# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=302 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 303 --- ## [Why the hostility towards states that want to secede?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174)
**Author:** [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-hostility-towards-states-that-want-to-secede/641174 "2012-11-19T21:52:23Z")
As of now, each of the U.S.'s 50 states have filed a petition for secession, with great fluctuation in the intensity of desire. http://www.examiner.com/article/secession-petition-updates-demand-for-50-states-to-secede-un… --- ## [Who are the protesters in Spain, Italy, Greece, & Portugal protesting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-protesters-in-spain-italy-greece-portugal-protesting/640981)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-protesters-in-spain-italy-greece-portugal-protesting/640981 "2012-11-19T20:11:15Z")
Widespread organized protesting throughout many European countries today over austerity measures which include government spending cutbacks and higher taxes. Who are these people protesting? Themselves as a country? D… --- ## [If this happened in the U.S., how would people react? \[arrest for offensive Facebook posts\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-this-happened-in-the-u-s-how-would-people-react-arrest-for-offensive-facebook-posts/637137)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-this-happened-in-the-u-s-how-would-people-react-arrest-for-offensive-facebook-posts/637137 "2012-11-19T19:37:45Z")
As two countries separated by a common language, I’m always interested in hearing the opinions of the rebellious colonials and the impact of the U.S. Constitution, one the most fascinating documents mankind has produced. … --- ## [Punish like it's 1699: Public shaming is back](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punish-like-its-1699-public-shaming-is-back/640896)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/punish-like-its-1699-public-shaming-is-back/640896 "2012-11-19T16:15:45Z")
When you think of being publicly humiliated for committing a crime in the United States, your thoughts might go to images of Puritans in stocks or Nathaniel Hawthorne novels. However, increasingly, judges are sentencin… --- ## [rate of moral decay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-of-moral-decay/640785)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2012, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rate-of-moral-decay/640785 "2012-11-19T07:22:10Z")
TL: DR–is there a standard model for rate of moral decay? are we more immoral now as a society than in the past? IS there a universal measure for morality? is that measure reliant on religious ideals, or is morality a… --- ## [Ban Boxing and Helmets In Football?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-boxing-and-helmets-in-football/635151)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ban-boxing-and-helmets-in-football/635151 "2012-11-18T20:15:16Z")
Why? Because both are barbaric. Boxing. What other sport do you win by bloodying and knocking your opponent senseless? Helmets takes a little more explaining, but I think you’ll have to agree they’re barbaric too. I wa… --- ## [I'm Considering joining the Church of Scientology! Am I insane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-considering-joining-the-church-of-scientology-am-i-insane/641331)
**Author:** [@ConfusedMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ConfusedMan)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-considering-joining-the-church-of-scientology-am-i-insane/641331 "2012-11-18T18:56:16Z")
I have never been a religious person or took religion seriously but I was raised Roman Catholic and had to attend church whilst at school. But recently I have been seriously thinking about religion over the last few mont… --- ## [Why does faith not need scientific evidence to be certain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-faith-not-need-scientific-evidence-to-be-certain/640919)
**Author:** [@Klisterhjernen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klisterhjernen)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-faith-not-need-scientific-evidence-to-be-certain/640919 "2012-11-18T13:58:03Z")
Hello!! As a devout Christian, I am constantly questioned about how I can possibly believe in God when there is no (or little) scientific evidence to support His existence. I have gotten quite tired of saying that “oh, … --- ## [Build A God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-god/639883)
**Author:** [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/build-a-god/639883 "2012-11-18T12:44:37Z")
Let us have a thought experiment–we at the SDMB shall use advanced physics, of the Reed Richards comic-book variety, to build a God. Not an all-powerful-creator-of-the-Universe-type God. Just a rather powerful, multipu… --- ## [Australian Royal Commission on child abuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-royal-commission-on-child-abuse/641012)
**Author:** [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2012, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/australian-royal-commission-on-child-abuse/641012 "2012-11-17T06:33:37Z")
I am happy to see the Australian Government is to have an Australian Royal Commission on child abuse. I hope it will be broad and lasts for years. Although I may not agree with many things Andrew Bolt says, I agree with… --- ## [How come jobs are created only (or primarily) by the wealthy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-jobs-are-created-only-or-primarily-by-the-wealthy/641195)
