Founding Fathers could see us now](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-founding-fathers-could-see-us-now/644640)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [December 25, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-founding-fathers-could-see-us-now/644640 "2012-12-25T00:18:00Z")
This started as a hijack of the main Don’t we have an obligation as a society to look at ways to curb gun violence? thread. It’s only mind-numbingly simple if you have a numb mind. I contend that if the Founding… --- ## [Hairsplitting in Jewish Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairsplitting-in-jewish-law/643676)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hairsplitting-in-jewish-law/643676 "2012-12-24T19:08:58Z")
Let me be perfectly clear, Mr. Nixon: I have no intention of offending anyone with this question. It genuinely puzzles me. So Orthodox Jews follow a number of complex and rather arcane laws to guide daily life. I can re… --- ## [Anti-psychotics and anti-depressants go OTC - what happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-psychotics-and-anti-depressants-go-otc-what-happens/644995)
**Author:** [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-psychotics-and-anti-depressants-go-otc-what-happens/644995 "2012-12-24T16:56:54Z")
What would happen if entire families of anti-psychotic and anti-depressive medications became either over-the-counter, or if still by prescription were government-subsidized to the point where the cost to the individual … --- ## [Why did God create Lucifer Morningstar? (Satan)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-god-create-lucifer-morningstar-satan/641751)
**Author:** [@James52637](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James52637)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2012, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-god-create-lucifer-morningstar-satan/641751 "2012-12-24T04:03:43Z")
Ya know, that’s a super simple question that no preacher or theologists have been able to give a successful answer to for me. ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE: God created everything, right? God knows everything, past and prese… --- ## [Why Do Liberals Support Affirmation Action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-liberals-support-affirmation-action/643058)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2012, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-liberals-support-affirmation-action/643058 "2012-12-23T22:39:52Z")
There’s one thing I just don’t understand. Why do liberals generally support Affirmative Action? Without going into too many details just yet, AA basically changes (or “unlevels”) the playfield, so it favors African Ame… --- ## [Questions about the Royal Prank call.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-royal-prank-call/643945)
**Author:** [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-the-royal-prank-call/643945 "2012-12-23T20:28:42Z")
I have read a lot in world newspapers about this. There are still many unanswered questions. What procedures did/does King Edward VII hospital have for calls from relatives of Royals? I heard some people say the reaso… --- ## [Could Jesus have understood modern English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-jesus-have-understood-modern-english/352169)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-jesus-have-understood-modern-english/352169 "2012-12-23T19:47:43Z")
Inspired by a (possibly apocryphal) comment I read on-line, to the effect that “If English was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for us!” (Fundie Christian explaining why he didn’t want his kids learning “Foreign” … --- ## ["A Jewish and Democratic State." What does this mean to Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jewish-and-democratic-state-what-does-this-mean-to-israel/644545)
**Author:** [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-jewish-and-democratic-state-what-does-this-mean-to-israel/644545 "2012-12-22T18:44:54Z")
As a diversion from the 12 or so gun threads in GD at the moment, I’ve turned to an Israel/Palestine thread. I have only a basic working knowledge of the situation, being generally content to keep up with domestic, Ameri… --- ## [Deinstitutionalization In UK and Australia.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deinstitutionalization-in-uk-and-australia/644291)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deinstitutionalization-in-uk-and-australia/644291 "2012-12-22T17:18:05Z")
In the wake of the recent shooting in Newtown, Conn. there seems to be alot of renewed interest in the subject of deinstitutionalization (of the mentally ill). (This is silly in a way because the shooter was probably Aut… --- ## [Banks laundering terrorist and drug gang money](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banks-laundering-terrorist-and-drug-gang-money/628576)
**Author:** [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banks-laundering-terrorist-and-drug-gang-money/628576 "2012-12-22T15:21:33Z")
It’s just business, right: Words really do fail me on this one. On the one hand we have people giving their lives in a decades long war against drugs - no matter how absurd that whole (WAD) notion is, it’s still Gov … --- ## [Michigan Contemplates Becoming Right-To-Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-contemplates-becoming-right-to-work/643673)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 363\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-contemplates-becoming-right-to-work/643673 "2012-12-22T13:48:56Z")
Here is the summary of this story. I endorse this move. Unions are welcome to convince people they add some value, but they won’t be able to force people to join. Outstanding. --- ## [Can you justify modern animal farming once we can grow stuff in jars?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-justify-modern-animal-farming-once-we-can-grow-stuff-in-jars/644531)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-justify-modern-animal-farming-once-we-can-grow-stuff-in-jars/644531 "2012-12-22T13:27:43Z")
I have a feeling that in a hundred years’ time or so we will all be vegan\* and I tend to support this idea. Once we can grow meat in a jar that’s as good as proper meat (and extend this argument to “growing” leather, ins… --- ## [OnLine Budget Calculator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-budget-calculator/643335)
