# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=371 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 372 --- ## [Are the GOP rooting for total economic collapse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-gop-rooting-for-total-economic-collapse/590045)
**Author:** [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Replies:** 289\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-gop-rooting-for-total-economic-collapse/590045 "2011-08-18T19:54:59Z")
At some point you just have to wonder… It felt like a game of chicken until today, when I see that they are merely going through a charade of negotiations, waiting for the deadline to pass so the country goes to hell … --- ## [Electromagnet Artifical Intelligence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electromagnet-artifical-intelligence/593167)
**Author:** [@Vahid\_Tarzan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vahid_Tarzan)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electromagnet-artifical-intelligence/593167 "2011-08-18T19:43:51Z")
An article about AI 10 years old suggests we may not be very far away from developing a learning computer. I believe we have sufficient evident of a simpler form of AI using some of these interactive programs on-line. … --- ## [Why should the 'uncontacted' tribes remain so?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-uncontacted-tribes-remain-so/592338)
**Author:** [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-uncontacted-tribes-remain-so/592338 "2011-08-18T16:59:59Z")
From here. The link is about how there is a danger to the ‘uncontacted’ tribes of the Amazon. Disclaimer: I am in no way advocating that these people be allowed or permitted contact with drug runners and such. This st… --- ## [AMENDMENT XXVIII Money and Credit – Congress Asserts Power To Coin Money, and Emit Bills of Credi](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amendment-xxviii-money-and-credit-congress-asserts-power-to-coin-money-and-emit-bills-of-credi/592719)
**Author:** [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amendment-xxviii-money-and-credit-congress-asserts-power-to-coin-money-and-emit-bills-of-credi/592719 "2011-08-18T15:13:57Z")
AMENDMENT XXVIII Money and Credit – Congress Asserts Power To Coin Money, and Emit Bills of Credit \[SECTION 1.\] The Congress hereby asserts the power, granted in this Constitution, to coin money, and to regulate the va… --- ## [The environmental movement, and its irrational fear of nuclear energy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-environmental-movement-and-its-irrational-fear-of-nuclear-energy/386827)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 213\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-environmental-movement-and-its-irrational-fear-of-nuclear-energy/386827 "2011-08-18T14:13:55Z")
Global warming, like many of the vast and seemingly intractable problems that confront us, actually has an easy answer, one staring us in the face, in fact. It’s called nuclear energy. We know it works, we know the iss… --- ## [Worst form of government except all others that have been tried](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-form-of-government-except-all-others-that-have-been-tried/592122)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2011, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-form-of-government-except-all-others-that-have-been-tried/592122 "2011-08-18T13:55:48Z")
So said Winston Churchill of democracy. The debt limit “crisis” is a classic example of what is wrong and what is right with the U.S. form of government. I am not interested in discussing that particular situation, who … --- ## [What Kinds of Rights Do Fringe Groups Have in Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kinds-of-rights-do-fringe-groups-have-in-europe/591439)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kinds-of-rights-do-fringe-groups-have-in-europe/591439 "2011-08-18T01:48:42Z")
Recent attacks in Norway by a lone rightwing radical got me to thinking. How did he get so far? I mean, what rights, if any, do radical (esp. rightwing) groups and individuals have in Europe? And in case you need more o… --- ## [Will low interest rates stimulate consumer spending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-low-interest-rates-stimulate-consumer-spending/592828)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2011, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-low-interest-rates-stimulate-consumer-spending/592828 "2011-08-17T23:27:50Z")
There was an interesting article in the New York Times today about this. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/15/business/low-interest-rates-do-little-to-sway-nervous-consumers.html Personally I can’t really see myself taki… --- ## [Whats wrong with "back yard breeders"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-back-yard-breeders/591344)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2011, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-back-yard-breeders/591344 "2011-08-17T22:22:37Z")
Rather than sidetrack another thread, thought I’d ask this here. I’ve heard this term a lot recently both among my friends in the animal adoption community and now on these boards. They seem to be the boogie man de jo… --- ## [Would it really be that bad if America wasn't #1?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-really-be-that-bad-if-america-wasnt-1/592523)
