# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=381 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 382 --- ## [Can the government mandate condom use for porn actors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-government-mandate-condom-use-for-porn-actors/586193)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-government-mandate-condom-use-for-porn-actors/586193 "2011-06-24T01:06:49Z")
A sticky constitutional issue, implicating the First Amendment rights of the filmmakers, the Fourteenth Amendment due process rights of the actors, the generalized constitutional privacy rights of the actors, and who kno… --- ## [What Would A Theonomic Society Look Like](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-theonomic-society-look-like/586233)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-theonomic-society-look-like/586233 "2011-06-24T00:47:21Z")
Despite the accusation that the Christian Right wishes to impose a “theocracy”, only the theonomists/Christian Reconstructionists plan seriously to bring this about. So what if a theonomic society actually occurred? What… --- ## [Raising the Retirement Age.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-the-retirement-age/585994)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-the-retirement-age/585994 "2011-06-24T00:31:38Z")
I’ve been hearing talk lately in both Canada and the US that one way to solve the looming financial crisis in government pensions and entitlements for seniors is to raise the retirement age above 65. The argument in fav… --- ## [Flogging in place of imprisonment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flogging-in-place-of-imprisonment/585754)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flogging-in-place-of-imprisonment/585754 "2011-06-23T20:33:55Z")
So I read this in The Washington Post today: In Lieu of Prison, Bring Back the Lash by Peter Moskos To sum it up Moskos posits that, given the high rate of imprisonment in the United States, there’s a space to replace … --- ## [Acting without thinking is easier, so why do we still do it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-without-thinking-is-easier-so-why-do-we-still-do-it/586521)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acting-without-thinking-is-easier-so-why-do-we-still-do-it/586521 "2011-06-23T19:13:53Z")
In another battle of instinct vs. intelligence, I bring up the fact that while it is easier to do whatever you feel like doing, or say whatever comes to mind, it is better to consider all the future consequences of your… --- ## [What is memory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-memory/586064)
**Author:** [@pdunderhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pdunderhill)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-memory/586064 "2011-06-23T18:31:03Z")
We are all a bag of chemicals, so how do we sustain, invent and discern memory? --- ## [Should Victims of Adultery Be Favoured?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-victims-of-adultery-be-favoured/584817)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-victims-of-adultery-be-favoured/584817 "2011-06-23T18:12:41Z")
In a divorce proceedings which happen due to adultery on the part of one of the spouses should the spouse who is the victim of the adultery be favoured-by for instance being given custody of the children or being given a… --- ## [Speech from the Comptroller tonight.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speech-from-the-comptroller-tonight/586440)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speech-from-the-comptroller-tonight/586440 "2011-06-23T10:26:04Z")
Tonight, Obama will discuss his plan for troop drawdown. Many support it, but there are more still who say it’s not enough, even among his own party. There’s something nagging at me about this, but I can’t see it. How m… --- ## [Legalizing drugs and prostitution in various progressive countries. How did all that work out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalizing-drugs-and-prostitution-in-various-progressive-countries-how-did-all-that-work-out/585926)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalizing-drugs-and-prostitution-in-various-progressive-countries-how-did-all-that-work-out/585926 "2011-06-23T05:36:33Z")
Over the past several years or so I’ve read various news items about how various progressive counties like the Dutch and the Swedes were scaling back the decades long experiments in the non-criminalization of drugs and p… --- ## [Suppose inarguable proof of Jesus' existence was found. How would Christianity change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-inarguable-proof-of-jesus-existence-was-found-how-would-christianity-change/585446)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppose-inarguable-proof-of-jesus-existence-was-found-how-would-christianity-change/585446 "2011-06-23T05:09:44Z")
\[ol\] \[li\]Does the unknown historicity of Jesus of Nazareth serve to aid or detract from Christianity’s message?\[/li\]\[\*\]Should ineffable proof of Jesus the Christ be discovered, how would the various churches (Catholic, … --- ## [Why I as an American support revolt in China](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-as-an-american-support-revolt-in-china/586353)
