# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=321 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 322 --- ## [Christian School Textbook Claims Loch Ness Monster Disproves Evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-school-textbook-claims-loch-ness-monster-disproves-evolution/626390)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-school-textbook-claims-loch-ness-monster-disproves-evolution/626390 "2012-07-07T02:34:06Z")
You cannot make this stuff up! Reports in various media show that one of the biology texts for the Accelerated Christian Education claims that the Loch Ness Monster exists, is a plesiosaur, and that this is evidence that… --- ## [What will be the consequences of the now-OPTIONAL Medicaid ACA expansion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-the-consequences-of-the-now-optional-medicaid-aca-expansion/626749)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-the-consequences-of-the-now-optional-medicaid-aca-expansion/626749 "2012-07-06T19:31:46Z")
This seems to be the big caveat in the ACA SCOTUS ruling that few people have seemed to be discussing. Yes, the ACA has passed constitutional muster for the most part, as the intended Medicaid expansion mandated in the … --- ## [My take on western "science"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-western-science/627452)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-take-on-western-science/627452 "2012-07-06T18:54:21Z")
The word science has been abused a lot lately, here’s is my attempt at putting people straight. It’s about time to put the scientists themselves under the microscope. Im not narrow minded - just a regular person sick of … --- ## [Did Roberts flip his vote at the 11th hour?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-roberts-flip-his-vote-at-the-11th-hour/626624)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-roberts-flip-his-vote-at-the-11th-hour/626624 "2012-07-06T15:24:20Z")
Or at least at some point? The case that he did is made here: Further, a couple weeks ago, people reading between the lines of a speech Ginsburg gave thought she was hinting (probably unintentionally) that she was wri… --- ## [McCoy offers the defendant a gift: six years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccoy-offers-the-defendant-a-gift-six-years/627117)
**Author:** [@greenslime1951](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenslime1951)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccoy-offers-the-defendant-a-gift-six-years/627117 "2012-07-06T14:14:34Z")
Watch enough “Law and Order” and you’ll inevitably see McCoy offering the trembling (or defiant) wretch something less than a life (or death) sentence, and the accused is usually portrayed as a fool for refusing. Yet, i… --- ## [the Syria Files (wikileaks)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-syria-files-wikileaks/627292)
**Author:** [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-syria-files-wikileaks/627292 "2012-07-06T12:12:54Z")
wikileaks strikes again what will be the effect the leaks? I hope the person or persons who did the leaking are safe and out of Syria --- ## [Is this a reasonable argument against government regulations, or a false equivalency/non sequitir](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-reasonable-argument-against-government-regulations-or-a-false-equivalency-non-sequitir/626969)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-reasonable-argument-against-government-regulations-or-a-false-equivalency-non-sequitir/626969 "2012-07-06T08:22:58Z")
I was trying to think about why certain people say that regulations are bad for the economy, and why others say that regulations are a necessary evil. I found that it was pretty clear that very few people, within the ge… --- ## [Eliminate one social science](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminate-one-social-science/627222)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eliminate-one-social-science/627222 "2012-07-06T05:00:52Z")
From the Freakonomics blog: You can even put your answer on a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WhichSocialScienceShouldDie Don’t answer “none” because that sort of defeats the debate of this question. Hard ch… --- ## [Economics/Psychology of Taxation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-psychology-of-taxation/626865)
**Author:** [@Hellestal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hellestal)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-psychology-of-taxation/626865 "2012-07-06T02:52:55Z")
Since the recent SCOTUS health care decision, there’s been a lot of misinformation about taxation bouncing around the boards. Best to deal with it all at once in a new thread. We start with a quiz, which I’m borrowing f… --- ## [Mental illness and gun permits \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-illness-and-gun-permits-edited-title/625567)
**Author:** [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mental-illness-and-gun-permits-edited-title/625567 "2012-07-05T17:59:32Z")
The State of Florida has released phone record transcripts between Zimmerman and his wife, Shelly Zimmerman. I haven’t even been able to get past the first audio tape :eek:. In the first tape, Zimmerman complained of … --- ## [How is Obamacare being Upheld unconstitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-obamacare-being-upheld-unconstitutional/626814)
