# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=314 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 315 --- ## [Why are polygraphs still used in the modern world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-polygraphs-still-used-in-the-modern-world/631453)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2012, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-polygraphs-still-used-in-the-modern-world/631453 "2012-08-25T09:23:55Z")
Yet there is an entire industry built up around this pseudoscience, and while it may not be admissable in court employees can be subjected to this. How has polygraph testing remained in use with no evidence it actual… --- ## [Why no calls for 'civility' from liberals in wake of "tastes like hate" anti-Chick-Fil-A campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-calls-for-civility-from-liberals-in-wake-of-tastes-like-hate-anti-chick-fil-a-campaign/631656)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-calls-for-civility-from-liberals-in-wake-of-tastes-like-hate-anti-chick-fil-a-campaign/631656 "2012-08-24T18:17:04Z")
During the height of the Tea Party movement, the stylish thing for liberals to do was wax poetic about the need for “civility” in our public discourse, particular after liberals (wrongly) implied that the Tea Party’s rhe… --- ## [How Canada's Too Big To Fail banks avoided the mortgage meltdown.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-canadas-too-big-to-fail-banks-avoided-the-mortgage-meltdown/632105)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-canadas-too-big-to-fail-banks-avoided-the-mortgage-meltdown/632105 "2012-08-24T17:32:08Z")
The USA and Great Britain were hammered by the 2008 financial crisis yet Canada sidestepped it yet they have larger banks compared to the USA (Royal Bank of Canada and TD Bank are huge). Canada does not need a Glass-Ste… --- ## [What if Al Gore had become POTUS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-al-gore-had-become-potus/631103)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-al-gore-had-become-potus/631103 "2012-08-24T16:07:36Z")
I would think this must have been asked before, but I searched and couldn’t find it. I’m wondering how you think the last 12 years would have unfolded if Al Gore had won the closely contested election in 2000. Just to … --- ## [If I didn't believe in God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-didnt-believe-in-god/631962)
**Author:** [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-didnt-believe-in-god/631962 "2012-08-23T23:23:08Z")
First of all I have not had much exposure to online forums like this so I am likely a bit naive. But I was pondering on how leaders including myself might run things if I were an athiest. I would likley base all me decis… --- ## [Is ridicule an acceptable strategy in fighting ignorance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ridicule-an-acceptable-strategy-in-fighting-ignorance/631273)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ridicule-an-acceptable-strategy-in-fighting-ignorance/631273 "2012-08-23T13:29:56Z")
The particular “ignorance” in this case is globally unresolved (although some countries, like France, Japan and Sweden are making huge progress). It’s the belief in the supernatural. I’m on the board of the Humanist org… --- ## [How much tax income do we need? (USA)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-tax-income-do-we-need-usa/632120)
**Author:** [@DagNation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DagNation)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2012, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-tax-income-do-we-need-usa/632120 "2012-08-23T08:59:09Z")
I read a lot about how the government is underfunded because of the Bush tax cuts, etc… but I have not heard any specific numbers about what we need to run the Country. What should be spent to get us out of this recessi… --- ## [Why should we give money to farmers hit by drought?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-give-money-to-farmers-hit-by-drought/631811)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-we-give-money-to-farmers-hit-by-drought/631811 "2012-08-23T01:35:44Z")
Many people today bemoan the fact that the two major parties in American politics can’t reach agreement. I, on the other hand, often find that the most inexplicable decisions are those that both parties agree on. In re… --- ## [The Case For Debt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-for-debt/631634)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-for-debt/631634 "2012-08-22T23:51:19Z")
There’s a lot of talk about how the US has too much debt. But what if the problem is not too much debt, but too little? After WWII the US had run up a mountain of debt - more, in proportion to the economy, than we have … --- ## [Daniel Ellsberg was a hero. How is Julian Assange not a hero?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daniel-ellsberg-was-a-hero-how-is-julian-assange-not-a-hero/562282)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/daniel-ellsberg-was-a-hero-how-is-julian-assange-not-a-hero/562282 "2012-08-22T14:02:42Z")
