# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=345 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 346 --- ## [Guardian and the Falklands](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guardian-and-the-falklands/609468)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guardian-and-the-falklands/609468 "2012-01-24T20:23:47Z")
While it is true that in general the news media has a slant toward the left I still prefer the New York Times as my news source and as long as they are for realistic and tolerable policies I don’t mind their editorial li… --- ## [Why Raising Taxes on the Wealthy Will Not Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-raising-taxes-on-the-wealthy-will-not-work/610265)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-raising-taxes-on-the-wealthy-will-not-work/610265 "2012-01-24T18:05:20Z")
http://www.economist.com/node/21543165 According to this article 1) most deficit reduction should come from spending cuts and 2) to get more tax revenue one should get rid of loopholes and deductions not raise taxes? I… --- ## [Is child pornography just "pixels on a screen?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-child-pornography-just-pixels-on-a-screen/610215)
**Author:** [@CheeseDonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheeseDonkey)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-child-pornography-just-pixels-on-a-screen/610215 "2012-01-24T15:22:43Z")
I kid you not, one of my college professors once tried to claim that “maybe child pornography isn’t that bad” with the pseudo-philosophical argument: “what is child pornography but pixels on a screen?” He then went on t… --- ## [The post-newspaper world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-post-newspaper-world/607668)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-post-newspaper-world/607668 "2012-01-24T14:55:05Z")
Since USC’s Annenberg School of Communication is predicting the death of all but the biggest and tiniest newspapers within five years, it seemed like a good time to bring up the issue again. Will it be better? Worse? … --- ## [Was Benjamin Franklin a socialist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-benjamin-franklin-a-socialist/610339)
**Author:** [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-benjamin-franklin-a-socialist/610339 "2012-01-24T09:38:44Z")
I submit he was not, but people like to throw out a cherry picked quote to argue that he was a socialist: “All the property that is necessary to a Man, for the Conservation of the Individual and the Propagation of the S… --- ## [Dems Salivated Over Reagan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-salivated-over-reagan/610392)
**Author:** [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2012, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dems-salivated-over-reagan/610392 "2012-01-24T03:21:40Z")
I heard this claim again on NPR this morning (that Democrats salivated over facing Reagan in 1980) and that they should be careful what they wish for when dreaming about facing Newt Gingrich. This raised a few questions… --- ## ["What will happen to Catholics and others . . . ?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-catholics-and-others/609436)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-catholics-and-others/609436 "2012-01-23T23:19:33Z")
From a blog post that has gotten some discussion on very conservative message boards (like Free Republic): \[ \](http://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2012/01/what-will-happen-to-catholics-and-others-.html) I… --- ## [Why are hashish and marijuana illegal in so many countries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hashish-and-marijuana-illegal-in-so-many-countries/610202)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-hashish-and-marijuana-illegal-in-so-many-countries/610202 "2012-01-23T23:18:13Z")
In the US the history of prohibition of hash and marijuana is tied into things like racial prejudices (claiming marijuana was used by black jazz musicians and other socially undesirable groups caused a moral panic result… --- ## [Young People More Likely To Favor Socialism Than Capitalism: Pew 12/29/11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-people-more-likely-to-favor-socialism-than-capitalism-pew-12-29-11/609691)
**Author:** [@New\_Deal\_Democrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Deal_Democrat)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-people-more-likely-to-favor-socialism-than-capitalism-pew-12-29-11/609691 "2012-01-23T20:30:33Z")
Is this a hopeful sign, or evidence of encroaching decadence? --- ## [Why is health care reform unconstitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-health-care-reform-unconstitutional/609815)
**Author:** [@2ManyTacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2ManyTacos)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-health-care-reform-unconstitutional/609815 "2012-01-23T18:40:06Z")
I’m far from a legal scholar, so I don’t really understand all of the outcries from the GOP that health care reform is unconstitutional (even though, ironically, the individual mandate was their idea to begin with). I m… --- ## [Cops Putting GPS On Cars Without A Warrant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-putting-gps-on-cars-without-a-warrant/551657)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-putting-gps-on-cars-without-a-warrant/551657 "2012-01-23T17:40:21Z")
