# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=310 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 311 --- ## [What's the Straight Dope on 'fracking'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-fracking/597084)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-straight-dope-on-fracking/597084 "2012-09-22T20:09:45Z")
What is the evidence for and against hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’? How dangerous is the process? What are the real risks involved? Was reading this article in CNN on the subject, but it seems long on emotion an… --- ## [Protesters storm US embasy...in Cairo??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 183\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420 "2012-09-22T17:19:09Z")
:confused: Woah…this is a wtf moment. Why the hell are protesters storming our embassy in Cairo? What movie are they talking about (obviously the folks at CNN have no idea)?? I mean, I can see why the average Egyptia… --- ## [Increase In Autism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increase-in-autism/634479)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/increase-in-autism/634479 "2012-09-22T14:48:27Z")
I was just wondering if anyone has any idea why there is such an increase recently in the cases of Autism in the US. (Here is the Wiki article. Here is the chart by itself.) As you can see, the growth is literally expon… --- ## [USA Today --- Liberal or Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-today-liberal-or-conservative/205903)
**Author:** [@Oktberfest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oktberfest)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-today-liberal-or-conservative/205903 "2012-09-22T06:17:53Z")
Is USA Today a liberal or a conservative paper? --- ## [What is the degree of Atheist responsibility to challenge belief?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707)
**Author:** [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Replies:** 351\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2012, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-degree-of-atheist-responsibility-to-challenge-belief/634707 "2012-09-22T02:19:35Z")
I’m placing this in GD since it’s a religious, (or lack thereof) subject. Mods, please move as you see fit. Do atheists have a responsibility to challenge belief and superstition or should each person be left to their o… --- ## ["Job Creators"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-creators/634516)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-creators/634516 "2012-09-21T08:28:27Z")
If you give a rich guy a tax break, there’s no way of knowing if he’s going to use the money to create jobs, or buy himself a solid gold toilet. Can’t there be a way to reward rich guy after the jobs are created? Seems l… --- ## [Matthew and John--Anti-Semitic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-and-john-anti-semitic/635338)
**Author:** [@Che\_G.Anonymous\_Capitalist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Che_G.Anonymous_Capitalist)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/matthew-and-john-anti-semitic/635338 "2012-09-21T03:38:59Z")
Are the gospels of Matthew and John anti-semitic? Please do not discuss whether anti-simitic is a proper term for prejudice against Jews. --- ## [What was Hitler's hurry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-hitlers-hurry/635055)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-hitlers-hurry/635055 "2012-09-21T02:37:15Z")
Hopefully someone who knows the history of pogroms in the Soviet Union prior to WWII can chime in on this one. When Hitler decided to open up the Russian front, his belief was that he would beat the Soviets in a relativ… --- ## [An argument I think destroys the Conservative approach to the Great Recession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-argument-i-think-destroys-the-conservative-approach-to-the-great-recession/634482)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-argument-i-think-destroys-the-conservative-approach-to-the-great-recession/634482 "2012-09-20T18:58:07Z")
The only ideas I hear from Mitt Romney and other Conservatives when it comes to getting out of the Great Recession are reduce taxes and reduce regulation. OK, let’s go back to 1929, before the Great Depression began: •… --- ## [What Would Your Ideal Tax Plan Look Like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-ideal-tax-plan-look-like/632012)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-ideal-tax-plan-look-like/632012 "2012-09-20T18:37:58Z")
How would you organize taxes if you were in charge of writing the tax code. Be as detailed or as vague as you wish. --- ## [Is there freedom of speech in any Islamist society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-freedom-of-speech-in-any-islamist-society/634448)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-freedom-of-speech-in-any-islamist-society/634448 "2012-09-20T17:59:49Z")
Or are the two incompatible? (maybe a GD thread. If so, fine.) --- ## [Can we really trust Historians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-really-trust-historians/635147)
**Author:** [@Klisterhjernen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Klisterhjernen)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2012, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-really-trust-historians/635147 "2012-09-20T10:21:19Z")
Hello! I’ve been thinking about this question for months now, and only now did I realize that I should post my question to the general public. What are some arguments as to why we CAN trust historians, and some argument… --- ## [What does the U.S. get out of its alliance with Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-u-s-get-out-of-its-alliance-with-israel/598071)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 363\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-u-s-get-out-of-its-alliance-with-israel/598071 "2012-09-19T18:29:16Z")
It’s supposed to be of some value to have at least one pro-Western democracy in the MENA, and I suppose it is. But I cannot think of any particular instance or manner in which our alliance with/patronage of Israel has b… --- ## [What if the Japanese fleet had been destroyed on Dec 6th 1941?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-japanese-fleet-had-been-destroyed-on-dec-6th-1941/634802)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-japanese-fleet-had-been-destroyed-on-dec-6th-1941/634802 "2012-09-19T18:17:53Z")
Imagine that America knew all about the impending attack on Pearl Harbour. The Japanese fleet walks into a trap, and is almost totally destroyed (a sub or two escape). America makes use of this and does NOT declare war. … --- ## [Are all religions anti-homosexuality.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-religions-anti-homosexuality/634801)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-all-religions-anti-homosexuality/634801 "2012-09-19T10:01:31Z")
I’m pretty sure that I know the answer is no but doesn’t hurt to make sure. Talking to people in scouting about the dichotomy (hypocracy?) that they complain that fewer boys and adults are joining but they are actively … --- ## [Drug addiction and reunification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-addiction-and-reunification/635068)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-addiction-and-reunification/635068 "2012-09-19T06:47:41Z")