**Author:** [@humanafterall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/humanafterall)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2011, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-as-an-american-support-revolt-in-china/586353 "2011-06-23T03:12:06Z")
We have a lot of companies who have sent our manufacturing and production jobs overseas to China, because they are happy to work for pennies a day, while the Corporate execs rake in big paychecks and and expand the divid… --- ## [Tax in US vs other nations and Tax Flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-in-us-vs-other-nations-and-tax-flight/586027)
**Author:** [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-in-us-vs-other-nations-and-tax-flight/586027 "2011-06-22T18:41:20Z")
I was wondering today about the canard that we cannot tax the rich in America too much or they will flee to other countries. Until now, I hadn’t thought about the opposite perspective. Taxes in America are pretty darn … --- ## [Luck-what is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luck-what-is-it/586260)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/luck-what-is-it/586260 "2011-06-22T17:50:25Z")
Now this is a little philosophical for a “great debate”, so it’s possible it may be moved to "Mundane stuff…"but… Is the absence of bad luck the same thing as good luck? --- ## [Sociological question about norms, tastes, and marketing.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sociological-question-about-norms-tastes-and-marketing/584279)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sociological-question-about-norms-tastes-and-marketing/584279 "2011-06-22T15:35:12Z")
At half a century old I’ve observed several things about my fellow Americans. This one fascinates me probably more than it will any of you; At one time beers like Hamms, Old Milwaukee, and Blatz were considered premium … --- ## [Why are political debates in the U.S. so short?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-political-debates-in-the-u-s-so-short/585626)
**Author:** [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-political-debates-in-the-u-s-so-short/585626 "2011-06-22T12:53:56Z")
I understand that the TV format probably requires it, but everytime I watch a political “debate” on TV, the format always seems to have barely enough time allotted per answer so that you only get the briefest glimpse int… --- ## [Should the GOP vote to raise the debt ceiling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-gop-vote-to-raise-the-debt-ceiling/585501)
**Author:** [@JimH52](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimH52)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-gop-vote-to-raise-the-debt-ceiling/585501 "2011-06-22T03:33:49Z")
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43398670/ns/business-stocks\_and\_economy/ Why shouldn’t the GOP block a raise? The economy tanks even more, and they blame Obama. --- ## [Karzai, US In Talks With Taliban: Effect on Troop Morale?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karzai-us-in-talks-with-taliban-effect-on-troop-morale/585938)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karzai-us-in-talks-with-taliban-effect-on-troop-morale/585938 "2011-06-22T01:43:02Z")
Drudge reports that Karzai is in negotiations with the taliban. In my opinion, this pretty much means that the USA and NATO are looking for a way out of this quagmire. My question: how does a soldier in the field feel, … --- ## [Polygamists are not a "class" for the purposes of Fourteenth Amendment EP analysis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polygamists-are-not-a-class-for-the-purposes-of-fourteenth-amendment-ep-analysis/585762)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [June 22, 2011, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polygamists-are-not-a-class-for-the-purposes-of-fourteenth-amendment-ep-analysis/585762 "2011-06-22T00:59:25Z")
So says Expert Diogenes: I contend that when analyzing polygamy under the Equal Protection Clause, polygamists are a class. Debate. --- ## [How responsible are the judge and prosecutors for these deaths](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-responsible-are-the-judge-and-prosecutors-for-these-deaths/586209)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-responsible-are-the-judge-and-prosecutors-for-these-deaths/586209 "2011-06-21T23:33:36Z")
Short story (more info here): man accused of molesting a girl and possessing child pornography is released on bail, tracks down the girl apparently intending to kidnap her, kidnapping fails, man kills girl and her mother… --- ## [The White Room: A Thought Experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-room-a-thought-experiment/586228)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-white-room-a-thought-experiment/586228 "2011-06-21T18:41:42Z")
Because it’s arguably unethical to conduct a real experiment, this will remain a thought experiment. Inspired by the Allegory of the Cave, \*The Truman Show \* and Cube. Imagine that a couple is selected to give birth to a… --- ## [Do Animals Rape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-rape/93092)
