# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=380 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 381 --- ## [A joke writing computer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-joke-writing-computer/586956)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-joke-writing-computer/586956 "2011-06-28T23:55:50Z")
this is a weird one… As far as I know it is not possible for a computer program to write jokes.(or no such program exists as of today) This sounds obvious and ridiculous at the face of it, however my question is WHY i… --- ## [What is going on with the SSM bill in the New York Senate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-the-ssm-bill-in-the-new-york-senate/586622)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-going-on-with-the-ssm-bill-in-the-new-york-senate/586622 "2011-06-28T23:45:59Z")
This may quickly devolve into GD, but I thought that last Friday was the showdown vote and that Monday ended the session. It seems that the Senate leadership is still meeting with Cuomo and drafting religious exemptions… --- ## [New Rioting in Belfast \[continuing earlier question of terrorist objectives in N.Ireland\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rioting-in-belfast-continuing-earlier-question-of-terrorist-objectives-in-n-ireland/586907)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rioting-in-belfast-continuing-earlier-question-of-terrorist-objectives-in-n-ireland/586907 "2011-06-28T19:29:11Z")
There’s been rioting in Belfast. This time instigated by loyalists. I hope Irishgirl, Pushkin et al don’t live in East Belfast! --- ## [Wisconsin Supreme Court Lets Collective Bargaining Law Stand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisconsin-supreme-court-lets-collective-bargaining-law-stand/585510)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wisconsin-supreme-court-lets-collective-bargaining-law-stand/585510 "2011-06-28T18:06:41Z")
Readers may recall this thread, which contained an extensive back-and-forth between me and several other posters on the legality of the Wisconsin judge’s orders enjoining the publication and effect of the collective barg… --- ## ["I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" contains buttermilk. Does that mean it contains butter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-its-not-butter-contains-buttermilk-does-that-mean-it-contains-butter/587162)
**Author:** [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-believe-its-not-butter-contains-buttermilk-does-that-mean-it-contains-butter/587162 "2011-06-28T17:49:55Z")
As first mentioned in this thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=13965443&postcount=95 it is claimed that “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” does, indeed, contain butter. A look at the ingredients o… --- ## [If objective reality exists, can we know or trust we know it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-objective-reality-exists-can-we-know-or-trust-we-know-it/586732)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-objective-reality-exists-can-we-know-or-trust-we-know-it/586732 "2011-06-28T01:30:45Z")
On related threads I brought up subjective vs objective reality. I feel there is ample evidence that if objective reality exists, we are incapable of discerning it. Take a incident that has 6 witnesses. Ask the 6 inde… --- ## [Federal bankruptcy court blasts Defense of Marriage Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-bankruptcy-court-blasts-defense-of-marriage-act/585528)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2011, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-bankruptcy-court-blasts-defense-of-marriage-act/585528 "2011-06-28T00:49:11Z")
Story here. \[QUOTE=Bob Egelko, SF Chronicle staff writer\] The latest legal manifesto for gay rights comes from an unlikely source - a 20-judge federal bankruptcy court, which unanimously declared that a law denying fed… --- ## [Flip-Flopping vs. Changing Your Mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-flopping-vs-changing-your-mind/586888)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flip-flopping-vs-changing-your-mind/586888 "2011-06-27T22:43:52Z")
Whenever a politician changes his or her mind on a particular issue they are usually condemned by many flip-floppers, but what if a politician genuinely changed his mind that a different course would be better? How would… --- ## [White Hat or Black Hat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-hat-or-black-hat/586937)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-hat-or-black-hat/586937 "2011-06-27T17:07:59Z")
In the world of computer hacking, there are 2 types of hackers, the White Hats, who hack criminals and terrorist networks, then there are the Black Hats, who are part of something called the AntiSec movement, which favor… --- ## [Obama calls for independent Palestine, 1967 borders](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-calls-for-independent-palestine-1967-borders/582500)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 625\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-calls-for-independent-palestine-1967-borders/582500 "2011-06-27T16:25:11Z")