**Author:** [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2011, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-really-be-that-bad-if-america-wasnt-1/592523 "2011-08-17T14:43:38Z")
Something that bothers me in every debate or news article about the economy, unemployment, debt ceilings, etc is that they all seem to focus on the point that America is in the decline, and this is the worst thing possib… --- ## [Is dressing like a slut "asking for it"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dressing-like-a-slut-asking-for-it/581519)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 318\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2011, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-dressing-like-a-slut-asking-for-it/581519 "2011-08-17T09:43:12Z")
Since this thread I started in MPSIMS was hijacked and locked, I’m starting a new one to ask this age old question: If a woman is dressed in what a man perceives to be “like a slut,” does that give him justification to r… --- ## [What would happen if all the poor people left America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-all-the-poor-people-left-america/591934)
**Author:** [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-all-the-poor-people-left-america/591934 "2011-08-17T03:29:04Z")
What would happen if all the people at or under the poverty line somehow left or disappeared (let’s not worry about the logistics)? Let’s call it the poorest 20% of the population. This is obviously a significant numbe… --- ## [Father's Blog = child abuse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fathers-blog-child-abuse/590043)
**Author:** [@Pixilated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixilated)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fathers-blog-child-abuse/590043 "2011-08-17T02:54:02Z")
Some of us have dealt with the Family Court system firsthand, and IMO the judge was way out of line here. http://www.fathersandfamilies.org/?p=17790 --- ## [Clothahump: what's the problem with the 17th Amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothahump-whats-the-problem-with-the-17th-amendment/592857)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clothahump-whats-the-problem-with-the-17th-amendment/592857 "2011-08-17T02:40:36Z")
A question for Clothahump. In this thread, you said you thought the 17th Amendment should be repealed. I was surprised because I didn’t think it was a controversial issue. I posted a question there but the OP asked me n… --- ## [Evidence of a historical Jesus Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evidence-of-a-historical-jesus-christ/590017)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 265\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evidence-of-a-historical-jesus-christ/590017 "2011-08-16T22:15:13Z")
This is a thread for those who claim that not only did Jesus Christ exist, but there is historical proof that he did and that “historians almost unanimously accept that he existed”. So, let’s see the proof. --- ## [More bombings in Iraq -- why now?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-bombings-in-iraq-why-now/592832)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-bombings-in-iraq-why-now/592832 "2011-08-16T18:13:44Z")
Scores dead in cities across Iraq. The U.S. troops are supposed to pull out in December – what are the bombers protesting now?! What do they hope to accomplish that is not already accomplished?! --- ## [What If: India\[was\] granted independence 12 years earlier](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-india-was-granted-independence-12-years-earlier/592681)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2011, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-india-was-granted-independence-12-years-earlier/592681 "2011-08-16T11:47:35Z")
I pose a hypothetical of what would of happened, if the UK had granted India independence in 1935 rather than in 1947? What ramifications would it have on World War two and Britains’ strategic situation? --- ## [Carl Icahn's Actvities-Good Or Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-icahns-actvities-good-or-bad/592801)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carl-icahns-actvities-good-or-bad/592801 "2011-08-16T05:12:43Z")
I do believe in the “invisible hand” of Adam Smith. But, upon occasion, the IH needs a nudge-is this what Icahn does? As I understand it, Icahn became a “corporate raider” because, early in his career, he realized that… --- ## [What would be the response if a single billionaire or company funded each presidential candidate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-response-if-a-single-billionaire-or-company-funded-each-presidential-candidate/592806)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-response-if-a-single-billionaire-or-company-funded-each-presidential-candidate/592806 "2011-08-16T01:51:12Z")
I don’t know enough about campaign finance laws, but I am under the impression you can raise about 2300 per individual for a candidate, about 25,000 to the party the candidate is affiliated with and endless money for ind… --- ## [The kids are alright - it's the adults that are confused](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kids-are-alright-its-the-adults-that-are-confused/592761)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-kids-are-alright-its-the-adults-that-are-confused/592761 "2011-08-15T22:00:44Z")
Inspired by the various gay muppet marriage threads. I’m gay. I think gay people should be able to marry. I think kids can handle the concept of gay marriage. But at the same time, it’s something new, something slightly… --- ## [Do the rich really take risks.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-rich-really-take-risks/591508)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-rich-really-take-risks/591508 "2011-08-15T21:55:34Z")
