# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=355 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 356 --- ## [What do we, as a society, do about pedophilia?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-as-a-society-do-about-pedophilia/584929)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-as-a-society-do-about-pedophilia/584929 "2011-11-26T21:17:08Z")
A digression from this thread about child pornography. What do we, as a society, do about the issue of adults being sexually attracted to children? I hear lots of people suggesting that they’re less than human, that th… --- ## [Macroeconomics: What is "Savings" (Multiple Choice)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macroeconomics-what-is-savings-multiple-choice/603801)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macroeconomics-what-is-savings-multiple-choice/603801 "2011-11-26T07:41:36Z")
In macro, “Savings” is: Money not spent. Money spent on “investment” (things not consumed). Money spent on “investment,” plus the market value of unsold inventory. The value of all things that are created, but not cons… --- ## [Ex-Seattle Police Chief: "Militaristic" response to 1999 WTO protests was big mistake](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-seattle-police-chief-militaristic-response-to-1999-wto-protests-was-big-mistake/603237)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-seattle-police-chief-militaristic-response-to-1999-wto-protests-was-big-mistake/603237 "2011-11-26T05:10:58Z")
And that other police departments have, distressingly, failed to learn from his mistakes. Is he right? Have America’s police forces learned nothing of value in the past 12 years about how to handle political demonstra… --- ## [Why was Mexico's revolution less successful than the American one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-mexicos-revolution-less-successful-than-the-american-one/603750)
**Author:** [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-mexicos-revolution-less-successful-than-the-american-one/603750 "2011-11-26T02:02:26Z")
Reading the thread on why the US never had a Reign of Terror had me thinking about the museums I visited in Mexico - I hope this is the right forum, but feel free to move to IMHO if necessary. A few months ago I was in … --- ## [How damaging is thoughtless pride in capitalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-damaging-is-thoughtless-pride-in-capitalism/602722)
**Author:** [@Glutluck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glutluck)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-damaging-is-thoughtless-pride-in-capitalism/602722 "2011-11-26T01:49:22Z")
When I was growing up in the late 80’s, this was a question I would never think to ask but in the last 4-5 years, I’ve been skeptical. I’m from the school that says the Human Race is designed to help one another and loo… --- ## [Should the Supreme Court care about public opinion polls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-supreme-court-care-about-public-opinion-polls/602939)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2011, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-supreme-court-care-about-public-opinion-polls/602939 "2011-11-26T00:25:21Z")
Apparently, public support for the individual mandate in “Obamacare” has increased, at least according to a CNN poll. It’s now at over 50% support. The SC is planning on hearing the case for and against the individual … --- ## [Where is reality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-reality/603417)
**Author:** [@HolographicBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HolographicBill)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2011, 8:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-reality/603417 "2011-11-25T08:38:01Z")
Reality? According to some of the leading physicist reality may lie in a hologram far, far away. I agree… So a single photon ‘shot’ through a dual slit board shows up twice, three times??? Don’t know why. See it leave … --- ## [Wildlife triage - abandoning the Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wildlife-triage-abandoning-the-panda/602794)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wildlife-triage-abandoning-the-panda/602794 "2011-11-24T19:02:05Z")
Just read a very interesting article linked on the BBC, which posits that in order to save the maximum number of species certain sacrifices must be made. Triage divides cases into three distinct categories - those who’l… --- ## [nuclear power should abandoned](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-power-should-abandoned/603335)
**Author:** [@celnorvik\_yahoo.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celnorvik_yahoo.com)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-power-should-abandoned/603335 "2011-11-24T17:19:18Z")
Chernobyl has probably killed 10,000 or more. But who knows how many it killed. It killed hundreds of firemen. It killed hundreds of people who built the doom to cover the mess. It’s probably given cancer to tens of thou… --- ## [Both Thomas and Kagan face pressure to recuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/both-thomas-and-kagan-face-pressure-to-recuse/603077)
