# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=385 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 386 --- ## [If Britain had kept the American colonies, would there have been a British Empire in Asia/Africa?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-britain-had-kept-the-american-colonies-would-there-have-been-a-british-empire-in-asia-africa/582865)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-britain-had-kept-the-american-colonies-would-there-have-been-a-british-empire-in-asia-africa/582865 "2011-05-29T03:10:37Z")
In The Two Georges, Richard Dreyfuss and Harry Turtledove posit an alternate history where the Crown and the colonies patched things up, and in 1997 America is part of a British Empire that includes the whole British Emp… --- ## [Lifeboat ethics - Real Lifeboats!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifeboat-ethics-real-lifeboats/583225)
**Author:** [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifeboat-ethics-real-lifeboats/583225 "2011-05-28T19:06:04Z")
So the ship has gone down, and there you are in the stormy sea in a lifeboat, with more passengers aboard than the safe limit for the boat, and more are out in the water clinging to the boat, trying to pull themselves in… --- ## [Lifeboat Ethics - Your Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifeboat-ethics-your-thoughts/582425)
**Author:** [@Whambulance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whambulance)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lifeboat-ethics-your-thoughts/582425 "2011-05-28T17:48:27Z")
I’d like to hear some of your views on lifeboat ethics derived from the writings of Garrett Hardin; specifically as they relate to wealthier nations giving food to poorer or more blighted regions. An over-generalization… --- ## [73 yom kippur Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/73-yom-kippur-q/583544)
**Author:** [@Declan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Declan)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2011, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/73-yom-kippur-q/583544 "2011-05-28T13:13:47Z")
I referenced this in the greenline thread but… Had the US not shipped the new and improved ECM pods, how much longer would have Israel lasted, or was the war’s tipping point already reached and an Israeli victory inevit… --- ## [The proposed Jerome Ersland Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-proposed-jerome-ersland-act/568947)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-proposed-jerome-ersland-act/568947 "2011-05-28T04:09:51Z")
Some of you may remember this case from 2009: a pharmacist in Oklahoma shot at 2 people attempting to hold up the store where he worked, hitting one and then chasing the other out of the store. He then returned inside,… --- ## [Corporate contributions to political campaigns legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-contributions-to-political-campaigns-legal/583506)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2011, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-contributions-to-political-campaigns-legal/583506 "2011-05-28T03:10:42Z")
One judge says the (in)famous Citizens United decision makes it so. True, legally? Consequences, if this becomes the law of the land? How will said Supreme Court react, if/when they get it? --- ## [1 Corinthians 15](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-corinthians-15/582819)
**Author:** [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-corinthians-15/582819 "2011-05-27T23:56:59Z")
I’ve been doing a bit of reading lately on the origins of Christianity. As such, it seems that some contend that 1 Corinthians 15 is an interpolation. Others contend that it represents a basic Christian creed that the e… --- ## [My simple campaign finance reform plan.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-simple-campaign-finance-reform-plan/582679)
**Author:** [@Cort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cort)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-simple-campaign-finance-reform-plan/582679 "2011-05-27T19:30:07Z")
I think most people agree that Presidential elections depend, to a remarkable degree, on which candidate can raise the most money. Similarly, I also think it uncontroversial to say that the amount of influence corporate… --- ## [SC Rules Arizona Can Punish Businesses That Hire Illegals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-rules-arizona-can-punish-businesses-that-hire-illegals/583293)
**Author:** [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sc-rules-arizona-can-punish-businesses-that-hire-illegals/583293 "2011-05-27T18:44:13Z")
I have been a long-time believer that the US should address the demand side of illegal immigration and punish businesses that hire illegals (ex: every chicken processing plant in the US). Immigrants overwhelmingly ent… --- ## [Governments have played a major role in the IT sector](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governments-have-played-a-major-role-in-the-it-sector/583334)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governments-have-played-a-major-role-in-the-it-sector/583334 "2011-05-27T18:26:33Z")
Contrary to what libertarians seem to think the government played an important role in the rise of the Internet and the IT sector in general. Here are just a few of the ways: Government-funded research was important in … --- ## [Doesn't it seem like...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-it-seem-like/583418)
