# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=358 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 359 --- ## [Napolitano is refusing to enforce law aimed at returning criminal aliens to their home country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napolitano-is-refusing-to-enforce-law-aimed-at-returning-criminal-aliens-to-their-home-country/602045)
**Author:** [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/napolitano-is-refusing-to-enforce-law-aimed-at-returning-criminal-aliens-to-their-home-country/602045 "2011-11-08T05:41:58Z")
Heh, obviously the answer is that she sees them as potential voters :smiley: --- ## [Is Guy Fawkes an admirable figure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-guy-fawkes-an-admirable-figure/601923)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2011, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-guy-fawkes-an-admirable-figure/601923 "2011-11-08T03:48:51Z")
I ask because the masks are popular amongst activist types, including OWS. And since the fifth of November is nearly upon us, it seems an appropriate time to ask if Fawkes is someone the Occupy supporters would really wi… --- ## [Hypothetical: Retiring in a year. Don't own home. 401K value $300K.Buy a home?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-retiring-in-a-year-dont-own-home-401k-value-300k-buy-a-home/601828)
**Author:** [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-retiring-in-a-year-dont-own-home-401k-value-300k-buy-a-home/601828 "2011-11-08T00:00:29Z")
I’m not sure what you could expect to draw on 300K, but lets say 5%, thats only $15000 per year. That and Social Security is not gonna go that far if you’re paying rent. Im thinking it would be better to take say $100K … --- ## [Property prices in China in freefall: is China crashing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/property-prices-in-china-in-freefall-is-china-crashing/602150)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2011, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/property-prices-in-china-in-freefall-is-china-crashing/602150 "2011-11-07T11:13:09Z")
So asks Forbes: So, is this a crash? I heard earlier this year that various hedge funds had started warning that a Chinese crash was imminent. If China does crash, what are the effects on the global economy? A catas… --- ## [Into the fire: Why was/is Jesuitism so hated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/into-the-fire-why-was-is-jesuitism-so-hated/601491)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/into-the-fire-why-was-is-jesuitism-so-hated/601491 "2011-11-06T19:07:47Z")
In Carlyle’s Latter Day Pamphlets, he writes Ok it’s not just Carlyle but other writers that make constant remarks to Jesuitism, viewing it as the depths of deceit and evil. Ok I understand the concept of Anglican/Cat… --- ## [Should the People of Wyoming Pay for Infrastructure in Mississippi?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-people-of-wyoming-pay-for-infrastructure-in-mississippi/601121)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-people-of-wyoming-pay-for-infrastructure-in-mississippi/601121 "2011-11-06T18:33:05Z")
Right now, Mississippi is rated as the 9th worst state for infrastructure (cite) They clearly need money for repairs, but with unemployment at 10% and median household income only $36,646 they hardly have the ability to… --- ## [Who benefits from another Depression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-benefits-from-another-depression/601199)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-benefits-from-another-depression/601199 "2011-11-06T17:02:00Z")
From an article entitled, “DOOM! Our economic nightmare is just beginning.” in the Oct. 6 issue of The New Republic: The article then points out other leaders like David Cameron, Angela Merkel and Japan’s prime ministe… --- ## [Voting systems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-systems/601866)
**Author:** [@yelimS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yelimS)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2011, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-systems/601866 "2011-11-06T09:17:47Z")
I was reading about voting systems, and realised that several appealing systems are considered single-winner. This confuses me, because for most of them, I can’t see what the problem is with extending them to multi-winne… --- ## [.001%? (One servicemember's response to OWS)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/001-one-servicemembers-response-to-ows/601760)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/001-one-servicemembers-response-to-ows/601760 "2011-11-05T16:02:22Z")
Not sure if this is old news or whatnot, but this picture was just crossposted to my facebook page like 15 times. http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/388539\_10150446148908854\_116727628853\_10573788\_1370841960\_… --- ## [Would military geniuses of today and recent times do well yesterday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-military-geniuses-of-today-and-recent-times-do-well-yesterday/601015)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-military-geniuses-of-today-and-recent-times-do-well-yesterday/601015 "2011-11-05T14:14:39Z")
Bouncing off of , What about a somewhat reversed situation? E.g. How would Douglas MacArthur have done in Gaul? Would Stonewall Jackson have been able to rout the Persians at Thermopylae like he did the US at Manas… --- ## [Christians, why the focus on the crucifixion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-why-the-focus-on-the-crucifixion/601305)
