# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=299 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 300 --- ## [Who owns a conversation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-a-conversation/643692)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2012, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-owns-a-conversation/643692 "2012-12-11T08:03:48Z")
Who owns a conversation? This treads on the edge of two issues in my mind. Firstly that of shared creations. How do we negotiate the creative input and output of a common endeavor? Secondly, that of the nature of creat… --- ## [Let's impose a federal luxury tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-impose-a-federal-luxury-tax/643325)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-impose-a-federal-luxury-tax/643325 "2012-12-11T02:23:08Z")
Right now I’m hearing a lot about the so-called “fiscal cliff”. Democrats want higher income taxes on the rich to raise federal revenue and ensure that the rich pay their fair share. Republicans respond that such taxes… --- ## [Why Are Chemical Weapons Considered Immoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-chemical-weapons-considered-immoral/643605)
**Author:** [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-chemical-weapons-considered-immoral/643605 "2012-12-11T02:16:56Z")
Mods: if this gets moved to Great Debates, so be it. I get that chem weapons are considered the line you don’t cross, just before nuclear weapons. But nukes cause long-lasting harm to the environment and to offspring of… --- ## [Why do people in the US have such a distrust of the UN?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-in-the-us-have-such-a-distrust-of-the-un/643106)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2012, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-in-the-us-have-such-a-distrust-of-the-un/643106 "2012-12-11T01:09:02Z")
Try to stick to answers which are as factual as possible please. The recent thread on the UN disabilities treaty got me thinking, that while all nations have certain reservations about and dislikes of the UN, the US see… --- ## [What is so bad about the fiscal cliff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-bad-about-the-fiscal-cliff/642278)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-so-bad-about-the-fiscal-cliff/642278 "2012-12-10T21:58:17Z")
This is in GD because although there may be a factual answer, I suspect most replies will come from the Neo-Keynesians on the board with their typical line of “Holy shit!!! If we don’t keep shoveling currency in the furn… --- ## [UN Disabilities treaty](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-disabilities-treaty/643075)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/un-disabilities-treaty/643075 "2012-12-10T19:06:41Z")
Can someone explain, in non-crazy conspiracy words, why 38 senators voted down the UN Disabilities treaty? (I think it’s addressed here: Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Wikipedia) It seems like… --- ## [Journalist regrets helping set hostage free. Did he do anything wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/journalist-regrets-helping-set-hostage-free-did-he-do-anything-wrong/642584)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/journalist-regrets-helping-set-hostage-free-did-he-do-anything-wrong/642584 "2012-12-10T17:25:51Z")
Video link here. (after commercial :mad: ) Brazilian police had tried unsuccessfully for an hour to get a man to release holding his mother and sister hostage. Eventually he said that he would talk to a journalist that… --- ## [Bill O'Reilly: Christianity not a religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oreilly-christianity-not-a-religion/642548)
**Author:** [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-oreilly-christianity-not-a-religion/642548 "2012-12-10T15:21:31Z")
According to O’Reilly, the American government can promote Christianity because Christianity is a philosophy, not a religion. Is he making this up wholesale? Or is there actually a group of people who legitimately bel… --- ## ["Guns are the white man's tools of oppression"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-are-the-white-mans-tools-of-oppression/643470)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2012, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guns-are-the-white-mans-tools-of-oppression/643470 "2012-12-10T10:52:36Z")
(Because we don’t have enough gun debate threads yet. :p) Although those who favor gun control usually couch it in terms of public safety, I think there’s at least in part another agenda that is often implicit and somet… --- ## [A new philosophy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-philosophy/643545)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Lightbulb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Lightbulb)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-philosophy/643545 "2012-12-10T02:36:49Z")
I’ve stumbled over a new philosophy called Alkuajatus, which is Finnish for “The Original Thought”. Briefly about it: As we grow up, we copy thoughts for life from our environment. Regardless of what culture or country… --- ## [1964 and 1968 as realigning elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1964-and-1968-as-realigning-elections/643433)
