# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=340 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 341 --- ## [What should the criminal penalty for practical jokes be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-criminal-penalty-for-practical-jokes-be/579137)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-criminal-penalty-for-practical-jokes-be/579137 "2012-02-23T15:57:12Z")
http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/04/20/new.jersey.rutgers.indictment/ Dharun Ravi has been indicted on 15 different counts stemming from his video outing of his gay Rutgers roomate, Tyler Clementi. As you may recall, Clem… --- ## [The Catholic church and birth control](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-catholic-church-and-birth-control/613468)
**Author:** [@rat\_avatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rat_avatar)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2012, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-catholic-church-and-birth-control/613468 "2012-02-23T06:24:17Z")
In this thread John Mace claims the Catholic church (the org not individuals) would not ban the use of contraceptives in this country if they had the opportunity. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=14794… --- ## [How come Rome never entered the Industrial age?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-rome-never-entered-the-industrial-age/114831)
**Author:** [@Montezuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montezuma)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2012, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-rome-never-entered-the-industrial-age/114831 "2012-02-23T04:53:37Z")
The Empire was the forefront, after greece was conquered, of technological advancement and development so why didn’t it develop things such as making machinery at such a faster rate or use steam driven engines etc? I kn… --- ## [Global Warming for Dummies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-for-dummies/611172)
**Author:** [@Nom\_de\_Plume](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nom_de_Plume)\ **Replies:** 367\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2012, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-for-dummies/611172 "2012-02-23T02:58:15Z")
I am not necessarily a denialist, though I do tend to be skeptical of most things I hear or read. I’m also not a climate scientist, so I can not understand tables and tables of data. It appears to me that the Global Wa… --- ## [Can we please, please go back to using the word "men" in its gender-inclusive sense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-please-go-back-to-using-the-word-men-in-its-gender-inclusive-sense/608394)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-please-please-go-back-to-using-the-word-men-in-its-gender-inclusive-sense/608394 "2012-02-22T16:46:30Z")
Because, bowing respectfully to feminists everywhere, and in full support of their cause in practically all respects, and then stamping my little feet in shrill demanding, I want a good strong one-syllable Anglo-Saxon wo… --- ## [Acceptance of Homosexuality leads to the Collapse of Civilization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acceptance-of-homosexuality-leads-to-the-collapse-of-civilization/608716)
**Author:** [@dorsk188](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorsk188)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2012, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acceptance-of-homosexuality-leads-to-the-collapse-of-civilization/608716 "2012-02-22T04:21:00Z")
When I was in college, a friend of mine alluded to the idea that “the Romans accepted homosexuality and it resulted in the Empire’s collapse”. I quickly and derisively told her that the Roman Empire actually collapsed a… --- ## [Mormons baptized Simon Wiesenthal...so what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormons-baptized-simon-wiesenthal-so-what/612822)
**Author:** [@Flying\_Saucer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flying_Saucer)\ **Replies:** 352\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2012, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mormons-baptized-simon-wiesenthal-so-what/612822 "2012-02-22T04:08:03Z")
Big discussion between me and the other alien craft today on the story that a Mormon church posthumously baptized Simon Wiesenthal. Jewish leaders are outraged and some Mormons have apologized. My question is…why? Seems… --- ## [GOP RIP: the price of progress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-rip-the-price-of-progress/613419)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-rip-the-price-of-progress/613419 "2012-02-22T00:21:14Z")
Not to declare the Republican Party dead prematurely, but we may be witnesses to the death of a major political party as such for the first time in a century and a half over the next few years. The brand-name is such tha… --- ## [How would evolution proceed without predators?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-evolution-proceed-without-predators/612638)
**Author:** [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-evolution-proceed-without-predators/612638 "2012-02-21T00:52:52Z")
I was watching The Lion King with my daughter, and sort of smirked at the self-serving explanation Mufasa (the lion king at the beginning of the movie, for the two people who haven’t seen it) gives his son and heir appar… --- ## [Abortion / Pro Choice / Pro Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-pro-choice-pro-life/307532)
