# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=4 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 5 --- ## [How can the U.S. regain International goodwill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-u-s-regain-international-goodwill/387946)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [April 21, 2026, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-the-u-s-regain-international-goodwill/387946 "2026-04-21T11:13:52Z")
At the end of his ‘Napalm’ speech Col. Kilgore says, ‘Someday this war’s gonna end.’ After the WTC/Pentagon attacks we had the world’s support. I thought then, and think now, that invading Afghanistan was the correct m… --- ## [When teaching Religion, Myth and Legend as Literature should it be labeled as Fiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-teaching-religion-myth-and-legend-as-literature-should-it-be-labeled-as-fiction/1029156)
**Author:** [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2026, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-teaching-religion-myth-and-legend-as-literature-should-it-be-labeled-as-fiction/1029156 "2026-04-20T18:35:29Z")
Continuing the discussion from They are trying it again- Ten Commandments: Rather than Hijack the above thread, I wanted to reply to @DrDeth in a separate thread where we can argue a more general question than the speci… --- ## [Is "cashless society" the new great conspiratorial battleground?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cashless-society-the-new-great-conspiratorial-battleground/1028261)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cashless-society-the-new-great-conspiratorial-battleground/1028261 "2026-04-17T01:20:17Z")
So a couple I’m friends with who used to live in NYC but moved down South were just on vacation at a resort that is cashless. This did not sit well with the wife. Apparently, it is not simply a matter of inconvenience … --- ## [Does it violate free will if the person was never given the desire to do something in the first place?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-violate-free-will-if-the-person-was-never-given-the-desire-to-do-something-in-the-first-place/1025339)
**Author:** [@Cmyers1980](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cmyers1980)\ **Replies:** 817\ **Last updated:** [April 16, 2026, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-violate-free-will-if-the-person-was-never-given-the-desire-to-do-something-in-the-first-place/1025339 "2026-04-16T07:13:55Z")
Non Christians often challenge the Biblical God punishing Adam and Eve for disobeying him or flooding the world to punish humanity for being so evil by asking why an omniscient God would make people that would just do wr… --- ## [International responses to "problematic" countries (like Iran)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-responses-to-problematic-countries-like-iran/1029122)
**Author:** [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 15, 2026, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/international-responses-to-problematic-countries-like-iran/1029122 "2026-04-15T16:05:54Z")
Back in the P&E thread https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-in-america-is-actually-happy-about-the-trump-politics-situation-today/ @Sitnam and I got sidetracked into an interesting discussion re: “What should be the b… --- ## [Home distilling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-distilling/1029202)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 12, 2026, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/home-distilling/1029202 "2026-04-12T17:31:07Z")
The 5th Circuit just ruled that the 1868 federal law banning home distillation of alcohol is unconstitutional. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-appeals-court-declares-158-year-old-home-distilling-ban-unconst… --- ## [Could the Virgin Mary have said no?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-virgin-mary-have-said-no/1028820)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [April 11, 2026, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-virgin-mary-have-said-no/1028820 "2026-04-11T12:57:34Z")
From Luke 1:26-38 (KJV): 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virg… --- ## [The Situation with the Police in Buffalo is More Complex than it Seems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-situation-with-the-police-in-buffalo-is-more-complex-than-it-seems/855197)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 195\ **Last updated:** [April 10, 2026, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-situation-with-the-police-in-buffalo-is-more-complex-than-it-seems/855197 "2026-04-10T09:10:00Z")
The Buffalo (New York) Police were filmed pushing an Old Guy to the ground. It was horrifying in that he fell backward, landed on the concrete and began bleeding, reportedly from the ear. Then the city suspended two poli… --- ## [Why is Michael Avenatti Doing All This?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-michael-avenatti-doing-all-this/813876)
**Author:** [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2026, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-michael-avenatti-doing-all-this/813876 "2026-04-08T16:40:38Z")
Stormey Daniels’ lawyer Michael Avenatti might be the most famous lawyer in the world right now for actually being a lawyer, rather than being a head of government or a criminal suspect. Today Avenatti is apparently the… --- ## [Henry Ford: Bad or Good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/henry-ford-bad-or-good/558350)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2026, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/henry-ford-bad-or-good/558350 "2026-04-08T16:11:48Z")