In today’s speech on the Mideast situation(s): I wonder if Obama even expects a second term, because he seems determined to cram everything into this one, including things that stymied his predecessors. First health c… --- ## [(Almost) all across the spectrum, most Americans favor "path to citizenship" for illegals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/almost-all-across-the-spectrum-most-americans-favor-path-to-citizenship-for-illegals/586061)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/almost-all-across-the-spectrum-most-americans-favor-path-to-citizenship-for-illegals/586061 "2011-06-27T13:48:10Z")
From the 2011 version of the Pew Political Typology study. See here – scroll down to middle of page: :confused: So, why does “amnesty” still work as a political scareword?! --- ## [Will ugly pics on cigarette packs make you stop?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ugly-pics-on-cigarette-packs-make-you-stop/586342)
**Author:** [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ugly-pics-on-cigarette-packs-make-you-stop/586342 "2011-06-27T04:35:36Z")
Will graphic images of the terrors of cigarette smoking cause you to quit? Warning, some of them are indeed nasty. Link to images. I predict great sales in cigarette cases. --- ## [NYT OpEd on Sexism at WalMart](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-oped-on-sexism-at-walmart/586625)
**Author:** [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2011, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-oped-on-sexism-at-walmart/586625 "2011-06-26T16:11:51Z")
From a recent New York Times OpEd: \[QUOTE=NYT\] There are tens of thousands of experienced Wal-Mart women who would like to be promoted to the first managerial rung, salaried assistant store manager. But Wal-Mart makes … --- ## [Terrorist murders in N.Ireland Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-murders-in-n-ireland-why/488971)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2011, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-murders-in-n-ireland-why/488971 "2011-06-26T15:13:25Z")
In the last few days Republican terrorists murdered two off duty,unarmed soldiers and a police officer and attempted to murder two pizza delivery men for the crime of delivering pizza to soldiers. One of the soldiers di… --- ## [Negative Income Tax -- good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-income-tax-good-idea/585733)
**Author:** [@Zeriel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeriel)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2011, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/negative-income-tax-good-idea/585733 "2011-06-26T01:49:43Z")
As part of a Pit discussion, I brought up the idea of the negative income tax. The essential concept is that one does away with welfare, subsidies to the poor, social security, minimum wage, and essentially all of the s… --- ## [Self-immolation: good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-immolation-good-idea/585814)
**Author:** [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/self-immolation-good-idea/585814 "2011-06-25T23:38:27Z")
So I came across this story, in which a man burned himself to death on the steps of a court-house in America somewhere. Alleged last word: Based on that last bit, you might think he was intending to set the court on fi… --- ## [Repost of Iran Topic posted 5-22-11](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repost-of-iran-topic-posted-5-22-11/582813)
**Author:** [@chiefwhitesr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiefwhitesr)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repost-of-iran-topic-posted-5-22-11/582813 "2011-06-25T23:12:38Z")
Apologies first and foremost for excluding source Iran claims to break CIA spy ring, arrests 30. Iran uncovers CIA affiliated ring in Iran, Arrests thirty. My former opinion stated that we should mix it up with these g… --- ## [Research into senescence (lack therof).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-into-senescence-lack-therof/586831)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/research-into-senescence-lack-therof/586831 "2011-06-25T20:50:02Z")
Why is it that their seems to be so little research being done in the field of senescence? It would seem that huge amounts of resources would be dedicated to the field, since everybody gets old and dies. And yet we have… --- ## [Left wing antisemitism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-wing-antisemitism/581985)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 369\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/left-wing-antisemitism/581985 "2011-06-25T17:27:38Z")
I am reading an article in last Tuesday’s NY Times about the history of antisemitism in Majorca and they segued into a discussion of the fact that over 1/3 of Spaniards are antisemitic and included the following: “anti-S… --- ## [Ex-BF erects billboard claiming ex-GF aborted their baby. His free speech vs her privacy rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-bf-erects-billboard-claiming-ex-gf-aborted-their-baby-his-free-speech-vs-her-privacy-rights/584595)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ex-bf-erects-billboard-claiming-ex-gf-aborted-their-baby-his-free-speech-vs-her-privacy-rights/584595 "2011-06-25T07:58:47Z")
