# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=301 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 302 --- ## [Hey Conservatives... can you get behind this? \[Home Affordable Refinancing Program\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-conservatives-can-you-get-behind-this-home-affordable-refinancing-program/641504)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-conservatives-can-you-get-behind-this-home-affordable-refinancing-program/641504 "2012-11-27T22:21:16Z")
So I just recently learned a little about the Government’s Home Affordable Refinancing Program (HARP) due to a personal experience and a dear family friend who has been pretty beaten down by the economy. Recently I just… --- ## [Why don't all attempted genocides get equal billing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-attempted-genocides-get-equal-billing/642190)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-all-attempted-genocides-get-equal-billing/642190 "2012-11-27T20:07:46Z")
I really have to stop reading about the US’ treatment of native Americans - it is too damned depressing! But combined with my regular travel past the Illinois Holocaust Museum, I keep finding myself wondering why (at le… --- ## [Your Opinion of the BEST and WORST POTUS in the Modern Era?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinion-of-the-best-and-worst-potus-in-the-modern-era/641197)
**Author:** [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2012, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-opinion-of-the-best-and-worst-potus-in-the-modern-era/641197 "2012-11-27T17:12:06Z")
Chose modern area because I think we can all agree Washington was the best. If you disagree, GET OUTTA MY COUNTRY! :stuck\_out\_tongue: So who was the best starting with 1901 to current; who was the worst in your opinion. … --- ## [If we had no Atomic Bombs, when would World War II have ended?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-had-no-atomic-bombs-when-would-world-war-ii-have-ended/641520)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2012, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-we-had-no-atomic-bombs-when-would-world-war-ii-have-ended/641520 "2012-11-27T01:26:37Z")
We’ve argued about the rights and wrongs of the bombs many times before - I’ve even suggested that Fat Man and Little Boy ultimately saved millions beyond the Japanese islands. But I want to address a more specific ques… --- ## [The case of the Texas child-tracker](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-the-texas-child-tracker/641920)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-the-texas-child-tracker/641920 "2012-11-26T23:09:37Z")
This is a really odd story, wanted some opinions on it - an independent high school district in San Antonio, Texas implemented a policy whereby all students have to wear an ID badge with a radio tracker in it, the idea b… --- ## [Secular arguments against same-sex marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-arguments-against-same-sex-marriage/641570)
**Author:** [@Hershele\_Ostropoler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hershele_Ostropoler)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-arguments-against-same-sex-marriage/641570 "2012-11-26T18:52:47Z")
I’m passingly familiar with the (Abrahamic) religious objections to marriage equality. Are there any that aren’t based in religion, other than appeals to “tradition” which in the U.S. is, in this context, religion by ano… --- ## [Stunning statistic disqualifies Puerto Rico from US statehood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stunning-statistic-disqualifies-puerto-rico-from-us-statehood/641684 "2012-11-26T16:06:20Z")
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903532804576564543481258206.html Is it possible to revoke their US citizenship? --- ## [The dangers of stretch marks and loose skin should be emphasised more. Also, fuck anorexics.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dangers-of-stretch-marks-and-loose-skin-should-be-emphasised-more-also-fuck-anorexics/640417)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-dangers-of-stretch-marks-and-loose-skin-should-be-emphasised-more-also-fuck-anorexics/640417 "2012-11-26T15:20:03Z")
I believe that much like we have sex education and anti-smoking education from the ages of around ten, we should have anti-fat education (different to nutrition education). And furthermore, two things need to be mentione… --- ## [Language is meaningless!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-is-meaningless/137897)
**Author:** [@Pythagras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pythagras)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/language-is-meaningless/137897 "2012-11-26T12:46:36Z")
Consider the external world. For all practical purposes it is a sea of something-ness that exists independent of us. We, however, deem it necessesary to ‘know’ about the world. So we take a set of characteristics that we… --- ## [Limit Copyright to 12 years, followed by max 34 years of \*paid\* extensions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limit-copyright-to-12-years-followed-by-max-34-years-of-paid-extensions/641286)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2012, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/limit-copyright-to-12-years-followed-by-max-34-years-of-paid-extensions/641286 "2012-11-26T10:15:10Z")