**Author:** [@Meeko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meeko)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-obamacare-being-upheld-unconstitutional/626814 "2012-07-05T16:44:49Z")
I’m having an online debate. Their premise is that the Decision to uphold the ACA / Obamacare is Unconstitutional. I would ask them to cite the Constitution, but I’m actually kinda winning the debate right now as they h… --- ## [In the long run was the Haitian Revolution a mistake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-long-run-was-the-haitian-revolution-a-mistake/627287)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-long-run-was-the-haitian-revolution-a-mistake/627287 "2012-07-05T15:53:18Z")
And France did everything it could to make it a painful moment for centuries to come. In a cruel twist of fate anti-slavery sentiment swept the world just years after, or was the Haiti revolution the source? I’m not… --- ## [Why do some thank God when spared from a tornado?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915)
**Author:** [@Victor\_Charlie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Victor_Charlie)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-thank-god-when-spared-from-a-tornado/626915 "2012-07-05T11:35:01Z")
Whenever we see news coverage of a car accident/wildfire/tornado/bout of indigestion we’re treated to the nearly ubiquitous bite of a survivior praising God for protecting him or her. It’s all well and good as survivors … --- ## [Justice Roberts and ulterior motives in Obamacare decision: a hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-roberts-and-ulterior-motives-in-obamacare-decision-a-hypothetical/626971)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-roberts-and-ulterior-motives-in-obamacare-decision-a-hypothetical/626971 "2012-07-05T07:56:05Z")
The following is a hypothetical and I’m not claiming is what happened: Assume that a Republican justice of SCOTUS thinks ACA (aka Obamacare), and specifically the individual mandate is unconstitutional, and so it’s best… --- ## [Why do we continue to be such a religious nation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-continue-to-be-such-a-religious-nation/627228)
**Author:** [@greenslime1951](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greenslime1951)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-continue-to-be-such-a-religious-nation/627228 "2012-07-05T00:16:58Z")
Polls consistently show that 96-97% of Americans continue to profess to believe in The Man in the Sky and the attendant mythology or variations thereof. Yet, in the liberal democracies of Western Europe–the societies tha… --- ## [Why is the Government ignoring illegal immigration issues?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-government-ignoring-illegal-immigration-issues/626348)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 143\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-government-ignoring-illegal-immigration-issues/626348 "2012-07-04T13:57:03Z")
I could blame the Democrats specifically, but the Republicans play the game too, although to a lesser extent. There are an estimated 24 million illegal immigrants or about 7.7% of the US population. There are numerous … --- ## [John Boehner vows to repeal Obamacare. Will he and the repubs succeed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-vows-to-repeal-obamacare-will-he-and-the-repubs-succeed/626602)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-boehner-vows-to-repeal-obamacare-will-he-and-the-repubs-succeed/626602 "2012-07-04T00:39:51Z")
Not sure how the technicalities work with this. What is the likelihood they will actually be able to do this? --- ## [Video: Whites are privileged, and that's unfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-whites-are-privileged-and-thats-unfair/625928)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 400\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2012, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-whites-are-privileged-and-thats-unfair/625928 "2012-07-03T04:02:10Z")
Curious: Do you agree with this PSA’s message? Apparently it is part of something called the Un-Fair Campaign, co-sponsored by the NAACP, the YWCA and the League of Women Voters. Poll to follow shortly. ETA: In the titl… --- ## [Other than IQ, are there any genetically-determined psychological differences between "races"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-iq-are-there-any-genetically-determined-psychological-differences-between-races/623371)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-than-iq-are-there-any-genetically-determined-psychological-differences-between-races/623371 "2012-07-03T03:12:23Z")
Spinoff of this ongoing thread on race-and-intelligence. Your IQ (assuming it measures anything important/meaningful at all – see the controversy between the assumption of a general intelligence factor and Howard Gardne… --- ## [9/11 wreckage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-wreckage/481567)
**Author:** [@reef\_shark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/reef_shark)\ **Replies:** 440\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-wreckage/481567 "2012-07-02T22:40:30Z")
hey all, i tried searching for this, nothing really came up… what happened to all the wreckage (significant materials which could be evidence), from the steel beams in the towers, and the planes? i saw clips of trucks h… --- ## [Who should be able to own a hospital? Jehovah's Witnesses? Christian Scientists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-able-to-own-a-hospital-jehovahs-witnesses-christian-scientists/613775)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-able-to-own-a-hospital-jehovahs-witnesses-christian-scientists/613775 "2012-07-02T18:39:25Z")
