# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=335 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 336 --- ## [Current Supreme Court battle will determine the future of health care in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-supreme-court-battle-will-determine-the-future-of-health-care-in-america/617078)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2012, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-supreme-court-battle-will-determine-the-future-of-health-care-in-america/617078 "2012-03-28T20:00:21Z")
So sez posters in another thread: So what do you think? What outcomes (since there’s more than one possible one, depending on the combination of findings) will have what impact? What will happen to health care in th… --- ## [Can a men's chorus exclude gays? Exclude straights? How about a basketball league?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-mens-chorus-exclude-gays-exclude-straights-how-about-a-basketball-league/616405)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2012, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-mens-chorus-exclude-gays-exclude-straights-how-about-a-basketball-league/616405 "2012-03-28T16:15:39Z")
Can an amateur men’s chorus exclude gay men – that is, make a rule that membership is open only to straight men? Can that same chorus exclude straight men? How about a basketball league? Can they make a rule excluding … --- ## [Conservatives: Does it piss you off that Rush's asinine approach is discrediting a valid point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-does-it-piss-you-off-that-rushs-asinine-approach-is-discrediting-a-valid-point/615496)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 147\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-does-it-piss-you-off-that-rushs-asinine-approach-is-discrediting-a-valid-point/615496 "2012-03-28T15:25:06Z")
Are there any conservatives (or even non-conservatives) that think that Rush Limbaugh’s underlying point about insurance coverage of birth control is valid, but he is discrediting the whole argument by his asinine approa… --- ## [Any and all Relatavists...I Need a Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-and-all-relatavists-i-need-a-hand/615335)
**Author:** [@Caracatacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caracatacus)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-and-all-relatavists-i-need-a-hand/615335 "2012-03-28T14:04:36Z")
Hi there. I’m having a little problem that I’m hoping some relativists can assist with. Essentially, I need to ask a question, and hopefully find a satisfactory answer from a relativist worth his salt. This isn’t so m… --- ## [If the Kochs complete the Cato takeover...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-kochs-complete-the-cato-takeover/616972)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-kochs-complete-the-cato-takeover/616972 "2012-03-27T23:08:54Z")
… should I, an opponent of both libertarianism AND the Republican party mourn its demise as an independent think tank\* at all? \*I know that some people would argue that it isn’t independent now, and I know that the Koc… --- ## [Human Technology and Progress: How Important Is Absolute Population Size?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-technology-and-progress-how-important-is-absolute-population-size/616944)
**Author:** [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-technology-and-progress-how-important-is-absolute-population-size/616944 "2012-03-27T22:38:53Z")
If there were a major biological disaster, and 99.9% of the world’s population died out, would it be a major boon for a lot of the survivors to have access to so much technology and resources, or would it be an unmitigat… --- ## [Cellphone radiation dangers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellphone-radiation-dangers/616826)
**Author:** [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cellphone-radiation-dangers/616826 "2012-03-27T21:07:20Z")
Hello you wonderful folks. I’m hoping to get some informed opinons on the topic of the ‘dangers of cellphone radiation’. I’d had my cursory glances through various headlines over the years and had come down on the side… --- ## [American Destupization 2012](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-destupization-2012/615943)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-destupization-2012/615943 "2012-03-27T20:46:46Z")
Remember the Top Secret American Destupization Project? Well, it’s been a while, so let’s see what we’ve learned. Stupidity seems to have continued merrily along. Have there been any successful blows for brain? And wh… --- ## [Is there a justifiable reason why health care reform has taken so long to implement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-justifiable-reason-why-health-care-reform-has-taken-so-long-to-implement/616240)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2012, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-justifiable-reason-why-health-care-reform-has-taken-so-long-to-implement/616240 "2012-03-27T18:32:50Z")
Believe me, I’m a huge proponent of the HCRB, and I’ll be anticipating next week’s Supreme Court hearing about the law. The thing is, though, that in spite of all the abashed political rhetoric against the ACA, I can’t … --- ## [Making foie gras is cruel.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-foie-gras-is-cruel/614648)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-foie-gras-is-cruel/614648 "2012-03-27T17:57:18Z")
