# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=367 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 368 --- ## [California's Nanny State?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/californias-nanny-state/595806)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/californias-nanny-state/595806 "2011-09-14T21:14:01Z")
California’s Governor Jerry Brown just vetoed a bill that would require minors to wear helmets while skiing or snowboarding. His reasoning: I was debating some friends a while ago about a similar bill that is winding … --- ## [Here's why it's "One Man, One Vote"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-why-its-one-man-one-vote/595756)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-why-its-one-man-one-vote/595756 "2011-09-14T21:06:08Z")
In this thread, starting here, Huerta88 advances an argument I’ve encountered in various forms over the years, that non-taxpayers should not have the same votes as taxpayers. (See Mark Twain’s “The Curious Republic of G… --- ## [Is there any reason to keep the literal Electoral College?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-keep-the-literal-electoral-college/595653)
**Author:** [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2011, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-to-keep-the-literal-electoral-college/595653 "2011-09-14T14:15:09Z")
Every fourth January, a bunch of people whose names are known to an extremely small (as measured by % of the population) group of citizens gather together in Congress to formalize the election results for their state as … --- ## [Atheists, why debate christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-why-debate-christians/594681)
**Author:** [@strugglingChristian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/strugglingChristian)\ **Replies:** 434\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2011, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-why-debate-christians/594681 "2011-09-13T17:56:21Z")
This question has actually bugged me for a while but here it is precipitated by the question on God’s moral authority. But for background, I enjoy web cruising and whether on Yahoo answers, CNN comments, or here, I alw… --- ## [Is straight dope just for kids?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-straight-dope-just-for-kids/596178)
**Author:** [@commonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commonsense)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2011, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-straight-dope-just-for-kids/596178 "2011-09-13T17:55:14Z")
Every time a intelligent debate is started it is ended as being boring. Apparently Egypt and Libya are also boring. Christianity is also boring. The administrator I asked if he was a kid. He hasn’t answered yet. My… --- ## [World Trade Center \[questions/conspiracy theories\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-trade-center-questions-conspiracy-theories/593861)
**Author:** [@Bennett\_Thomas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bennett_Thomas)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2011, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-trade-center-questions-conspiracy-theories/593861 "2011-09-13T16:10:45Z")
There are a number of theorists who say the destruction of the World Trade Center was a controlled demolition, claiming that the planes crashing into them wouldn’t make the buildings collapse into themselves and only a c… --- ## [Dogs, Sex, and Morality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-sex-and-morality/595645)
**Author:** [@JohnnyMac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnyMac)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dogs-sex-and-morality/595645 "2011-09-13T12:48:02Z")
I apologise in advance for posting something that sounds like it’s from the Jeremy Kyle show, but this is the first time I’ve been confronted with something like this in meatspace, and I really have to know. A friend of… --- ## [What if: No humans or other primates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-no-humans-or-other-primates/595798)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2011, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-no-humans-or-other-primates/595798 "2011-09-13T10:53:57Z")
Some scientists believe that in 70,000 BCE, humanity nearly became extinct. Now, for the purposes of this discussion, let’s assume that all humans and other primates died out. How would the world be different? What c… --- ## [Sola Scriptura? In what manner does the Bible define itself?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sola-scriptura-in-what-manner-does-the-bible-define-itself/596014)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2011, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sola-scriptura-in-what-manner-does-the-bible-define-itself/596014 "2011-09-13T02:39:54Z")
This is one that bothered me when I was a more traditionally Bible-believing Christian lo so many years ago. From Wikipedia: As a lad, the churches I was raised in didn’t specifically use the phrase “Sola Scriptura” b… --- ## [Is this 'Transfer of wealth to the east' BS?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-transfer-of-wealth-to-the-east-bs/595634)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-transfer-of-wealth-to-the-east-bs/595634 "2011-09-13T02:01:09Z")
This article got me thinking, why are people bordering on obsessed with this apparent transfer of wealth? For me personally, it seems that people are observing our recession and their weathering of it as some sort of d… --- ## [I don't understand why there is not MORE terrorism in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-why-there-is-not-more-terrorism-in-america/595895 "2011-09-12T21:19:28Z")
