# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=328 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 329 --- ## [Yes, of course the Tea Party is a racist organization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-of-course-the-tea-party-is-a-racist-organization/621047)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yes-of-course-the-tea-party-is-a-racist-organization/621047 "2012-05-20T20:27:53Z")
Not based on anything said or done by its most exteme members, but going by polls of Tea Partiers in general: Now, that might not be the same portrait as we would get from a poll of actual White Nationalists, but the d… --- ## [Oh goody. US becoming more like USSR](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-goody-us-becoming-more-like-ussr/622214)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2012, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-goody-us-becoming-more-like-ussr/622214 "2012-05-20T16:51:43Z")
I remember - when you emigrated from USSR in the 70s-80s (those that were allowed to do so) you had to leave all your possessions behind, and were barred from ever visiting again. How nice to see United States moving i… --- ## [BBMA Awards Tonight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbma-awards-tonight/622506)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2012, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bbma-awards-tonight/622506 "2012-05-20T11:43:09Z")
Billboard music awards will be airing tonight and it is expected to be a star studied affair with lot of stars and celebs expected to attend the awards tonight. Watch Billboard music awards 2012 Online Billboard music … --- ## [The US, China and Chen Guangcheng](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-china-and-chen-guangcheng/620476)
**Author:** [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2012, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-china-and-chen-guangcheng/620476 "2012-05-20T07:42:19Z")
A blind Chinese dissident named Chen is reportedly taking refuge in the American embassy in Beijing. The timing is awkward because Secretary Clinton is scheduled to visit China tomorrow. So far, the administration has be… --- ## [Four Members of Congress Sue To Declare Filibuster Unconstitutional](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-members-of-congress-sue-to-declare-filibuster-unconstitutional/622116)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-members-of-congress-sue-to-declare-filibuster-unconstitutional/622116 "2012-05-19T18:47:21Z")
For debate: Do they have a case or is this grandstanding? Further debate: Is it a good or bad thing to get rid of the filibuster (if they succeed)? --- ## [Is religion the main reason for the Israel/Palestine conflict?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-the-main-reason-for-the-israel-palestine-conflict/620757)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 270\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2012, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-religion-the-main-reason-for-the-israel-palestine-conflict/620757 "2012-05-19T11:03:31Z")
Talking about this subject with other people and I feel like a bit of my ignorance is making me go in circles here. To me, as little as I understand it, the base of the disagreement seems to fall back into the differing … --- ## [A Facebook "Like" is not free speech? Say what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-facebook-like-is-not-free-speech-say-what/621437)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-facebook-like-is-not-free-speech-say-what/621437 "2012-05-19T02:21:20Z")
I’m a hardcore civil libertarian, and I find this pretty dismaying. I’m hoping it gets appealed to the SCOTUS and overturned. Does anyone agree with the reasoning of this judge? http://gcn.com/articles/2012/05/07/agg-… --- ## [The Patient Protection Act Is About To Put $1.3 BILLION Back In Consumers' Pockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-patient-protection-act-is-about-to-put-1-3-billion-back-in-consumers-pockets/621665)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-patient-protection-act-is-about-to-put-1-3-billion-back-in-consumers-pockets/621665 "2012-05-18T21:04:06Z")
\*"We aren’t exactly out of “the fog of controversy” that then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi said we’d have to be out of before we could see the benefits of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but we’re about to see ju… --- ## [Investing in infrastucture and the automated car.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investing-in-infrastucture-and-the-automated-car/621431)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/investing-in-infrastucture-and-the-automated-car/621431 "2012-05-18T19:23:26Z")
Warning: Some one spiked my kool-aid today so… It’s been said that nothing gets the economy going like the next big thing. Cell phones, computers, etc. With that in mind, I’m wondering if congress passed a budget of sa… --- ## [Trayvon Martin's mom getting 8 months paid leave.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trayvon-martins-mom-getting-8-months-paid-leave/621804)
**Author:** [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2012, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trayvon-martins-mom-getting-8-months-paid-leave/621804 "2012-05-18T19:15:14Z")
I don’t know how Trayvon Martin’s mom pulled this off. 8 months off paid leave from a State or county job? :confused: For what? So she can continue her political agenda? Go out and make more speeches and tv appearance… --- ## ["American Community Survey" Stop? Keep? Make Voluntary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-community-survey-stop-keep-make-voluntary/622237)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-community-survey-stop-keep-make-voluntary/622237 "2012-05-18T02:12:12Z")