Here’s some impartial coverage of the controversy. Whether the practice should be banned is argueable, but that it is cruel is not. I don’t know what else to say. Peace, mangeorge --- ## [Why No Strong Push For Drug Reform?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-strong-push-for-drug-reform/611722)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-strong-push-for-drug-reform/611722 "2012-03-27T00:09:37Z")
Why is there no strong push for reform of drug laws in the United States or indeed most other places? Even the Netherlands merely has decriminalized marijuana, not fully legalized it? Why is it that while more controvers… --- ## [Should US Supreme Court justices get top-notch security and protection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-us-supreme-court-justices-get-top-notch-security-and-protection/616574)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-us-supreme-court-justices-get-top-notch-security-and-protection/616574 "2012-03-26T23:36:33Z")
As far as I know, and seemingly confirmed by this recent New York Times article, SCOTUS justices receive virtually no special security/protection (for those who don’t click on the link, the article tells of how Justice B… --- ## [No environmental and public health regulations =\> universal health care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-environmental-and-public-health-regulations-universal-health-care/616452)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-environmental-and-public-health-regulations-universal-health-care/616452 "2012-03-26T17:50:11Z")
My belief is that if one doesn’t want to enforce environmental regulations against facilities through the instruments of federal and state agencies AND if one wants to get rid of the FDA, USDA, the CDC, and other governm… --- ## [US Soldiers killing Afghani civilians.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-soldiers-killing-afghani-civilians/615493)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-soldiers-killing-afghani-civilians/615493 "2012-03-25T12:33:01Z")
What should be done in cases of US soldiers killing Afghani civilians? Should the US turn soldiers like this over to the Afghan government for a trial and sentencing, or should the US military handle his punishment? I ca… --- ## [Why was McClellan extremely cautious (U.S. Civil War)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-mcclellan-extremely-cautious-u-s-civil-war/615174)
**Author:** [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-mcclellan-extremely-cautious-u-s-civil-war/615174 "2012-03-24T23:51:18Z")
I’m watching Ken Burn’s 1990 CW doc on Netflix. They really harp on McClellan’s apparent and stubborn inaction. His only redeeming quality they concede is his training of the army, but if you’re not going to fight, tra… --- ## [Concerning "Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus" Video](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/611503)
**Author:** [@GeddyClaypoolBurton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeddyClaypoolBurton)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/concerning-why-i-hate-religion-but-love-jesus-video/611503 "2012-03-24T22:23:17Z")
I’m sure by now many people have seen this little piece of mind (if not, the link is at the bottom of the page). In this video, the author basically is trying to say how religion is bad, but goes on to say believing in J… --- ## [Joe Paterno: Enabler or Scapegoat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-paterno-enabler-or-scapegoat/616381)
**Author:** [@NoLittlePlans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoLittlePlans)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-paterno-enabler-or-scapegoat/616381 "2012-03-24T21:30:10Z")
First-time visitor/poster here. Straightdope.com quickly struck me as an intelligent, balanced community that’s open to a variety of different considerations from all points of view. So, I present to you the following … --- ## [Invisible Children / Kony thing = scam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invisible-children-kony-thing-scam/615124)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2012, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/invisible-children-kony-thing-scam/615124 "2012-03-24T20:16:55Z")
Lots of conflicting opinions on this one. Personally, I think it’s a total scamfest but I leave it to y’all to debate. --- ## [Greg Smith and Goldman Sachs -- justified opinion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greg-smith-and-goldman-sachs-justified-opinion/615863)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2012, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greg-smith-and-goldman-sachs-justified-opinion/615863 "2012-03-24T07:03:14Z")
What do you all think of this? Is his opinion justified? I once worked in the finance industry and found it to be quite stifling. I ended up quitting to go into science. --- ## [Why do Americans stop doing homework \[re: Keystone XL pipeline\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-stop-doing-homework-re-keystone-xl-pipeline/616181)
**Author:** [@Schyler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schyler)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2012, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-americans-stop-doing-homework-re-keystone-xl-pipeline/616181 "2012-03-24T06:23:01Z")
Here’s a hypothetical situation. Ask your Iphone or search the web for the dollar amount of “black” bottom-line profits that one of the major American oil companies made last year. Multiply by 4 to get a hypothetic yea… --- ## [Transporters and the destruction of the self: What am I missing here?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transporters-and-the-destruction-of-the-self-what-am-i-missing-here/613894)
