# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=330 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 331 --- ## [What are the implications of the US natural gas boom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-implications-of-the-us-natural-gas-boom/620592)
**Author:** [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-implications-of-the-us-natural-gas-boom/620592 "2012-05-06T13:46:02Z")
(I did searches in IMHO and GD for “Natural” (titles) and “frack” (all posts) and was surprised to find that this wasn’t discussed… at least, not with those search terms being used, that is. I’m sure someone will be here… --- ## [Will Arabs eventually take over the United States?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-arabs-eventually-take-over-the-united-states/620640)
**Author:** [@mkeith135\_gmail.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkeith135_gmail.com)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2012, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-arabs-eventually-take-over-the-united-states/620640 "2012-05-06T04:54:29Z")
I’m worried about the state of the world regarding Sharia Law. Will the United States eventually be submitted to Sharia Law? The extreme liberals are so afraid of offending them that they let some U.S. courts consider … --- ## [If the Tea Party movement is tagged as a racist organization....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-tea-party-movement-is-tagged-as-a-racist-organization/620547)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2012, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-tea-party-movement-is-tagged-as-a-racist-organization/620547 "2012-05-06T04:01:54Z")
because people that have attended such rallies and Tea Party events espoused racist views, then is the Occupy movement a terrorist organization, since some people that attended such rallies and events attempted terrorist… --- ## [On Jesus - why specifically was suffering and dying required?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-jesus-why-specifically-was-suffering-and-dying-required/617932)
**Author:** [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Replies:** 268\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2012, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-jesus-why-specifically-was-suffering-and-dying-required/617932 "2012-05-05T19:43:55Z")
We all know the story - after wandering around for a little while, Jesus goes off to pray in a garden, is personally tortured by God, and then immediately afterward is apprehended by the Romans and after a brief trial wa… --- ## [Should parents tolerate children watching porn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-parents-tolerate-children-watching-porn/620344)
**Author:** [@gvozd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gvozd)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-parents-tolerate-children-watching-porn/620344 "2012-05-05T15:21:58Z")
Almost all parents seem to think that their kids should not watch porn, and they should prevent them from watching, or least try to. As it is the case for 99.9% of male teenagers, it certainly didn’t stop me, and now tha… --- ## [Using a car in a crime apparently makes you subject to federal prosecution...really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-car-in-a-crime-apparently-makes-you-subject-to-federal-prosecution-really/620947)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/using-a-car-in-a-crime-apparently-makes-you-subject-to-federal-prosecution-really/620947 "2012-05-05T15:12:42Z")
First I want to be clear I am glad these people are (almost certainly seems like) going to prison for a very long time. I also have no problem with the hate crime statute itself. What I am puzzled and vaguely alarmed … --- ## [Russian paranoia about missile defense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-paranoia-about-missile-defense/620885)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2012, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russian-paranoia-about-missile-defense/620885 "2012-05-04T20:48:38Z")
The leaders of Russia foam at the mouth whenever the subject of ABM systems comes up. Can anyone explain why the Russians persistantly regard defensive systems as an existential threat to them? --- ## [Do adult gay men/women have a moral or ethical duty to come out of the closet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-adult-gay-men-women-have-a-moral-or-ethical-duty-to-come-out-of-the-closet/620564)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-adult-gay-men-women-have-a-moral-or-ethical-duty-to-come-out-of-the-closet/620564 "2012-05-04T20:21:08Z")
I’m conflicted. On one hand, it’s none of my damn business what ones sexual orientation is. OTOH: Not coming out and making yourself known makes it all that much harder for gays to have equality. --- ## [Dan Savage's "We can learn to ignore the bullsh!t in the Bible about gay people..." incident](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dan-savages-we-can-learn-to-ignore-the-bullsh-t-in-the-bible-about-gay-people-incident/620588)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dan-savages-we-can-learn-to-ignore-the-bullsh-t-in-the-bible-about-gay-people-incident/620588 "2012-05-04T16:38:19Z")
I started to do this in IMHO as an opinion poll but there are way too many options to cover them all and with the subject matter if it gets any traction it will probably end up here anyway. The story for those who aren’… --- ## [Who is the Messiah?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-messiah/620341)
