# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=307 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 308 --- ## [How accurate was Macaulay's history (esp of James II?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-was-macaulays-history-esp-of-james-ii/637789)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 8:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-accurate-was-macaulays-history-esp-of-james-ii/637789 "2012-10-16T08:45:41Z")
In Macaulay’s History of England, he casts James II in a negative light, though it seems convincing enough, and William of Orange in a good one. How accurate is Macaulay’s view? I know it has been criticized as the “Whi… --- ## [Would scientists like Darwin and Einstein be as "big" in the era of the Internet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-scientists-like-darwin-and-einstein-be-as-big-in-the-era-of-the-internet/637762)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2012, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-scientists-like-darwin-and-einstein-be-as-big-in-the-era-of-the-internet/637762 "2012-10-16T06:45:30Z")
Darwin and Einstein are like gods of science now, and so they ever shall be. It seems that once someone’s stature in the culture takes hold long and well enough, like the roots of a tree, it can never be lessened. Indeed… --- ## [angels dancing on heads of pins](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-dancing-on-heads-of-pins/637464)
**Author:** [@ealcsw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ealcsw)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/angels-dancing-on-heads-of-pins/637464 "2012-10-15T23:46:59Z")
st. thomas aquinas’ other questions mentioned in cecils article on this topic, e.g. do angels go from point a to point b without passibg through the points in the middle? and can multiple angels be in the safe space at t… --- ## [why would UFOs have lights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-ufos-have-lights/634549)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-ufos-have-lights/634549 "2012-10-15T21:25:58Z")
i sure want to believe in paranormal stuff, but i sure don’t. at all. it has always been the first problem i find with UFO sightings: the blinking, colorful lights. even as a kid, i would think “gee, aren’t those lights… --- ## [Curving a test: Two ideas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curving-a-test-two-ideas/637299)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2012, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/curving-a-test-two-ideas/637299 "2012-10-15T21:22:13Z")
Since there is no factual answer, I thought this better served in GD. Let’s say that for ever reason you want to adjust test results that reflect a high F really should be a low C so the adjustment is 50 =\> 70 points. … --- ## [Does a deficit "Grand Bargain" make sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-deficit-grand-bargain-make-sense/637312)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2012, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-a-deficit-grand-bargain-make-sense/637312 "2012-10-15T21:19:06Z")
Matthew Yglesias has an interesting post on his blog at Slate discussing how the current hysteria over the deficit–which is driving discussions of a “Grand Bargain” in the lame duck session–is seriously misunderstood. Y… --- ## [Should drone pilots face homicide charges](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-drone-pilots-face-homicide-charges/637283)
**Author:** [@Naive\_Evian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naive_Evian)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-drone-pilots-face-homicide-charges/637283 "2012-10-14T13:22:10Z")
I watched a 60 Minutes program about drone pilots. These pilots worked in a base located in the US (Nevada, I think), and piloted missions where people were killed in other countries. Could a local prosecutor bring them … --- ## [Is it possible to close Estate Tax loopholes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-close-estate-tax-loopholes/636041)
**Author:** [@Reyemile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reyemile)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-close-estate-tax-loopholes/636041 "2012-10-13T21:34:56Z")
In this thread discussing Romney’s statement’s on Estate Taxes, Fuzzy Dunlop made the following statement: Rather than hijack that thread, I thought I’d start a new one. This is a good point. In principle, I’m opposed … --- ## [Would it be constitutional for the US to promote a religion abroad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-constitutional-for-the-us-to-promote-a-religion-abroad/637347)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2012, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-constitutional-for-the-us-to-promote-a-religion-abroad/637347 "2012-10-13T17:30:20Z")
Seems to me that it would at least arguably be a good idea for the US and other western countries to try to fund moderate Islam in other countries, much in the same way that Saudia Arabia has funded the more evil kinds o… --- ## [Is the Detonation of a Nuclear Weapon Inevitable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-detonation-of-a-nuclear-weapon-inevitable/636311)