**Author:** [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-jobs-are-created-only-or-primarily-by-the-wealthy/641195 "2012-11-17T01:35:58Z")
In the last election cycle, it seemed (for a while anyway until he changed his stance) that Romney wanted to decrease taxes only on the wealthy, or at least increase taxes for eveyone else. The rationale for this was th… --- ## [Professor Asks a Stuttering Student \[ed.\] to Pose Qs Before or After Class](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professor-asks-a-stuttering-student-ed-to-pose-qs-before-or-after-class/599392)
**Author:** [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/professor-asks-a-stuttering-student-ed-to-pose-qs-before-or-after-class/599392 "2012-11-16T23:28:00Z")
12 October 2011: New York Times Front Page (Below the fold) \[QUOTE=Richard Perez Pena\] …Philip, a precocious and confident 16-year-old who is taking two college classes this semester, has a lot to say but also a profou… --- ## [Wage Slavery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wage-slavery/640826)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wage-slavery/640826 "2012-11-16T20:19:41Z")
The argument is sometimes made that if the only options available to a person other than starving are working for a wage for one of any number of employers, where none of those employers offers a wage that allows the per… --- ## [Why do Conservatives think lowering taxes = Fiscal responsibility?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-think-lowering-taxes-fiscal-responsibility/640204)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-conservatives-think-lowering-taxes-fiscal-responsibility/640204 "2012-11-16T00:24:27Z")
I’ve been browsing some conservative sites and the same theme crops up ‘lower taxes good for business’ and this may be true, however, it omits the fact that lower taxes force government to borrow more heavily and get int… --- ## [Obama Admin. violating 1st amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-admin-violating-1st-amendment/640878)
**Author:** [@SouthernGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SouthernGuy)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-admin-violating-1st-amendment/640878 "2012-11-15T22:27:41Z")
It seems to me here that the Obama Administration is violating the first amendment by forcing Christian business owners to provide a medical benefit to employees that go against their faith(such as contraceptives) … --- ## [The biggest election result: a win for gerrymandering](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biggest-election-result-a-win-for-gerrymandering/640794)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-biggest-election-result-a-win-for-gerrymandering/640794 "2012-11-15T22:26:32Z")
The House of Representatives didn’t get much attention on election night. It started out in Republican hands and stayed in Republican hands, with only a minor change in the number of seats held by each party. There act… --- ## [Was the 2009 GM bankruptcy an unprecedented travesty of justice for secured bondholders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-2009-gm-bankruptcy-an-unprecedented-travesty-of-justice-for-secured-bondholders/640008)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-2009-gm-bankruptcy-an-unprecedented-travesty-of-justice-for-secured-bondholders/640008 "2012-11-15T19:03:46Z")
I hear this repeated often among conservatives. But United Airlines filed chapter 11 in 1994 and employees would up with 55% ownership of that company. There is nothing much unprecedented about the GM settlement. I su… --- ## [Dopers, are we all one? Are we the universe experiencing itself subjectively?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-are-we-all-one-are-we-the-universe-experiencing-itself-subjectively/640894)
**Author:** [@Luk3112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luk3112)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dopers-are-we-all-one-are-we-the-universe-experiencing-itself-subjectively/640894 "2012-11-15T14:33:59Z")
Are we all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. Are we the universe’s consciousness? The law of attraction, I’ve spent literally days worth of hours reading into this. It claims somewhat that projecting p… --- ## [Sex is a mortal sin in the Catholic Church](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-is-a-mortal-sin-in-the-catholic-church/640312)
**Author:** [@Hottius\_Maximus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hottius_Maximus)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-is-a-mortal-sin-in-the-catholic-church/640312 "2012-11-15T13:10:15Z")
I was raised Catholic and while I still practice it, I am most definitely a “Cafeteria Catholic” since that’s what works for me. My question is this: WHY of all the sins, especially the so-called “mortal sins” that sen… --- ## [we voted to end affirmative action--is that progressive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-voted-to-end-affirmative-action-is-that-progressive/640218)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2012, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-voted-to-end-affirmative-action-is-that-progressive/640218 "2012-11-15T11:35:32Z")