OK, I think this is a topic we can debate. Can anyone defend the 9th Circuit Court’s decision to overturn the appeal in this case not once but twice? Article here: Court allows agents to secretly put GPS trackers on ca… --- ## [Oh, good! A New Constitutional Theory of Privacy!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-good-a-new-constitutional-theory-of-privacy/549942)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 330\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-good-a-new-constitutional-theory-of-privacy/549942 "2012-01-23T17:08:11Z")
Just what this country needs. The DC Circuit recently pondered the case of Antoine Jones. Jones, who owned a night club in Washington DC, had a GPS device affixed secretly to his car by police. Over the course of a mont… --- ## [Do you think suicide is coward's way out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-suicide-is-cowards-way-out/610181)
**Author:** [@voidray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voidray)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-suicide-is-cowards-way-out/610181 "2012-01-23T07:51:22Z")
The people who say suicide is coward’s way out are not able to feel sympathy, and humiliate those who killed themselves to feel better. It’s not right to make fun of physically/mentally challenged/disabled people, why w… --- ## [Are You a Good Person? Documentary that discusses this subject and Abortion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-good-person-documentary-that-discusses-this-subject-and-abortion/606998)
**Author:** [@lockmat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lockmat)\ **Replies:** 479\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-a-good-person-documentary-that-discusses-this-subject-and-abortion/606998 "2012-01-23T04:38:23Z")
Hello, I’m brand new here. I hope all the old timers accept me and this post. I’d like to share and discuss this video (documentary/movie) that was released a couple of months ago. As you’ll see, it can either make a pe… --- ## [Creationism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism/609969)
**Author:** [@GeddyClaypoolBurton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GeddyClaypoolBurton)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism/609969 "2012-01-23T03:53:28Z")
I watched a documentary on this creationist museum that has an exhibit in which two “scientists” are excavating a dinosaur’s remains; One is a conventional paleontologist, and one is a bibilcal literalist. The exhibit is… --- ## [The Big Bang's Trinity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bangs-trinity/609198)
**Author:** [@IntelliQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IntelliQ)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2012, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-bangs-trinity/609198 "2012-01-23T00:44:10Z")
I was feeling pretty good about the big bang until it hit a wall (or cosmic speed bump?). Cecil’s recent (disappointing) answer on God combined with a conversation I had with a Christian friend of mine got me to thinkin… --- ## [Ayn Rand - liberal or conservative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-liberal-or-conservative/609639)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2012, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ayn-rand-liberal-or-conservative/609639 "2012-01-22T14:11:33Z")
I am a capitalist like Rand. Capitalism is the most efficient way of allocating resources as long as sufficient regulations are in place. Rand herself likened Libertarians to anarchists and fought them and their lawles… --- ## [Do the two Genesis stories contradict each other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-two-genesis-stories-contradict-each-other/609917)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-two-genesis-stories-contradict-each-other/609917 "2012-01-22T00:41:28Z")
Putting this in GD because of religious content… It’s often said around here that there are two creation stories in Genesis and that they contradict each other. After having read them, it seems reasonable that G-1 is t… --- ## [Keystone XL cancelled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keystone-xl-cancelled/610018)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/keystone-xl-cancelled/610018 "2012-01-22T00:27:43Z")
I’d like to take my usual coldly-analytical-with-a-side-of-Simon-Cowell, but the truth is, I think it’s a horribly decision, stupidly done, and at the end of the day will increase actual pollution and energy costs at the… --- ## [Was there any chance of Trotsky buddy-buddying Stalin in the long run?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-any-chance-of-trotsky-buddy-buddying-stalin-in-the-long-run/609307)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-any-chance-of-trotsky-buddy-buddying-stalin-in-the-long-run/609307 "2012-01-21T23:19:47Z")