**Author:** [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/online-budget-calculator/643335 "2012-12-22T11:28:33Z")
(Not sure this is a GD topic but it underlies many debates, so…) During the election cycle I encountered a couple of examples of “build your own budget” calculators that had blocks for revenue on one side and blocks for… --- ## [Don't we have an obligation as a society to look at ways to curb gun violence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-have-an-obligation-as-a-society-to-look-at-ways-to-curb-gun-violence/641871)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 360\ **Last updated:** [December 22, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-we-have-an-obligation-as-a-society-to-look-at-ways-to-curb-gun-violence/641871 "2012-12-22T00:49:09Z")
Is is possible to ask that question without being accused of being anti-liberty? Is it possible to answer that question with something other than “automatic weapons for all, concealed carry everywhere” without being acc… --- ## [Belief systems do not have a one-to-one correspondence with reality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belief-systems-do-not-have-a-one-to-one-correspondence-with-reality/643103)
**Author:** [@Samsaric\_Helicoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Samsaric_Helicoid)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belief-systems-do-not-have-a-one-to-one-correspondence-with-reality/643103 "2012-12-20T22:28:11Z")
Belief systems are never complete in themselves. People that assume their belief systems reflect reality in a coherent manner are delusional. They may be useful tools (e.g., using an architecture to help build a house), … --- ## [Why should the Connecticut shooting change anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-connecticut-shooting-change-anything/644312)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-connecticut-shooting-change-anything/644312 "2012-12-20T17:38:33Z")
I’m always left a little numb following incidents such as last week’s shooting. Not as much by the violent act, but by the reactions to it. Is there any reason to view this type of event as anything other than a forese… --- ## [How can we prevent drunk driving deaths?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-prevent-drunk-driving-deaths/644140)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 136\ **Last updated:** [December 20, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-prevent-drunk-driving-deaths/644140 "2012-12-20T02:06:34Z")
Recent events have caused me to evaluate some statistics. 10,000 people are killed each year in the US as a result of drunk driving. Approximately 30 people each day. Approximately half of these people were innocent, … --- ## [Obama's Speech to the Memorial Service](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speech-to-the-memorial-service/644252)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speech-to-the-memorial-service/644252 "2012-12-19T18:00:20Z")
I must congratulate his speech writer. He called for more gun control on every level without asking for any gun control. He’s absolutely going in the wrong direction, but wasn’t that a great tap dance? --- ## [Is the United States a police state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-united-states-a-police-state/643964)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-united-states-a-police-state/643964 "2012-12-19T06:30:56Z")
Those of libertarian bent (like those who comment on Slashdot articles) think so. Heck, even here there are many who say that the default reaction to the police should be terror and hatred. What do you think of the cur… --- ## [So what will the administration propose about guns?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-will-the-administration-propose-about-guns/644148)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2012, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-will-the-administration-propose-about-guns/644148 "2012-12-19T05:09:15Z")
What do you suppose is the most likely course the Obama administration will take on gun control in the following weeks and months? I see the possibilities as: \[ul\]\[li\]Relatively nothing; propose some politically cheap m… --- ## [Mass Shootings: Acts of Terrorism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-shootings-acts-of-terrorism/644365)
**Author:** [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mass-shootings-acts-of-terrorism/644365 "2012-12-18T18:00:05Z")
The Batman theater shootings, the latest rampage; Nothing more or less than Acts of Terrorism. Killing innocents because of (insert crap here). Why don’t we just go ahead, call them that and get it out in the open. A… --- ## [Resolved: US labor law needs reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-us-labor-law-needs-reform/644013)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-us-labor-law-needs-reform/644013 "2012-12-18T17:43:02Z")
I posed a couple of questions to Human Action in the Michigan RTW thread, but it’s such a big concept and I’m pretty sure other people will have opinions and thoughts on it that I thought it deserved it’s own thread inst… --- ## [Belief a CHOICE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belief-a-choice/643482)
**Author:** [@rstrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rstrats)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belief-a-choice/643482 "2012-12-18T03:23:54Z")
A number of folks on these boards are saying or at least implying that they can consciously CHOOSE to believe things. If you are one of them perhaps one of you can help me. I have never been able to consciously CHOOSE an… --- ## [In reversal, President Obama to accept corporate donations to help fund inauguration](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-reversal-president-obama-to-accept-corporate-donations-to-help-fund-inauguration/643841)
**Author:** [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2012, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-reversal-president-obama-to-accept-corporate-donations-to-help-fund-inauguration/643841 "2012-12-17T20:08:35Z")
In reversal, President Obama to accept corporate donations to help fund inauguration I hope you didn’t actually think that Obama was any different than any of the other corporate-backed millionaires that run our countr… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=296) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=298)