**Author:** [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1964-and-1968-as-realigning-elections/643433 "2012-12-09T17:26:32Z")
Some argue that the 1964 and 1968 elections were realigning elections for the Republican and Democrat parties around the issue of civil rights. In 1964 Johnson (D) pushed for civil rights while Goldwater ® pushed for st… --- ## [Hostility of middle east towards Israel and the west could lead to all out war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hostility-of-middle-east-towards-israel-and-the-west-could-lead-to-all-out-war/641479)
**Author:** [@sweat209](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweat209)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hostility-of-middle-east-towards-israel-and-the-west-could-lead-to-all-out-war/641479 "2012-12-09T15:24:00Z")
Well first of all there has been very high Hostility in the middle east towards Israel and the western civilization for long time and it was only really Egypt keeping an all out war. This time hostility towards Israel a… --- ## [Can someone tell me what this (probably right wing) photo means?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-this-probably-right-wing-photo-means/643059)
**Author:** [@I\_Know\_Nothing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Know_Nothing)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-tell-me-what-this-probably-right-wing-photo-means/643059 "2012-12-09T02:33:12Z")
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/67847\_445360718846902\_1000714371\_n.jpg It’s just a picture of a head with the caption: Reached my credit limit? No problem. You just let me determine my own credit limit and … --- ## [Do you have a right to reproduce?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-reproduce/642968)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-right-to-reproduce/642968 "2012-12-08T21:04:44Z")
The human population expansion since the industrial revolution has been staggering, just recently topping 7 billion. We live in an environmentally aware age, knowing the potential problems our combine reproductive organs… --- ## [The Middle East Without Oil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-middle-east-without-oil/641983)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-middle-east-without-oil/641983 "2012-12-08T17:52:46Z")
What would happen if, hypothetically, there was no demand whatsoever for Middle East oil (or anyone else’s oil, coal, natural gas or other fossil fuel)? What if all the Middle East had as bargaining chips were, I don’t k… --- ## [Is personal bankruptcy a form a welfare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-personal-bankruptcy-a-form-a-welfare/642533)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-personal-bankruptcy-a-form-a-welfare/642533 "2012-12-08T16:50:10Z")
A couple I know declared bankruptcy some time ago. They are both uber-conservative, Ayn Rand fans kind of people. I got to thinking that there are a lot of similarities between the end results of a bankruptcy and going… --- ## [Huge government shutdown imminent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huge-government-shutdown-imminent/643361)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2012, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/huge-government-shutdown-imminent/643361 "2012-12-08T06:17:57Z")
Liberally minded blogger Josh Marshall doesn’t see how the current state of the debt ceiling issue won’t lead to a great big government shutdown early next year. See any holes in his reasoning? Do you think his predict… --- ## [Tax deduction on mortgage interest being chopped](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-deduction-on-mortgage-interest-being-chopped/642374)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-deduction-on-mortgage-interest-being-chopped/642374 "2012-12-07T21:05:54Z")
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563\_162-57555279/will-tax-deduction-on-mortgage-interest-face-chopping-block/ Do you think this is likely to happen? Is this a wise way to raise revenue? I can see this piggybacking on t… --- ## [Cliff Negotiations Strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cliff-negotiations-strategy/643124)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2012, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cliff-negotiations-strategy/643124 "2012-12-07T20:14:01Z")
Let’s talk about the strategy for the negotiations now going on, or not going on. The good and bad points of the proposal can go someplace else, I’m only interested in the gamesmanship. An article in the Times last week… --- ## [Potential responses to Syrian chemical weapons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-responses-to-syrian-chemical-weapons/643155)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-responses-to-syrian-chemical-weapons/643155 "2012-12-07T13:36:34Z")
In the news today, Syria has apparently locked and loaded their sarin gas bombs and is just waiting for Assad to put on his big girl panties and give the order. Also in the news is a lot of euphemistic talk about “red l… --- ## [Should Catholic priests be required to report crimes admitted in the confessional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-catholic-priests-be-required-to-report-crimes-admitted-in-the-confessional/641052)