I’ve come across a document entitled “Three Myths about Copyright Law and Where to Start to Fix it” by one J. Jordan. It proposes the following: A. Free 12-year copyright term for all new works – subject to registratio… --- ## [Morsy. New Strongman in town?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morsy-new-strongman-in-town/641969)
**Author:** [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morsy-new-strongman-in-town/641969 "2012-11-25T17:31:41Z")
I have not seen a thread on this yet. So if you do not know that the Egyptian President, fresh off earning Plaudits for his role in the Ghaza ceasefire has basically made himself the absolute ruler of Misr.. Now it is cl… --- ## [Did Kristof predict a new feudalism in our future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kristof-predict-a-new-feudalism-in-our-future/641936)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-kristof-predict-a-new-feudalism-in-our-future/641936 "2012-11-25T02:02:48Z")
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/22/opinion/kristof-a-failed-experiment.html?smid=tw-nytopinion&seid=auto His Op-Ed is titled “A Failed Experiment”, but I think it might have been titled something like: “The danger of a n… --- ## [An IVF ethics question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ivf-ethics-question/641940)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-ivf-ethics-question/641940 "2012-11-24T23:18:22Z")
There was an article in today’s Chicago Tribune: http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/la-me-embryo-20121120,0,4327435.story?page=1 (Link may work for only a short time; the Trib’s online edition becomes subscriber-only… --- ## [How does choosing a military job then getting hurt doing your job make you a "hero"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-choosing-a-military-job-then-getting-hurt-doing-your-job-make-you-a-hero/641522)
**Author:** [@Snow\_Pea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snow_Pea)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-choosing-a-military-job-then-getting-hurt-doing-your-job-make-you-a-hero/641522 "2012-11-24T14:58:19Z")
I’m not bashing the military or anything, I have a pretty neutral opinion of the various wars and military operations the US has been involved in over the past decade or so. I’ve been following the tragic story of the f… --- ## [The worst offense is taking offense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-offense-is-taking-offense/641874)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-worst-offense-is-taking-offense/641874 "2012-11-23T17:41:11Z")
Looking closely at the few times in my life when I’ve legitimately felt offended, they were almost always cases where someone else has taken offense at something I’d done. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve hurt worse or fel… --- ## [Is a desire to secede from a country a sign of patriotism? Ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-desire-to-secede-from-a-country-a-sign-of-patriotism-ever/641774)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2012, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-desire-to-secede-from-a-country-a-sign-of-patriotism-ever/641774 "2012-11-23T09:06:25Z")
This started as an offhand comment I made in the face of the current crop of people who have expressed a desire that their states secede from the union, so dissatisfied they are with the reelection of Barack Obama. My o… --- ## [Official language laws and the First Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-language-laws-and-the-first-amendment/641268)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2012, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-language-laws-and-the-first-amendment/641268 "2012-11-23T07:09:52Z")
From what I’ve read, most legal arguments in opposition to laws making English an official language have been based on equal protection or due process issues. Has anyone ever argued the freedom of speech issue? It would… --- ## [Why does Christianity not play much of a role in the Middle East](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-christianity-not-play-much-of-a-role-in-the-middle-east/641466)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-christianity-not-play-much-of-a-role-in-the-middle-east/641466 "2012-11-22T17:53:16Z")
Christianity came into existence in the Middle East in the 1st century AD. However, while the Jews and Muslims have been fighting in the region since time eternal and continue to do so, Christians seem to have no role o… --- ## [The "car train" revisited.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-car-train-revisited/481381)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-car-train-revisited/481381 "2012-11-22T16:14:32Z")
Back in July Sam Stone created a thread devoted to the idea of what he called “the car train” and provoked discussion regarding wireless communication between cars and ad hoc “platooning” of vehicles. Now this update: … --- ## [Abandoning the euro for dummies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abandoning-the-euro-for-dummies/641638)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2012, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abandoning-the-euro-for-dummies/641638 "2012-11-22T08:45:01Z")
