# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=360 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 361 --- ## [What's the biggest conspiracy the U.S. government could cover up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-conspiracy-the-u-s-government-could-cover-up/600847)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-biggest-conspiracy-the-u-s-government-could-cover-up/600847 "2011-10-27T04:44:09Z")
Pearl Harbour, the Kennedy assassinations, the Moon landings, 9/11 and many other events which people claim that the U.S. government had a shadowy hand in - covering up certain events for their own goals. However, the g… --- ## [Suggestions for Specific Demands for Occupy Wall Street](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-specific-demands-for-occupy-wall-street/598427)
**Author:** [@Morris\_Cody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morris_Cody)\ **Replies:** 222\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-specific-demands-for-occupy-wall-street/598427 "2011-10-27T04:11:11Z")
In yesterday’s New York Times, Nicholas Kristof provided Occupy Wall Street participants with three suggestions for specific demands they could make: 1) impose a financial transactions tax, 2) close the “carried interest… --- ## [Will they ever take away the Mortgage Interest Deduction? (US)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-ever-take-away-the-mortgage-interest-deduction-us/600513)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-they-ever-take-away-the-mortgage-interest-deduction-us/600513 "2011-10-27T04:05:37Z")
Recently the President has proposed eliminating the Mortgage interest deduction for taxpayers in the top brackets, making over 250 thousand a year. I’m not sure how likely that is to pass. But as I make less than that, … --- ## [Cain's Definition of "Pro-Choice"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cains-definition-of-pro-choice/600477)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cains-definition-of-pro-choice/600477 "2011-10-27T03:12:27Z")
This flip-flopping coward has topped himself when it comes to ridiculous mental gymnastics. He is on record as originally being in favor of a woman’s right to choose. However, now that he’s running for President and be… --- ## [Republicans want more murders and rapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-want-more-murders-and-rapes/600613)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 27, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-want-more-murders-and-rapes/600613 "2011-10-27T02:03:05Z")
Biden got alot of mileage recently by claiming that his political enemies want more murders and rapes…or would be responsible for … or whatever he was trying to say. That was based on their opposition to Obama’s jobs bi… --- ## [Why not restore Glass-Steagall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-restore-glass-steagall/600861)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-restore-glass-steagall/600861 "2011-10-26T20:15:43Z")
Anybody care to defend Bank of America’s latest move to socialize the risk?: Once again…why, exactly, shouldn’t G-S be restored? --- ## [The big banks are not too big to fail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-banks-are-not-too-big-to-fail/600869)
**Author:** [@Trom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trom)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-big-banks-are-not-too-big-to-fail/600869 "2011-10-26T19:56:20Z")
Everyone is familiar with the term, but what does it actually mean? I regularly read John Hussman’s weekly comment. He argues that the banks are far from TBTF. Some excerpts from one comment: \[QUOTE=John Hussman\] Wh… --- ## [Do the police police their family and friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-police-police-their-family-and-friends/600839)
**Author:** [@Kiante\_83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiante_83)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-police-police-their-family-and-friends/600839 "2011-10-26T18:43:18Z")
I believe this is only an issue if the police are not your family or friends. Whenever I have had a buddy on the force I’ve not only afforded free passes but also noticed overall all the free passes the police afford the… --- ## [Should the government seek equal prosperity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-seek-equal-prosperity/600180)
**Author:** [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-government-seek-equal-prosperity/600180 "2011-10-26T16:40:37Z")
I personally think that the government’s role in the economy should be to maximize prosperity. The largest amount of people should have the largest amount of gain possible. That said, if one group, in this case the so-c… --- ## [Where Does the Old Covenant really End?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-old-covenant-really-end/599659)
**Author:** [@MysteryMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryMan)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-old-covenant-really-end/599659 "2011-10-26T16:31:54Z")
The Old Covenant obviously doesn’t end with Malachi because the Mosaic Law was fully in place and operational throughout Mark, Mathew, Luke and John. Indeed, Christianity had not arrived upon the scene by Acts. Salvati… --- ## [What is Shariah law? And what does it do to/for states that implement a form of it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-shariah-law-and-what-does-it-do-to-for-states-that-implement-a-form-of-it/600753)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-shariah-law-and-what-does-it-do-to-for-states-that-implement-a-form-of-it/600753 "2011-10-26T12:48:24Z")