**Author:** [@Pyroto\_YT\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyroto_YT_Tiger)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-pro-choice-pro-life/307532 "2012-02-21T00:12:51Z")
I am unable to do a search on archived files, so I’m starting this thread. And, maybe (probably) its a repeat thread. I’m quite interested in this topic as I had always been pro choice. Then I got pregnant (it was plann… --- ## [Living wage? We don't need no stinkin' living wage!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-wage-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-living-wage/612306)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 304\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2012, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-wage-we-dont-need-no-stinkin-living-wage/612306 "2012-02-20T14:45:31Z")
More I know one of the first responses to this is that he should move closer to the job, but the man has house payments and selling a house is difficult these days, plus there’s a good chance he’s under water. I thi… --- ## [Open the US/Canada border fully](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-the-us-canada-border-fully/612632)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2012, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-the-us-canada-border-fully/612632 "2012-02-20T03:30:19Z")
Imagine that the US and Canada open the border completely, taking down all checkpoints and letting people move across freely, such as is possible in the Schengen area in Europe. Would the world end in a blaze of explosi… --- ## [Syria soon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-soon/594271)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syria-soon/594271 "2012-02-20T02:37:13Z")
Protests have been going on since January. More than 2,000 killed so far. And it ain’t dying down. NYT reports: :confused: Maybe it rhymes or something in Arabic . . . Well, Gaddafi was in a weaker situation to st… --- ## [Is this evidence of a larger problem? \[lawsuits and personal responsibility\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-evidence-of-a-larger-problem-lawsuits-and-personal-responsibility/612389)
**Author:** [@Whambulance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whambulance)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2012, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-evidence-of-a-larger-problem-lawsuits-and-personal-responsibility/612389 "2012-02-19T09:03:26Z")
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=146648260 I’d like to hear that it’s just my imagination but I feel like I’ve been hearing a lot of stories lately reflecting a real lack of accountability by citizen… --- ## [(Iranian) attempts to assassainate ambassadors](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-attempts-to-assassainate-ambassadors/613262)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2012, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iranian-attempts-to-assassainate-ambassadors/613262 "2012-02-19T06:40:36Z")
This story just broke a few days ago somewhat on the heels of the Iranian attempt to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the US and was quickly confirmed, at least by the Thai intelligence service. The reaction on the c… --- ## [Why is a federal dept. of education needed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-federal-dept-of-education-needed/612376)
**Author:** [@Pablo\_O\_Malley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pablo_O_Malley)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2012, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-a-federal-dept-of-education-needed/612376 "2012-02-18T09:55:32Z")
A lot of the presidential candidates declare that the Dept. of Education is one of the federal agencies they will get rid of…but no one ever does and we never really hear why it’s needed or isn’t needed So why is a fede… --- ## [Is man a meat-eater or a vegetarian by nature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-man-a-meat-eater-or-a-vegetarian-by-nature/609381)
**Author:** [@James\_Polichak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Polichak)\ **Replies:** 248\ **Last updated:** [February 18, 2012, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-man-a-meat-eater-or-a-vegetarian-by-nature/609381 "2012-02-18T09:40:15Z")
Here is some recent research on the impact of changing diet on human jaw structure. The main thrust is that the switch to sedentary agricultural communities with predominantly plant-based diets resulted in the smaller ja… --- ## [WWI: Why didn't the British invade Germany by sea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-why-didnt-the-british-invade-germany-by-sea/611786)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwi-why-didnt-the-british-invade-germany-by-sea/611786 "2012-02-17T23:37:13Z")
When the Brits got into the war, they started pouring a lot of men’s blood into the same trench-lines the Germans and French had established. Why play that game? Britain was still the world’s greatest sea power. It co… --- ## [MF Global parent being sued on behalf of child (corporate personhood)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mf-global-parent-being-sued-on-behalf-of-child-corporate-personhood/613077)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mf-global-parent-being-sued-on-behalf-of-child-corporate-personhood/613077 "2012-02-17T18:13:02Z")
http://www.timesunion.com/business/press-releases/article/Corporate-Personhood-Issue-in-MF-Global-3332512.php#ixzz1mYbdE8wV This seems like it could be a credible challenge to the notion of corporate personhood. The r… --- ## [Harvard and Princeton Targeted in U.S. Asian-American Discrimination Probe](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvard-and-princeton-targeted-in-u-s-asian-american-discrimination-probe/611636)