**Author:** [@rhysf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhysf)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-catholic-priests-be-required-to-report-crimes-admitted-in-the-confessional/641052 "2012-12-07T11:04:42Z")
As stated here, there’s to be a Royal Commission into the way institutions in Australia respond to instances of child sexual abuse. It’s not clear yet which institutions will be included but it’s largely a response to th… --- ## [Calling all Great Minds: The Theory of Everything](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-great-minds-the-theory-of-everything/640862)
**Author:** [@Anthem\_0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anthem_0)\ **Replies:** 653\ **Last updated:** [December 7, 2012, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-great-minds-the-theory-of-everything/640862 "2012-12-07T04:05:33Z")
Calling all Great Minds: The Theory of Everything The Theory of Everything Premises: We don’t see in three-dimensions, we see in two-dimensional surface area. We can only see the OUT sides of objects. What we call d… --- ## [The Gun Control Halftime Show...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gun-control-halftime-show/642905)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 228\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2012, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-gun-control-halftime-show/642905 "2012-12-06T18:57:32Z")
I don’t watch sports on TV, so I only know what I read here. Basically, some guy named Bob Costas, who is I guess a famous sports announcer, decided to give a gun control speech at halftime of a football game because of… --- ## [Should Society be Darwinian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-society-be-darwinian/642749)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-society-be-darwinian/642749 "2012-12-06T00:36:04Z")
If humans are animals, and if Darwinian evolutionary theory correctly explains the diversity and modification of species over time, then does it not follow that opposition to Social Darwinism, which is the application of… --- ## [Shouldn't physics theories declaring themselves to be unprovable be dismissed out of hand? Faith|Sci](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-physics-theories-declaring-themselves-to-be-unprovable-be-dismissed-out-of-hand-faith-sci/642867)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 6, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-physics-theories-declaring-themselves-to-be-unprovable-be-dismissed-out-of-hand-faith-sci/642867 "2012-12-06T00:30:15Z")
See subject. I believe I’ve seen some seriously spelled out as such. Now physics theories that are unprovable at the moment are fine. 2. But the theories I am thinking of, which say “the math works, so it has a right … --- ## [Why is ignorance of age not an excuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ignorance-of-age-not-an-excuse/538677)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 665\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-ignorance-of-age-not-an-excuse/538677 "2012-12-05T23:06:12Z")
I was reading the thread here about Lawrence Taylor’s arrest and someone said that his ignorance of the girls age would not prevent charges against him. If I have consensual sex with someone that looks and acts like a 21… --- ## [A good word for public sector unions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-word-for-public-sector-unions/642756)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-good-word-for-public-sector-unions/642756 "2012-12-05T20:05:26Z")
This opinion piece in the Washington Post lays out two ideas which I endorse as accurate. The first: This should be no surprise to anyone-- it’s a well-known conservative critique of public-sector unions. The second: … --- ## [Competing rights - how to resolve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competing-rights-how-to-resolve/641139)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 197\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/competing-rights-how-to-resolve/641139 "2012-12-05T19:23:39Z")
Here is an article from today’s Toronto Star that describes an interesting quandary. In brief a woman went to a local barbershop because she was seeking "a man’s haircut’. The barber refused to cut her hair since, as he… --- ## [Libertarian: Newlywed Game Remark](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-newlywed-game-remark/20846)
**Author:** [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-newlywed-game-remark/20846 "2012-12-05T16:17:53Z")
A while ago, there was a long thread in which Libertarian insisted he’d seen an episode of The Newlywed Game in which a contestant was asked where the strangest place she’d made whoopee was, and she said, “That’d be the … --- ## [Quandry: Death Row inmate cures cancer. Should he still die?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quandry-death-row-inmate-cures-cancer-should-he-still-die/642587)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quandry-death-row-inmate-cures-cancer-should-he-still-die/642587 "2012-12-05T14:08:36Z")
Dr. Smith is a brilliant oncologist living in Texas and is regarded as one of the best in his field. Arriving home early from a conference on late-stage lymphoma, he finds his wife in bed with his best friend. In a momen… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=298) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=300)