# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=319 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 320 --- ## [Should (and would) the West intervene if the Pyramids were in danger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2012, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-and-would-the-west-intervene-if-the-pyramids-were-in-danger/627822 "2012-07-20T03:11:41Z")
More calls for the destruction of Egypt’s ‘pagan’ monuments such as the Pyramids. Hopefully this is still fringe Islamist opinion but with Islamists coming to power in Egypt the possibility at least exists that it will … --- ## [US Policies: It's All About the Money, Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-policies-its-all-about-the-money-right/628239)
**Author:** [@phxjcc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phxjcc)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-policies-its-all-about-the-money-right/628239 "2012-07-19T20:23:29Z")
OK, So I have thought a long time about bringing this up–and did a thread search in the GD forum back two years for “money” and have not seen this general question… At the heart of all of the US Domestic and Foreign Pol… --- ## [Should persons suspect of a crime, subject to an investigation/surveilance be notified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-persons-suspect-of-a-crime-subject-to-an-investigation-surveilance-be-notified/628593)
**Author:** [@Kinthalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kinthalis)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-persons-suspect-of-a-crime-subject-to-an-investigation-surveilance-be-notified/628593 "2012-07-19T17:10:41Z")
Should someone who is suspected of a crime and subjected to an investigation via surveilance, tracking, recording, etc, be told about the investigation upon being cleared? I was reading an article about an ACLU case inv… --- ## ["Job Creator" accounting](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-creator-accounting/628448)
**Author:** [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2012, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/job-creator-accounting/628448 "2012-07-19T04:00:50Z")
Didn’t want to highjack the current “JC” thread. This actually relates less to the general theory or economics of the JC claim and more to a very specific aspect. On hiring people and taxes; Isn’t it true that employers… --- ## [American Exceptionalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-exceptionalism/623015)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-exceptionalism/623015 "2012-07-19T02:33:41Z")
Mike Coffman, a Colorado Representative, recently made National news when he said that “Obama is not an American in his heart.” While dealing with the fallout from this, he released an apology where he said: I have mix… --- ## [Should firms be made to forego the option of outsourcing/offshoring?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-firms-be-made-to-forego-the-option-of-outsourcing-offshoring/627483)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-firms-be-made-to-forego-the-option-of-outsourcing-offshoring/627483 "2012-07-18T23:05:09Z")
In an article in the NYtimes, Paul Krugman seems to be arguing against outsourcing/offshoring. He goes on to say that since American contractors just use workers with lower benefits and pay, even outsourcing is bad for… --- ## [Right-wing populist parties? Was there ever a happy ending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-populist-parties-was-there-ever-a-happy-ending/628262)
**Author:** [@kevlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevlaw)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/right-wing-populist-parties-was-there-ever-a-happy-ending/628262 "2012-07-18T17:15:42Z")
I’m looking for a GQ answer to the question in the title but I also hope for some robust debate around my premises. Hence, GD. The news that Obama’s support among the white working class is close to a record low for a d… --- ## [Is the individual mandate enforceable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-individual-mandate-enforceable/628342)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-individual-mandate-enforceable/628342 "2012-07-18T15:20:40Z")
Listening to various pundits and reading various sources I get the impression that the individual mandate isn’t really enforceable. As I understand it, the law gives collection responsibility to the IRS but apparently d… --- ## [Seeing back in time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-back-in-time/628486)
**Author:** [@Caturdayisaholiday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caturdayisaholiday)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2012, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seeing-back-in-time/628486 "2012-07-18T12:34:46Z")
I was thinking the other day, and a thought struck me;For the sake of argument, What if i built a mirror in space, 10 Light years away, and i built a large telescope to view the aforementioned mirror. If i was to look at… --- ## [Why did John the Baptist eat locusts? They're not kosher!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-john-the-baptist-eat-locusts-theyre-not-kosher/441277)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-john-the-baptist-eat-locusts-theyre-not-kosher/441277 "2012-07-18T00:40:18Z")