**Author:** [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2012, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-messiah/620341 "2012-05-04T07:21:49Z")
If this isn’t the proper place for this ? will the Mod., plz. move it?Though i believe this is a factual question. In the time of Jesus, why didn’t the Priests believe that Jesus was the Messiah? --- ## [Make the case for jailing Marissa Alexander](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-for-jailing-marissa-alexander/620657)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-the-case-for-jailing-marissa-alexander/620657 "2012-05-04T00:34:31Z")
Even without a SYG law, I don’t understand the prosecutorial discretion or how the case survived a motion for summary judgement–let alone how they made the case strong enough to convict. Some background: What am I mis… --- ## [Germany and the European economy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-and-the-european-economy/620215)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/germany-and-the-european-economy/620215 "2012-05-02T23:11:33Z")
Mods, I’m sorry if this is the wrong forum. I was listening to the talk yesterday on NPR and there was a brief discussion on the European debt problem. Transcript. While searching for the transcript, I also found thi… --- ## [My fake religion...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fake-religion/620485)
**Author:** [@TurboNuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TurboNuke)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-fake-religion/620485 "2012-05-02T15:59:53Z")
Im an atheist but… Ive given a lot thought about religions I could believe in. Heres my made up religion. First there is God. He has always been here. Its turtles all the way down. God is bored. God creates angels to k… --- ## [Senate Needs to Confirm Obama/Karzai Pact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-needs-to-confirm-obama-karzai-pact/620599)
**Author:** [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2012, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senate-needs-to-confirm-obama-karzai-pact/620599 "2012-05-02T04:33:11Z")
Listening to the speech tonight, where Obama talks about signing a pact with Hamid Karzai for the future of U.S./Afghan military cooperation. Is this a “Treaty?” Does the Senate need to confirm it? If not, where is th… --- ## [Teacher Raises versus Teacher Layoffs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-raises-versus-teacher-layoffs/620336)
**Author:** [@Crab\_Rangoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crab_Rangoon)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2012, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/teacher-raises-versus-teacher-layoffs/620336 "2012-05-02T00:51:12Z")
I would like to know what people think about the following question: Is it better for any given teacher to get a raise (say 3% per year) in a three-year contract, or run the risk of being laid off due to budget cuts? Is… --- ## [Israel/Palestine: "One-state solution" on the table again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-palestine-one-state-solution-on-the-table-again/619814)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-palestine-one-state-solution-on-the-table-again/619814 "2012-05-01T19:54:47Z")
I heard on NPR recently that a lot of Palestinians nowadays, despairing of the possibility/viability of an independent Palestinian state, have started talking once again about an idea that used to be anathema to them, a o… --- ## [GE not paying its fair share. True or false](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ge-not-paying-its-fair-share-true-or-false/619836)
**Author:** [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ge-not-paying-its-fair-share-true-or-false/619836 "2012-05-01T18:56:02Z")
Has GE paid their fair share compared to our small-to-medium sized manufacturing plants who produce widgets here inside the US? How about against their direct competitors like Sylvania and Philips? I’m curious if they … --- ## [Is the USA a "welfare state" like the right claims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-usa-a-welfare-state-like-the-right-claims/619764)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-usa-a-welfare-state-like-the-right-claims/619764 "2012-05-01T16:40:49Z")
Or are we a Social Security/Medicare state? I maintain the latter. From my perspective about 85% of all social spending are for elderly entitlements. It seems the right wants to combine SS with “welfare” in order to d… --- ## [NBC edit of the Zimmerman tape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nbc-edit-of-the-zimmerman-tape/619291)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nbc-edit-of-the-zimmerman-tape/619291 "2012-05-01T16:01:15Z")
Let’s see…dozens of Trayvon Martin threads with thousands of posts. Did I miss the thread devoted to NBC’s “mistake”. They did fire the guy (apparently) but I haven’t found any more info in the last ten days. Won’t re… --- ## [Popular vote Vs. Electoral college](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-vote-vs-electoral-college/436486)
**Author:** [@ShermanAter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShermanAter)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2012, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-vote-vs-electoral-college/436486 "2012-05-01T09:39:08Z")
I am a 48 year old white,male, middle class voter. I usually vote Democrat but not always, because I don’t always agree with Democratic politics. This will be my eighth Presidential “election” that I have been able to… --- ## [Paul Davies enumerates all possible explanations of the fine tuning debate (Anthropic Principle)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-davies-enumerates-all-possible-explanations-of-the-fine-tuning-debate-anthropic-principle/561373)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2012, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-davies-enumerates-all-possible-explanations-of-the-fine-tuning-debate-anthropic-principle/561373 "2012-05-01T03:22:28Z")
