# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=378 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 379 --- ## [Should people have to pay to receive their stolen property back from the police?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-have-to-pay-to-receive-their-stolen-property-back-from-the-police/238609)
**Author:** [@Star\_Was](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Star_Was)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2011, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-have-to-pay-to-receive-their-stolen-property-back-from-the-police/238609 "2011-07-11T12:33:52Z")
John and Sue McElhiney went on vacation and their home was robbed. Now the police will not give them back their property that was stolen and recovered. The police will only give the property to a third party and then the… --- ## [Depression is...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depression-is/588535)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2011, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/depression-is/588535 "2011-07-11T10:02:48Z")
What is depression? Is it simply a chemical imbalance in the brain? An imbalance of neurotransmitters resulting in low mood, sluggish lethargy and general disinterest in life’s activites? An imbalance that can be chemica… --- ## [Bribing people to sterilise themselves, Part 2: Get the snip, win a blender says India.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bribing-people-to-sterilise-themselves-part-2-get-the-snip-win-a-blender-says-india/587563)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2011, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bribing-people-to-sterilise-themselves-part-2-get-the-snip-win-a-blender-says-india/587563 "2011-07-11T04:13:20Z")
I swear this isn’t a joke, although when I heard it on the radio this afternoon I thought it was. The Indian state of Rajasthan is encouraging people to sterilise themselves offering prize incentives of the world’s chea… --- ## [A Socially Conservative Economically Populist Party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-socially-conservative-economically-populist-party/588371)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-socially-conservative-economically-populist-party/588371 "2011-07-10T18:16:11Z")
Would a political party that is economically speakign left (pro-social services, protectionist but also anti-immigrant) but socially conservative get a widespread following in the United States among the working class (b… --- ## [How long to rebuild civilization only from knowledge in people's heads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-rebuild-civilization-only-from-knowledge-in-peoples-heads/584265)
**Author:** [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [July 10, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-to-rebuild-civilization-only-from-knowledge-in-peoples-heads/584265 "2011-07-10T16:44:04Z")
An alien race visits us and without any communication they simultaneously destroy all human Artifacts. All machines , factories , buildings , tools , electronics, books etc just vanish. Farmland is left as farmland but a… --- ## [Pro-lifers: Help me understand the exceptions for rape and incest](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-help-me-understand-the-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/587493)
**Author:** [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-lifers-help-me-understand-the-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/587493 "2011-07-09T16:34:47Z")
The title says it, but let me flesh it out a bit here. Do you think it’s just a necessary compromise in order to make anti-abortion laws more appealing to those who haven’t thought it their position through, or do you t… --- ## [How unjust was the Casey Anthony verdict?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-unjust-was-the-casey-anthony-verdict/588055)
**Author:** [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Replies:** 241\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-unjust-was-the-casey-anthony-verdict/588055 "2011-07-09T14:08:14Z")
Various acquaintances of mine have been expressing their outrage to me. What do you think? –It was as bad as the last episode of the Sopranos: I want my money back. –A travesty—we were short-changed on jury deliberatio… --- ## [Has anyone here read Love Wins by Rob Bell?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-read-love-wins-by-rob-bell/588260)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-here-read-love-wins-by-rob-bell/588260 "2011-07-09T13:57:22Z")
Love Wins was a recent non-fiction best seller that I finally got around to reading this week on my vacation (it’s a quick read). I’ve put this thread in GD instead of CS because the book is about religious themes, namel… --- ## [Will Islam modernize this century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-islam-modernize-this-century/587998)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-islam-modernize-this-century/587998 "2011-07-09T13:29:32Z")
Do you guys think that the major Islamic nations will modernize any time soon? Or are they developing into some kind of anti-western religion? My definition of a religion “modernizing” is that it becomes less extreme & … --- ## [Immigration--Why not just let anyone become a citizen who wants to?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-why-not-just-let-anyone-become-a-citizen-who-wants-to/587990)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 9, 2011, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immigration-why-not-just-let-anyone-become-a-citizen-who-wants-to/587990 "2011-07-09T06:40:37Z")