Really, what of importance distinguishes this Wikileaks business from the Pentagon Papers case? --- ## [Is rape the forcing of a soul tie between the rapist and victim?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rape-the-forcing-of-a-soul-tie-between-the-rapist-and-victim/509008)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2012, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rape-the-forcing-of-a-soul-tie-between-the-rapist-and-victim/509008 "2012-08-22T10:05:41Z")
What do you think about this theory? --- ## [The CRA/repeal of Glass-Steagal caused the financial crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cra-repeal-of-glass-steagal-caused-the-financial-crisis/631564)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cra-repeal-of-glass-steagal-caused-the-financial-crisis/631564 "2012-08-21T02:01:56Z")
I hear on these boards that one or the other of these acts of Congress caused the financial crisis, based on the ideological persuasion of the poster. I usually skip over this thinking that it’s partisan bullshit and th… --- ## [Net benefits of the housing bubble](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-benefits-of-the-housing-bubble/631851)
**Author:** [@greenslime1951](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenslime1951)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/net-benefits-of-the-housing-bubble/631851 "2012-08-21T01:52:47Z")
Yes, I know that the evil, stupid greedy banks blah blah blah. I’d like to examine some positive consequences of their evil stupid greedy blah blah blah actions. For the duration of the boom, there were high wages and… --- ## [Ultimately, is civilization maladaptive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultimately-is-civilization-maladaptive/631330)
**Author:** [@greenslime1951](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenslime1951)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ultimately-is-civilization-maladaptive/631330 "2012-08-21T00:30:21Z")
We humans are hardwired with various cognitive biases (too numerous to list here) that enhanced our chances of survival on the savannah eons ago but now seem to be maladaptive. For instance, our tendency to form ingroups… --- ## [Voter ID Laws: Necessary to combat rampant fraud or subtle subjugation of the Democratic demographic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-laws-necessary-to-combat-rampant-fraud-or-subtle-subjugation-of-the-democratic-demographic/622971)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 791\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voter-id-laws-necessary-to-combat-rampant-fraud-or-subtle-subjugation-of-the-democratic-demographic/622971 "2012-08-20T20:27:48Z")
I realize that we live in a post-bipartisan world, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence that when Voter ID laws come up, they are always introduced passed by Republican-controlled state houses at the objections of the De… --- ## [What did Civil War soldiers fight for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-civil-war-soldiers-fight-for/630676)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2012, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-did-civil-war-soldiers-fight-for/630676 "2012-08-19T21:01:51Z")
Aka the War Between the States, you know, the Civil War. These days the motives of the footsoldiers in past wars are often conflated with the overarching theme of the conflict itself. There are few conflicts with such o… --- ## [Arctic ice almost gone... What does this mean for humanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arctic-ice-almost-gone-what-does-this-mean-for-humanity/631417)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arctic-ice-almost-gone-what-does-this-mean-for-humanity/631417 "2012-08-19T18:47:13Z")
Besides the extinction of polar bears, I mean? Considering this is predicted to come to a head during the lifetime of most people reading this board, I think it’s a very relevant issue. I equally welcome those who don’… --- ## [An interesting stat: amenable mortality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-interesting-stat-amenable-mortality/631940)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2012, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-interesting-stat-amenable-mortality/631940 "2012-08-19T15:29:11Z")
http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/In-the-Literature/2011/Sep/Variations-in-Amenable-Mortality.aspx The concept of “amenable mortality” refers to unnecessary and untimely premature deaths from certain causes t… --- ## [Jews in WW2 Draft?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-in-ww2-draft/631327)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2012, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-in-ww2-draft/631327 "2012-08-19T02:41:23Z")
Orthodox Jews nowadays rarely serve in the US (or Israeli) militaries. Giving them a pass is a luxury we can afford nowadays. In WW2 were American Orthodox Jews drafted? If so, what sort of accommodation was made for th… --- ## [What do you think would have happened if Bin Laden sought asylum in Norway?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-would-have-happened-if-bin-laden-sought-asylum-in-norway/631823)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-would-have-happened-if-bin-laden-sought-asylum-in-norway/631823 "2012-08-18T20:26:12Z")
A comment in another thread\* mad me wonder. Imagine in an alternative history fairly shortly after 9/11 Bin Laden turns up in Norway somewhere, seeking asylum on the basis he faces cruel and unusual punishment in the Uni… --- ## [Did Jesus die a Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-die-a-christian/631127)
