# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=37 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 38 --- ## [Are you rethinking Judicial activism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rethinking-judicial-activism/944357)
**Author:** [@oldoaktree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldoaktree)\ **Replies:** 214\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2021, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-rethinking-judicial-activism/944357 "2021-06-17T22:32:29Z")
I have always been against it. Congress makes laws not Judges. But my poor delusional liberal friends have always been pro Judicial activism. Now, we have a majority conservative court. Have your thoughts changed? I… --- ## [Pay cuts/"localized pay" based on where you live, not the job you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-cuts-localized-pay-based-on-where-you-live-not-the-job-you-do/942322)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-cuts-localized-pay-based-on-where-you-live-not-the-job-you-do/942322 "2021-06-15T20:08:44Z")
I read an article yesterday about how some employers are essentially requiring workers to take pay cuts to work remotely, or in other locations. So if you had worked for a San Francisco company, and during the pandemic … --- ## [Sports coaches as jerks](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-coaches-as-jerks/18003)
**Author:** [@Bucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bucky)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sports-coaches-as-jerks/18003 "2021-06-15T19:37:16Z")
Why, especially in high schools and lower, do we tolerate sports coaches being jerks? Screaming at their students, physically assualting them, calling them names, etc. If your child’s biology teacher did this, they woul… --- ## [How might Martian colonists arrange their calendar and keep time?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-martian-colonists-arrange-their-calendar-and-keep-time/938902)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-martian-colonists-arrange-their-calendar-and-keep-time/938902 "2021-06-14T20:38:00Z")
Let’s assume in this thread that one day humans will settle on Mars. What should their calendar look like and how might they measure the time of day? Mars has a 687 Earth day year with seasons that are much more variabl… --- ## [What's the bare minimum of freedom needed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-bare-minimum-of-freedom-needed/943716)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2021, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-bare-minimum-of-freedom-needed/943716 "2021-06-12T03:02:42Z")
A lot of frequently touted “essential” freedoms - such as the right to bear arms - aren’t in fact essential at all; plenty of thriving democracies enact severe restrictions on private gun ownership. Some “essential” fre… --- ## [Do Senate rules violate the U.S. Constitutional provision which says the Senate may determine its own rules?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-senate-rules-violate-the-u-s-constitutional-provision-which-says-the-senate-may-determine-its-own-rules/944013)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2021, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-senate-rules-violate-the-u-s-constitutional-provision-which-says-the-senate-may-determine-its-own-rules/944013 "2021-06-11T00:29:18Z")
Continuing the discussion from Please explain your Senate rules to me: ~Max --- ## [If the confederates had not fired on Fort Sumter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-confederates-had-not-fired-on-fort-sumter/932852)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2021, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-confederates-had-not-fired-on-fort-sumter/932852 "2021-06-08T14:28:51Z")
The thread reminds me of something I have long wondered about. Speculate what would have happened had the South decided not to start a war. --- ## [Campaign to End Life Imprisonment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-to-end-life-imprisonment/943271)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2021, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/campaign-to-end-life-imprisonment/943271 "2021-06-07T19:41:22Z")
Now I have to tell you, I just have to see how many people agree with me on this one. Because if even one person does, I’ll be amazed. I’m serious. Some people, believe it or not, don’t just want to end the death penalt… --- ## [Is there a right way to do cultural appropriation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-right-way-to-do-cultural-appropriation/940745)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-right-way-to-do-cultural-appropriation/940745 "2021-06-05T21:38:27Z")
Let’s say that a U.S. college sorority (consisting of white women) wants to wear kimonos, or an American fashion company wants to make and sell kimonos. They could get ‘permission’ from their Japanese friends - but - th… --- ## [Would Chauvin have been convicted of anything if the BLM protests hadn't involved violence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-chauvin-have-been-convicted-of-anything-if-the-blm-protests-hadnt-involved-violence/942797)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-chauvin-have-been-convicted-of-anything-if-the-blm-protests-hadnt-involved-violence/942797 "2021-06-04T20:38:04Z")
This is a question that occurred to be when reading this thread. We need to be careful about excusing violence; that said I think a case can be made that without the violence over the summer that Chauvin doesn’t get con… --- ## [What should governments do, if anything, for small businesses going forward?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-governments-do-if-anything-for-small-businesses-going-forward/849415)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-governments-do-if-anything-for-small-businesses-going-forward/849415 "2021-06-03T14:31:26Z")