In reading about Henry Ford (the man who put America on wheels), I find much to admire about the man: -he was a humble machinist, but built the Ford Motor Co. into a globe-spanning giant -his adoption of the production… --- ## [Military not following illegal orders-How reliable is that?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-not-following-illegal-orders-how-reliable-is-that/1019407)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/military-not-following-illegal-orders-how-reliable-is-that/1019407 "2026-04-08T13:42:54Z")
It has been said over and over again as a reassurance against the Prez gaining too much power, but how reassuring is that statement. I know that it was brought up a couple of times when I was in the USAF, but the actual… --- ## [What do Madagascar, the Czech Republic, Kaduna State in Nigeria, and Louisiana have in common?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-madagascar-the-czech-republic-kaduna-state-in-nigeria-and-louisiana-have-in-common/1028818)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [April 8, 2026, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-madagascar-the-czech-republic-kaduna-state-in-nigeria-and-louisiana-have-in-common/1028818 "2026-04-08T13:02:27Z")
Apparently, it is possible surgical castration for certain sex-related crimes: The Cutting Edge: Louisiana’s New Surgical Castration Law | Louisiana Law Review “Louisiana’s surgical castration law begins by asserting t… --- ## [What is the U.S. military CURRENTLY being taught about obeying illegal orders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-u-s-military-currently-being-taught-about-obeying-illegal-orders/1029104)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2026, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-u-s-military-currently-being-taught-about-obeying-illegal-orders/1029104 "2026-04-07T21:31:06Z")
Unless you are currently serving or have very recently left military service, “Back when I was in The Service…” stories aren’t very helpful, even when you add a “…and I imagine it it’s pretty much the same today”. Are t… --- ## [Could the British have defeated the American Revolution if they'd done this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-british-have-defeated-the-american-revolution-if-theyd-done-this/1025017)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 7, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-british-have-defeated-the-american-revolution-if-theyd-done-this/1025017 "2026-04-07T16:23:00Z")
I’m watching the new series on PBS about the American Revolution, and last night’s episode was devoted in part to a British campaign that potentially could have severed the colonies in two: by water (the constant strong … --- ## [Accessory After The Fact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accessory-after-the-fact/1024313)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/accessory-after-the-fact/1024313 "2026-04-04T18:14:13Z")
This may turn out to be a General Question — and, if so, apologies in advance — but I figured the odds were pretty good that it’s a matter for debate and would wind up here. So: let’s say that, in best mystery-novel fas… --- ## [How would you build a more utopian society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-build-a-more-utopian-society/1027987)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-build-a-more-utopian-society/1027987 "2026-04-01T17:14:42Z")
I don’t want to distract from the discussion from The cure to soulless crushing modern society is a life of narcissistic sociopathic hedonism (or why humans can't have nice things): But if you had the power, how would y… --- ## [The cure to soulless crushing modern society is a life of narcissistic sociopathic hedonism (or why humans can't have nice things)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cure-to-soulless-crushing-modern-society-is-a-life-of-narcissistic-sociopathic-hedonism-or-why-humans-cant-have-nice-things/1027967)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cure-to-soulless-crushing-modern-society-is-a-life-of-narcissistic-sociopathic-hedonism-or-why-humans-cant-have-nice-things/1027967 "2026-03-30T23:51:11Z")
I think everyone has heard various versions of this story: "I hate the routine and boredom of stupid, pointless, bureaucratic job with my arrogant, officious boss and annoying coworkers, my nagging wife in my loveless m… --- ## [Should corporations be prevented from getting too big?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-corporations-be-prevented-from-getting-too-big/1027998)
**Author:** [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-corporations-be-prevented-from-getting-too-big/1027998 "2026-03-25T16:21:07Z")
Assuming a society is generally operating under a capitalistic framework with some regulations, should that society try to limit the size of corporations? Say, through soft caps like progressive corporate tax rates up to… --- ## [Line between taking medicine regularly and addiction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/line-between-taking-medicine-regularly-and-addiction/1027865)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/line-between-taking-medicine-regularly-and-addiction/1027865 "2026-03-24T23:39:53Z")
As I age, I’m in the dilemma of trying to decide whether long-term use of mild stimulants like caffeine falls into the category of medicine or addiction. If I feel great when I first start taking something, eventually re… --- ## [25th Amendment - Can never happen](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25th-amendment-can-never-happen/1016822)
**Author:** [@Sooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sooner)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/25th-amendment-can-never-happen/1016822 "2026-03-23T04:41:55Z")
I believe we have a very recent case study , that the 25th amendment can never be enacted. Given the recent (or leaked bits of upcoming) book releases, it seems obvious that Joe Biden was widely viewed by staff as unabl… --- ## [Explain to me the technical wording of the Fourteenth Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-the-technical-wording-of-the-fourteenth-amendment/1028571)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2026, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-the-technical-wording-of-the-fourteenth-amendment/1028571 "2026-03-20T02:21:35Z")
