# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=304 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 305 --- ## [Wickard v. Filburn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wickard-v-filburn/640145)
**Author:** [@Marlins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlins)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2012, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wickard-v-filburn/640145 "2012-11-07T01:33:20Z")
Do you think Wickard v. Filburn should be overturned? Explain why yes or why not. --- ## [Is there any hope for health care in the U.S.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-hope-for-health-care-in-the-u-s/638442)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-hope-for-health-care-in-the-u-s/638442 "2012-11-07T00:39:02Z")
Even though I am a conservative I see no hope for affordable healthcare in the U.S. short of setting up a complete healthcare system just like the military. Goverment owned schools, hospitals, equipment, and employees. … --- ## [Illegal for legislators to purposely tank economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-for-legislators-to-purposely-tank-economy/639698)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-for-legislators-to-purposely-tank-economy/639698 "2012-11-06T19:14:08Z")
There have been many charges levied against the Republican Congressmen that they have thwarted legislation that they know will help the US economy in order to weaken President Obama’s chances of re-election. Being GQ, I… --- ## [Hospitality or Death? Guys asks for shelter from snowstorm?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospitality-or-death-guys-asks-for-shelter-from-snowstorm/631731)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hospitality-or-death-guys-asks-for-shelter-from-snowstorm/631731 "2012-11-06T18:15:30Z")
This was just mentioned in a GD thread having to do with abortion. It was a metaphor, but I wondered about the concrete reality. Suppose I live in a house in the middle of nowhere, miles and miles away from any other s… --- ## [Practicalities and sense of roaming social media sites looking for the suicidal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practicalities-and-sense-of-roaming-social-media-sites-looking-for-the-suicidal/638374)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/practicalities-and-sense-of-roaming-social-media-sites-looking-for-the-suicidal/638374 "2012-11-06T17:54:08Z")
just read a news story about someone who killed herself and it gave me an idea (and it is not entirely new; I recall reading about someone who did something a bit like this in South Korea, but he was looking for suicide … --- ## [What can we do about Fox News?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-do-about-fox-news/638693)
**Author:** [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-we-do-about-fox-news/638693 "2012-11-06T12:44:20Z")
At this point, it’s abundantly clear that Fox News not only fails to be “Fair and Balanced,” but actively produces ignorance and misinformation on a host of issues: see this thread for detailed arguments and cites. So n… --- ## [Is Mormonism really like this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mormonism-really-like-this/639626)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2012, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mormonism-really-like-this/639626 "2012-11-06T05:15:46Z")
In this thread in Elections, Dogzilla linked this editorial: “Why a Mormon Should Not Be President.” The author is a SLC native and descendant of early Mormon pioneers. I found the following paragraphs most interesting… --- ## [Groups that don't accept climate change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groups-that-dont-accept-climate-change/639685)
**Author:** [@purple\_cow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purple_cow)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groups-that-dont-accept-climate-change/639685 "2012-11-06T02:15:18Z")
I know the arguments for and against climate change. Not looking to rehash here, there are plenty of other threads. I’m just looking for a factual answer. Are there any large, organized groups of people, outside of the … --- ## [What is Logic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-logic/639673)
**Author:** [@solosam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solosam)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-logic/639673 "2012-11-05T21:06:30Z")
I didn’t want to hijack the other thread, but I see a lot of very flowery and poetic statements about how Logic = Truth and then comparing Logic to various flora and fauna. These statements have me very confused. My un… --- ## [When you say freedom, what do you mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-say-freedom-what-do-you-mean/639364)
**Author:** [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-you-say-freedom-what-do-you-mean/639364 "2012-11-05T16:30:25Z")
Story: I was involved in local water politics about 10 years ago. Because our aquifer is in serious overdraft, the county board of supervisors wanted to monitor how much water large private wells were pumping. The outrag… --- ## [If there is monarchy in UK, and people dislike it why don't they protest against it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261)