I’m not Jewish but I know bugs ain’t kosher, no more than crabs or lobsters. Why did John the Baptist, putting himself forth as a Jewish religious leader/prophet, eat them? --- ## [Suing the Aliens (intellectual exercise)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suing-the-aliens-intellectual-exercise/627152)
**Author:** [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2012, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suing-the-aliens-intellectual-exercise/627152 "2012-07-18T00:19:04Z")
Let’s say that one day the Gray Aliens show up and decide to stick around for a while and, while they do not freely give us technology as the overly optimistic might desire, we do become acquainted with some of it. Let … --- ## [Who's buying into the "job creators" angle?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-buying-into-the-job-creators-angle/628354)
**Author:** [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2012, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-buying-into-the-job-creators-angle/628354 "2012-07-17T22:56:21Z")
We’ve been hearing for years now we can’t raises taxes on the top two percent because it’ll limit their ability to hire. Well, after more than a decade of this, where are the jobs? Considering the wealthy have amassed m… --- ## [Regressive Taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regressive-taxes/627760)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2012, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/regressive-taxes/627760 "2012-07-17T21:23:51Z")
There’s been a lot of talk lately, most of it from Democrats, to the effect that the rich do not pay enough in taxes in the America. The line of argument is often that the rich derive great benefits from the government,… --- ## [Why do gays insist on marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gays-insist-on-marriage/627505)
**Author:** [@NOLA\_Cajun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NOLA_Cajun)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2012, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gays-insist-on-marriage/627505 "2012-07-17T08:28:58Z")
I don’t know where this will go. I suspect it will be moved even though I’m sure there must be an answer to it. I seriously want to know why gays insist on marriage and are not content with civil unions? If the term “co… --- ## [What was the last word on the possibility of a stolen 2004 election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-word-on-the-possibility-of-a-stolen-2004-election/628108)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-the-last-word-on-the-possibility-of-a-stolen-2004-election/628108 "2012-07-17T00:50:19Z")
I remember reading lists of phenomena such as Ohio switching to Bush at the last minute, New Mexico counties only going to Bush in districts with voting machines, the GAO saying voting machines were demonstrably unreliab… --- ## [Google Announces Worldwide Campaign To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-announces-worldwide-campaign-to-legalize-same-sex-marriage/627562)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-announces-worldwide-campaign-to-legalize-same-sex-marriage/627562 "2012-07-16T23:14:37Z")
Story here. I applaud their taking a stand, but the cynic in me just says Google is trying to win back some goodwill after making some questionable choices the past few years. Do you think Google’s new initiative will… --- ## [Polygamy: The Answers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polygamy-the-answers/628274)
**Author:** [@FounderChurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FounderChurch)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polygamy-the-answers/628274 "2012-07-16T21:35:18Z")
\*\*Nothing wrong with Polygamy \*\*from any point of view other than the fact that we as a society are addicted to monogamy for reasons we do not know about, and/or don’t understand. There are two general kinds of ancient … --- ## [What's the gist of this Executive Order, and why might my cousin characterize it as "evil"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-gist-of-this-executive-order-and-why-might-my-cousin-characterize-it-as-evil/627962)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-gist-of-this-executive-order-and-why-might-my-cousin-characterize-it-as-evil/627962 "2012-07-16T21:18:41Z")
I’m really not much good at reading these things. The title is “ASSIGNMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS COMMUNICATIONS FUNCTIONS” and it appears to supersede a prior version of an E.O. written for the … --- ## [But we already threw off the Admiralty!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-we-already-threw-off-the-admiralty/627591)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/but-we-already-threw-off-the-admiralty/627591 "2012-07-16T21:18:13Z")
Ahem. The USA has been on common law all along. And we threw out the Admiralty in the 1770’s. Those words mean things other than what you think they mean. I’m seriously worried for you here. When you use language like … --- ## [Could the Higgs Boson be the genesis for artificial gravity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-higgs-boson-be-the-genesis-for-artificial-gravity/627883)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-higgs-boson-be-the-genesis-for-artificial-gravity/627883 "2012-07-16T16:08:36Z")