the language in the bill threw me for a loop: the bill was seeking to end ^this, sans some specific exclusive cases when it should still be permitted. now. this caught me off guard–i was too caught up national stuff a… --- ## [Why is extramarital affairs cause for resignation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-extramarital-affairs-cause-for-resignation/640574)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-extramarital-affairs-cause-for-resignation/640574 "2012-11-14T21:37:34Z")
The director of CIA just resigned because it became known he had an extramarital affair. Everyone seems to agree that he’s very competent and well suited for the job, but this still seems to be the expected decision. To … --- ## [Liberal vs Progressive - a worthwhile distinction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-vs-progressive-a-worthwhile-distinction/639715)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-vs-progressive-a-worthwhile-distinction/639715 "2012-11-14T21:11:52Z")
I certainly think there is. I consider myself a free trade, capitalist, pro-choice, pro-gay marriage, pro-gun supporter of traditional liberalism. I am NOT a libertarian. I believe regulations are vital today more tha… --- ## [Social Security taxes will probably return to previous rates. Was the cut a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-taxes-will-probably-return-to-previous-rates-was-the-cut-a-good-idea/639460)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-taxes-will-probably-return-to-previous-rates-was-the-cut-a-good-idea/639460 "2012-11-14T20:53:28Z")
In 2010, President Obama requested and Congress approved of cutting Social Security taxes from 6.2% to 4.2%. Unless something surprising happens, the rate will return to 6.2% in January of 2013. Was the tax cut a wise … --- ## [Is there any legal justification for impeachment of Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-legal-justification-for-impeachment-of-obama/640573)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-legal-justification-for-impeachment-of-obama/640573 "2012-11-14T20:06:15Z")
So I’m assuming there is a decent chance the GOP in the house will want to find a reason to impeach Obama to get revenge on him for being the president. Do they have any legal justification for doing so? I haven’t been … --- ## [Why does the CIA director have to resign over something as ordinary as adultery?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-cia-director-have-to-resign-over-something-as-ordinary-as-adultery/640953)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-cia-director-have-to-resign-over-something-as-ordinary-as-adultery/640953 "2012-11-14T14:42:49Z")
It makes no sense! Is there, perhaps, something more to this story than the sex? --- ## [What are the benefits to Global Climate Change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-to-global-climate-change/640627)
**Author:** [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-to-global-climate-change/640627 "2012-11-14T14:22:21Z")
This isn’t a political thread or even a scientific one about whether Global Climate Change is occurring. Let’s just assume that it is, the cause doesn’t matter, and it cannot be avoided significantly by anything we can c… --- ## [What do Libertarians think should happen when disasters strike?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-libertarians-think-should-happen-when-disasters-strike/640758)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-libertarians-think-should-happen-when-disasters-strike/640758 "2012-11-14T09:04:38Z")
So Hurricane Sandy came along and messed up some pretty populous areas of the country, some of which are still trying to come to terms with things. When this happened, FEMA on the federal level and a ton of assistance f… --- ## [Monsanto- Is it really Teh Evil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monsanto-is-it-really-teh-evil/638500)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monsanto-is-it-really-teh-evil/638500 "2012-11-14T04:51:17Z")
Listening to Coast to Coast AM, opening my Facebook, checking the occasional Conspiracy Buff site- either Left or Right, I am hearing & seeing stuff about Monsanto corrupting the food supply, poisoning humanity, killing … --- ## [Did HIV/AIDS aid or damage the progress of the LGBT rights movement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hiv-aids-aid-or-damage-the-progress-of-the-lgbt-rights-movement/640439)
**Author:** [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-hiv-aids-aid-or-damage-the-progress-of-the-lgbt-rights-movement/640439 "2012-11-13T20:23:24Z")
More specifically, did the emergence of HIV/AIDS have a net effect of hastening or delaying the onset of greater legal and cultural acceptance of homosexuality? I’ve heard arguments supporting either view. On one hand, … --- ## [Leaving the Middle East giving the opposition a chance to rebuild.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-the-middle-east-giving-the-opposition-a-chance-to-rebuild/640675)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaving-the-middle-east-giving-the-opposition-a-chance-to-rebuild/640675 "2012-11-13T17:23:29Z")
The argument I often hear for not leaving the ME is that if we leave now the ‘bad guys’ will have a chance to rebuild because we haven’t completely destroyed their infrastructure. I get that, but haven’t we given them s… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=301) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=303)