**Author:** [@Fear\_of\_the\_Dark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_of_the_Dark)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-monarchy-in-uk-and-people-dislike-it-why-dont-they-protest-against-it/639261 "2012-11-05T14:27:51Z")
For example, they don’t howl down on Queen and anyone from his family (shouting at them etc) when they are being introduced or coming to the stadium in a tennis match. Why? If you dislike the monarchy, why don’t you prot… --- ## [A permanent War on Terror? Obama's "disposition matrix" for targeted killing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-permanent-war-on-terror-obamas-disposition-matrix-for-targeted-killing/638792)
**Author:** [@I\_Made\_French\_Toast\_For\_You](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Made_French_Toast_For_You)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-permanent-war-on-terror-obamas-disposition-matrix-for-targeted-killing/638792 "2012-11-05T11:06:46Z")
Monday’s foreign policy debate between Obama and Romney touched on a lot of issues, but only the briefest of caresses was given to drone strikes in the Middle East (the targeted killing by our government of certain indiv… --- ## [Which progressive ideas have not worked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-progressive-ideas-have-not-worked/639378)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-progressive-ideas-have-not-worked/639378 "2012-11-05T00:01:14Z")
I’m admittedly a teleologist, as one of my professors used the term, meaning that I think progress is being made generally. I’m a radical progressive, meaning that I think that new and radical solutions to many problems… --- ## [Greenpeace Says Electric cars a Bust-Do You Agree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenpeace-says-electric-cars-a-bust-do-you-agree/636152)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 278\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenpeace-says-electric-cars-a-bust-do-you-agree/636152 "2012-11-04T16:51:06Z")
Here’s the story:Greenpeace: Electric Cars Are a Bust - autoevolution I have to say that I agree-it makes no sense to make vehicles that cost 3-4 times that of conventional gasoline fueled vehicles, and have such poor u… --- ## [Climate Change and Hurricane Sandy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-and-hurricane-sandy/639677)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-change-and-hurricane-sandy/639677 "2012-11-04T06:00:50Z")
Some politicians from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have came out in the wake of Hurricane Sandy that if there is anything positive to take from the storm, that it should be that we c… --- ## [Every state in the U.S. enacts civil union guarantees for homosexuals. Now what for the detractors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-state-in-the-u-s-enacts-civil-union-guarantees-for-homosexuals-now-what-for-the-detractors/639430)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-state-in-the-u-s-enacts-civil-union-guarantees-for-homosexuals-now-what-for-the-detractors/639430 "2012-11-04T00:56:19Z")
Hypothetical: The year is 2026. The voters of every state in the U.S., including Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, etc., sigh a collective “Meh,” and vote to enact civil union guarantees for all LGBT people. What’s the next … --- ## [Are we in The Matrix?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-matrix/637059)
**Author:** [@al27052](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/al27052)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-in-the-matrix/637059 "2012-11-02T22:11:50Z")
I offer two bits of evidence: Quantum mechanics, specifically, the role of the observer in controlling the behavior of particles. What is that? How would any non-living system have the slightest idea whether or not… --- ## [Empathy kills logic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empathy-kills-logic/639489)
**Author:** [@sleestak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleestak)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2012, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/empathy-kills-logic/639489 "2012-11-02T21:49:31Z")
Or logic kills empathy. Link to article here. Link to study here. For those who don’t want to read the articles: There appear to be different circuits in the brain, one for empathy and one for logic. Brain scans show … --- ## [Benghazigate: How do Liberals see it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazigate-how-do-liberals-see-it/638843)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benghazigate-how-do-liberals-see-it/638843 "2012-11-02T21:04:41Z")
So I’ve been spending most of my time recently on a political forum which, while one could not quite call it a “conservative” message board, is certainly a lot more full of crazy than this one. Liberals are in a minority… --- ## [Why is healthcare cheaper in nations with UHC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-healthcare-cheaper-in-nations-with-uhc/638840)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2012, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-healthcare-cheaper-in-nations-with-uhc/638840 "2012-11-02T15:28:21Z")
Assuming that this is an established fact (I think it is), why is this the case? Thanks, Rob --- ## [Unique physical features of various ethnic groups?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unique-physical-features-of-various-ethnic-groups/346236)
