# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=344 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 345 --- ## [Is there any real use for the Moon in interplanetary travel/shipping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-use-for-the-moon-in-interplanetary-travel-shipping/610833)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2012, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-use-for-the-moon-in-interplanetary-travel-shipping/610833 "2012-01-30T00:12:25Z")
At the end of The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, the point is made that Luna’s best economic future is not as a farm but as a step at the top of the gravity well of an industrialized planet, IOW, a transshipment point between… --- ## [George Soros predicts depression, police state, class war in](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-soros-predicts-depression-police-state-class-war-in/610555)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2012, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/george-soros-predicts-depression-police-state-class-war-in/610555 "2012-01-29T21:21:22Z")
Talking to Newsweek: :eek: Well, I dunno. We’ve heard that warning before – how much closer to a police state are we now than before 9/11, really? Well, that’s something. --- ## [Equality of Opportunity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equality-of-opportunity/609704)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equality-of-opportunity/609704 "2012-01-29T17:21:57Z")
Recently here, there have been a few discussions about wealth inequity, which often devolved into philosophical differences about whether or not distribution of wealth was a good thing (as well as whether or not our curr… --- ## [How did the US avoid reverting to pre-Prohibition levels of drunkeness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-us-avoid-reverting-to-pre-prohibition-levels-of-drunkeness/609657)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2012, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-the-us-avoid-reverting-to-pre-prohibition-levels-of-drunkeness/609657 "2012-01-29T11:09:36Z")
Before the 19th century Temperance movement which culminated in national prohibition, Americans drank what would now be considered stupendous quantities of alcohol. Part of the impetus for prohibition was the nearly out-… --- ## [If there is so much oil in the US, why are we sifting Canadian sand and pulverizing rock to get it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-so-much-oil-in-the-us-why-are-we-sifting-canadian-sand-and-pulverizing-rock-to-get-it/610887)
**Author:** [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2012, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-is-so-much-oil-in-the-us-why-are-we-sifting-canadian-sand-and-pulverizing-rock-to-get-it/610887 "2012-01-29T05:56:23Z")
If there is so much oil in the US, why are we sifting Canadian sand (that’s natural gas, right? Is there not a glut in the market right now?) and pulverizing rock (fracking) to get it? --- ## [What's the point to pursuing nuclear weapon programs nowadays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-to-pursuing-nuclear-weapon-programs-nowadays/610577)
**Author:** [@Vicullum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vicullum)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2012, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-to-pursuing-nuclear-weapon-programs-nowadays/610577 "2012-01-29T05:54:13Z")
All this talk about Iran lately is making wonder if anyone can explain, in realpolitik terms, what they have to gain by trying to acquire nuclear weapons. Look at all the other countries with nukes. Not a single one has … --- ## [Do medical costs in Canada push people into bankruptcy despite universal health care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-medical-costs-in-canada-push-people-into-bankruptcy-despite-universal-health-care/598345)
**Author:** [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2012, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-medical-costs-in-canada-push-people-into-bankruptcy-despite-universal-health-care/598345 "2012-01-28T22:43:46Z")
From MPSIMS, the issue for debate being do medical costs in Canada push people into bankruptcy despite universal health care. Unfortunately, when people complete their bankruptcy forms in Canada that list the reason f… --- ## [Tax Rates for the Superwealthy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-rates-for-the-superwealthy/610172)
**Author:** [@2sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2sense)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-rates-for-the-superwealthy/610172 "2012-01-28T17:22:12Z")
In an earlier thread there was discussion about the tax rates of the wealthiest Americans. According to Citizens for Tax Justice they are about the same as those of middle class Americans. In the thread MemoryLeak chall… --- ## [What is the tax rate for the average American?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-tax-rate-for-the-average-american/610789)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-tax-rate-for-the-average-american/610789 "2012-01-28T15:02:01Z")