**Author:** [@MR.REED](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MR.REED)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2012, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-jesus-die-a-christian/631127 "2012-08-18T07:21:53Z")
Jesus undoubtedly is the most famous Jew in history, yet he is the inspiration of the religion of Christianity. With the fundamental beliefs of death being different with Judaism and Christianity; would it matter if Jes… --- ## [Jared Diamond responds to Romney's misrepresentation of "Guns, Germs, and Steel"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-diamond-responds-to-romneys-misrepresentation-of-guns-germs-and-steel/630473)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-diamond-responds-to-romneys-misrepresentation-of-guns-germs-and-steel/630473 "2012-08-18T03:56:14Z")
Link. Given this quote, maybe this should be in Elections, or GD: --- ## [Find the flaw in this logic - child neglect should be legal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/find-the-flaw-in-this-logic-child-neglect-should-be-legal/631692)
**Author:** [@Simple\_Linctus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simple_Linctus)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/find-the-flaw-in-this-logic-child-neglect-should-be-legal/631692 "2012-08-18T00:26:25Z")
I should start out by saying that I am not advocating the legalization of child neglect. I do not agree with it. However, I want to identify whether the flaw is with my argument in itself. If there is no flaw with my arg… --- ## [Shutting down of Blitz USA (Gasoline Can Manufacturer): Tort Hell or Justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shutting-down-of-blitz-usa-gasoline-can-manufacturer-tort-hell-or-justice/630730)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shutting-down-of-blitz-usa-gasoline-can-manufacturer-tort-hell-or-justice/630730 "2012-08-17T22:44:43Z")
A recent Wall Street Journal editoral told of Blitz USA, the manufacturer for most Gasoline/Petrol cans in the USA, shutting down due to losing court cases due to product liability law. Users were pouring gasoline on fir… --- ## [Egypt: Pres. Morsy asserts authority over the army](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egypt-pres-morsy-asserts-authority-over-the-army/631323)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egypt-pres-morsy-asserts-authority-over-the-army/631323 "2012-08-17T22:19:58Z")
Or, at least, he’s making a bid to. No doubt. But the question is, is Egypt’s military establishment going to take this lying down? After making clear repeatedly over the past two years that they still consider thems… --- ## [Possible to be a feminist without believing in rape culture/patriarchy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-to-be-a-feminist-without-believing-in-rape-culture-patriarchy/631369)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-to-be-a-feminist-without-believing-in-rape-culture-patriarchy/631369 "2012-08-17T20:05:04Z")
I’ve always thought of myself as a feminist because I believe in equality between the sexes, all that jazz. These days, though, everywhere I turn, there’s rhetoric about rape culture or the patriarchy, to the point where… --- ## [Jews are evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-are-evil/572209)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-are-evil/572209 "2012-08-17T15:38:52Z")
That Jews are evil is of course common knowledge. But when did they become such corrupted? According to modern non-religious motivated anti-Semitic lore. Not when people started to consider them evil, which is another ma… --- ## [When, in Christian theology, did Jesus become God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-christian-theology-did-jesus-become-god/374747)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-in-christian-theology-did-jesus-become-god/374747 "2012-08-17T11:55:07Z")
I didn’t know where else to slot this question, so I put it here in GD. If Mods want to move it, so be it. According to Catholic Theology, Jesus is God, just as the Father and the Holy Spirit are God. And like the other… --- ## [Epic Story! "The Mystery Of The Transvestite And The Stolen Car "\[now a debate on slurs\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epic-story-the-mystery-of-the-transvestite-and-the-stolen-car-now-a-debate-on-slurs/626766)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 254\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2012, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epic-story-the-mystery-of-the-transvestite-and-the-stolen-car-now-a-debate-on-slurs/626766 "2012-08-17T11:48:38Z")
The Mystery Of The Transvestite And The Stolen Car – Tales From The Valet Stand A tidy little read1 --- ## [Definition of a World War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-a-world-war/631576)
**Author:** [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/definition-of-a-world-war/631576 "2012-08-16T19:25:07Z")
Resolved–that any war that involves countries or major battles or confrontations in three or more continents is a world war, and should be classed as such. By this definition, we are currently in World War V. Below is … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=313) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=315)