# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=311 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 312 --- ## [Innocent man dies in Gitmo, and it's Obama's fault](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocent-man-dies-in-gitmo-and-its-obamas-fault/634450)
**Author:** [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocent-man-dies-in-gitmo-and-its-obamas-fault/634450 "2012-09-15T03:46:38Z")
Last time I brought up the fact that the US knew that a lot of people imprisoned without trial at Guantanamo Bay were known by the US government to be innocent, the reply was that they’d already been released, and that t… --- ## [Draft Dodging Politicians: Fact Or UL?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-dodging-politicians-fact-or-ul/16740)
**Author:** [@Therealbubba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Therealbubba)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/draft-dodging-politicians-fact-or-ul/16740 "2012-09-15T01:57:39Z")
Did BJ Clinton break the law by not going to fight for democracy in Vietnam? I’ve looked searched and searched and looked for any evidence the he broke the law and was ever charged with evading the draft, yet a common cr… --- ## [White privilege justifies racist policies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-privilege-justifies-racist-policies/634452)
**Author:** [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-privilege-justifies-racist-policies/634452 "2012-09-15T00:34:08Z")
This article starts with some of this lady’s goofy, but sincere, attempts to deal with “white privilege.” Okay, whatever, if you think it’s a horrible sin that someone is offered a sandwich instead of a tortilla. But th… --- ## [Football players should express no opinion on same-sex marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-players-should-express-no-opinion-on-same-sex-marriage/633939)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/football-players-should-express-no-opinion-on-same-sex-marriage/633939 "2012-09-14T20:50:24Z")
At least, their opinions should not be made public, at least according to one legislator. A local NFL player offered tickets to one of their home games as a fundraiser for a Marriage Equality fundraiser…an act which prom… --- ## [US response to diplomat's killing in Libya](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-response-to-diplomats-killing-in-libya/634602)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-response-to-diplomats-killing-in-libya/634602 "2012-09-14T17:58:23Z")
I was wondering what the US response should be to the killing of their ambassador to Libya. It’s a fairly serious offence in international relations, but in this case it is complicated no end by it having been done by a … --- ## [Obama and the economy: appropriate disapproval?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-the-economy-appropriate-disapproval/633790)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-the-economy-appropriate-disapproval/633790 "2012-09-14T16:56:29Z")
As a Canadian, I have never been able to figure out why Obama is criticized for the country’s poor economic performance under his watch, when it actually tanked during the GWB era (late 2007 - late 2008). Why is that? W… --- ## [What will happen to the student loan bubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-the-student-loan-bubble/634284)
**Author:** [@MDKSquared](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MDKSquared)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-the-student-loan-bubble/634284 "2012-09-14T16:28:34Z")
I put this question here and not in Great Debates because I am looking for factual answers, here. We all understand, more or less, how the financial crisis unfolded and why. The student loan industry is looking fairly s… --- ## [Playing "hide and seek" with God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-hide-and-seek-with-god/633549)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/playing-hide-and-seek-with-god/633549 "2012-09-14T13:39:42Z")
It has been put forth by some, after it has been pointed out that the deity they believe in can’t be found, that he resides “Outside Space and Time”, and that it is because he lives “Outside Space and Time” that it is po… --- ## ["Atheism Plus," the new New Atheism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-plus-the-new-new-atheism/634085)
**Author:** [@ragerdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ragerdude)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2012, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-plus-the-new-new-atheism/634085 "2012-09-14T07:35:18Z")
From the following: Atheism Plus: The New Wave of Atheism - Greta Christina's Blog What do you think of atheism+? Do you think it is a welcome addition, since atheism by itself can be insufficient to organize around? --- ## [Do ideas of human beauty and sexual attraction change over time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ideas-of-human-beauty-and-sexual-attraction-change-over-time/633966)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-ideas-of-human-beauty-and-sexual-attraction-change-over-time/633966 "2012-09-13T23:39:16Z")
I remember being terribly shocked the first time I saw Casablanca and The Maltese Falcon because it was made clear to me that at the time these movies came out, Mary Astor (from The Maltese Falcon) and Ingrid Bergman (fr… --- ## [Alzheimer's Should Be Called Type III Diabetes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alzheimers-should-be-called-type-iii-diabetes/634499)