The recent bitchfest about Romney, combined with Warren Buffett’s famous, “I pay a lower rate than my secretary,” has me wondering this. My wife and I are in the 28% tax bracket. Seems like I should be outraged that Ro… --- ## [Aren't laws based on Christian faith un-christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-laws-based-on-christian-faith-un-christian/610075)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2012, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arent-laws-based-on-christian-faith-un-christian/610075 "2012-01-28T13:42:47Z")
Full disclosure: I haven’t set foot inside a church for many years. So if my memory is a little off, please correct me. Also, I am atheist. From what I remember, the bible can be rather ambiguous about a lot of things. … --- ## [5th Amendment self-incrimination and encrypted computer files or electronic storage device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5th-amendment-self-incrimination-and-encrypted-computer-files-or-electronic-storage-device/610860)
**Author:** [@NotreDame05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotreDame05)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5th-amendment-self-incrimination-and-encrypted-computer-files-or-electronic-storage-device/610860 "2012-01-27T23:19:51Z")
The case can be found here.http://www.wired.com/images\_blogs/threatlevel/2012/01/decrypt.pdf Federal agents executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and among the items seized were three desktop computers … --- ## [What would happen if we gave Iran nuclear weapons?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-we-gave-iran-nuclear-weapons/610504)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-we-gave-iran-nuclear-weapons/610504 "2012-01-27T20:31:18Z")
Pretend that everyone in the US was on board with this idea, but every other country reacted like they would normally react. We load about 50 nuclear warheads with various delivery methods on a boat with bow on top and … --- ## [Ryburn v. Huff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryburn-v-huff/610522)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ryburn-v-huff/610522 "2012-01-27T18:46:03Z")
In addition to the Jones ruling yesterday, SCOTUS also released Ryburn v. Huff per curiam. I’ll summarize hopefully accurately. The court found that it was a permissible entry into a person’s home based on her odd beha… --- ## [Economics-minimum wage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-minimum-wage/599788)
**Author:** [@Grinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grinner)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-minimum-wage/599788 "2012-01-27T18:24:32Z")
Is minimum wage a bad economic policy? --- ## ["lost" da vinci drawing: real? fake? misattributed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-da-vinci-drawing-real-fake-misattributed/610836)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lost-da-vinci-drawing-real-fake-misattributed/610836 "2012-01-27T14:43:07Z")
what are your opinions on this piece? i caught last night’s NOVA discussing it, tho as an artist i had already heard. my personal stance is it’s probably not a forgery but not a da vinci either. the evidence paints tha… --- ## [What type of tax reform do we need?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-tax-reform-do-we-need/610768)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-type-of-tax-reform-do-we-need/610768 "2012-01-27T03:54:59Z")
It seems from what I have been reading that if we don’t want to deep-six the country, we will need to start taxing more and spending less. Ignoring the spending side for the sake of this discussion, what tax reforms nee… --- ## [Did Mallory and Irvine make it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mallory-and-irvine-make-it/609742)
**Author:** [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2012, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-mallory-and-irvine-make-it/609742 "2012-01-27T03:29:08Z")
“It” being the summit of Everest. Odell claimed so. This may be more of an IMHO than a GD. As I have mentioned before, I pushed to name our twins Hillary and Mallory, but lost, with one being my juniorette and the oth… --- ## [Let's talk SOPA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-sopa/603280)
**Author:** [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-sopa/603280 "2012-01-26T22:57:13Z")
This bill is making the rounds, with the goal of protecting intellectual property and patent rights. Naturally, it is getting strong opposition from the likes of Google, Yahoo, Twitter, Reddit, and many other companie… --- ## [Churches - who should own what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churches-who-should-own-what/610759)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/churches-who-should-own-what/610759 "2012-01-26T21:30:29Z")
A judge in Virginia recently ruled that breakaway factions of the Episcopalian Church won’t get to keep their church buildings. Now, on paper, this appears to be a fairly simple matter. The deeds are in the name of the… --- ## [Did Obama add 6 trillion to the deficit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-add-6-trillion-to-the-deficit/610266)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-add-6-trillion-to-the-deficit/610266 "2012-01-26T20:26:16Z")