Over the past ten years, we have heard non-stop talk and worry about terrorism. But, oddly enough, there has been almost no actual terrorism. I don’t understand WHY THIS IS. It’s driving me insane. It’s such a simple qu… --- ## [Texas's limited government too limited to respond to wildfires](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texass-limited-government-too-limited-to-respond-to-wildfires/595624)
**Author:** [@gatorslap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorslap)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/texass-limited-government-too-limited-to-respond-to-wildfires/595624 "2011-09-12T21:16:15Z")
Who actually thinks this was the right thing to do? Should Texas just eliminate state funding of fire services completely? What’s the libertarian argument here? --- ## [Dodd-Frank Kills the Congo \[ed.: Application of Law of Unintended Consequences\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dodd-frank-kills-the-congo-ed-application-of-law-of-unintended-consequences/591974)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 242\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dodd-frank-kills-the-congo-ed-application-of-law-of-unintended-consequences/591974 "2011-09-12T20:52:38Z")
There have been a lot of threads lately trying to figure out what conservatives and libertarians believe in. Let me describe one of the main beliefs of economic conservatives, and give you a case study in its applicati… --- ## [How many legit votes prevented for each fraudulent vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-legit-votes-prevented-for-each-fraudulent-vote/595747)
**Author:** [@nolonger\_lurking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nolonger_lurking)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-legit-votes-prevented-for-each-fraudulent-vote/595747 "2011-09-12T18:46:21Z")
All of the voting threads have got me wondering: Most measures to prevent vote fraud increase the difficulty of voting, convincing some people who would have voted to skip the hassle. In the absence of an obviously dispr… --- ## [Genetically modify prehistoric humanity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-modify-prehistoric-humanity/595164)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetically-modify-prehistoric-humanity/595164 "2011-09-12T16:35:43Z")
Some benevolent aliens decide to genetically modify every human alive in 8000BC. \*\*What modifications would be most useful and most likely to survive to the present day? \*\*, you can pick more than one. Be warned, such … --- ## [9/11 Tribute Fever - Good intention, bad result (continued)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-tribute-fever-good-intention-bad-result-continued/596013)
**Author:** [@AbbyBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbyBaby)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-tribute-fever-good-intention-bad-result-continued/596013 "2011-09-12T15:18:50Z")
I am very happy to have found this board. It’s extremely difficult to find kindred spirits who are on the same page about this. This is overt overkill. The maudlin obsession with 9/11 has thoroughly cheapened and commerc… --- ## [Ground Zero Mosque](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-zero-mosque/595663)
**Author:** [@pitcairnpete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pitcairnpete)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ground-zero-mosque/595663 "2011-09-12T11:58:49Z")
Whilst I can not say whether or not this is going ahead, or it has been built or it has been cancelled I would like to debate how this is a good or a bad idea. I will play devils advocate to some and not to others on thi… --- ## [Was Bush really a "fundie"? Also, how smart/dumb was he really?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-really-a-fundie-also-how-smart-dumb-was-he-really/594349)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-bush-really-a-fundie-also-how-smart-dumb-was-he-really/594349 "2011-09-12T11:05:42Z")
I typed out what I thought was a good post in that thread in IMHO, then as soon as I submitted it, I find that the thread was closed! Here’s a continuance of it, in the proper forum. And here was my post: To tell you … --- ## [Let's talk about Hell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-hell/549059)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2011, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-hell/549059 "2011-09-12T09:22:48Z")
Specifically, let’s talk about whether or not the concept of Hell as a place of eternal, conscious suffering exists in the Bible. This thread is a response to some requests in this thread, which has given rise to a few s… --- ## [Thought experiment: What if U.S. government represented the will of the people (more precisely)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-u-s-government-represented-the-will-of-the-people-more-precisely/595391)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thought-experiment-what-if-u-s-government-represented-the-will-of-the-people-more-precisely/595391 "2011-09-11T16:56:08Z")
“\[legislatures in the United States\] should be an exact portrait, in miniature, of the people at large, as it should think, feel, reason, and act like them.” – John Adams “… the portrait is excellent in proportion to it… --- ## [Does any state require a photo ID to register to vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-state-require-a-photo-id-to-register-to-vote/595656)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2011, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-state-require-a-photo-id-to-register-to-vote/595656 "2011-09-11T16:06:39Z")