**Author:** [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-detonation-of-a-nuclear-weapon-inevitable/636311 "2012-10-13T13:57:03Z")
Specifically, do you think it is only a matter of time before a fission weapon is detonated on a civilian or military target, whether by a nation or a terrorist group? If so, what sort of time frame? It seems to me that… --- ## [Gun MANUFACTURER liable for shooting!?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-manufacturer-liable-for-shooting/637538)
**Author:** [@lawbuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawbuff)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-manufacturer-liable-for-shooting/637538 "2012-10-13T12:49:26Z")
Case decision cited (NY’s inferior state courts are the Supreme Court’s.) WSJ article On appeal I see REVERSAl. --- ## [Are Theistic Evolutionists Creationists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-theistic-evolutionists-creationists/637168)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-theistic-evolutionists-creationists/637168 "2012-10-13T02:40:33Z")
Are those (such as myself) who hold to theistic evolution, nonetheless creationist also in the sense that evolution was part of God’s creation plan? After all such a view still ascribes God as the reason how the universe… --- ## [Jesus is God.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-is-god/637152)
**Author:** [@RedRain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRain)\ **Replies:** 282\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-is-god/637152 "2012-10-13T01:24:33Z")
I believe that Jesus is God. You can tell from how loving and wise He was. He said, ‘I and the Father are one.’ And it was also said of Him that He would be called Wonderful, Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father, Pri… --- ## [Google-searching your date: Questions about etiquette](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-searching-your-date-questions-about-etiquette/637398)
**Author:** [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-searching-your-date-questions-about-etiquette/637398 "2012-10-12T14:21:36Z")
What is the etiquette for deciding whether or not to Google-search someone before going on a first date with them? Does said etiquette apply equally to men and women? Should you only Google search your date while givin… --- ## ["Spiritual but not religious" CNN belief blog post](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiritual-but-not-religious-cnn-belief-blog-post/636586)
**Author:** [@Aeris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeris)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2012, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spiritual-but-not-religious-cnn-belief-blog-post/636586 "2012-10-12T12:19:55Z")
I read this blog post by Alan Miller in the CNN belief blog… http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/29/my-take-im-spiritual-not-religious-is-a-cop-out/ and his follow up post… http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/02/y… --- ## [Service in the US Military is immoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-in-the-us-military-is-immoral/636506)
**Author:** [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Replies:** 212\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2012, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/service-in-the-us-military-is-immoral/636506 "2012-10-12T10:00:15Z")
I am posting this here because I started this topic on another thread and was told it would be better to make it it’s own thread… Service in the US Military is wrong because the military is used to enforce American poli… --- ## [Please help me understand: personal savings rate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-understand-personal-savings-rate/636479)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-understand-personal-savings-rate/636479 "2012-10-11T16:17:41Z")
I know the dictionary definition is something like personal income minus personal spending. But isn’t it also true that spending is always equal to income? (Every transaction has a buyer and a seller - the sum of all sp… --- ## [Adults and Kids Respect? Agree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-and-kids-respect-agree/636997)
**Author:** [@MrMasterDaniels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMasterDaniels)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adults-and-kids-respect-agree/636997 "2012-10-11T10:56:13Z")
Okay, This is my first post so I am not sure if this fits this category. Do You believe that kids deserve respect? I’m in my 20s. I was out to eat with a group of my friends. We were seated next to a family. It was a… --- ## [Why don't conservatives love immigrants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-conservatives-love-immigrants/635891)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-conservatives-love-immigrants/635891 "2012-10-11T02:23:07Z")
A lot of anti-immigrant rhetoric seems to come from the right, but I find it kind of ironic regarding immigrants considering: -Immigrants, due to limitations from not being citizens, tend to start their own businesses. … --- ## [US history race, and education, Is human nature to blame?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-history-race-and-education-is-human-nature-to-blame/637151)
