# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=327 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 328 --- ## [RWs are not stupid; it's much worse than that](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rws-are-not-stupid-its-much-worse-than-that/622856)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rws-are-not-stupid-its-much-worse-than-that/622856 "2012-05-26T16:17:52Z")
In journalist Chris Mooney’s new book, The Republican Brain: The Science of Why They Deny Science – and Reality (which I’ll actually read when my hold-order at the library comes through – I’m basing this on more accessib… --- ## [Overpopulation and Artificial Population Control.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overpopulation-and-artificial-population-control/622796)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2012, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overpopulation-and-artificial-population-control/622796 "2012-05-26T09:33:07Z")
If the world continues on its course, overpopulation may lead to disasterous results. This article (on the Malthusian Catastrophe) touches on the matter. Actually, I have been thinking about the matter for some time. I’… --- ## [Federal Regulatory Practice of Resolved Actions without Admission of Guilt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-regulatory-practice-of-resolved-actions-without-admission-of-guilt/622846)
**Author:** [@Sinaptics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaptics)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-regulatory-practice-of-resolved-actions-without-admission-of-guilt/622846 "2012-05-26T03:38:14Z")
It’s common practice, at least in the financial sector, that any action brought by a regulatory agency that concludes to the detriment of the defendant almost invariably involves a punitive fine or other measures, but wi… --- ## [Short of scrapping the Constitution, how do we get rid of the U.S. Senate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-of-scrapping-the-constitution-how-do-we-get-rid-of-the-u-s-senate/622800)
**Author:** [@Lago\_Ys-Transform](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lago_Ys-Transform)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/short-of-scrapping-the-constitution-how-do-we-get-rid-of-the-u-s-senate/622800 "2012-05-26T00:26:52Z")
I’m not going to mince words here. The U.S. Senate is laughably inept and should be gotten rid of. Both in function and principle. It’s an artifact of pre-nationalist thinking and shows. It’s woefully anti-democratic and… --- ## [Supreme Court Allows Arkansas Second Shot At Murder Trial In Double Jeopardy Dispute](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-allows-arkansas-second-shot-at-murder-trial-in-double-jeopardy-dispute/623007)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2012, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-allows-arkansas-second-shot-at-murder-trial-in-double-jeopardy-dispute/623007 "2012-05-25T23:04:43Z")
This is an interesting case. The obvious conclusion when reading the headline is that this is a terrible precedent that does away with double jeopardy, but read the article. It’s a complex and subtle situation. Not b… --- ## [Did I handle this atheist student correctly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-handle-this-atheist-student-correctly/622837)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-handle-this-atheist-student-correctly/622837 "2012-05-25T13:07:03Z")
Okay, background: I teach science, in Texas. It’s a great job, and I like it, but the climate here can be decidedly dicey; earlier this year while discussing gravitation I used evolution as an example, and said that whil… --- ## [Is poverty coercive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-poverty-coercive/622917)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2012, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-poverty-coercive/622917 "2012-05-25T06:51:44Z")
My first reaction is: of course poverty is coercive. A wealthy person enjoys plenty of options if pressed. A sickness or emergency can often be resolved by drawing on this or that asset. Economic trends that result in un… --- ## [HBO's series: The Weight of the Nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hbos-series-the-weight-of-the-nation/622936)
**Author:** [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2012, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hbos-series-the-weight-of-the-nation/622936 "2012-05-24T21:47:17Z")
HBO has started showing a new 4-part documentary called “The Weight of the Nation”. It explains how Americans are suffering a terrible epidemic of people being overweight or obese and how this is just killing us. The c… --- ## [Do you think a strong government leads to a strong economy? Why or why not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-a-strong-government-leads-to-a-strong-economy-why-or-why-not/622951)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-a-strong-government-leads-to-a-strong-economy-why-or-why-not/622951 "2012-05-24T14:22:50Z")
A question for the ages, really, but it’s always interesting to see both sides. When it comes to government + economy stuff, I honestly have no idea. I’m curious to learn more. --- ## [Will we see totalitarianism in Europe again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-see-totalitarianism-in-europe-again/622715)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2012, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-see-totalitarianism-in-europe-again/622715 "2012-05-24T11:42:45Z")