**Author:** [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/both-thomas-and-kagan-face-pressure-to-recuse/603077 "2011-11-24T06:04:33Z")
So, according to numerous stories out today (first Google link picked): http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/11/recusal-wars-heat-supreme-courts-health-care-case/45017/ Both Kagan and Thomas have been requested… --- ## [Occupy (insert name of city here)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupy-insert-name-of-city-here/601182)
**Author:** [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/occupy-insert-name-of-city-here/601182 "2011-11-24T01:58:30Z")
Can someone explain this movement to me as if I were a 1st grader? The more I read, the more confused I seem to get. --- ## [The Definition of Poor in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definition-of-poor-in-america/603755)
**Author:** [@Bloodless\_Turnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bloodless_Turnip)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-definition-of-poor-in-america/603755 "2011-11-23T19:20:54Z")
I did search the board but didn’t find a thread on this specifically. This isn’t a new subject, but the OWS protests seem to bring this question into focus yet again. When people talk of the poor here in the U.S., what… --- ## [Your explaination for this work of God](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-explaination-for-this-work-of-god/603223)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 401\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-explaination-for-this-work-of-god/603223 "2011-11-23T16:54:19Z")
God working on the SDMB who would have thought of such a thing. There have been miracle witnessing reporting threads, and this is along those lines. Sometimes in the morning I will read scriptures, I have been in Psalm… --- ## [Are circus elephants abused? How sensitive are elephants to pain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-circus-elephants-abused-how-sensitive-are-elephants-to-pain/601590)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-circus-elephants-abused-how-sensitive-are-elephants-to-pain/601590 "2011-11-23T14:39:30Z")
I always used to love going to the circus as a kid, but recently I saw some footage (link) that reveals how the elephants are actually trained. Although I’m sure there are a wide variety of different techniques that elep… --- ## [If You Had the Power to Abolish Freedom of Religion in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-the-power-to-abolish-freedom-of-religion-in-america/598367)
**Author:** [@Goosie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Goosie)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2011, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-had-the-power-to-abolish-freedom-of-religion-in-america/598367 "2011-11-23T09:06:49Z")
If you had the power to abolish freedom of religion in the USA, how would you go about it? How would you enforce it and what would you replace it with? Since you can’t really have thought police (because you can’t read… --- ## [Deficit committee blows up, any surprise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deficit-committee-blows-up-any-surprise/603555)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2011, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deficit-committee-blows-up-any-surprise/603555 "2011-11-23T00:54:33Z")
The Super Deficit Committee will officially blow up tomorrow. Is anybody surprised? I have read the Repubs think they are poised to take over everything in 2012, House ,Senate and Presidency, so they were willing to wai… --- ## [Is the electorate the problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-electorate-the-problem/603556)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-electorate-the-problem/603556 "2011-11-22T02:02:07Z")
Mods, since this is a debate, but is also about the elections, I wasn’t sure where it belonged and put it here. Move as you see fit. The debt crisis has elicited commentary that neither Republicans nor Democrats are se… --- ## [The indoctrination of Pakistan's population makes a durable peace impossible in South Asia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-indoctrination-of-pakistans-population-makes-a-durable-peace-impossible-in-south-asia/602395)
**Author:** [@bldysabba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bldysabba)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2011, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-indoctrination-of-pakistans-population-makes-a-durable-peace-impossible-in-south-asia/602395 "2011-11-22T00:38:40Z")
One of Pakistan’s eminent historians K.K Aziz first made the point that Pakistani history being taught in schools had been revised and made into a propaganda tool. Read a synopsis by a Pakistani journalist here. This h… --- ## [If polygamy were made legal, would the mainstream LDS return to it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-polygamy-were-made-legal-would-the-mainstream-lds-return-to-it/601886)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-polygamy-were-made-legal-would-the-mainstream-lds-return-to-it/601886 "2011-11-21T14:01:10Z")
Let’s say those that say that gay marriage will absolutely lead to polygamy being legal are right and ta-dah! Polygamy is now legal in the entire US. Two questions: Would the LDS church have been participating a push… --- ## [Who Won the Sexual Revolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-won-the-sexual-revolution/601593)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-won-the-sexual-revolution/601593 "2011-11-21T10:52:54Z")