One “Stupid Republican Idea of the Day” is to abolish “American Community Survey” demographic data collection: Abolishing the survey outright strikes most of the commentators on the thread (myself included) as a cynica… --- ## [Are Republicans more tolerant of bullies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-more-tolerant-of-bullies/621905)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2012, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-republicans-more-tolerant-of-bullies/621905 "2012-05-18T02:01:20Z")
I ask because I got off a quip in a “Romney-bully” thread about merely registering as a Republican implies a certain toleration of bullying, but the more I think on it, the more I think it’s actually true. Foriegn polic… --- ## ["East Asian Civilization'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-asian-civilization/621173)
**Author:** [@Eastwest99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eastwest99)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/east-asian-civilization/621173 "2012-05-18T01:27:05Z")
What is meant by “East Asian Civilization”? what are the traditional values, beliefs and practices of East Asia that placed China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam at a comparative geopolitical disadvantage during the 19th centu… --- ## [Son cut from the team. Does mom have a case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-cut-from-the-team-does-mom-have-a-case/621528)
**Author:** [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2012, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/son-cut-from-the-team-does-mom-have-a-case/621528 "2012-05-17T23:42:29Z")
Story here. Son made the team after two try-outs. After football season, there was a third try-out and 9 of 11 players were replaced. Mom is suing school district for deprivation of right to a complete education which … --- ## [Quebec student movement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-student-movement/621637)
**Author:** [@punch\_line\_loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/punch_line_loser)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/quebec-student-movement/621637 "2012-05-17T03:21:20Z")
First off, I acknowledge that this may be put in the wrong forum, but it seemed more appropos here than in any of the others. Feel free to moderate me. Anyway, has anyone been following the student movements in Quebec l… --- ## [Should people with serious mental illnesses have the right to euthanasia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-with-serious-mental-illnesses-have-the-right-to-euthanasia/278043)
**Author:** [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-with-serious-mental-illnesses-have-the-right-to-euthanasia/278043 "2012-05-16T16:22:44Z")
I strongly believe that if someone with a terminal or very painful illness wants to kill themselves, that should be their right. I see from reading the boards that many people here agree with this. I believe it’s unethic… --- ## [Satan casting out Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/satan-casting-out-satan/621011)
**Author:** [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2012, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/satan-casting-out-satan/621011 "2012-05-16T07:37:21Z")
What does “Satan casting out Satan” mean to you? Personally, I think it means that the real Satan causes divisions in the Church by concentrating very heavily on casting out myriad imagined Satans, such as: –Watching te… --- ## [I am 17. It's dark and raining and this creep is following me, what should I do? Need answer fast.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-17-its-dark-and-raining-and-this-creep-is-following-me-what-should-i-do-need-answer-fast/617864)
**Author:** [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2012, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-17-its-dark-and-raining-and-this-creep-is-following-me-what-should-i-do-need-answer-fast/617864 "2012-05-15T23:02:20Z")
I am a 17 year old kid in Florida. It’s dark and raining, and this creepy guy has been tailing me and won’t leave me alone. Driving slowly next to me. He’s making me pretty scared. My girlfriend thinks I should run. I’m … --- ## [Where did fears of sharia law being implemented in western countries come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-fears-of-sharia-law-being-implemented-in-western-countries-come-from/620730)
**Author:** [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-did-fears-of-sharia-law-being-implemented-in-western-countries-come-from/620730 "2012-05-14T21:50:44Z")
It appears to be a popular topic, that sharia law is going to be legislated and implemented any moment. Where on earth did this fear come from? Did it have a source, an incident? --- ## [Man arrested for asking girls to wear socks--is this really a sex crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-arrested-for-asking-girls-to-wear-socks-is-this-really-a-sex-crime/621188)