While there’s currently another thread with a charming discussion of the possible restoration of European monarchies, I’m picturing a scenario that seems much more realistic. Eight decades ago, when much of the world’s … --- ## [Implications of Drone use in U.S. Airspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-drone-use-in-u-s-airspace/612222)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2012, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-drone-use-in-u-s-airspace/612222 "2012-05-24T05:29:32Z")
The FAA Reauthorizarion Act will order the FAA to develop regulations for drone use in the U.S. FAA will not name agencies currently certified for drones currently in use in undisclosed locations. Does this presage any… --- ## [Were Southern Democrats More Liberal Before the Depression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-southern-democrats-more-liberal-before-the-depression/622750)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2012, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-southern-democrats-more-liberal-before-the-depression/622750 "2012-05-24T05:24:47Z")
Check out the first two charts on this page from the VoteView Blog. They chart the liberal/conservative behavior of congresscritters going back to 1879. While I’m not convinced their methodology is completely sound I do … --- ## [What atheists think, and why (in re: GEEPERS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-atheists-think-and-why-in-re-geepers/620150)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 600\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-atheists-think-and-why-in-re-geepers/620150 "2012-05-24T01:22:13Z")
I’m starting this thread so atheists can explain how they came to be atheists and give their positions on issues including science, the Bible, and religion in general. I realize there’s already no shortage of atheists de… --- ## [How do people who believe the moon landings were hoaxed explain the reaction of the USSR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-believe-the-moon-landings-were-hoaxed-explain-the-reaction-of-the-ussr/622550)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2012, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-people-who-believe-the-moon-landings-were-hoaxed-explain-the-reaction-of-the-ussr/622550 "2012-05-23T22:41:37Z")
According to this CNN article 6% of Americans think that the moon landings were a hoax, a proportion which fills the internet with videos and articles explaining how NASA faked the landings, their points ranging from a r… --- ## [Does Snopes.com have a liberal bias?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-snopes-com-have-a-liberal-bias/621796)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-snopes-com-have-a-liberal-bias/621796 "2012-05-23T14:25:52Z")
I’ve read mutters-and-whispers to that effect on some messageboards (never this one). Mainly because Snopes is always debunking RW spam emails, like this. (Such emails, BTW, often come from a highly organized source.) … --- ## [Dems Need to Accept Moderates on Abortion= capture the House](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-need-to-accept-moderates-on-abortion-capture-the-house/621819)
**Author:** [@independentDemocrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/independentDemocrat)\ **Replies:** 229\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2012, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-need-to-accept-moderates-on-abortion-capture-the-house/621819 "2012-05-23T09:51:00Z")
It is time for the Democratic Party to adopt moderate candidates on abortion back into the Party. I have seen many sincere Democrats get thrown out of the Party through financial woes or primary challengers specifically,… --- ## ["Lind's Law": The lower the level of government, the more crooked & inefficient](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linds-law-the-lower-the-level-of-government-the-more-crooked-inefficient/622584)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2012, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linds-law-the-lower-the-level-of-government-the-more-crooked-inefficient/622584 "2012-05-23T07:41:03Z")
From “A Horde of Lilliputian Governments,” by Michael Lind, published in \[url=\]The New Leader (now defunct) May 5, 1997: Anybody have any reason to think otherwise? --- ## [Which European monarchy is the most likely to return?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-european-monarchy-is-the-most-likely-to-return/622108)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2012, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-european-monarchy-is-the-most-likely-to-return/622108 "2012-05-23T04:32:47Z")
I know the probability of this happening is close to nil so you don’t need to tell me that it’ll never happen. Just play along and assume you read about someone in Europe retaking the throne. Who do you think it would … --- ## [Why does the definition of hypertension keep getting stricter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-definition-of-hypertension-keep-getting-stricter/596066)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-definition-of-hypertension-keep-getting-stricter/596066 "2012-05-23T02:58:37Z")
To my knowlege hypertenion readings have undergone at least 3 changes in the last 20 years or so, constantly getting stricter. I don’t know what the ideal readings were before that. It used to be that anything below 140… --- ## [Present evidence for the existence of your deity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 512\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/present-evidence-for-the-existence-of-your-deity/619737 "2012-05-23T00:23:45Z")