**Author:** [@lurking\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurking_guest)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-it-seem-like/583418 "2011-05-27T11:53:24Z")
Multinational corporations no longer recognize their countries of origin and consider themselves and their profits and expenditures as ‘global.’ Nor do, I believe, multi-billionaires consider any country nor geographica… --- ## [blacks made the western world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-made-the-western-world/583255)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-made-the-western-world/583255 "2011-05-27T04:45:33Z")
forget about racism - I want to argue that black people with ancestry from africa (i.e. slaves). without black people the crime rate would sky rocket. Without the influence from black people . the europeans would never … --- ## [censoring language on TV](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censoring-language-on-tv/581639)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censoring-language-on-tv/581639 "2011-05-26T16:39:15Z")
I find this ridiculous, everyone knows exactly what “ugly” word is being used. Even if you are 10 years old, you are probably familiar with the word “fuck” etc…It’s WORDS that people use Who benefits from this? --- ## [Is America to Afraid to Racial Profile](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-to-afraid-to-racial-profile/582817)
**Author:** [@chiefwhitesr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiefwhitesr)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-to-afraid-to-racial-profile/582817 "2011-05-26T16:36:52Z")
Although recently ruled on as unconstitutional the thought of racial profiling seems appropriate to me as an Officer of Independent Intelligence. As a Security Officer I am bound to follow every lead based on what I know… --- ## [What will pop the gold bubble?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-pop-the-gold-bubble/582117)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-pop-the-gold-bubble/582117 "2011-05-26T14:26:48Z")
I don’t believe that gold Eagles and Maple Leafs and Pandas will save me from the Obama-caused zombie apocalypse after 21 December 2012 (my non-hybrid seed bank will do that). I see current gold prices as a bubble just … --- ## [America’s military actions: training for the next Great War?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-s-military-actions-training-for-the-next-great-war/582994)
**Author:** [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/america-s-military-actions-training-for-the-next-great-war/582994 "2011-05-26T10:10:46Z")
With let’s say China as an opponent. More a question then a statement, Will the invasion of Iraq/Afghanistan, the bombing of Libya help the US and its NATO allies prepare for the next Great War? (Testing new weapon sys… --- ## [Determinism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determinism/581558)
**Author:** [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determinism/581558 "2011-05-26T05:49:20Z")
Is there any reason not to be a determinist? Why not? Sorry if this is the wrong forum. If you rewound life as if it were a video tape, and played it back with no alterations, you would have the same outcome, correct? … --- ## [Can people win a law suit against Harold Camping for damages caused by the world not ending?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-win-a-law-suit-against-harold-camping-for-damages-caused-by-the-world-not-ending/582703)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-win-a-law-suit-against-harold-camping-for-damages-caused-by-the-world-not-ending/582703 "2011-05-26T05:43:40Z")
There is no shortage of stories in the media about how people sold possessions, spent their savings, incurred debts, quit jobs and other things along those lines in anticipation of the world ending today. Since we’re al… --- ## [Something no one ever mentions when discussing jobs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-no-one-ever-mentions-when-discussing-jobs/583063)
**Author:** [@rogerbox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rogerbox)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/something-no-one-ever-mentions-when-discussing-jobs/583063 "2011-05-26T05:37:57Z")
In the debate about the merits of outsourcing, I have taken a great interest and listened to people on this forum, talk radio etc. To be upfront, my belief is that outsourcing should be limited to jobs that don’t pay a … --- ## [Supreme Court says California must release thousands of prisoners](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-says-california-must-release-thousands-of-prisoners/582930)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-says-california-must-release-thousands-of-prisoners/582930 "2011-05-26T05:20:00Z")
Wow. Hopefully they release the least dangerous offenders possible. :eek: --- ## [Why is Pascal's Wager a Dead Letter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pascals-wager-a-dead-letter/582893)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [May 26, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pascals-wager-a-dead-letter/582893 "2011-05-26T04:34:40Z")