Small businesses have already closed, and are likely to suffer more as time goes on. With their importance to the economy (and this being an election year), government at all levels will be sorely tempted to do SOMETHING… --- ## [Can anything be done about obviously disinformational news outlets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anything-be-done-about-obviously-disinformational-news-outlets/926048)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2021, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-anything-be-done-about-obviously-disinformational-news-outlets/926048 "2021-06-02T03:53:21Z")
After seeing the role that obviously wrong, inaccurate, and frankly fraudulent news sources like Newsmax, Fox News, OANN, Daily Caller, etc… have played in a lot of recent events, is there anything that can be done? The… --- ## [Are Trump, Gaetz and the like being selectively prosecuted and if so is that a bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-trump-gaetz-and-the-like-being-selectively-prosecuted-and-if-so-is-that-a-bad-thing/943116)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-trump-gaetz-and-the-like-being-selectively-prosecuted-and-if-so-is-that-a-bad-thing/943116 "2021-06-01T01:35:33Z")
First let me make it clear that I am not a fan of Gaetz or Trump. A believe they did the bad things they are accused of and should suffer all of the consequences that are coming to them.But in the back of my mind I do w… --- ## [Mollie Tibbetts missing college student (allegedly) killed by illegal alien](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mollie-tibbetts-missing-college-student-allegedly-killed-by-illegal-alien/820030)
**Author:** [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Replies:** 366\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mollie-tibbetts-missing-college-student-allegedly-killed-by-illegal-alien/820030 "2021-05-31T23:56:14Z")
Surprised (not really) there isn’t a topic on this board already discussing the implications of the illegal alien allegedly killing the (up until now) missing Iowa student It’s an anathema to (what I consider) this boar… --- ## [Dean's "Conservatives Without Conscience"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deans-conservatives-without-conscience/364313)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 260\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2013, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deans-conservatives-without-conscience/364313 "2013-05-05T07:49:45Z")
I’ve just finished John Dean’s Conservatives Without Conscience, the first book I’ve bothered to read in a single sitting in quite a while. It was definitely worth it for the peer-reviewed, AAAS-awarded social science i… --- ## [Cops vs White Guys or Hispanic Guys?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-vs-white-guys-or-hispanic-guys/942818)
**Author:** [@DtypeJag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DtypeJag)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2021, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-vs-white-guys-or-hispanic-guys/942818 "2021-05-30T13:14:25Z")
We’ve all seen the sometimes brutal videos of white cop vs black guy. But from the statistics that I could find, tho not complete or very accurate, about 1000 people per year are killed by police. Of those between 25 … --- ## [What's the point of a religion if it constantly updates to adapt to changing society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-a-religion-if-it-constantly-updates-to-adapt-to-changing-society/938865)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 343\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2021, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-point-of-a-religion-if-it-constantly-updates-to-adapt-to-changing-society/938865 "2021-05-29T14:02:56Z")
IMHO, there are only two intellectually honest approaches for a religion to take when it finds itself at odds with an evolving society: Either stick to its guns (metaphorically, not literally,) or just implode and disapp… --- ## [Bitcoins. Are they a net negative to human society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoins-are-they-a-net-negative-to-human-society/940889)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2021, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bitcoins-are-they-a-net-negative-to-human-society/940889 "2021-05-27T22:15:39Z")
I may have gotten a little carried away in the GQ thread about bitcoins, so I’m starting this one. The debate is if bitcoins are of net harm or net benefit to humanity as a whole. It seems as if we’re reaching a tippin… --- ## [Resolved: Price-gouging shouldn't be discouraged when the government isn't rationing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-price-gouging-shouldnt-be-discouraged-when-the-government-isnt-rationing/942219)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2021, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-price-gouging-shouldnt-be-discouraged-when-the-government-isnt-rationing/942219 "2021-05-25T12:48:33Z")
This is in response to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s order to suspend the gasoline tax and prohibit price-gouging in Georgia following the Colonial pipe disruption. I risk permanently damaging my liberal cred over this, but… --- ## [Why DOES the myth of the CSA Lost Cause persist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-myth-of-the-csa-lost-cause-persist/941776)