If they work anything like American banks, Greek banks have reserves - euro notes and accounts at the ECB; assets - loans outstanding, denominated in euros; and liabilities in the form of deposits. They could change the … --- ## [Let us not restrict ourselves to just this board, let us spread our learnings elsewhere!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-us-not-restrict-ourselves-to-just-this-board-let-us-spread-our-learnings-elsewhere/641807)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2012, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-us-not-restrict-ourselves-to-just-this-board-let-us-spread-our-learnings-elsewhere/641807 "2012-11-22T05:55:34Z")
In fact, I know of a place that is in need of illumination regarding inflation and the power of the Dollar. Right here: come on in, sit down and have a good old time. --- ## [The first inhabitants of the Americas came from the Bering Strait?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-inhabitants-of-the-americas-came-from-the-bering-strait/640936)
**Author:** [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-first-inhabitants-of-the-americas-came-from-the-bering-strait/640936 "2012-11-22T04:51:51Z")
Years ago the consensus was that 100% of the first inhabitants of the Americas came from the Bering Strait. There has been much DNA analysis. What is the current view on this? --- ## [Why so few spoke up for a woman who was abused on a city bus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-spoke-up-for-a-woman-who-was-abused-on-a-city-bus/641766)
**Author:** [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-spoke-up-for-a-woman-who-was-abused-on-a-city-bus/641766 "2012-11-21T21:38:25Z")
The woman starts singing in French at the back of the bus. No-one can escape listening to her. She is no Edith Piaf. She is asking for trouble. That does not mean there should be racist abuse. She does not though appear… --- ## [Life on Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-mars/641698)
**Author:** [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/life-on-mars/641698 "2012-11-21T18:31:23Z")
Boy does this look interesting: I’m assuming it’s some sort of support for the idea that Mars once had life. Could it be more than that? --- ## [An Independent Southern U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-independent-southern-u-s/641511)
**Author:** [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-independent-southern-u-s/641511 "2012-11-21T17:02:07Z")
In \[thread=672480\]this thread\[/thread\], BabaBooey proposed the hypothetical seccession of a “United States of the Southeastern Conference” in the hopes that the new nation would offer more economic and social freedom tha… --- ## [What is the Benghazi controversy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-benghazi-controversy/641217)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-benghazi-controversy/641217 "2012-11-21T16:54:32Z")
I don’t get exactly what the controversy is regarding the attack on the consolate in Libya? What exactly is the administration being accused of? Thanks, Rob --- ## [Abortion not supported by bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-not-supported-by-bible/641490)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-not-supported-by-bible/641490 "2012-11-21T15:07:50Z")
Recently I’ve read that Biblically speaking, there’s no support for abortion opposition, and strictly speaking, there’s literal interpretation of the opposite. So: Why is there now widespread fundie support for anti … --- ## [Who is the most important person to live in US history?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-important-person-to-live-in-us-history/640947)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2012, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-most-important-person-to-live-in-us-history/640947 "2012-11-21T09:42:50Z")
To avoid “Hitler” answers, I’ll clarify: “Please describe the person who you feel has contributed the most to our country, and why you chose that person.” --- ## [Should the President have the power of Line Item Veto?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-president-have-the-power-of-line-item-veto/641477)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-president-have-the-power-of-line-item-veto/641477 "2012-11-20T22:34:27Z")
I think that the President should, simply for the fact that it would eliminate the tremendous pork barrel spending happening in Washington. It would also get \*\*\*someone to actually read the damn things!\*\*\*Pork barrel spe… --- ## [Unions in America: When did the narrative change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unions-in-america-when-did-the-narrative-change/633126)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 480\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2012, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unions-in-america-when-did-the-narrative-change/633126 "2012-11-20T19:32:45Z")
I have never been in a union and I am ambivalent about them for the most part. However, I feel that many Americans view unions very differently than they did even a generation ago and I wonder why. One can make a legit… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=300) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=302)