Here’s an argument for the Republicans’ utter refusal to consider even a minor tax hike for the rich: (The fact that this argument happens to come from a site devoted to denying global warming is purely a coincidence, … --- ## [If there were no one in the universe to observe it, would the universe still exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-were-no-one-in-the-universe-to-observe-it-would-the-universe-still-exist/591496)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2011, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-there-were-no-one-in-the-universe-to-observe-it-would-the-universe-still-exist/591496 "2011-08-15T10:32:55Z")
In the world of quantum physics, it is believed that the act of observing something can change the outcome. (The observer effect) So with that in mind; would the universe still exist (as we know it) if no one were in it… --- ## [If Republicans only care about the rich...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-republicans-only-care-about-the-rich/591759)
**Author:** [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-republicans-only-care-about-the-rich/591759 "2011-08-15T05:01:16Z")
Then why do Republicans tends to fair better at the national level than Democrats or Democrats not fair as well as you would expect them to? Only looking at the Federal level, since 1980, Republicans have won five out o… --- ## [Resolved by Steven Landsburg: Nobody is Actually Religious. Discuss!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-by-steven-landsburg-nobody-is-actually-religious-discuss/589043)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2011, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-by-steven-landsburg-nobody-is-actually-religious-discuss/589043 "2011-08-15T04:30:31Z")
In his book The Big Questions, Steven Landsburg makes the rather aresting claim that he does not believe any adult person actually believes in God. Now, to be clear while staying within fair use; Landsburg does not say … --- ## [Billionaire Investor Explains: Workers Are Screwed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-investor-explains-workers-are-screwed/592324)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/billionaire-investor-explains-workers-are-screwed/592324 "2011-08-15T02:00:54Z")
Yesterday, NPR’s Steve Inskeep interviewed billionaire investor Wilbur Ross who, other than being a billionaire investor, is notable for having been buying stocks during the recent stock panic. Think, conservatives of th… --- ## [Is it reasonable for an employee to expect a living wage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-reasonable-for-an-employee-to-expect-a-living-wage/592348)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-reasonable-for-an-employee-to-expect-a-living-wage/592348 "2011-08-15T00:23:38Z")
I know that a lot of people will say that an employee should only receive what their job is actually worth. But what is it worth? It can be argued that a job that isn’t worth the resources necessary to do it isn’t worth… --- ## [Why are they rioting in London?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-rioting-in-london/592096)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-they-rioting-in-london/592096 "2011-08-14T11:35:38Z")
One death so far; PM calls special session of Parliament. Why are they doing this? What do the rioters want? Are they just frustrated at being poor? Did the riots on the Continent give them ideas? Are they trying to… --- ## [Representatives by interest groups](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representatives-by-interest-groups/592512)
**Author:** [@gallan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallan)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2011, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/representatives-by-interest-groups/592512 "2011-08-14T01:38:01Z")
Our current system for electing representatives is based on population size. A state’s population determines the number of representatives it has, and the state draws up districts and holds elections in those districts … --- ## [Neither welfare-state nor property-owning democracy. What do conservatives want?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neither-welfare-state-nor-property-owning-democracy-what-do-conservatives-want/591831)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neither-welfare-state-nor-property-owning-democracy-what-do-conservatives-want/591831 "2011-08-13T23:44:24Z")
The line between ‘conservative’, ‘Republican’ and ‘Tea Partier’ seems to blur depending on the situation, so I hope we don’t fall into quibbling over that particular distinction. My question arises from some definitions… --- ## [Christians: when you say that God loves humanity, what exactly do you mean?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-when-you-say-that-god-loves-humanity-what-exactly-do-you-mean/592109)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [August 13, 2011, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-when-you-say-that-god-loves-humanity-what-exactly-do-you-mean/592109 "2011-08-13T11:25:21Z")
First a little housekeeping. While I’m basically an atheist, I’m not one of those who judges Christians to be categorically stupid, evil, deluded, or insane. I can think of quite a few Christians I admire and even love… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=370) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=372)