What are some good reasons for having controls on immigration? Strongly preferred are posts citing actual findings from actual empirical observation of masses of people–rather than posts citing intuitions about what peop… --- ## [Are environmentalists cowards on immigration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-environmentalists-cowards-on-immigration/585086)
**Author:** [@Chen019](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chen019)\ **Replies:** 569\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-environmentalists-cowards-on-immigration/585086 "2011-07-08T23:03:55Z")
It seems to me that they might be. Where is the Sierra Club on this issue? In fairness, I can see they’re torn like this guy between their concern for the environment and being accused of prejudice, but surely they can… --- ## [Instructions to the Jury: Incomplete?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instructions-to-the-jury-incomplete/588166)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/instructions-to-the-jury-incomplete/588166 "2011-07-08T17:54:49Z")
After OJ and Casey Anthony, I must wonder if a jury is properly instructed how to deliberate? Do they really understand what “reasonable doubt” really means? Do they understand to take a holistic look at a case? I ha… --- ## [Can you be religious and be a doper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-be-religious-and-be-a-doper/588192)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-be-religious-and-be-a-doper/588192 "2011-07-08T14:28:01Z")
For the sake of this debate, I’m going to limit the argument and define the two terms as such: Religious: Belonging to one of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam and their offshoots such as Mormonism e… --- ## [Should insurance companies cover "Christian counseling"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-insurance-companies-cover-christian-counseling/587456)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 8, 2011, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-insurance-companies-cover-christian-counseling/587456 "2011-07-08T13:38:01Z")
Michelle Bachmann’s husband, Dr. Marcus Bachmann, is a clinical counseler in St. Paul and says this on his website: The bolding is his, not mine. Bachmann is, not surprisingly, very anti gay marriage, but takes it a s… --- ## [Why is counterfeiting so prevalent in China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-counterfeiting-so-prevalent-in-china/586294)
**Author:** [@Gilles\_de\_Rais](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gilles_de_Rais)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-counterfeiting-so-prevalent-in-china/586294 "2011-07-07T19:57:42Z")
Versus other countries… --- ## [6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Affordable Care Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6th-circuit-court-of-appeals-upholds-affordable-care-act/587331)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/6th-circuit-court-of-appeals-upholds-affordable-care-act/587331 "2011-07-07T17:37:21Z")
This is excellent news for supporters of health care reform, such as myself. Interestingly enough, one of the judges in the majority was a George W. Bush appointee who clerked for Justice Scalia. I’m happy to see a conse… --- ## [The difference between Republicans and Democrats \[pt. 2\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-difference-between-republicans-and-democrats-pt-2/588015)
**Author:** [@johnbamburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnbamburg)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-difference-between-republicans-and-democrats-pt-2/588015 "2011-07-07T16:59:30Z")
I don’t want this to sound conspiritorical. If that is a word…? But it has always seemed to me that the difference is that Republicans lie differently than Democrats. They don’t really have different plans or aims. If… --- ## [How do we hold elected officials responsible for getting their jobs done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-hold-elected-officials-responsible-for-getting-their-jobs-done/588093)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-hold-elected-officials-responsible-for-getting-their-jobs-done/588093 "2011-07-07T15:36:08Z")
I know. “We vote for someone else in the next election.” But the voting public has a very short and selective memory and it’s way to easy to see the (I) for incombent after a name and pull that lever. The politicans know… --- ## [Geopolitical ramification of instantaneous depopulation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geopolitical-ramification-of-instantaneous-depopulation/588129)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/geopolitical-ramification-of-instantaneous-depopulation/588129 "2011-07-07T06:55:30Z")
Choose any national conflict going on somewhere in the world right now. By definition of “conflict”, there must be at least two sides. For a particular “friendly” side, choose a border encompassing where the “enemy” si… --- ## [Will the US become like Europe this century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-us-become-like-europe-this-century/586789)