In this thread on Ghaddif’s killing, (The Gadhafi conundrum: Trial for his killers? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board), we started a discussion of the role of Sharia law in Libya, and in other states. … --- ## [Libertarian Ron Paul says that taxation is theft and immoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-ron-paul-says-that-taxation-is-theft-and-immoral/600538)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libertarian-ron-paul-says-that-taxation-is-theft-and-immoral/600538 "2011-10-26T03:24:40Z")
So does this mean he does not accept a government paycheck or use his expense account? If he does, does this make him a hypocrite? --- ## [What If the Surge Had Not Happened](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-surge-had-not-happened/600317)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-the-surge-had-not-happened/600317 "2011-10-25T05:30:46Z")
Despite the success of President George W Bush’s Surge strategy in Iraq, those of the “progressive” persuasion are still reluctant to recognize it and give due credit to the former President. So what if the Surge had no… --- ## [Why dont' black people go camping?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-black-people-go-camping/421982)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2011, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-black-people-go-camping/421982 "2011-10-24T05:11:11Z")
Black people don’t go camping. Before you even start to debate that assertion, it’s true, end of discussion. I started wondering why, though - why don’t black people go camping? I think the obvious answer is “because th… --- ## [People who walk away from Mortgages that Can Afford it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-walk-away-from-mortgages-that-can-afford-it/600357)
**Author:** [@sportscrazed2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sportscrazed2)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-walk-away-from-mortgages-that-can-afford-it/600357 "2011-10-24T02:10:43Z")
This is something that while I can understand somewhat it really annnoys me. When you buy a house you agree on the price up front. Just because the value drops doesn’t let you off the hook for the original price. … --- ## [Gold standard driving out silver standard](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-standard-driving-out-silver-standard/600572)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2011, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-standard-driving-out-silver-standard/600572 "2011-10-24T02:07:47Z")
In the nineteenth century a number of currencies, among them the American dollar and the British pound, that were originally silver-based moved to first a de facto and then an official gold standard. This puzzles me beca… --- ## [You have 100 Blame Points. Assign them to those responsible for the financial meltdown.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-100-blame-points-assign-them-to-those-responsible-for-the-financial-meltdown/600241)
**Author:** [@FixMyIgnorance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FixMyIgnorance)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-have-100-blame-points-assign-them-to-those-responsible-for-the-financial-meltdown/600241 "2011-10-24T01:37:59Z")
How would you allocate said points and why? I am making this thread to get a better and more well-informed idea as to what exactly caused the crisis and who is most at fault for it. People blame Wall Street or rating ag… --- ## [How would Iran respond to any western "unsuitable act" ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-iran-respond-to-any-western-unsuitable-act/600439)
**Author:** [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-iran-respond-to-any-western-unsuitable-act/600439 "2011-10-23T15:03:36Z")
Ayatullah Khameini said that “Any unsuitable act, whether political or security, will meet a resolute response from the Iranian nation”. How would (or could) Iran respond ? --- ## [Secular Humanism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-humanism/599688)
**Author:** [@Da\_Mikster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Da_Mikster)\ **Replies:** 279\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2011, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/secular-humanism/599688 "2011-10-23T07:58:16Z")
Secular humanism is a religion. One that takes much of the wonder and beauty out of the world and replaces it with the drear and tawdry. If I’m going to believe in something even if others call it “imaginary”, then at l… --- ## [Will Bernard Kerik be killed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bernard-kerik-be-killed/599158)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2011, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bernard-kerik-be-killed/599158 "2011-10-22T23:21:10Z")
Bernard Kerik was the police commissioner of New York City from 2000 to 2001, and Rudy Giuliani’s right-hand man. He gained a degree of prominence for his coordination of the relief efforts during the 9/11 attacks. He se… --- ## [Missing Kansas City baby - odd that no one heard the kidnapper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-kansas-city-baby-odd-that-no-one-heard-the-kidnapper/598934)