Drug laws are often biased toward particular drugs in regard to punishments (Crack vs Cocaine), and I wonder if these same biases play a factor in a parent getting their child taken away, or attempting to regain custody … --- ## [Can we have a polite discussion about poverty, government, and free markets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-polite-discussion-about-poverty-government-and-free-markets/634339)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-have-a-polite-discussion-about-poverty-government-and-free-markets/634339 "2012-09-19T05:37:25Z")
This thread is intended as a response to comments like this one, in which a poster simply knows that some conservatives hate and fear poor people and are determined to oppress them. Of course that comment is far from un… --- ## [Has Romney had plastic surgery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-romney-had-plastic-surgery/635127)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-romney-had-plastic-surgery/635127 "2012-09-19T02:15:04Z")
I’m not sure that this really counts as one of the “long-running discussions of the great questions of our time” but lacking any idea where to put this I’ll stick it here and I’m sure if it’s the wrong place it’ll be mov… --- ## [Russia shines: Enormous diamond find dwarfs existing known reserves. Consequences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-shines-enormous-diamond-find-dwarfs-existing-known-reserves-consequences/635038)
**Author:** [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-shines-enormous-diamond-find-dwarfs-existing-known-reserves-consequences/635038 "2012-09-18T17:24:36Z")
This weekend the Russian government lifted the lid on what’s been kept as a state secret since the 70s; an asteroid crater known as Popigai Astroblem studded with enough diamonds to dwarf the known diamond reserves of … --- ## [Living off alien land](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-off-alien-land/634826)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-off-alien-land/634826 "2012-09-18T16:59:25Z")
In case humans discover some planet populated by alien species, how likely is it that we could eat and would find the alien species nutritious enough to live off? --- ## [Is it legal for students to walk out of class ("strike")?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-students-to-walk-out-of-class-strike/634953)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-students-to-walk-out-of-class-strike/634953 "2012-09-18T10:56:51Z")
I’m pretty sure most of us here have seen the Chicago teachers’ strike. I’m pretty much neutral on whether the strike was “for the students” or for themselves. I think it depends on the situation, and people tend to be… --- ## [What would conceivably happen if China and North Korea suddenly became USA type democracies tomorow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-conceivably-happen-if-china-and-north-korea-suddenly-became-usa-type-democracies-tomorow/635019)
**Author:** [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2012, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-conceivably-happen-if-china-and-north-korea-suddenly-became-usa-type-democracies-tomorow/635019 "2012-09-18T04:59:50Z")
As I’m being a responsible student and typing this while I’m in class, a question was vaguely thrown around by my professor just now which kinda got me thinking, so I wanted to ask you. What do you think would happen if… --- ## [Of course God exists--And I can prove it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-god-exists-and-i-can-prove-it/633762)
**Author:** [@Che\_G.Anonymous\_Capitalist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Che_G.Anonymous_Capitalist)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/of-course-god-exists-and-i-can-prove-it/633762 "2012-09-17T22:19:09Z")
No relation without relata. It is self-defeating to say that something does not exist. ”God does not exist” is about God. A statement can be about something only if that something exists. No relation without relata. The… --- ## [Is Egypt an ally? Should it be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-egypt-an-ally-should-it-be/634726)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-egypt-an-ally-should-it-be/634726 "2012-09-17T20:26:38Z")
I get the distinct impression that the “Egypt is not an ally, nor is it an enemy” statement was not an off the cuff accident. Am I totally off base or are we in fact putting Egypt on notice that they can’t fuck with our… --- ## [More Nuttyness before US Presidential elections?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-nuttyness-before-us-presidential-elections/634921)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-nuttyness-before-us-presidential-elections/634921 "2012-09-17T18:15:39Z")
It seems like all the mental cases come out of the woodwork, starting about August before most POTUS elections. From crazy shooters to crap happening abroad, it always seems to pile up at this point in the cycle. Is this… --- ## [Defense of embassies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defense-of-embassies/634845)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2012, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defense-of-embassies/634845 "2012-09-17T15:54:00Z")
I gather from events that heavy machine-gun fire isn’t allowed in defense of an embassy. Why not exactly? --- ## [Why are Swedes so much richer in the USA than in Sweden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-swedes-so-much-richer-in-the-usa-than-in-sweden/634761)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-swedes-so-much-richer-in-the-usa-than-in-sweden/634761 "2012-09-16T19:35:18Z")
http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/if-swedens-big-welfare-state-is-superior-to-americas-medium-welfare-state-then-why-do-swedes-in-america-earn-far-more-than-swedes-in-sweden/ The 4.4 million or so Americans with Swedish or… --- ## [A Perfect Justice System](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfect-justice-system/634674)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfect-justice-system/634674 "2012-09-16T04:55:58Z")
One of the things that comes up quite regularly is the flawedness of various justice systems, whether it’s a debate about capital punishment or a the death of some innocent person while incarcerated. So let’s imagine th… --- ## [What is (or what should be) the purpose of the National Guard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-or-what-should-be-the-purpose-of-the-national-guard/266188)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-or-what-should-be-the-purpose-of-the-national-guard/266188 "2012-09-15T17:04:20Z")
Until this latest deployment, I always assumed the purpose of the National Guard was to provide for the defense of the United States–and by defense, I mean defense. Not going off to stop threats in foreign lands, but rat… --- ## [Alternative to Copyright: Protecting Consumers and Compensating Creators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-to-copyright-protecting-consumers-and-compensating-creators/634753)
**Author:** [@HoldenCaulfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternative-to-copyright-protecting-consumers-and-compensating-creators/634753 "2012-09-15T04:58:51Z")
Beware of Doug links to an interesting proposed book in the Pirate Bay Pit thread. I don’t want to have exactly that discussion; in fact, I don’t want to talk about “rights” at all. However, I do want to have a “cool-… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=309) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=311)