**Author:** [@IMfez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IMfez)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2011, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-us-become-like-europe-this-century/586789 "2011-07-07T00:15:37Z")
For those of you into politics, what do you think? Is the US moving closer to Europe in ideology, politics, economics, etc or will we remain distinctly different? \*I hope we all can talk about this in a civil manner and… --- ## [Is Barbarossa one of most spectacular military successes ever?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barbarossa-one-of-most-spectacular-military-successes-ever/586362)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barbarossa-one-of-most-spectacular-military-successes-ever/586362 "2011-07-06T21:09:11Z")
If so, it doesn’t seem to get it’s due. I feel like a sports fan saying “X team doesn’t get enough respect”. Germany took on a larger USSR and totally overwhelmed them using blitzkrieg tactics. They mobilized and suppli… --- ## [God: Just kidding, killing is AOK with me. And here's a list of people to whack!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-just-kidding-killing-is-aok-with-me-and-heres-a-list-of-people-to-whack/587324)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-just-kidding-killing-is-aok-with-me-and-heres-a-list-of-people-to-whack/587324 "2011-07-06T16:27:17Z")
Any Christians out there care to explain Deuteronomy 20? How can you resolve this with the ten commandments and the idea of a loving God? --- ## [Obama's "New" Counterterrorism Strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-new-counterterrorism-strategy/587455)
**Author:** [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-new-counterterrorism-strategy/587455 "2011-07-06T14:39:44Z")
Yesterday, June 29, Obama released his new counterterrorism strategy (it really just formalizes the approach that’s been used the last two+ years). An extremely brief overview of it is: attack Al Qaeda (and affiliates) … --- ## [D-Day fails.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-day-fails/585597)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/d-day-fails/585597 "2011-07-06T14:17:56Z")
“Our landings in the Cherbourg-Harve area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. If any blam… --- ## [Anti-Fossil Fuel, Anti-Nuke People: What's the Solution to Our Energy Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-fossil-fuel-anti-nuke-people-whats-the-solution-to-our-energy-problem/576882)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 458\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-fossil-fuel-anti-nuke-people-whats-the-solution-to-our-energy-problem/576882 "2011-07-06T13:58:07Z")
Quite a few environmentalists who want reduced use of fossil fuels for our energy also oppose nuclear power. If so, what do you suggest we use to produce such massive amounts of energy-what is your energy plan? --- ## [Jimmy Carter and human rights abuse by the US.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-and-human-rights-abuse-by-the-us/580037)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jimmy-carter-and-human-rights-abuse-by-the-us/580037 "2011-07-06T10:45:46Z")
Jimmy Carter is upset over human rights abuse in North Korea … by the US and South Korea against the North Korean people. Fair or stretching the definition of human rights violations so far as to be totally meaningless… --- ## [WWII - German's killing of undesirables - morbid and sensitive, but an honest question/debate topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-germans-killing-of-undesirables-morbid-and-sensitive-but-an-honest-question-debate-topic/586533)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-germans-killing-of-undesirables-morbid-and-sensitive-but-an-honest-question-debate-topic/586533 "2011-07-06T07:22:33Z")
Wasn’t there a better way to do the mass killings? It seems that the German High Command really didn’t do a very good job at figuring this out and thinking it through. The killing of people in showers, shooting them, o… --- ## [Bukharian houses in Queens - or, should new houses be required to match the existing ones?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bukharian-houses-in-queens-or-should-new-houses-be-required-to-match-the-existing-ones/587696)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bukharian-houses-in-queens-or-should-new-houses-be-required-to-match-the-existing-ones/587696 "2011-07-06T00:59:46Z")
I arrived in Queens, New York yesterday and am spending the week here. Immediately upon viewing the neighborhood, which I have not seen for more than a year, I was struck by a bizarre phenomenon that has apparently taken… --- ## [Michael A. White nd the White Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-a-white-nd-the-white-party/586930)
**Author:** [@chiefwhitesr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiefwhitesr)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-a-white-nd-the-white-party/586930 "2011-07-05T17:23:36Z")
Now opening discussion on my new party. Please ask anything you like. Sincerely, Chief Michael A. White Sr/ --- ## [A couple of questions about libertarianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-libertarianism/586871)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-couple-of-questions-about-libertarianism/586871 "2011-07-05T17:07:18Z")
Forgive me if this has been gone over before, but I’m tired and I’m not up to researching every thread on the board. I had two questions about libertarianism: First, how do libertarians address the problem that in a free… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=377) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=379)