# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=326 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 327 --- ## [Open debate on 22. July (Oslo/Utøya)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-debate-on-22-july-oslo-utoya/623863)
**Author:** [@Septima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Septima)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-debate-on-22-july-oslo-utoya/623863 "2012-06-02T13:52:36Z")
I’m not sure it this should be in another forum, but there seems to be some potential for a good debate, so I’m putting it here. Anyway, as most of you know, last summer there was a terrorist attack in Oslo/Utøya. At th… --- ## [The Flying Dutchman's Errors Regarding Evolution, Pedagogy, and Atheism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-dutchmans-errors-regarding-evolution-pedagogy-and-atheism/623768)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2012, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-flying-dutchmans-errors-regarding-evolution-pedagogy-and-atheism/623768 "2012-06-02T11:39:30Z")
In this post, Dutchman made, well, not a claim exactly, but an implication that somehow attacking evolutionary biology in an academic context was, either an attack on atheism or something that would somehow offend atheis… --- ## [What would the world reaction be if The Hunger Games were real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-world-reaction-be-if-the-hunger-games-were-real/623215)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2012, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-world-reaction-be-if-the-hunger-games-were-real/623215 "2012-06-02T09:15:15Z")
Inspired bythis threaddiscussing what might cause a “collapse” of the United States, I was wondering about Stephanie Collins’ The Hunger Games. Collins spends no time discussing Panem’s relationship with the rest of the… --- ## [Confused at response... \[to comment about keeping a sick person in one's prayers\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-at-response-to-comment-about-keeping-a-sick-person-in-ones-prayers/622975)
**Author:** [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2012, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/confused-at-response-to-comment-about-keeping-a-sick-person-in-ones-prayers/622975 "2012-06-02T08:05:30Z")
Im a bit confused at a response I got recently and I believe this board might be able to help me understand the response. Let me preface, the topic isnt about whether or not God exists. I prefer the discussion to avoid… --- ## [Nuclear weapons stop working- what happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-weapons-stop-working-what-happens/623497)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-weapons-stop-working-what-happens/623497 "2012-06-02T04:23:34Z")
One day without warning, our Solar system aligns with the dark matter beam emanating from the galactic core, and for the next 10,000 years nuclear fission simply doesn’t work anymore. How would the world react? My guesse… --- ## [Moving from California to Alaska--to avoid taxes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-california-to-alaska-to-avoid-taxes/621824)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2012, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moving-from-california-to-alaska-to-avoid-taxes/621824 "2012-06-02T03:28:07Z")
Let’s say, hypothetically, that I grew up dirt poor in California, always in the bottom 10% of income earners so never really paid much in income taxes. But I managed to scrounge up enough money to invest in a tech star… --- ## [Asteroid mining?! Can this be profitable?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-mining-can-this-be-profitable/620070)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/asteroid-mining-can-this-be-profitable/620070 "2012-06-01T19:57:49Z")
Apparently the Google guys and director James Cameron, who presumably know some things about money, think it can be . . . And they’re talking about snagging asteroids that pass near Earth, not going out to the Belt . . .… --- ## [Fleeing from taxes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fleeing-from-taxes/623459)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2012, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fleeing-from-taxes/623459 "2012-06-01T04:10:27Z")
The story of Eduardo Saverin, the billionaire who moved from the USA to Signapore to avoid capital gains taxes, attracted plenty of attention on this message board and elsewhere. Sometimes it takes a single prominent ca… --- ## [Was mother nature right all along?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-mother-nature-right-all-along/623332)
**Author:** [@embleerrah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/embleerrah)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2012, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-mother-nature-right-all-along/623332 "2012-05-31T19:53:11Z")
Dear Cecil, It is an axiom of the modern era that preventing and curing diseases is for the good of humanity. Especially in the light of the horrific consequences of the Nazi employment of eugenics, questioning this is … --- ## [The entire USA is gone, how well does the world survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-entire-usa-is-gone-how-well-does-the-world-survive/623443)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2012, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-entire-usa-is-gone-how-well-does-the-world-survive/623443 "2012-05-31T14:58:03Z")