Apparently the physical constants of our universe are precisely calibrated so as to make life possible: it’s spooky. The Anthropic Principle resolves that: it says that observers can only exist in universes that can cre… --- ## [Guy arrested for handing out pamphlets on jury nullifaction at courthouse. Guilty of jury tampering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guy-arrested-for-handing-out-pamphlets-on-jury-nullifaction-at-courthouse-guilty-of-jury-tampering/572622)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2012, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guy-arrested-for-handing-out-pamphlets-on-jury-nullifaction-at-courthouse-guilty-of-jury-tampering/572622 "2012-04-30T23:27:37Z")
I was reading the following article and thought it raised an interesting question. I think it is safe to say the basic facts, as given, are not in dispute. Mr. Heicklen was indeed handing out pamphlets on jury nullifi… --- ## [On the Student Loan Interest Rate...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-student-loan-interest-rate/620249)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-student-loan-interest-rate/620249 "2012-04-30T20:42:55Z")
Why is there a debate that we should NOT increase the interest rate on students loans from 3.4% to 6.8% in these times of ultra-low interest rates? My bank gives me a whopping 0.10% on savings. ING Direct gives less th… --- ## [Would it benefit society if we increased taxes on stock trades?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-benefit-society-if-we-increased-taxes-on-stock-trades/619613)
**Author:** [@Panjandrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panjandrum)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2012, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-benefit-society-if-we-increased-taxes-on-stock-trades/619613 "2012-04-30T18:21:46Z")
I have often wondered about the impact of the stock market on society. The following is my understanding of this topic so far: \[ol\] \[li\]Shares can be sold in IPOs or secondary stock trades. Initial Public Offerings a… --- ## [What is the logic for high spousal support and child support payments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-for-high-spousal-support-and-child-support-payments/619551)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2012, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-logic-for-high-spousal-support-and-child-support-payments/619551 "2012-04-30T05:29:28Z")
Cesar Millan was in the news regarding his divorce, he has to pay $23,000 a month in spousal support and $10,000 a month in child support for two kids. I have no idea why the spousal support payment is higher than the ch… --- ## [Worldwide Right to Bear Arms - Agree?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worldwide-right-to-bear-arms-agree/619058)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2012, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worldwide-right-to-bear-arms-agree/619058 "2012-04-29T20:43:07Z")
In a speech before the NRA last Friday, former Speaker Newt Gingrich proposed the following: Regardless of whether or not Gingrich could implement this politically, do you think he’s correct? A few points:\[ul\] \[li\]So… --- ## [Flag burning...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flag-burning/528)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2012, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flag-burning/528 "2012-04-28T22:48:22Z")
This should ruffle some feathers. Any one out there support this (fascist) amendment being debated? You want to go one on one with The Great One? --- ## [The state of Jews in Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-jews-in-europe/619560)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-jews-in-europe/619560 "2012-04-28T21:04:13Z")
From time to time I go to Mark Steyn’s website, mostly for his excellent “Song of the Week” feature. This time I read one of his political articles, Exodus, on the rise of violent anti-Semitism in Europe: \[Quote=Mark S… --- ## [Rank the worst nations in the world.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rank-the-worst-nations-in-the-world/618636)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2012, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rank-the-worst-nations-in-the-world/618636 "2012-04-28T20:41:49Z")
Maybe this should be in IMHO so if the mods want to move it, fine with me. My list, in order. 1.) North Korea - nothing is right there. 2.) Syria - the insurrection pushes it to the #2 spot. 3.) Cuba - a farcical dic… --- ## [The Downside of Cohabitating Before Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-downside-of-cohabitating-before-marriage/619921)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [April 28, 2012, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-downside-of-cohabitating-before-marriage/619921 "2012-04-28T19:31:12Z")
The Downside of Cohabiting Before Marriage There’s been a lot of discussion of the pros and cons of this, and there is apparently data showing that cohabiters are less successful at marriage than others. I’ve always ass… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=329) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=331)