**Author:** [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missing-kansas-city-baby-odd-that-no-one-heard-the-kidnapper/598934 "2011-10-22T17:17:20Z")
Lisa Irwin is a 10-month-old baby who was supposedly snatched from her home a couple of days ago – link. The father supposedly came home from work at 4 AM and found the baby (and cell phones) gone. It seems the mother … --- ## [Availability and freedom of information](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/availability-and-freedom-of-information/600418)
**Author:** [@Toffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toffe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2011, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/availability-and-freedom-of-information/600418 "2011-10-22T12:54:25Z")
\[Background (skip if you’re in a hurry)\] I’m doing a second MA while doing an internship at a government institution. I spend my spare time gathering information for a thesis related to international organised crime. … --- ## [Dale Farm: does English and Welsh law require tweaking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dale-farm-does-english-and-welsh-law-require-tweaking/600138)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2011, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dale-farm-does-english-and-welsh-law-require-tweaking/600138 "2011-10-22T08:44:07Z")
It seems today that the planned eviction of the Irish Travellers from the Dale Farm complex is going ahead. The whole fiasco has apparently cost the local council and police force a combined £18 million and taken ten ye… --- ## [Are the "99" percent protestors getting too much press coverage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008)
**Author:** [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2011, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-99-percent-protestors-getting-too-much-press-coverage/600008 "2011-10-22T07:48:50Z")
Per the title, is the US and world media giving too much air time to what appears to be a very small group? In Chicago the protestors by the Chicago Boatd of Trade number less than a hundred and even their biggest rally… --- ## [Economics-devaluing the Chinese currency\[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-devaluing-the-chinese-currency-edited-title/599777)
**Author:** [@Grinner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grinner)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2011, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-devaluing-the-chinese-currency-edited-title/599777 "2011-10-22T02:30:19Z")
I don’t know the actual terminology for this but, Is the devaluing of Chinese currency actually bad for the American economy? devaluing isn’t the right word, i mean their ability to keep the yen weaker than the dollar. … --- ## [Is there a loophole in this gun law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-loophole-in-this-gun-law/599217)
**Author:** [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-loophole-in-this-gun-law/599217 "2011-10-21T18:28:14Z")
Jerry Brown just signed into law AB 144. A lot of gun-rights advocates are upset about it. But from what I see, it only prevents open-carry of unloaded firearms by those carrying the guns unlawfully. And lawful means: … --- ## [For those who consider 'pirating' theft, would you 'pirate' a disagreeable work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-consider-pirating-theft-would-you-pirate-a-disagreeable-work/599715)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-consider-pirating-theft-would-you-pirate-a-disagreeable-work/599715 "2011-10-21T17:34:19Z")
Many films and books have elements that are disgusting, unfair or insulting to another group. For example, “The Da Vinci Code” offended a lot of Christians with its falsehoods, and “The Patriot” was unfairly anti-Englis… --- ## [One good reason why you should Tip ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-good-reason-why-you-should-tip/599503)
**Author:** [@studmuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/studmuffin)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-good-reason-why-you-should-tip/599503 "2011-10-21T11:22:41Z")
Why give someone a gratuity for a job he/she is getting paid to do ? Why should a surly bar worker expect a tip for getting an overpriced bottle of Bud from the fridge then opening it ? It hardly requires any … --- ## [What would have happened in Iraq under the Arab Spring w/o the war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-in-iraq-under-the-arab-spring-w-o-the-war/600314)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-in-iraq-under-the-arab-spring-w-o-the-war/600314 "2011-10-21T01:40:03Z")
If there had been no war in Iraq but the Arab spring still happened what would’ve happened to Saddam Huseein and the Baathist regime Iraq? I don’t understand the politics or culture very well. However it was my understan… --- ## [Should OK Sen. Tom Coburn give Stanley Thornton Jr. the apology he has requested?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ok-sen-tom-coburn-give-stanley-thornton-jr-the-apology-he-has-requested/600147)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2011, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-ok-sen-tom-coburn-give-stanley-thornton-jr-the-apology-he-has-requested/600147 "2011-10-20T14:03:27Z")
There is this guy, Stanley Thornton Jr. that lives his life playacting as an adult baby. He also makes adult size baby furniture. Sometime in the past year he appeared on the National Geographic channel which displayed… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=359) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=361)