**Author:** [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Replies:** 271\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transporters-and-the-destruction-of-the-self-what-am-i-missing-here/613894 "2012-03-23T23:36:38Z")
In another thread about AI rights and sentience, a side conversation developed about storing people’s brains and downloading them into clones, or transporters. Now unwilling to hijack, we decided to agree to disagree abo… --- ## [Okay, what does it reveal about the Republican party that the individual mandate was its idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-what-does-it-reveal-about-the-republican-party-that-the-individual-mandate-was-its-idea/616506)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2012, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/okay-what-does-it-reveal-about-the-republican-party-that-the-individual-mandate-was-its-idea/616506 "2012-03-23T14:25:25Z")
I guess that this question can be rolled into a host of other issues about politics and hypocrisy, but the problem here is still incredibly perplexing. The individual mandate to buy health insurance is an idea that orig… --- ## [Mandatory Voting for Minors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-voting-for-minors/614967)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2012, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mandatory-voting-for-minors/614967 "2012-03-23T06:39:42Z")
I thought I had posted on this before but couldn’t find anything in a search. Maybe it was during the Winter of Our Missed Content. Anyways I was watching a story on Friday’s Colbert Report about the Florida teacher who … --- ## [Armenian Genocide - what the hell is Turkey's problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armenian-genocide-what-the-hell-is-turkeys-problem/616331)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armenian-genocide-what-the-hell-is-turkeys-problem/616331 "2012-03-23T02:18:13Z")
Most other democracies are pretty good at admitting they did Bad Things nowadays. Turkey is different. Not only does the Turkish government protest when anyone else recognizes the Armenian genocide, Turkish journalists … --- ## [Florida neighborhood watch killing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-neighborhood-watch-killing/616495)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-neighborhood-watch-killing/616495 "2012-03-22T16:32:01Z")
When a police officer kills someone in the line of duty the case almost always goes to a grand jury (at least in NJ) in order to let someone other than the police make the determination of whether the killing was justif --- ## [Why must contraceptives be FREE?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-must-contraceptives-be-free/616375)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2012, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-must-contraceptives-be-free/616375 "2012-03-22T13:33:05Z")
I’m pro-choice and consider myself a feminist. I’d like contraceptives to be widely available for anyone who wants them, male or female. I have to admit I’m enjoying the political damage the GOP is doing to itself over… --- ## [People who support all drugs being OTC...explain your reasoning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-support-all-drugs-being-otc-explain-your-reasoning/613739)
**Author:** [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-support-all-drugs-being-otc-explain-your-reasoning/613739 "2012-03-22T13:03:33Z")
In the thread about Plan B, erislover said: I replied back: From what I gather, the main line of reasoning for wanting all drugs OTC is the idea of a smaller government, less regulation, and the idea that a person ne… --- ## ["More Americans Seeking Dental Treatment At The ER"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-americans-seeking-dental-treatment-at-the-er/615501)
**Author:** [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2012, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-americans-seeking-dental-treatment-at-the-er/615501 "2012-03-22T12:15:51Z")
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=147544667 I had no idea people go to ER for dental problems… How can we fix this and what is it like in other countries? --- ## [Where is the African community doing best?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-african-community-doing-best/615363)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2012, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-african-community-doing-best/615363 "2012-03-22T09:31:30Z")
In the interest of full disclosure, this is for a paper I’m working on. I’m not asking for you to do my homework, though; just looking for ideas. We all know that blacks in the US lag behind whites and other minorities … --- ## [Did Fox News kill this man's mother?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2012, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-fox-news-kill-this-mans-mother/616215 "2012-03-22T06:32:56Z")
http://silencedmajority.blogs.com/silenced\_majority\_portal/2012/03/tracy-knauss-fox-news-killed-my-mother.html Mr. Knauss originally posted this on his FaceBook page but I don’t think you can permalink a FB post. The li… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=334) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=336)