When I say artificial gravity, I’m speaking of the sci-fi variety. (Gravity plating) If we could manipulate the BH, to simulate large amounts off mass; wouldn’t gravity come right along with it? --- ## [Scientology - what rock have I been under?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientology-what-rock-have-i-been-under/627807)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientology-what-rock-have-i-been-under/627807 "2012-07-16T14:28:28Z")
I always knew/heard that Scientology was an oddball religion of some sort but I never really cared enough to look into the details. I still don’t care but, with all this Tom Cruise stuff in the news, curiosity got the be… --- ## [Why do Germany and the (predominantly US funded) IMF keep throwing good money after bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-germany-and-the-predominantly-us-funded-imf-keep-throwing-good-money-after-bad/628043)
**Author:** [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-germany-and-the-predominantly-us-funded-imf-keep-throwing-good-money-after-bad/628043 "2012-07-16T12:16:27Z")
See subject. It’s ridiculous I don’t understand the watershed economic/political events of the Euro. Thanks, Leo --- ## [Will UHC stifle innovation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-uhc-stifle-innovation/627569)
**Author:** [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-uhc-stifle-innovation/627569 "2012-07-16T08:22:22Z")
The exhorbitant cost of U.S. healthcare is constantly compared to the significantly more efficient systems in Europe and Canada. We know all the arguments: price controls on drugs and procedures, limiting costly and ofte… --- ## [Mitch McConnell claims that the individual mandate can be repealed via reconciliation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-claims-that-the-individual-mandate-can-be-repealed-via-reconciliation/627037)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mitch-mcconnell-claims-that-the-individual-mandate-can-be-repealed-via-reconciliation/627037 "2012-07-16T00:27:19Z")
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/235797-mcconnell-healthcare-ruling-clears-way-for-senate-to-repeal-law Is he right? Is he wrong? Is this uncharted legal territory? --- ## [German appeals court decides against religious circumcision of children.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-appeals-court-decides-against-religious-circumcision-of-children/626686)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 382\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/german-appeals-court-decides-against-religious-circumcision-of-children/626686 "2012-07-15T19:35:35Z")
I don’t have all the facts about this, but found this definitely worthy of debate. SOURCE SOURCE One more overview of circumcision: SOURCE To me, there’s a very interesting balance of things going on. Take away … --- ## [When did Black people become the REAL racists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-black-people-become-the-real-racists/627977)
**Author:** [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-black-people-become-the-real-racists/627977 "2012-07-15T12:02:33Z")
So in the Romney/NAACP thread magellan01 basically calls Black people racist for voting for Obama despite the fact that Blacks overwhelmingly vote Democratic. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15263360&p… --- ## [No Pearl Habor. When does America enter the war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pearl-habor-when-does-america-enter-the-war/628060)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-pearl-habor-when-does-america-enter-the-war/628060 "2012-07-15T07:37:54Z")
Last WWII hypothetical, I promise. For a while, at least. In 1950 Churchill wrote; "No American will think it wrong of me if I proclaim that to have the United States at our side was to me the greatest joy. I could no… --- ## [Should Jimmy Doolittle have Bombed the Imperial Palace in Tokyo?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-jimmy-doolittle-have-bombed-the-imperial-palace-in-tokyo/627472)
**Author:** [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-jimmy-doolittle-have-bombed-the-imperial-palace-in-tokyo/627472 "2012-07-15T05:14:58Z")
I was nine at the time of the Doolittle Raid. I remember the talk in the school yard, and among the adults, was that Doolittle should have bombed the palace and killed Hirohito. The same view was expressed by ‘man in the… --- ## [If you are overweight, are you more likely to vote for Republicans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-overweight-are-you-more-likely-to-vote-for-republicans/627823)
**Author:** [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-are-overweight-are-you-more-likely-to-vote-for-republicans/627823 "2012-07-15T04:56:15Z")
I’ve read a few reports here and there about how “red states” (the states that vote for republican presidential candidates) tend to be the fattest states (have the highest obesity rates), and that the blue states tend to… --- ## [Could the Soviets have defeated the Third Reich alone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-soviets-have-defeated-the-third-reich-alone/627809)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2012, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-soviets-have-defeated-the-third-reich-alone/627809 "2012-07-15T00:01:45Z")
Allow me to present two counterfactuals that may have resulted in knocking Britain out of the war early, and consequently the United States. They are rooted in decisions taken within the German high command in 1940, mai… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=318) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=320)