This question is actually inspired in part by Bill Maher. On his show recently, he said with talk of gay marriage and the like, clearly the Liberals won the so-called Sexual Revolution of the 60s and 70s. Yeah, as I’ve … --- ## ["Lakes" on Europa near the surface](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lakes-on-europa-near-the-surface/603342)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lakes-on-europa-near-the-surface/603342 "2011-11-21T04:48:07Z")
I have factual and opinion questions on this one, so I’m guessing it should go in Great Debates. Evidence of shallow lakes has been found on Jupiter’s moon Europa. What kind of mission would we need, manned or unmann… --- ## [Is entitlement illogical? Unethical?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-entitlement-illogical-unethical/602917)
**Author:** [@heathen\_earthling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/heathen_earthling)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-entitlement-illogical-unethical/602917 "2011-11-21T04:22:40Z")
Accusing young people of entitlement is a buzzword of our times. But what philosophical argument is typically used to justify the negative connotation? Why doesn’t the world owe me, or you, or anyone else a living? --- ## [Distilling For Personal Use.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distilling-for-personal-use/592251)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/distilling-for-personal-use/592251 "2011-11-21T04:20:05Z")
Should we be allowed to distill liquor for personal use? I certainly think we should. So why don’t politicians get their acts together, and pass the necessary laws or repeals? In case you don’t know, for a while (sorry,… --- ## [Pizza as a vegetable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-as-a-vegetable/603341)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pizza-as-a-vegetable/603341 "2011-11-20T21:33:47Z")
What gives? I’m really not sure what’s going on here. --- ## [Why don't we have mandatory child rearing course in school?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-have-mandatory-child-rearing-course-in-school/601780)
**Author:** [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2011, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-have-mandatory-child-rearing-course-in-school/601780 "2011-11-20T18:07:25Z")
Why don’t we have, say, required mandatory high school child rearing course like US History? --- ## [States, Subsidiarity, and its problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-subsidiarity-and-its-problems/603446)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 20, 2011, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-subsidiarity-and-its-problems/603446 "2011-11-20T00:08:21Z")
In my Social Studies classes, we’ve been speaking a lot about the EU, and we’ve outlined a lot of the positive and negative aspects involved in the policies of even having a European Union. I’ve also been hearing a lot a… --- ## [A new copyright and trademark law for a new era](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-copyright-and-trademark-law-for-a-new-era/603321)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-copyright-and-trademark-law-for-a-new-era/603321 "2011-11-19T22:34:25Z")
So with the advent of the internet, copyright is more or less broken. The DMCA both more or less allows corporations to bully internet content creators completely under fair use, and yet also doesn’t get them nearly as m… --- ## [When did the NRA become a hyper-partisan anathema to rational thought?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 303\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-nra-become-a-hyper-partisan-anathema-to-rational-thought/602568 "2011-11-19T18:55:23Z")
Is it just Wayne LaPierre’s fanaticism or does it go back earlier? Under Clinton? Carter? Earlier? I haven’t had much interaction with guns/NRA, but growing up (70s/80s) I thought of the organization as an advocacy/lobby… --- ## [State lawforbids clergy from having sex with someone who is receiving religious advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-lawforbids-clergy-from-having-sex-with-someone-who-is-receiving-religious-advice/603004)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2011, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-lawforbids-clergy-from-having-sex-with-someone-who-is-receiving-religious-advice/603004 "2011-11-19T18:42:19Z")
Source Here we have two adults who were consenting participants to this. I think that the state law, while set up to protect those vulnerable to persuasion by religious professionals, is still wrong. As long as a perso… --- ## [What if: People are infertile until 21](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-people-are-infertile-until-21/602040)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 19, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-people-are-infertile-until-21/602040 "2011-11-19T18:41:49Z")
Let’s say on people’s 12th birthday, they are given a mandatory side-effect-free long-term contraceptive which renders them infertile until their 21st birthday (give or take a month). For simplicity’s sake, lets say thi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=354) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=356)