**Author:** [@charmstr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/charmstr)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alzheimers-should-be-called-type-iii-diabetes/634499 "2012-09-13T18:28:36Z")
A google search of the Dope\* didn’t come up with anything on this topic, so I thought I would toss it out there. I read an article on the Guardian site which lead to a cover story from two weeks ago in New Scientist. Th… --- ## ["We are one year away from global food riots"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-one-year-away-from-global-food-riots/634379)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-are-one-year-away-from-global-food-riots/634379 "2012-09-13T13:57:53Z")
That’s the provocative headline of this website story, which discusses a Cambridge computer model. Thoughts on the model and its conclusions, especially from those in the know either in computing or agriculture? The Sl… --- ## [How is Cuba worse than China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-cuba-worse-than-china/633752)
**Author:** [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-cuba-worse-than-china/633752 "2012-09-13T13:33:04Z")
To an impartial observer it might look like Cuba hurt the United States’ feelings when it went communist and the result has been a 50+ year hissy fit by the US. But the US has totally embraced China, which has committed … --- ## [Can you consider a meme a pathogen/disease?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-consider-a-meme-a-pathogen-disease/634530)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2012, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-consider-a-meme-a-pathogen-disease/634530 "2012-09-13T04:52:02Z")
Not sure if this is a question or a debate, but could a meme be considered a pathogen, or even a disease, in a way? I don’t think it’s arguable that some memes are harmful to their hosts\* and the analogy of a virus has … --- ## [What changes would Libertarians make to the FAA's flight rules?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-changes-would-libertarians-make-to-the-faas-flight-rules/634539)
**Author:** [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-changes-would-libertarians-make-to-the-faas-flight-rules/634539 "2012-09-12T21:10:28Z")
I pose this question out of pure curiosity since I’m neither a libertarian nor a person with a serious grudge against it. But I am a professional pilot, so I know something about how and why our system of air traffic con… --- ## [As a US citizen I would vote "anti-colonial" over a colonialist any day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-us-citizen-i-would-vote-anti-colonial-over-a-colonialist-any-day/634155)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-a-us-citizen-i-would-vote-anti-colonial-over-a-colonialist-any-day/634155 "2012-09-12T20:38:25Z")
This total douchebag Dinesh D’Souza argues that US attempts to colonize others is somehow beneficial to us? That Obama is somehow less American for opposing colonialism? (If it is even true) How was Iraq beneficial to… --- ## [Can the Black-White racial IQ gap in the US be environmentally explained?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-black-white-racial-iq-gap-in-the-us-be-environmentally-explained/626877)
**Author:** [@Chuck11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chuck11)\ **Replies:** 315\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-black-white-racial-iq-gap-in-the-us-be-environmentally-explained/626877 "2012-09-12T20:11:13Z")
It’s well know that there’s a Black-White racial differences in intelligence and that this difference explains a large portion of the much discussed racial “disparities.” For example, Black psychologist Ronald Fryer rec… --- ## [Is corporate welfare a problem that should be dealt with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-corporate-welfare-a-problem-that-should-be-dealt-with/634291)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-corporate-welfare-a-problem-that-should-be-dealt-with/634291 "2012-09-12T18:45:26Z")
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443847404577629841476562610.html So is corporate welfare by the government a problem that should be addressed? --- ## [Do societies become more puritanical over time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-societies-become-more-puritanical-over-time/633185)
**Author:** [@Lance\_Steele](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Steele)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-societies-become-more-puritanical-over-time/633185 "2012-09-12T15:24:33Z")
In the ancient/classical world in Europe, it seems that social mores were a lot less restrictive vis a vis sexuality, alcohol/drug use and the like. Then Christianity came along and said no more buggery etc. Then the pur… --- ## [Would America Won If We Fought the Russians Like Patton Wanted to at the End of WWII?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-america-won-if-we-fought-the-russians-like-patton-wanted-to-at-the-end-of-wwii/78990)
**Author:** [@Wildest\_Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildest_Bill)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-america-won-if-we-fought-the-russians-like-patton-wanted-to-at-the-end-of-wwii/78990 "2012-09-12T05:19:18Z")
I mean could we have won? The Russians were pretty worn out by then weren’t they? Also if we would have kicked their butt would Russian be a US territory now? Or would we have given the land back like we did with the Jap… --- ## [Pros and cons to universal health care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-and-cons-to-universal-health-care/634194)