**Author:** [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [May 23, 2021, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-myth-of-the-csa-lost-cause-persist/941776 "2021-05-23T15:10:05Z")
\# Why Confederate Lies Live On For some Americans, history isn’t the story of what actually happened; it’s the story they want to believe. The Atlantic asks a good question. After all, the Civil War was a mere five ye… --- ## [Has the concept of The Kids' Table become outdated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-concept-of-the-kids-table-become-outdated/942323)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2021, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-concept-of-the-kids-table-become-outdated/942323 "2021-05-22T10:10:19Z")
I’m putting this here because I want to have a discussion about what people are doing now, not get bogged down in anecdotes about what kind of nonsense went down on Thanksgiving 1965 at Aunt Sylvia’s house. Okay, someon… --- ## [Is it ethical to pay someone to get the Covid vaccine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-pay-someone-to-get-the-covid-vaccine/941426)
**Author:** [@turtlescanfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtlescanfly)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2021, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-pay-someone-to-get-the-covid-vaccine/941426 "2021-05-21T23:48:05Z")
Placing this here be cause it seems like prime debate material, but if mods determine it should be in the Covid forum, so be it. So the company that both of my daughters work for has recently announced that they will pr… --- ## [Rhodes Will Not Fall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhodes-will-not-fall/744559)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [May 21, 2021, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rhodes-will-not-fall/744559 "2021-05-21T12:02:18Z")
Has anyone here been following the controversy over the Oriel College, Oxford statute of Cecil Rhodes? The movement, Rhodes Must Fall, started in South Africa and got a statue removed there, and it seems to have moved B… --- ## [Are psychopaths rampant in Chinese Communist Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-psychopaths-rampant-in-chinese-communist-party/941498)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [May 20, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-psychopaths-rampant-in-chinese-communist-party/941498 "2021-05-20T16:24:24Z")
India is going through a tough phase in the Covid epidemic with lots of people dying. I am of Indian origin and have lost several members in my extended family and friends back in India. I get it that the Communist Part… --- ## [Tesla Wreck: No Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-wreck-no-driver/941832)
**Author:** [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tesla-wreck-no-driver/941832 "2021-05-19T20:39:47Z")
Police say no one was in driver’s seat in fatal Tesla crash. There have been numerous criticisms of the Tesla Autopilot system from safety experts, including the use of the name “Autopilot,” which some of those criti… --- ## [If smallpox got out, how bad would it be in modern times](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-smallpox-got-out-how-bad-would-it-be-in-modern-times/938891)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2021, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-smallpox-got-out-how-bad-would-it-be-in-modern-times/938891 "2021-05-18T10:29:45Z")
An article about covid mentioned how there was a leaked vial of smallpox during physical transportation of some biological specimens, but luckily it didn’t infect anyone. I don’t know tons about smallpox, but I know we … --- ## [Why not wear masks forever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-wear-masks-forever/925019)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2021, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-wear-masks-forever/925019 "2021-05-15T20:20:49Z")
As I understand it, masks have had a big ancillary benefit, which is that in addition to preventing the spread of Covid, they also help to hinder the transmission of cold, flu, and other respiratory diseases that transmi… --- ## [Is 'Zoo Hypothesis' Mainstream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-zoo-hypothesis-mainstream/940475)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-zoo-hypothesis-mainstream/940475 "2021-05-13T22:45:27Z")
Here is the Wikipedia article. But basically it is a response to Fermi’s Paradox that says there are advanced ET’s out there, they just purposely choose not to interact with us for ethical reasons. My question is, is it… --- ## [What will the UK do wrt Brexit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 2051\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-uk-do-wrt-brexit/829799 "2021-05-13T16:35:01Z")
I know there have been threads on this, but we seem to be coming down to the wire with no agreement in sight, so was wondering what 'dopers thoughts on this, especially our UK or EU 'dopers. I was watching the latest fr… --- ## [Reparations that I can get behind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reparations-that-i-can-get-behind/941599)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2021, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reparations-that-i-can-get-behind/941599 "2021-05-09T18:53:51Z")
I’ve generally been dubious at the call for racial (or slavery) reparations. I support the goal (reducing racial economic disparity) but I just don’t see how it could work pragmatically. Recently NPR’s Market Place did… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=38)