One day at a random moment the entire amount of land comprising the USA is POOF gone along with all equipment and personnel. What happens then? I assume the Australia and other large landmass countries could reconfigure… --- ## [Battleship gun range?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleship-gun-range/88597)
**Author:** [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2012, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battleship-gun-range/88597 "2012-05-31T13:53:39Z")
Just sitting around with my roommate, discussing fun things like naval battles, surviving at sea in a life raft, etc. when the question came up - What is the range of the Big Guns on Modern (i.e. WW2 era - USS IOWA or IJ… --- ## [Nick Hanauer on the rich, taxes and job creation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nick-hanauer-on-the-rich-taxes-and-job-creation/622508)
**Author:** [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nick-hanauer-on-the-rich-taxes-and-job-creation/622508 "2012-05-30T23:28:01Z")
Nick Hanauer is an American entrepreneur and venture capitalist living in Seattle, Washington. Here is his Wikipedia biography: Nick Hanauer - Wikipedia Here is a little talk he gave on the myth of the rich being job … --- ## [Education: Small Class vs Large Class Size?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/education-small-class-vs-large-class-size/623537)
**Author:** [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/education-small-class-vs-large-class-size/623537 "2012-05-30T21:25:11Z")
Currently in New Zealand there is a debate on class sizes. The government want to make budget cuts and reducing the number of teachers has been announced. Most school teachers are paid for by the government. The Teachin… --- ## [How should the US respond to Shakil Afridi sentencing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-the-us-respond-to-shakil-afridi-sentencing/623363)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-the-us-respond-to-shakil-afridi-sentencing/623363 "2012-05-30T20:45:14Z")
The most recent news article I could find about Shakil Afridi is here. He is the Pakistani doctor recently sentenced to 33 years in prison for assisting the CIA with intelligence that ultimately led to bin Laden’s death.… --- ## [Joe Wilson. Was he wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-wilson-was-he-wrong/623410)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-wilson-was-he-wrong/623410 "2012-05-30T14:27:39Z")
We all remember. Obama is giving a speech to a joint session of Congress and when Obama claimed that his proposal would not mandate coverage for illegal aliens, Joe yells out, “You lie!” This is in GQ because I don’t w… --- ## [Supposed "Proofs" of Islam](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supposed-proofs-of-islam/620822)
**Author:** [@GeddyClaypoolBurton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeddyClaypoolBurton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supposed-proofs-of-islam/620822 "2012-05-30T12:36:11Z")
While doing some research on different religions, I came across a photograph on an Islamic website. Below the photograph is an explanation for how certain lines in the human hands add up to numbers that are significant i… --- ## [Would people still retire today if the Depression had never happened?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-people-still-retire-today-if-the-depression-had-never-happened/623385)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2012, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-people-still-retire-today-if-the-depression-had-never-happened/623385 "2012-05-30T12:26:13Z")
I’ve heard it argued that “retirement” is a social construct, coming out fo the Depression. Thje thinking: too many people in the workforce to employ, and not enough jobs. What say you? --- ## [Did the American Eugenics movement fuel Nazi racial theories? Is the Holocaust partially our fault?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-american-eugenics-movement-fuel-nazi-racial-theories-is-the-holocaust-partially-our-fault/623361)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2012, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-american-eugenics-movement-fuel-nazi-racial-theories-is-the-holocaust-partially-our-fault/623361 "2012-05-30T00:07:00Z")
I was reading this and the link is interesting --- ## [Can Bill Clinton or George W. Bush become President again? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-bill-clinton-or-george-w-bush-become-president-again-edited-title/622641)
**Author:** [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-bill-clinton-or-george-w-bush-become-president-again-edited-title/622641 "2012-05-29T23:32:05Z")
The thread about what would happen if somebody were to discover in a middle of a President’s term that the President wasn’t Constitutionally qualified reminded me of an on-again, off-again discussion I have been having w… --- ## [Jewish identity vers. white identity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-identity-vers-white-identity/623234)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2012, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-identity-vers-white-identity/623234 "2012-05-29T22:54:59Z")
Is there a comparison? This picture has been doing the rounds. Taken from these two articles: Israel’s Jewish Essence non-negotiable; America’s white identity a scourge Is there a difference in morality between wanting… --- ## [Why has the government lost prestige since 1964?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-government-lost-prestige-since-1964/622937)