**Author:** [@filemat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filemat)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2012, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unique-physical-features-of-various-ethnic-groups/346236 "2012-11-02T13:31:52Z")
A friend of mine claimed blacks and whites have a different amount of teeth. Surely this isn’t true, is it? Regardless, I would love to hear about such interesting physiological “features” for various groups of people. … --- ## [Law Limiting Highest to Lowest Compensation Ratio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-limiting-highest-to-lowest-compensation-ratio/638961)
**Author:** [@dataguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dataguy)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-limiting-highest-to-lowest-compensation-ratio/638961 "2012-11-01T22:28:32Z")
There is a problem with the relative distribution of wealth in America. Historically, this leads to social instability when income disparity becomes too large. Instead of achieving redistribution through taxation. how … --- ## [Is the administration instituting a backdoor public health care option?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-administration-instituting-a-backdoor-public-health-care-option/639138)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-administration-instituting-a-backdoor-public-health-care-option/639138 "2012-11-01T16:58:42Z")
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/28/health/us-to-sponsor-health-insurance-plans-nationwide.html The article states this is is a “substitute” for the “public option”. I’m no expert but it looks to me like, in practice, i… --- ## [The Nanny state increases: CA town bans smoking in all non detached private residences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanny-state-increases-ca-town-bans-smoking-in-all-non-detached-private-residences/638610)
**Author:** [@stevenova](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stevenova)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nanny-state-increases-ca-town-bans-smoking-in-all-non-detached-private-residences/638610 "2012-11-01T03:49:08Z")
Same people who cry about privacy rights, right to privacy, keep your laws off my body have no problem banning legal activities from the private home. They also hope this will be a model for the rest of the nation. I… --- ## [We should legitimize doping for professional sports and adult athletes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-legitimize-doping-for-professional-sports-and-adult-athletes/638585)
**Author:** [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-legitimize-doping-for-professional-sports-and-adult-athletes/638585 "2012-11-01T03:30:32Z")
There are no reasonable arguments against doping in sports for adult athletes beyond the college level. Here are the arguments I have heard against it, and why they do not hold water. It’s cheating. It isn’t if you … --- ## ["Pro-Life means Anti-Drone"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-means-anti-drone/638972)
**Author:** [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-life-means-anti-drone/638972 "2012-11-01T02:30:27Z")
From Buchanans mag The American Conservative: “Pro-Life Means Anti-Drone” Sometimes I just find the world so strange. During the last presidential debate, the drone issue wasn’t really even debatable because both candi… --- ## [Abortion of mixed race children](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-of-mixed-race-children/639073)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-of-mixed-race-children/639073 "2012-11-01T02:21:08Z")
Do you think it’s a valid perception that women, of any given ethnicity, would choose to abort mixed-race fetuses at a higher rate than non-mixed race fetuses? If this correlation were observed, could it be attributed t… --- ## [Does the term White Privilege hurt it's own cause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-term-white-privilege-hurt-its-own-cause/637673)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-term-white-privilege-hurt-its-own-cause/637673 "2012-11-01T02:14:02Z")
I presume that this thread may turn into a debate about White Privilege, does it exist, is it an exaggeration, etc, that is OK with me if that topic comes up, but, for the sake of this thread I am asking is the term itse… --- ## [Is a dog sniff at the front door a search?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-dog-sniff-at-the-front-door-a-search/636341)
**Author:** [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Replies:** 255\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-dog-sniff-at-the-front-door-a-search/636341 "2012-11-01T02:10:46Z")
The SC’s term starts tomorrow and one very interesting case they will decide, oral argument date listed, is; Issue: Whether a dog sniff at the front door of a suspected grow house by a trained narcotics detection dog is… --- ## [Revisiting the NYT Budget Balancing tool](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisiting-the-nyt-budget-balancing-tool/638238)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisiting-the-nyt-budget-balancing-tool/638238 "2012-11-01T01:16:48Z")
This thing is about a year old. I searched for a thread with it, here in great debates and in elections. I can’t believe it wasn’t addressed on this site, so I must have missed it. It’s kind of rigged to require dras… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=303) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=305)