For all those who say things like this: this is the thread to present your evidence. --- ## [Is WWI Underappreciated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wwi-underappreciated/396213)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-wwi-underappreciated/396213 "2012-05-22T22:10:54Z")
You don’t see a lot of movies about WWI these days and I assure that most folks no little about it. This is understandable in the extent that WWII has happened more recently and there is a ton more video documentation … --- ## [Why is the tech industry so prone to bubbles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-tech-industry-so-prone-to-bubbles/620847)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2012, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-tech-industry-so-prone-to-bubbles/620847 "2012-05-22T05:47:15Z")
So apparently Facebook will be valued at somewhere between $85 to $95 billion during its IPO. For reference, Google was valued at a mere $23 billion during its IPO under a decade ago. Further, Facebook made a profit of… --- ## [What responsibility does an obstetric worker have...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-does-an-obstetric-worker-have/622531)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2012, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-responsibility-does-an-obstetric-worker-have/622531 "2012-05-22T01:22:59Z")
…to keep parents from giving their children idiotic names? Case in point: Last night a 12-year-old boy named Nazia Banks was murdered on the South Side of Chicago. No thought was given by his parents of his being ment… --- ## [Whither Libya -- unitary or federal state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-libya-unitary-or-federal-state/622475)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2012, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-libya-unitary-or-federal-state/622475 "2012-05-22T01:20:14Z")
When a people shake off a dictatorship, they are confronted with the question, "What do we do now?" If it was a heavy dictatorship, they might find that during the Revolution they just assumed their neighbors/comrades a… --- ## [Interesting article on Black Atheism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-article-on-black-atheism/622293)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-article-on-black-atheism/622293 "2012-05-21T23:27:57Z")
Our Father’s Not in Heaven: The New Black Atheism --- ## [Who are the US intellectual heavyweights these days re contending social & political philosophies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-us-intellectual-heavyweights-these-days-re-contending-social-political-philosophies/621795)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-us-intellectual-heavyweights-these-days-re-contending-social-political-philosophies/621795 "2012-05-21T19:23:11Z")
Maybe I’m just getting older, but I can’t really recall any person or persons in the current political landscape of the United States who is regarded as a truly seminal thinker or important philosopher with respect to th… --- ## [Lottery Winnings - Annuities vs Lump Sum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winnings-annuities-vs-lump-sum/610945)
**Author:** [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lottery-winnings-annuities-vs-lump-sum/610945 "2012-05-21T18:53:24Z")
An earlier thread was discussing lottery winnings and this link was referenced, which compares the powerball payout as a lump sum payout vs the 30 year annuities option. Looking at the numbers, the first reaction is that… --- ## [12-year-old solves world financial woes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-solves-world-financial-woes/622288)
**Author:** [@Esox\_Lucius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esox_Lucius)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2012, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/12-year-old-solves-world-financial-woes/622288 "2012-05-21T13:16:37Z")
Or Canada’s, at least, but Victoria Grant’s argument supposedly applies to the rest of the world. It turns out she’s mainly giving talking points for the Public Banking Institute, an organization that promotes state-owne… --- ## [JP Morgan Screws Up With Derivatives Trading](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jp-morgan-screws-up-with-derivatives-trading/621633)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2012, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jp-morgan-screws-up-with-derivatives-trading/621633 "2012-05-21T03:16:25Z")
JP Morgan has announced major losses associated with derivatives trading, proving once again that this is one financial instrument that is literally TOO HOT to handle and portends certain disaster for our economy if it’s… --- ## [Groundbreaking New 9/11 Film "September Clues"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groundbreaking-new-9-11-film-september-clues/408324)
**Author:** [@CB\_Brooklyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CB_Brooklyn)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/groundbreaking-new-9-11-film-september-clues/408324 "2012-05-21T00:39:31Z")
Groundbreaking New 9/11 Film “September Clues” reveals the truth about 9/11. See September Clues in the following five 10-minute segments: (more to be made) http://www.livevideo.com/video/6F393F4DE41C4CF798CBB438E6378… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=326) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=328)