An odd yet true tale. Whose rights should triumph? Jilted ex-boyfriend puts up abortion billboard --- ## [Are there more Atheists in prison than religious folks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-atheists-in-prison-than-religious-folks/585714)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2011, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-more-atheists-in-prison-than-religious-folks/585714 "2011-06-25T01:30:51Z")
A friend and I were having a debate about religion and one thing she pointed out was that there were far more violent felons in prison who were Atheist than a member of an organized religion. I asked for a cite, and she … --- ## [What to Republicans (specific ones and in general) think of the debt limit? Effect on future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-republicans-specific-ones-and-in-general-think-of-the-debt-limit-effect-on-future/586628)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-republicans-specific-ones-and-in-general-think-of-the-debt-limit-effect-on-future/586628 "2011-06-24T23:29:15Z")
I know I have a thread on this already, sort of, but this is a little more specific (and heck, it’s only the health of the entire global economy at stake). What with Eric Cantor bowing out of negotiations (though there … --- ## [Conservatives: Where's the funny?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-wheres-the-funny/584526)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 321\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-wheres-the-funny/584526 "2011-06-24T22:33:47Z")
King of the Hill is the only show that derives comedy from a conservative point of view. And I can’t even think of one stand up comic, Googling just pathetically coughs up Brad Stine. I’m not saying there aren’t more w… --- ## [Loveless version: examining things yourself vs. taking other people's word for it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loveless-version-examining-things-yourself-vs-taking-other-peoples-word-for-it/586705)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loveless-version-examining-things-yourself-vs-taking-other-peoples-word-for-it/586705 "2011-06-24T19:32:19Z")
The other thread is, in my opinion, a complete freakin’ trainwreck, so I figured I’d start a new thread. It’s a question I’m pretty interested in. The great virtue of the scientific method lies in peer review and repea… --- ## [Examining things yourself vs. taking other's word for it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examining-things-yourself-vs-taking-others-word-for-it/586424)
**Author:** [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/examining-things-yourself-vs-taking-others-word-for-it/586424 "2011-06-24T18:16:34Z")
Putting politics aside, as this is a topic that spans many disciplines. In this thread: What are the “Birther’s” arguments when confronted with the principle of “jus sanguinis”? md2000 posts: Again I don’t care to … --- ## [Internationalism: Where can I find some?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internationalism-where-can-i-find-some/586354)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internationalism-where-can-i-find-some/586354 "2011-06-24T16:47:42Z")
Studying the history of the 19th and 20th Centuries, the one thing that always appeals to me about the Communists is that they seem to have had the only internationalist political movement of any kind going, the only one… --- ## [WHY didn't Obama sell it as "Obamnicare" in the first place?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-obama-sell-it-as-obamnicare-in-the-first-place/586212)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-obama-sell-it-as-obamnicare-in-the-first-place/586212 "2011-06-24T15:30:54Z")
So it seems “Romneycare” appears to be doing swimmingly well. In fact, if I can believe what a pundit tells me on the news radio; Massachusetts has the best health system in the country. If Obama modeled his plan after… --- ## [Philosophical evidence for evolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philosophical-evidence-for-evolution/586195)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philosophical-evidence-for-evolution/586195 "2011-06-24T08:10:33Z")
I’m looking for something like a priori arguments (if that’s possible) for evolution. As in, how would you explain and defend evolution to a creationist that has little to no knowledge or interest in science? Are there… --- ## [The Problem with Planes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-planes/586244)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 424\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problem-with-planes/586244 "2011-06-24T04:27:29Z")
One issue that garners little, if any, attention in the arena of disability rights is that of accessibility on airplanes for people who depend on wheelchairs to ambulate. Specifically the accessibility of the airplane r… --- ## [Shouldn't we be paid to work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-we-be-paid-to-work/586464)
**Author:** [@Incubus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Incubus)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldnt-we-be-paid-to-work/586464 "2011-06-24T01:47:05Z")
Many people can chime in with horror stories of jobs that, more or less forced their employees to work off the clock. Many people will do it out of fear of being fired. But shouldn’t more be done about this? I know there… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=379) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=381)