**Author:** [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-why-the-focus-on-the-crucifixion/601305 "2011-11-05T13:49:49Z")
Why do Christians focus so much on the crucifixion of Jesus? Throughout history many people have suffered similar and far worse deaths. There is nothing special about the way Jesus died. What I feel as a former believ… --- ## [Infinite growth on a planet with finite resources](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinite-growth-on-a-planet-with-finite-resources/601803)
**Author:** [@Consensus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Consensus)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infinite-growth-on-a-planet-with-finite-resources/601803 "2011-11-05T12:45:31Z")
Please allow me to take a few minutes of your time and watch this video. It’s not the best of quality and atleast 10 years old, but don’t let that deter you for this video is, to say the least, great debate worthy. It … --- ## [Why are men falling behind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-falling-behind/601037)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-men-falling-behind/601037 "2011-11-05T08:27:52Z")
There have been a couple of threads lately that have touched on the change over the last couple of decades in higher education (more men than women are pursuing college, graduate, and professional degrees), employment (I… --- ## [Would you be weirded out if a boy joined your daughter's Girl Scout troop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-weirded-out-if-a-boy-joined-your-daughters-girl-scout-troop/600913)
**Author:** [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-be-weirded-out-if-a-boy-joined-your-daughters-girl-scout-troop/600913 "2011-11-05T05:02:44Z")
At first, I thought this was an Onion article that fooled the masses, but no. Colorado Girl Scouts say boy welcome to join The kid is seven. Personally, I’d think it odd, but…7? Maybe I have a hard time separating gen… --- ## [Classist Wall Street occupiers refuse to share food, bridge gaps with marginalized homeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classist-wall-street-occupiers-refuse-to-share-food-bridge-gaps-with-marginalized-homeless/600956)
**Author:** [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Replies:** 263\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/classist-wall-street-occupiers-refuse-to-share-food-bridge-gaps-with-marginalized-homeless/600956 "2011-11-05T03:25:42Z")
the OWS kitchen staff are resisting the efforts of the most vulnerable to better their diet and redress past inequities, as classism rears its ugly head. Through ruthless propaganda at the street hall meetings these priv… --- ## [Galileo's punishment "tragic, mutual misunderstanding"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galileos-punishment-tragic-mutual-misunderstanding/601584)
**Author:** [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2011, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/galileos-punishment-tragic-mutual-misunderstanding/601584 "2011-11-05T01:45:49Z")
1992 called. I was going to warn them about a bunch of stuff, but it was a collect call and I figured outside my light cone had to be long distance. As I hung up they blurted “In 1981 Pope John II established a commissi… --- ## [What is the least racist country on the planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-least-racist-country-on-the-planet/601507)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-least-racist-country-on-the-planet/601507 "2011-11-04T22:36:36Z")
In this thread Discussion of white "privilege" \[kinda'long\] - In My Humble Opinion - Straight Dope Message Board a claim is made that the US is the least racist country on the planet. It’s sort of derailed the thread, s… --- ## [Illegitimate babies born to poor, black, single, inner-city women in South are "endangered species"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegitimate-babies-born-to-poor-black-single-inner-city-women-in-south-are-endangered-species/601323)
**Author:** [@Snow\_Pea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snow_Pea)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegitimate-babies-born-to-poor-black-single-inner-city-women-in-south-are-endangered-species/601323 "2011-11-04T19:51:12Z")
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gop-presidential-candidate-herman-cain-says-he-opposes-abortion-in-all-cases-\_-no-exceptions/2011/10/30/gIQA2brJWM\_story.html Who IS this guy’s audience? Cuz I can’t imagine too m… --- ## [DNA test on "discarded" breathilyzer mouthpiece needs no warrant](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-test-on-discarded-breathilyzer-mouthpiece-needs-no-warrant/601500)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dna-test-on-discarded-breathilyzer-mouthpiece-needs-no-warrant/601500 "2011-11-04T19:42:25Z")
So says the California Court of Appeals, as reported by FourthAmendment.com. The actual opinion immediately analogizes the mouthpiece to other discarded items which have been taken and tested by police, such as soda ca… --- ## [What if we just Forgive Everyone's Debt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-forgive-everyones-debt/601743)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-just-forgive-everyones-debt/601743 "2011-11-04T16:10:03Z")