I always see this claim thrown around. How true is it, and if so, why? --- ## [Is there a fact checker for the State of the Union and GOP response?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-fact-checker-for-the-state-of-the-union-and-gop-response/610687)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-fact-checker-for-the-state-of-the-union-and-gop-response/610687 "2012-01-26T19:54:22Z")
Some bold claims were made in both, and they contradicted each other. I’d like to know what the truth is. --- ## [What should the definition of homelessness be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-definition-of-homelessness-be/610552)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-definition-of-homelessness-be/610552 "2012-01-26T17:03:25Z")
as above --- ## [Slap on wrist for last Haditha massacre defendant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slap-on-wrist-for-last-haditha-massacre-defendant/610641)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slap-on-wrist-for-last-haditha-massacre-defendant/610641 "2012-01-26T11:31:46Z")
Amazing the JAG Corps couldn’t make anything stick against any of the codefendants. Not a shining moment for American military jurisprudence. --- ## [Why does religion hate gays?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-religion-hate-gays/610161)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-religion-hate-gays/610161 "2012-01-26T04:21:31Z")
Here in the UK three men calling themselves Muslims have been convicted of hate speech after distributing leaflets calling for homosexuals to get the death penalty (funny how their defenders call for the defence of free … --- ## [The concept of "hate" is meaningless and has no place in intelligent discourse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-hate-is-meaningless-and-has-no-place-in-intelligent-discourse/610513)
**Author:** [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-concept-of-hate-is-meaningless-and-has-no-place-in-intelligent-discourse/610513 "2012-01-26T03:40:45Z")
Expanding on my post in the gay marriage thread: Accusing people of “hating” things is a rhetorical trump card used to invoke dislike as if that was in and of itself bad. Can anyone explain why it’s bad to “hate,” say, t… --- ## [Flags at half-staff for child-molestation enabler? I don't get it.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flags-at-half-staff-for-child-molestation-enabler-i-dont-get-it/610417)
**Author:** [@Snow\_Pea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snow_Pea)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flags-at-half-staff-for-child-molestation-enabler-i-dont-get-it/610417 "2012-01-26T00:39:13Z")
I don’t get it. With his silence, this guy undoubtedly enabled a child molester to continue abusing children - now he gets honoured with the flags being flown at half-staff all week? :confused::mad: --- ## [Would a MLK Jr figure survive scrutiny today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-mlk-jr-figure-survive-scrutiny-today/609721)
**Author:** [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-mlk-jr-figure-survive-scrutiny-today/609721 "2012-01-25T19:04:44Z")
After reading Cecil’s eye opener on MLK Jr’s behind the scenes activities, I wonder if a modern day MLK Jr type figure would hold up under today’s scrutiny and politically survive long enough to be relevant in the media. … --- ## [Suggestion: Poll for political leanings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-poll-for-political-leanings/609154)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestion-poll-for-political-leanings/609154 "2012-01-25T17:43:02Z")
I tried to do a poll once and never figured it out…plus I’d do a very poor job of coming up with the classifications. How about we come up with a fair listing of types on the political spectrum and then a poll so that w… --- ## [The “anti-Semitism” smear campaign against CAP and Media Matters rolls on](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-semitism-smear-campaign-against-cap-and-media-matters-rolls-on/610097)
**Author:** [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2012, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-semitism-smear-campaign-against-cap-and-media-matters-rolls-on/610097 "2012-01-25T03:49:11Z")
Interesting article in Salon by Glenn Greenwald on a relatively effective smear campaign: --- ## [Newt gaming fundies? Fundies gaming everyone else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-gaming-fundies-fundies-gaming-everyone-else/610516)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-gaming-fundies-fundies-gaming-everyone-else/610516 "2012-01-24T22:42:59Z")
In his claim that God has forgiven his sins, is Gingrich slipping one past the goalie of fundmentalist voters? Or (as I think) are the fundamentalists who claim to uphold strict standards of moral behavior in one’s pers… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=343) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=345)