Kind of lost in the pit thread discussion talking about new Voter ID laws being pushed by Republicans is actual facts surrounding what efforts are actually necessary to vote. Every state I’ve looked at it is possible to… --- ## [Does Judaism require a belief in God \[Split from earlier thread\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-judaism-require-a-belief-in-god-split-from-earlier-thread/595209)
**Author:** [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Replies:** 286\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2011, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-judaism-require-a-belief-in-god-split-from-earlier-thread/595209 "2011-09-11T02:44:54Z")
Here is a quote from the Wikipedia article that you recommended : “Because Jewishness encompasses ethnic as well as religious components, the term “Jewish atheism” does not necessarily imply any kind of contradicti… --- ## [Would the 16th Amendment be ratified today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-16th-amendment-be-ratified-today/595790)
**Author:** [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2011, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-16th-amendment-be-ratified-today/595790 "2011-09-10T03:46:10Z")
Inspired by this thread. So, let’s assume that the SCOTUS has just ruled that the current 16th Amendment was not properly ratified and has no legal meaning. Do you think that Congress and the requisite 37 states would … --- ## [My wife came out to me as a Truther](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-came-out-to-me-as-a-truther/593502)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2011, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-wife-came-out-to-me-as-a-truther/593502 "2011-09-10T01:25:37Z")
Ordinarily, I don’t bother to argue with those people, but this is the mother of my children and I feel compelled to convince her that there isn’t some secret conspiracy that deliberately blew up the twin towers. I eith… --- ## [Appeals Court Strikes Down the Individual Mandate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appeals-court-strikes-down-the-individual-mandate/592508)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2011, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/appeals-court-strikes-down-the-individual-mandate/592508 "2011-09-10T00:51:33Z")
Cite. The court said that this part of Obamacare “would imperil individual liberty, render Congress’s other enumerated powers superfluous, and allow Congress to usurp the general police power reserved to the states.” Q… --- ## [Jews & Christians: does God's moral authority derive from his wisdom or his power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-christians-does-gods-moral-authority-derive-from-his-wisdom-or-his-power/594660)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2011, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-christians-does-gods-moral-authority-derive-from-his-wisdom-or-his-power/594660 "2011-09-09T23:50:52Z")
While I am officially an atheist (and unofficially am very fond of Athena and am prepared to abandon my non-faith given the slightest clue she is real ;)), I am not one of those skeptics who thinks that Christians are un… --- ## [If Lee chose to fight a defensive war, does the south win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lee-chose-to-fight-a-defensive-war-does-the-south-win/595074)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-lee-chose-to-fight-a-defensive-war-does-the-south-win/595074 "2011-09-09T14:14:05Z")
If you look at the American Civil War, there are many important decisions on both sides that helped bring it to a conclusion. Gettysburg is rightly viewed by most as \*\*the \*\*battle that pivoted the war in favor of the N… --- ## [Gold bubble bursts. What happens economically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-bubble-bursts-what-happens-economically/595610)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gold-bubble-bursts-what-happens-economically/595610 "2011-09-09T04:11:26Z")
I put this in GD since I don’t know that there is a factual answer for this question. Gold is currently over $1850/t oz. Let’s say that in the beginning of November, people start selling off their gold causing a panic … --- ## [Get-out-the-vote and voter suppression are not equally legitimate political tactics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-out-the-vote-and-voter-suppression-are-not-equally-legitimate-political-tactics/469089)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [September 9, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-out-the-vote-and-voter-suppression-are-not-equally-legitimate-political-tactics/469089 "2011-09-09T02:04:24Z")
That is so obvious I’m astonished I even have to point it out, but see Bricker’s position in posts #55, 64, and 67 of this thread. See also this famous 1980 quotation by Paul Weyrich: :dubious: Mmm-hm. When your opp… --- ## [9/11 What If](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-what-if/595500)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 8, 2011, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-what-if/595500 "2011-09-08T16:19:51Z")
Since we are coming up on the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 I’ve been seeing a lot of shows on the History Channel, Discovery, TLC, Military Channel, etc etc concerning 9/11. It got me thinking about 9/11 again and I was … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=366) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=368)