**Author:** [@Vicullum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicullum)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/man-arrested-for-asking-girls-to-wear-socks-is-this-really-a-sex-crime/621188 "2012-05-14T21:04:07Z")
Link. A 33 year old man was arrested by Port St. Lucie police and charged with felony lewd or lascivious exhibition committed on, or in the presence of, persons less than 16. So what was he doing? Ok, that’s weird, bu… --- ## [Bible John- Glasgow](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-john-glasgow/621777)
**Author:** [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bible-john-glasgow/621777 "2012-05-14T12:01:10Z")
I’m talking of the serial killer in Glasgow. Linky. I watched a show on this last night and also had a brief discussion with \*\*Hermette \*\*who resides in Glasgow. She mentions that the killer is well remembered. There … --- ## [why is it that African Americans never seem to be charged with hate crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-african-americans-never-seem-to-be-charged-with-hate-crimes/620002)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2012, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-african-americans-never-seem-to-be-charged-with-hate-crimes/620002 "2012-05-14T05:42:40Z")
Hello everyone, Once again it seems that crimes based on race committed by blacks against whites are being discounted as hate crimes. The most recent here: In this news story the police in Alabama refuse to classify t… --- ## [Is the euro in danger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-euro-in-danger/621094)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-euro-in-danger/621094 "2012-05-14T05:39:08Z")
Spinoff from this Elections forum thread on the French presidential election, which Socialist Hollande just won, which Reuters calls “a swing to the left at the heart of Europe that could start a pushback against German-… --- ## [Any validity to early Catholic/christian same sex marriage ceremonies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-validity-to-early-catholic-christian-same-sex-marriage-ceremonies/621654)
**Author:** [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2012, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-validity-to-early-catholic-christian-same-sex-marriage-ceremonies/621654 "2012-05-14T00:42:11Z")
This popped up on my facebook feed, it’s an argument put forth by, apparently, an anthropologist. He claims that there is a ton of documented evidence and other information indicating that the early Church used to not o… --- ## [English as the "official" language of the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-as-the-official-language-of-the-us/621066)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 188\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/english-as-the-official-language-of-the-us/621066 "2012-05-13T18:46:03Z")
I know, at least I don’t think, that it ever was. I’m wondering about requirements that other languages be used. What landmark legislation or court cases started the ball rolling? Federal or state. Initially and even… --- ## [Stats on firearm owners saving the day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stats-on-firearm-owners-saving-the-day/620793)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 12, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stats-on-firearm-owners-saving-the-day/620793 "2012-05-12T18:45:18Z")
I’m really just looking for reputable data supporting or discounting the claim that citizens carrying a gun reduces crime and/or improves safety. But given the subject matter, I’m posting in GD to save some poor mod from… --- ## [What is up with the price of carbon offsets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-the-price-of-carbon-offsets/619377)
**Author:** [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2012, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-up-with-the-price-of-carbon-offsets/619377 "2012-05-11T21:58:52Z")
I am posting this in GD because I feel it will end up there eventually. I recently bought a gas-guzzling SUV that gets about 15 mpg. I feel like I should do the right thing and not contribute to the end of civilization… --- ## [How limited are our resouces? Really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-limited-are-our-resouces-really/621535)
**Author:** [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-limited-are-our-resouces-really/621535 "2012-05-11T20:12:40Z")
I’ve always believed if I looked hard enough I can find something that makes me a lot of money. Whenever I express that belief many people think I’m crazy. The world is VAST. Right?If I am indeed being ignorant I want t… --- ## [Costs of public workers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/costs-of-public-workers/619810)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/costs-of-public-workers/619810 "2012-05-11T18:45:41Z")
The topic of government pay and public sector unions keeps coming up, but the threads usually devolve into shouting matches. I’m hoping that we can have a civil thread that looks at the actual facts about these issues. … --- ## [I didnt say it was right, I said it was legal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-say-it-was-right-i-said-it-was-legal/620915)
**Author:** [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-say-it-was-right-i-said-it-was-legal/620915 "2012-05-11T16:39:33Z")
Have you ever got into a conversation about this? Something that seems illegal based on commonly accepted norms, but is legal? Is that an issue with the law, or our perception of what is considered good or moral? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=327) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=329)