**Author:** [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-government-lost-prestige-since-1964/622937 "2012-05-29T01:39:07Z")
According to a chart found here: http://people.reed.edu/~gronkep/docs...2-version2.pdf in 1964 78 percent of the American people had confidence in the government. By 1980 that had declined to 25 percent. According to … --- ## [Hazing? Really? This is still an issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hazing-really-this-is-still-an-issue/622828)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2012, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hazing-really-this-is-still-an-issue/622828 "2012-05-28T19:36:38Z")
In reaction to a government release of information relating to a hazing death in November at Florida A&M University – http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-05-23/features/os-famu-hazing-robert-champion-20120523\_1\_hazi… --- ## [What would happen if the birthers turned out to be right about Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-birthers-turned-out-to-be-right-about-obama/622544)
**Author:** [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-the-birthers-turned-out-to-be-right-about-obama/622544 "2012-05-28T19:27:02Z")
Before I go into this, let’s make one thing clear: Obama is a natural-born citizen, he was born in Hawaii, he is perfectly eligible to be POTUS and anyone who says otherwise, well, some things go without saying. What I’m… --- ## [When does political speech become sedition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-political-speech-become-sedition/623043)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-does-political-speech-become-sedition/623043 "2012-05-28T13:43:34Z")
Granted, every election cycle has divisive speech, but I am disgusted (again) with some of the rhetoric of our brethren on the right side of the aisle. Second amendment solutions proposed from a candidate for National O… --- ## [Should Prostitution Be Legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legal/622067)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 181\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2012, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-prostitution-be-legal/622067 "2012-05-28T07:43:17Z")
I think prostitution should be legal everywhere, and specifically in the US. In the US alot of things that are (supposedly) immoral are legal. As I saw one prostitute say tv, you can still be a slut. You just can’t get “… --- ## [Why don’t we (Americans) dye people’s fingers when they vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-we-americans-dye-people-s-fingers-when-they-vote/622925)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2012, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-don-t-we-americans-dye-people-s-fingers-when-they-vote/622925 "2012-05-28T07:27:39Z")
Full disclosure: I think the current push for voter ID is a sham excuse to limit the vote for members of the Democratic Party. While I think that it is theoretically possible to vote in the name of someone else—and may t… --- ## [How about an anti-abortion law targeting men?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-an-anti-abortion-law-targeting-men/623203)
**Author:** [@figure9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/figure9)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-about-an-anti-abortion-law-targeting-men/623203 "2012-05-27T22:21:13Z")
OK so I’m sick to death of hearing the abortion/anti-abortion debate here in the U.S.A. I think part of the problem is that an unwanted pregnancy affects the woman much more than the man. To remedy this I propose we p… --- ## [Are New Testament parables supposed to be literally true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-testament-parables-supposed-to-be-literally-true/622678)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-new-testament-parables-supposed-to-be-literally-true/622678 "2012-05-27T17:07:49Z")
Take the parable of the good Samaritan, for example. Was Jesus saying that actually happened the way he told it? Or was it a story he made up to illustrate a point? Let’s avoid any responses that essentially boil down t… --- ## [Can Anti-Discrimination Law Force A Private Company To Print A Message](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anti-discrimination-law-force-a-private-company-to-print-a-message/622733)
**Author:** [@NotreDame05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotreDame05)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2012, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anti-discrimination-law-force-a-private-company-to-print-a-message/622733 "2012-05-27T06:06:04Z")
http://www.glso.org/site/?cat=21 The link above is the GLSO’s version of events. http://www.kentucky.com/2012/04/01/2134883/ky-voices-respect-my-right-to.html#storylink=misearch The link above is the version of events… --- ## [In 2011, nonwhite babies born in America outnumber white. Does this matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2011-nonwhite-babies-born-in-america-outnumber-white-does-this-matter/622784)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2012, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-2011-nonwhite-babies-born-in-america-outnumber-white-does-this-matter/622784 "2012-05-26T23:07:55Z")
This WaPo story speculates on the future political effects. This CNN story more explicitly smells trouble for the GOP: "“Their voters are white, aging, and dying off.” Well, aren’t they jumping the gun a bit? It’ll … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=325) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=327)