A recent biography about Trotsky (by Joshua Rubenstein, Yale Press 2011) reminded readers about how Stalin gave Lev the old boot (and then the icepick). But was this ordained that Stalin would fight Trotsky? if Trotskty… --- ## [Because he's black of course!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/because-hes-black-of-course/609901 "2012-01-21T22:24:54Z")
What’s the best example… by the most prominent person…who’s said or acted the most negatively …toward Obama because he is black? What’s the worst example… by the most prominent person …who’s claimed that Obama has been … --- ## [What If Worlds #1: Super-Earth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-worlds-1-super-earth/609830)
**Author:** [@space\_loner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/space_loner)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-worlds-1-super-earth/609830 "2012-01-21T16:42:21Z")
What If Worlds It has always occurred to me that the world we emerged from and the bodies we are given are, all things considered, rather arbitrary. Many features of the Earth and of ourselves have been constantly chang… --- ## [Jesus Could Not Rise If He Was Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-could-not-rise-if-he-was-dead/608614)
**Author:** [@Ken001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ken001)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-could-not-rise-if-he-was-dead/608614 "2012-01-21T04:17:17Z")
Forgive me, this is not a rallying flag for atheists or a call to fervent Christians: its simply something which bothers me and I wonder if there is any rational answer. In essence I do not believe the resurrection happ… --- ## [Is blind faith admirable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-blind-faith-admirable/609302)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-blind-faith-admirable/609302 "2012-01-21T04:13:33Z")
Since this thread has spawned misunderstandings and definition wars, I have narrowed the scope just a bit. I only want blind faith to be discussed here. I am of the opinion that blind faith, especially if it contradict… --- ## [How long to settle a virgin planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-settle-a-virgin-planet/609706)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-settle-a-virgin-planet/609706 "2012-01-21T00:06:02Z")
Imagine we find a habitable planet. It’s been (geologically) recently sterilised by a gamma ray burst, so there are no nasty microbes and the oceans are reverting to a primordial state. There is no oxygen in the atmosphe… --- ## [Geohot and the cracking of the PS3. Fair to hack your own system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geohot-and-the-cracking-of-the-ps3-fair-to-hack-your-own-system/610052)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geohot-and-the-cracking-of-the-ps3-fair-to-hack-your-own-system/610052 "2012-01-20T20:28:00Z")
George Hotz - Wikipedia for those who want to know more about the backstory. But what are your thoughts on this? Do you think it should be allowable to break security devices in hardware that you have purchased? --- ## [A Defeat For States' Rights....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-defeat-for-states-rights/610102)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-defeat-for-states-rights/610102 "2012-01-20T20:20:52Z")
But liberals won’t be happy about this because it prevents the states from regulating nuclear power. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/20/science/earth/vermont-cant-shut-down-nuclear-plant-judge-rules.html?\_r=1&hp&gwh=CDA70… --- ## [What could the U.S. do to make the PRC government lose face so hard it is in danger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-u-s-do-to-make-the-prc-government-lose-face-so-hard-it-is-in-danger/609604)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-the-u-s-do-to-make-the-prc-government-lose-face-so-hard-it-is-in-danger/609604 "2012-01-20T06:05:19Z")
Spinoff from this thread. It occurs to me that in China, a government really could die of embarrassment, indirectly, if it causes them to lose public confidence thoroughly enough. The Chinese have always believed that … --- ## [DETERMINISM OR RANDOM? Physics related](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determinism-or-random-physics-related/609756)
**Author:** [@Johnf747](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnf747)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determinism-or-random-physics-related/609756 "2012-01-20T03:51:52Z")
Einstein was a determinist. Michio Kaku( some american/asian theoretical physicist is an indeterminist. I am personally, and very strongly, a determinist. I have many reasons for this and would like to discuss it with s… --- ## [Anti-abortion group's TV Ads](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortion-groups-tv-ads/609562)
**Author:** [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-abortion-groups-tv-ads/609562 "2012-01-20T02:04:34Z")
I just saw a “Focus on the Family” anti-abortion group’s TV ad during the Patriots and Denver NFL playoff game. I don’t know if it’s just me but that ad almost felt like something slithering out of the TV screen and into… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=344) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=346)