I was listening to Marketplace on NPR via the internet. They had a segment with a guy that proposed a Jubilee, a massive worldwide forgiveness of all debts. I owe the entire world about $5,000, so I do not see where it … --- ## [Can You Appeal A Restraining Order?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-appeal-a-restraining-order/592269)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-appeal-a-restraining-order/592269 "2011-11-04T15:23:40Z")
I have a friend who would up getting in trouble with his GF. They started fighting, and she wound up taking out a restarining order against him. Now, one year later, he goes back to court (after moving to an adjoining st… --- ## [Social Security Raise Election Ploy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-raise-election-ploy/600277)
**Author:** [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-security-raise-election-ploy/600277 "2011-11-03T22:54:36Z")
Hello All, Full Disclaimer, I am disabled and as such draw Social Security Disability, so my view on the subject maybe biased. Yesterday the Obama administration announced that those of us that receive Social Security … --- ## [Banning the use of hand held cell phones while driving ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-the-use-of-hand-held-cell-phones-while-driving/601116)
**Author:** [@studmuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/studmuffin)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/banning-the-use-of-hand-held-cell-phones-while-driving/601116 "2011-11-03T21:14:03Z")
Is it common sense or an infringement of freedom ? --- ## [Hypothetical: The US never ratifies the 12th amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-the-us-never-ratifies-the-12th-amendment/601362)
**Author:** [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-the-us-never-ratifies-the-12th-amendment/601362 "2011-11-03T20:25:01Z")
The thread about Kaiser Wilhelm becoming king of England got me thinking about whether a similar sort of situation could have happened in our own nation’s history. The 12th amendment popped to mind. Under the Constituti… --- ## [Is Greece heading for a coup d'etat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-greece-heading-for-a-coup-detat/601642)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-greece-heading-for-a-coup-detat/601642 "2011-11-03T16:33:55Z")
It seems that the Greek government has sacked all of the military chiefs of staff. Greek military leadership changes spark opposition outcry A bit of a reshuffle isn’t unusual - a comprehensive one is, and certainly cre… --- ## ["Liberals make the best capitalists"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-make-the-best-capitalists/601326)
**Author:** [@Linden\_Arden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Linden_Arden)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberals-make-the-best-capitalists/601326 "2011-11-03T15:48:27Z")
I was talking to a conservative friend of mine about Steve Jobs a few days ago when he admitted surprise to learn that Jobs was a liberal. So I told him as a matter of fact that liberals make the best capitalists - citi… --- ## [Fire the Federal Governement!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-the-federal-governement/600713)
**Author:** [@MissesA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissesA)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fire-the-federal-governement/600713 "2011-11-03T14:25:16Z")
America needs change and I think we should just do away with the Federal Government period. They can’t be trusted any longer, its bad enough we have to watch our counties, and our states. I know this would brought up b… --- ## [The Commonwealth has abolished male primogeniture.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-commonwealth-has-abolished-male-primogeniture/601134)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-commonwealth-has-abolished-male-primogeniture/601134 "2011-11-03T09:50:00Z")
As well as agreeing that the gender of the first-born child in the line of succession to the throne of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and so on is immaterial, and that males no longer have precedence in the line … --- ## [Christianity: Why did Jesus leave in the first place? Why not just stay after the resurrection?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-why-did-jesus-leave-in-the-first-place-why-not-just-stay-after-the-resurrection/553441)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 3, 2011, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-why-did-jesus-leave-in-the-first-place-why-not-just-stay-after-the-resurrection/553441 "2011-11-03T04:08:53Z")
In the Christian faith, whatever Jesus needs to do in his second coming, why didn’t he just do it right after being resurrected? Why leave and come back thousands (or millions or billions) or years later? I am of course… --- ## [Do societies anywhere have organized/mainstream methods of obtaining social redemption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-societies-anywhere-have-organized-mainstream-methods-of-obtaining-social-redemption/601318)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-societies-anywhere-have-organized-mainstream-methods-of-obtaining-social-redemption/601318 "2011-11-02T20:51:28Z")
So assume you are a pariah for whatever reason. An ex-felon, ex-gang member, ex-skinhead, ex-spousal abuser, ex-pedophile, ex-con artist, ex-addict (obviously the level of pariah varies from situation to situation, but m… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=357) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=359)