**Author:** [@Ecamp1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ecamp1)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pros-and-cons-to-universal-health-care/634194 "2012-09-12T00:28:58Z")
Just had a discussion with a friend of mine about universal Health care for the US. She has a wealthy husband and a great job with benefits and stated that health care is of no concern to her because she has it for her … --- ## [Congratulations America, you "won" the Olympics. Now where are you in the Paralympics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congratulations-america-you-won-the-olympics-now-where-are-you-in-the-paralympics/633967)
**Author:** [@Bozuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bozuit)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congratulations-america-you-won-the-olympics-now-where-are-you-in-the-paralympics/633967 "2012-09-11T22:09:03Z")
While on the face of it this may be about sport, the subject is really the culture and politics reflected in sport, hence the choice of Great Debates over The Game Room. To anyone paying even a little attention to both … --- ## [What evidence is there that Wayne Williams didn't commit the Atlanta child murders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-evidence-is-there-that-wayne-williams-didnt-commit-the-atlanta-child-murders/633620)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-evidence-is-there-that-wayne-williams-didnt-commit-the-atlanta-child-murders/633620 "2012-09-11T21:11:12Z")
I have heard there is controversy about his guilt. To my understanding he became a suspect after police pulled him over after they suspected him of dumping a body off a bridge (a body was found downstream from where the… --- ## [The CIA: Ineffective, Amateurish From The Start?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cia-ineffective-amateurish-from-the-start/634409)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cia-ineffective-amateurish-from-the-start/634409 "2012-09-11T19:20:02Z")
I just finished a book about the final months of WWII in French Indochina, when Roosevelt was wondering what to do. The OSS (per-CIA intelligence agency) send an army captain (Archimedes Patti) to Hanoi to analyze the… --- ## [When is the usage of nukes, poison gas, and bioweapons justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274)
**Author:** [@Atakapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atakapa)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-the-usage-of-nukes-poison-gas-and-bioweapons-justified/634274 "2012-09-11T19:16:59Z")
Are there any circumstances in which you would personally consider using WMDs to be the proper course of action? --- ## [How to decide which instances of opposition to gay marriage are hateful and bigoted.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-decide-which-instances-of-opposition-to-gay-marriage-are-hateful-and-bigoted/630653)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 809\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-decide-which-instances-of-opposition-to-gay-marriage-are-hateful-and-bigoted/630653 "2012-09-11T17:58:44Z")
This arises from the recent controversy concerning Dan Cathy of Chick-fil-A, who recently said: “We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a … --- ## [Solitary Confinement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitary-confinement/633237)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solitary-confinement/633237 "2012-09-11T17:23:22Z")
As one of the bleeding heart liberals on the board, I am opposed to the death penalty. Of late I am more and more opposed to the use of solitary confinement in prison. Solitary is too often used for too long for minor pr… --- ## [A question of military restraint](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-of-military-restraint/634299)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-of-military-restraint/634299 "2012-09-11T15:24:06Z")
One of the things that is usually beseeched in armed conflicts is restraint. Should a nation like the US sometimes deliberately exercise a lack of restraint - even up to use of nuclear weapons - to remind everyone that t… --- ## [If prevention is not realistic, should global warming just be accepted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-prevention-is-not-realistic-should-global-warming-just-be-accepted/634184)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-prevention-is-not-realistic-should-global-warming-just-be-accepted/634184 "2012-09-11T15:04:26Z")
Inspired by this blog piece: https://errorpositiveinfinity.wordpress.com/2012/09/08/climate-change-inaction-is-not-just-a-product-of-denial/ (the piece it’s replying to is well-written as well) Now, I know that the auth… --- ## [Unilateral geoengineering - fuck the religious countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unilateral-geoengineering-fuck-the-religious-countries/634250)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unilateral-geoengineering-fuck-the-religious-countries/634250 "2012-09-11T13:27:26Z")
Let’s imagine that we’ve come to a point where geoengineering is the best way to sort out global warming. Personally I think we’re already at that point but let’s not debate that - let’s pretend that 99% of climate scien… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=310) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=312)