**Author:** [@Pete737](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pete737)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-history-race-and-education-is-human-nature-to-blame/637151 "2012-10-11T01:59:22Z")
Through public education we are taught that being the best facilitates a favorable induction to the upper tiers of American social stratification. Additionally we are told that hard work and a patrio-centric believe syst… --- ## [Do the claims of these two former porn actresses give you pause about porn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-claims-of-these-two-former-porn-actresses-give-you-pause-about-porn/635206)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2012, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-claims-of-these-two-former-porn-actresses-give-you-pause-about-porn/635206 "2012-10-11T00:15:37Z")
Here is a YouTube linksponsored by an anti-pornography organization called the Pink Cross Foundation. Founded by former porn actress Shelly Luben, Pink Cross exists to – well, I’ll just quote the mission statement on th… --- ## [Potential Tax Revenue from Tax-Exempt Religions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-tax-revenue-from-tax-exempt-religions/637179)
**Author:** [@Harmonix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonix)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-tax-revenue-from-tax-exempt-religions/637179 "2012-10-10T19:55:38Z")
Inspired by this news story about “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” How much Tax revenue would we gain if we suddenly started taxing Churches? If possible, could we break that down by the major religions? Christianity Judaism … --- ## [20% of population now identifies as "None" when asked about religion; Colbert on Fresh Air](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-of-population-now-identifies-as-none-when-asked-about-religion-colbert-on-fresh-air/637262)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/20-of-population-now-identifies-as-none-when-asked-about-religion-colbert-on-fresh-air/637262 "2012-10-10T19:11:18Z")
Story here. Some highlights: of this group, 37% identify as “spiritual but not religious” and 42" as “neither spiritual nor religious”. But the most interesting to me: \[QUOTE=NPR story\] “There is considerable evidenc… --- ## [Battleship versus Aircraft carrier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleship-versus-aircraft-carrier/623099)
**Author:** [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleship-versus-aircraft-carrier/623099 "2012-10-10T19:03:16Z")
There have been various threads on battleships over the years, usually lamenting their demise, but by all accounts they were impressive beasts. Just for my idle curiosity I would be interested in hearing informed opinion… --- ## [Dropping the A-Bomb On Germany?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-the-a-bomb-on-germany/636555)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dropping-the-a-bomb-on-germany/636555 "2012-10-10T04:28:42Z")
August 6, 1945, the United States under Pres. Harry S Truman dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, destroying most of the city. Several days later, on August 9, 1945, we dropped the atom bomb on Nagasaki, Ja… --- ## [Is the Walmart commerical racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-walmart-commerical-racist/637268)
**Author:** [@Naive\_Evian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naive_Evian)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-walmart-commerical-racist/637268 "2012-10-10T02:05:50Z")
Walmart has apparently brought back layaway. Here is the commerical: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=walmart%20layaway%20commercial&source=web&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CEQQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3… --- ## [What would it have taken to change the start of the Pacific War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-have-taken-to-change-the-start-of-the-pacific-war/637214)
**Author:** [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2012, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-have-taken-to-change-the-start-of-the-pacific-war/637214 "2012-10-09T23:50:38Z")
On December 7th, 1941 Japanese planes caught the American fleet asleep and her planes unguarded in Hawaii, and preceded to execute a well-planned and daring attack on numerous locations throughout the Pacific. Not only t… --- ## [Should there be referendum votes on war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-referendum-votes-on-war/636578)
**Author:** [@Oedipus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oedipus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-there-be-referendum-votes-on-war/636578 "2012-10-09T22:00:54Z")
I saw a fun discussion on the neutral politics section of reddit last night. Basically they discussed the merits and detriments of having a referendum vote on whether or not we go to war (seeing that its us who are on th… --- ## [LoJack for Humans.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lojack-for-humans/636609)
**Author:** [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2012, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lojack-for-humans/636609 "2012-10-09T08:29:35Z")
Maybe this has been discussed here before, however: If the technology existed (and it could probably be done with today’s tech), where you can opt for a minor surgical implant—at the cost of $1000, per—for a device the … --- ## [Neurosurgeon Neat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neurosurgeon-neat/637181)
**Author:** [@Naive\_Evian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naive_Evian)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2012, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neurosurgeon-neat/637181 "2012-10-09T06:35:18Z")
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