**Author:** [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Replies:** 237\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2012, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harvard-and-princeton-targeted-in-u-s-asian-american-discrimination-probe/611636 "2012-02-17T04:53:25Z")
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-02/harvard-targeted-in-u-s-asian-american-discrimination-probe.html The department’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating a complaint it received in August that Harvard rejected… --- ## [What if a President Ron Paul did end the Federal Reserve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-president-ron-paul-did-end-the-federal-reserve/612899)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2012, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-a-president-ron-paul-did-end-the-federal-reserve/612899 "2012-02-15T23:44:54Z")
I’m in the Financial Chaos camp. Congress could not possibly handle the duties of the FOMC, regional banks, or other duties the Fed handles. Interest rates would rise quickly as investors abandoned US Treasuries. Infl… --- ## [Israel ready to attack Iran?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-ready-to-attack-iran/611685)
**Author:** [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Replies:** 548\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-ready-to-attack-iran/611685 "2012-02-15T22:47:18Z")
Although this topic has been debated almost endlessly on the SDMB for the past, oh 8 years or so, seems to me that just because your paranoid it doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you. Upfront, I’ll state my views on t… --- ## [Atheists and climate change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-and-climate-change/608843)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-and-climate-change/608843 "2012-02-15T17:09:35Z")
Here are a couple of subjects that folks seem to have opinions on! A recent paper found that atheists are among the least trusted groups. This trend seems to hold at least in the US and in Canada. http://www2.psych.ubc… --- ## [ZERO income tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-income-tax/612527)
**Author:** [@sbright33](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sbright33)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2012, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zero-income-tax/612527 "2012-02-14T19:03:42Z")
51 percent of Americans pay ZERO income tax!!! Our Marginal tax rate is roughly 51% of our paycheck. This is true for many people, not everyone of course. Some only 20% of their paycheck. How can these both be true? … --- ## [Do you think words ought to be wild?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-words-ought-to-be-wild/612596)
**Author:** [@voidray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voidray)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-words-ought-to-be-wild/612596 "2012-02-14T16:17:19Z")
“Words ought to be a little wild, for they are the assault of thoughts on the unthinking.” by John Maynard Keynes, New Statesman and Nation (15 July 1933) I’ll change it a little bit; “Words ought to be extremely wild,… --- ## [Real alien spacecraft observed- what would happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-alien-spacecraft-observed-what-would-happen/606480)
**Author:** [@ctaylor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctaylor)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2012, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-alien-spacecraft-observed-what-would-happen/606480 "2012-02-14T10:40:13Z")
Something I’ve always wondered about and I’d love to hear the opinions of the brilliant members of this board: what if a piece of obviously alien technology was observed by so many people that there was no doubt it was n… --- ## [Could dolphins make it to outer space? What about just to Newark?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dolphins-make-it-to-outer-space-what-about-just-to-newark/612689)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2012, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-dolphins-make-it-to-outer-space-what-about-just-to-newark/612689 "2012-02-14T09:13:57Z")
Make up whatever story you want to imbue dolphins with human-like intelligence. Consider the average dolphin’s cognitive abilities to be on par with the Einsteins and Newtons of our domain, including communicative skills… --- ## [Is the White Underclass Less Traditionalist Than Thought?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-white-underclass-less-traditionalist-than-thought/612679)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-white-underclass-less-traditionalist-than-thought/612679 "2012-02-14T02:35:33Z")
I found the assertion in two otherwise unrelated articles that the white working class in America on average has higher rates of illegitimacy (which isn’t particularly surprising) and has lower rates of church attendance… --- ## [College admissions and scarcity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-admissions-and-scarcity/612743)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-admissions-and-scarcity/612743 "2012-02-14T00:28:50Z")
The several recent threads on college admissions got me thinking about something that has bothered me for a while. Why do colleges even bother having a set tuition when the price someone actually pays at most schools is… --- ## [Supply of a Cancer Drug May Run Out Within Weeks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supply-of-a-cancer-drug-may-run-out-within-weeks/612532)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supply-of-a-cancer-drug-may-run-out-within-weeks/612532 "2012-02-13T23:29:09Z")
So, what could be done to prevent this kind of thing from happening? Should the government fund the production of these medicines? Should we let the free market decide which children live and die? Should we remove … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=339) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=341)