Can a group of Christian Scientists buy a hospital, convert it to reading rooms, accept patients and operate as a licensed hospital? Okay, that’s ludicrous as well as being a simplistic stereotype of Christian Science, s… --- ## [COULD a reduction in defence spending be sold successfully to the US public...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-reduction-in-defence-spending-be-sold-successfully-to-the-us-public/626988)
**Author:** [@Aro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aro)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-a-reduction-in-defence-spending-be-sold-successfully-to-the-us-public/626988 "2012-07-02T17:03:22Z")
Looking at this thread discussing the cutting US defence spending, I got to wondering… Say a president decided he wanted to greatly reduce the money spent on defence, firstly, how long do you think he would remain as pr… --- ## [The other thing happening on 6/28. Holder's contempt vote.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-thing-happening-on-6-28-holders-contempt-vote/626612)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-other-thing-happening-on-6-28-holders-contempt-vote/626612 "2012-07-02T15:11:13Z")
According to Fox, the Dem Representatives are planning to walk out during the debate on AG Holder’s contempt debate/vote. This won’t stop anything since there will still be a quorum left so my questions for y’all. Wil… --- ## [Republican position on alternative energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-position-on-alternative-energy/626784)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-position-on-alternative-energy/626784 "2012-07-02T15:00:18Z")
I’m confused as to the GOP platform on alternative energy, independent of its position on climate change. Do Republicans believe that alternative energy will ultimately become competitive with fossil fuels, and simply o… --- ## [Did Trayvon Martin have the right to stand his own ground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trayvon-martin-have-the-right-to-stand-his-own-ground/622287)
**Author:** [@stw004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stw004)\ **Replies:** 1129\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trayvon-martin-have-the-right-to-stand-his-own-ground/622287 "2012-07-02T12:23:30Z")
This question doesn’t seem to be debated in any of the other threads. In order to keep this from turning into the general debate around this case I would like to ask for everyone to try and stay on topic. Did Trayvon M… --- ## [Did the ATF intentionally allow guns to fall into the hands of Mexican cartels? Fortune mag says no.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-atf-intentionally-allow-guns-to-fall-into-the-hands-of-mexican-cartels-fortune-mag-says-no/626505)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-atf-intentionally-allow-guns-to-fall-into-the-hands-of-mexican-cartels-fortune-mag-says-no/626505 "2012-07-02T03:10:15Z")
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2012/06/27/fast-and-furious-truth More… Interesting development, if true. --- ## [Future of Health Care in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-health-care-in-america/626604)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-of-health-care-in-america/626604 "2012-07-01T20:35:18Z")
Now that Obama’s Health Care law has been ruled constitutional how will health care policy in America develop over the coming years? It seems unlikely that the law will be repealed unless there was a conservative superma… --- ## [If the ACA is repealed via reconciliation, can it be reinstituted via reconciliation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-aca-is-repealed-via-reconciliation-can-it-be-reinstituted-via-reconciliation/626904)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-aca-is-repealed-via-reconciliation-can-it-be-reinstituted-via-reconciliation/626904 "2012-07-01T15:02:08Z")
If the ACA is a tax which means it can be repealed under budget reconciliation in the senate, that means it could be eliminated in 2013 if the GOP wins the white house and the senate (they will likely win the senate, I t… --- ## [US alternate history in Second World War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-alternate-history-in-second-world-war/626323)
**Author:** [@supery00n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supery00n)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2012, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-alternate-history-in-second-world-war/626323 "2012-07-01T12:06:43Z")
If Japan hadn’t attacked Pearl Harbor or the Philippines, and had never throughout the course of its war in the Pacific and in China, attacked any U.S. ship, base, civilian or military property, and had not killed any U.… --- ## [Biblical Adultery Prohibitions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-adultery-prohibitions/625695)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biblical-adultery-prohibitions/625695 "2012-06-30T12:15:09Z")
When I was a Christian Teen™ back in the 80’s, we were drilled (heh) repeatedly with the idea that sex before marriage must be avoided at all costs. There were three reasons for this, in increasing order of importance. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=320) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=322)