**Author:** [@Hiyruu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hiyruu)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 21, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-animals-rape/93092 "2011-06-21T16:49:00Z")
From an evolution standpoint it would seem logical to rape, because your genes would be passed on, most of the time the female is very selective about her mate. The fact that sex seems to be consentual in the animal kin… --- ## [Rational basis for not recognizing polygamy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rational-basis-for-not-recognizing-polygamy/585741)
**Author:** [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rational-basis-for-not-recognizing-polygamy/585741 "2011-06-20T22:35:49Z")
This it to move an interesting hijack from this thread. No state in the union grants marriage licenses for more than two people. I contend that this is a rational position. First, I see nothing inherently morally wron… --- ## [The ethics of lying by law enforcement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-lying-by-law-enforcement/139624)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ethics-of-lying-by-law-enforcement/139624 "2011-06-20T19:07:59Z")
This is a discussion inspired by GQ’s Lying to obtain a confession. Could someone please explain to me the ethical reasoning behind allowing law enforcement officials to fraudulently misrepresent facts? If I were interr… --- ## [Relationship of Education and Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relationship-of-education-and-religion/546887)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/relationship-of-education-and-religion/546887 "2011-06-20T17:00:31Z")
It’s frequently asserted on this board and elsewhere that the two things mentioned in the title are inversely related; that is, that as a society becomes more educated it becomes less religious. I think that in many cas… --- ## [Help me understand "Indigenous intellectual property"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-indigenous-intellectual-property/585887)
**Author:** [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-understand-indigenous-intellectual-property/585887 "2011-06-20T14:58:27Z")
This is not a request for specific legal advice. Reference to Indigenous intellectual property - Wikipedia Now, this seems like a noble idea, in theory. Indigenous groups that have been traditionally downtrodden havin… --- ## [What would the Bush presidency look like without 9/11?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-bush-presidency-look-like-without-9-11/585409)
**Author:** [@Blackhawk441](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackhawk441)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-bush-presidency-look-like-without-9-11/585409 "2011-06-20T14:21:25Z")
Inspired by this post in this thread. What would a Bush presidency have looked like without 9/11 or another major terrorist attack occurring? Would he be as widely reviled as he is today? Would the United States have in… --- ## [Mississippi school district outraged about student survey](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-school-district-outraged-about-student-survey/582470)
**Author:** [@Strassia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strassia)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 20, 2011, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mississippi-school-district-outraged-about-student-survey/582470 "2011-06-20T08:43:35Z")
Several African American students at a predominantly black school conducted a survey asking students: “Name the two teachers who have taught you the most at Broad Street High.” When the majority of students surveyed pick… --- ## [Is it Sexist to Deny Same-Sex Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-sexist-to-deny-same-sex-marriage/585826)
**Author:** [@Severian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Severian)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-sexist-to-deny-same-sex-marriage/585826 "2011-06-19T19:31:34Z")
I’d like to create a thread dedicated to a point that I and others have been making in some of the recent threads on polygamy and the Walker ruling. It’s my position that it’s sexist for the government to deny a marriage… --- ## [Laws of War and Lesser-Developed Nations: Unfair? Bigoted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-of-war-and-lesser-developed-nations-unfair-bigoted/585902)
**Author:** [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/laws-of-war-and-lesser-developed-nations-unfair-bigoted/585902 "2011-06-19T17:04:09Z")
I often argue that international law is a joke on many levels. I think it’s unfair to developed nations or major military powers as it seems to apply different standards of conduct (‘good people don’t do that’) or we jus… --- ## [Armenian genocide: open and shut case, or no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armenian-genocide-open-and-shut-case-or-no/585600)
**Author:** [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2011, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armenian-genocide-open-and-shut-case-or-no/585600 "2011-06-19T07:20:58Z")
I always thought I had a relative understanding of the Armenian genocide. Or, at least, that it happened. But there was a poster campaign at my university, presumably by Turkish students or Turkish community members, wh… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=380) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=382)