OK, play nice, I want a real answer here. Why is Pascal’s Wager invalid? Over in the Pit people are saying it is not worth discussion. Why not? The Wager certainly does not prove God’s existence. I maintain there can b… --- ## [Based on new Pew Typology: Yes, the Tea Party movement, etc., is generationally time-limited](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/based-on-new-pew-typology-yes-the-tea-party-movement-etc-is-generationally-time-limited/583033)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2011, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/based-on-new-pew-typology-yes-the-tea-party-movement-etc-is-generationally-time-limited/583033 "2011-05-25T13:43:03Z")
A question I posed in this 2009 thread, based partly on the 2005 version of the Pew Political Typology. The \[makes the picture even clearer. Typology group profiles on \[url=http://people-press.org/2011/05/04/typology-… --- ## [Pharmacist's conscience and new Indiana abortion law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacists-conscience-and-new-indiana-abortion-law/581850)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Replies:** 323\ **Last updated:** [May 25, 2011, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pharmacists-conscience-and-new-indiana-abortion-law/581850 "2011-05-25T01:57:09Z")
Some people around here seem to think that a pharmacist should be allowed to refuse to dispense legally prescribed drugs because of their morals. They don’t think the law should be able to force a medical professional t… --- ## [Will the disparity of weath distribution destroy America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-disparity-of-weath-distribution-destroy-america/578068)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 284\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-disparity-of-weath-distribution-destroy-america/578068 "2011-05-24T16:33:31Z")
Although there have been rumblings from time to time about the widening gap between the rich and poor - along with a disappearing middle class - however a recent Vanity Fair article Of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1% spell… --- ## [Is healthcare a right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-healthcare-a-right/582188)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 222\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-healthcare-a-right/582188 "2011-05-24T16:03:26Z")
Many of us saw the exchange between Libertarian Rand Paul and Socialist Bernie Sanders regarding healthcare in the US Senate. While the media latched onto the humor of Paul saying doctors were slaves in such a system, i… --- ## [The world was created by a single thought?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-was-created-by-a-single-thought/582139)
**Author:** [@Jawadakhtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jawadakhtar)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-was-created-by-a-single-thought/582139 "2011-05-24T15:06:06Z")
An dissimilar theory to intelligent design which is kunlosophy. It describes how the universe was created and everything in it. Here is an excerpt from Chapter 2: Source: http://www.nurkun.com/creation-story-universe-… --- ## [Is The European Left Like the American Right](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-european-left-like-the-american-right/582830)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-european-left-like-the-american-right/582830 "2011-05-24T14:21:40Z")
In the US, the Right-wing is generally considered by those of the progressive persuasion to be uncooperative, inflexible, uncompromising, fanatical, etc. However in Europe is not the Left-wing, the same and even worse? F… --- ## [Swiss vote could call time on 'suicide tourism'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-vote-could-call-time-on-suicide-tourism/581780)
**Author:** [@biddee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biddee)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swiss-vote-could-call-time-on-suicide-tourism/581780 "2011-05-24T14:01:17Z")
BBC article here. I am a proponent of assisted suicide. We euthanise our pets when they are in pain and don’t have long to live. Why don’t we do that as people? Surely the right to life comes with the right to a peacefu… --- ## [Jared Bernstein on the economic effects of tax cuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-bernstein-on-the-economic-effects-of-tax-cuts/582760)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-bernstein-on-the-economic-effects-of-tax-cuts/582760 "2011-05-24T05:30:25Z")
(In Salon.) Apparently there aren’t any. He has charts. http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war\_room/2011/05/20/bernstein\_taxes/index.html I suppose the supply-siders will be around to argue some sort of “God of the G… --- ## [Will the world end on May 21, 2011?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-world-end-on-may-21-2011/581485)
**Author:** [@graceful1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/graceful1)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [May 24, 2011, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-world-end-on-may-21-2011/581485 "2011-05-24T05:04:38Z")
I am sure that everyone here has heard of Harold Camping’s prediction that the world will end on May 21 of this year. Perhaps you’ve seen one of his billboards. Basically, he has come up with this prediction through a so… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=384) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=386)