I presume that there was a precise technical meaning to the 14th saying “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States”. If what the drafters rea… --- ## [Speculating on how much time we really have left - a climate change thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculating-on-how-much-time-we-really-have-left-a-climate-change-thread/1028461)
**Author:** [@doomtastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doomtastic)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2026, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/speculating-on-how-much-time-we-really-have-left-a-climate-change-thread/1028461 "2026-03-19T17:13:39Z")
Break out your crystal balls everyone. Let’s do some speculating: Climate change is accelerating. All of the scientific evidence collected to date confirms this. Estimates vary, but increasingly look like we will sur… --- ## [Abortion should be decided state-by-state because democracy is more important](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-should-be-decided-state-by-state-because-democracy-is-more-important/1027738)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2026, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-should-be-decided-state-by-state-because-democracy-is-more-important/1027738 "2026-03-07T11:12:34Z")
Continuing the discussion from Re: Validity of positions in the topic: For those who are in favor of “abortion being left to the states” - why?: I’m putting myself out there, but I think this is what it comes down to, … --- ## [Does Trump want there to be an attack on the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-there-to-be-an-attack-on-the-us/1028193)
**Author:** [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-trump-want-there-to-be-an-attack-on-the-us/1028193 "2026-03-05T16:12:17Z")
It certainly feels like they are doing everything in their power to instigate an attack on US soil (either home grown or otherwise) of some kind so he has an excuse to crack down harder and attempt to cancel elections. … --- ## [Nonprofit: what are the limits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonprofit-what-are-the-limits/1028066)
**Author:** [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2026, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nonprofit-what-are-the-limits/1028066 "2026-03-04T17:58:42Z")
Apologies in advance if this is a General Question, but I figured it might be debatable: Say a guy I know asks me to try a cookie, and I tell him it’s the most delicious I’ve ever tasted. “Secret recipe,” he says with … --- ## [Hypothetical: Sixteenth Amendment (income tax) is repealed; what happens then?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-sixteenth-amendment-income-tax-is-repealed-what-happens-then/1028091)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2026, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-sixteenth-amendment-income-tax-is-repealed-what-happens-then/1028091 "2026-03-01T03:44:06Z")
I’m unsure of what the technicalities of an “apportioned” tax are, but I have difficulty thinking that Congress couldn’t find one way or another to give the Federal government as much money as it wants. As far as I can t… --- ## [What's missing/awry/disturbing about people's lives that MAGA/hard-right populism is so attractive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-missing-awry-disturbing-about-peoples-lives-that-maga-hard-right-populism-is-so-attractive/1027436)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2026, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-missing-awry-disturbing-about-peoples-lives-that-maga-hard-right-populism-is-so-attractive/1027436 "2026-02-26T14:19:36Z")
After innumerable threads around here, I’ve wondered why so many people seem to be so attracted to the whole right-wing populist agenda and ideology. Specifcally, what about the modern world isn’t working for these peop… --- ## [Is "limbo" a real thing for christians/Catholics? Or is it made-up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-limbo-a-real-thing-for-christians-catholics-or-is-it-made-up/1026945)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-limbo-a-real-thing-for-christians-catholics-or-is-it-made-up/1026945 "2026-02-19T22:04:27Z")
I was talking to my GF and we somehow got to discussing limbo. My understanding is it is not a part of christian/Catholic doctrine. It’s made-up. But without it what does the church tell women about the fate of a stil… --- ## [For those who are in favor of "abortion being left to the states" - why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-are-in-favor-of-abortion-being-left-to-the-states-why/1027497)
**Author:** [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2026, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-are-in-favor-of-abortion-being-left-to-the-states-why/1027497 "2026-02-19T11:57:22Z")
Inspired by a post in What’s missing/awry/disturbing about people’s lives that MAGA/hard-right populism is so attractive? In response to another post where I said that no one wanted abortion returned to the states, so… --- ## [Does it matter to society if language is cruder or fashion less formal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-matter-to-society-if-language-is-cruder-or-fashion-less-formal/1027473)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2026, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-it-matter-to-society-if-language-is-cruder-or-fashion-less-formal/1027473 "2026-02-19T03:15:36Z")
I think that I’m on pretty firm ground to assert that, over the last century, our public discourse has become coarser (that is, profanity is much more acceptable and tolerated), and our clothing styles have become much m… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=5)