# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=40 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 41 --- ## [What kind of peace could the Confederates have negotiated in 1864/65?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-peace-could-the-confederates-have-negotiated-in-1864-65/932803)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2021, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-peace-could-the-confederates-have-negotiated-in-1864-65/932803 "2021-03-13T09:29:29Z")
The main goal of the Confederates was similar to that of the Americans in the Revolution; they wanted to hang on long enough that their opponent, while stronger overall, would get tired of the fighting and would be willi… --- ## [What could President Buchanan have done differently?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-president-buchanan-have-done-differently/929140)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [March 11, 2021, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-president-buchanan-have-done-differently/929140 "2021-03-11T14:45:29Z")
In one of the other threads, there’s a discussion of where Trump will end up ranking amongst the presidents. Buchanan normally seems at the bottom of the heap, for letting the US drift towards the Civil war. That rankin… --- ## [The Arkansas Executions, or More Evidence that Prison for Murderers Doesn't Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arkansas-executions-or-more-evidence-that-prison-for-murderers-doesnt-work/784648)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 335\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-arkansas-executions-or-more-evidence-that-prison-for-murderers-doesnt-work/784648 "2021-03-10T21:38:50Z")
Arkansas is trying to execute some people who have been wasting oxygen for many years (cite). Most of them are standard-issue lowlifes, but two of the cases are somewhat more interesting. One was previously convicted o… --- ## [What one major issue will change in our lifetime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112)
**Author:** [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 10, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-one-major-issue-will-change-in-our-lifetime/48112 "2021-03-10T15:52:19Z")
I’m 24 so I have a pretty good run ahead of me (hopefully). Lately I’ve been wondering, what salient political issue will likely experince a significant shift in support sometime in the next 2, 3, or 4 decades? I can’t … --- ## [Is it selfish to want babies, or NOT to want babies...?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-selfish-to-want-babies-or-not-to-want-babies/937396)
**Author:** [@KennyT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennyT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-selfish-to-want-babies-or-not-to-want-babies/937396 "2021-03-07T19:34:12Z")
why are you all into children and babies so much? is that a sign of human narcissism? it’s a VERY GOOD QUESTION is it selfish to want children??? or is it selfish NOT TO WANT CHILDREN??? that’s the debate… if the la… --- ## [With Single-Payer dead politically for the time-being, what is next for the ACA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-single-payer-dead-politically-for-the-time-being-what-is-next-for-the-aca/928978)
**Author:** [@survinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/survinga)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2021, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-single-payer-dead-politically-for-the-time-being-what-is-next-for-the-aca/928978 "2021-03-07T01:33:04Z")
I’m assuming that Biden will go into the administration and try to unwind any damage that Trump did. Lengthen the enrollment period Increase marketing outreach Increase funding for navigators Put an end to any talk of … --- ## [Is there a strong Christian backlash to Trump's sedition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-strong-christian-backlash-to-trumps-sedition/930895)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-strong-christian-backlash-to-trumps-sedition/930895 "2021-03-05T19:50:07Z")
I just this article about a Christian backlash against Franklin Graham’s support of Trump, Over 16,000 Christians Want Franklin Graham Fired for ‘Helping Incite’ Capitol Riot (msn.com) …and I was wondering if there was… --- ## [Can you believe in a political philosophy if you care about evidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-believe-in-a-political-philosophy-if-you-care-about-evidence/933952)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-believe-in-a-political-philosophy-if-you-care-about-evidence/933952 "2021-03-05T17:48:44Z")
Someone on another forum was saying you can’t, because sooner or later the evidence will conflict with it and then you have to choose between them. I think maybe it’s possible in theory, but not with any of the currently… --- ## [Amazon quietly banning books](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-quietly-banning-books/937264)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-quietly-banning-books/937264 "2021-03-05T13:13:08Z")
Amazon has a market value bigger than the GDP of Canada, dominant market share, and massive reach. It’s not bad when governments ban books because they are the government, it’s bad because they are powerful. Amazon is … --- ## [Who's getting rich off QAnon? \[Corrected title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-getting-rich-off-qanon-corrected-title/934382)
**Author:** [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2021, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whos-getting-rich-off-qanon-corrected-title/934382 "2021-03-05T05:24:50Z")
I realize that people selling QAnan pamphlets, flags, and t-shirts benefit financially, as do social media companies that sell ad space whenever someone accesses a QAnan post or watch a video, but in the beginning, someb… --- ## [Body Odor, Religious Freedom (and Pakistani Cab Drivers)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-odor-religious-freedom-and-pakistani-cab-drivers/934218)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/body-odor-religious-freedom-and-pakistani-cab-drivers/934218 "2021-03-03T20:59:09Z")
I don’t have a cite just at the moment. But I know a little while ago, there was this rather unique religious discrimination case. Pakistani taxi drivers in New York claimed their religion forbade showering and bathing.… --- ## [The lack of delayed gratification in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lack-of-delayed-gratification-in-america/933860)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2021, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lack-of-delayed-gratification-in-america/933860 "2021-03-02T19:36:53Z")
A considerable number of problems in America today, IMHO, stem directly or indirectly from an inability to delay gratification. The Covid pandemic is a prime example - if U.S. society had simply locked down hard, masked… --- ## [What is the biggest event that is accepted by all conspiracy theorists at face value?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-biggest-event-that-is-accepted-by-all-conspiracy-theorists-at-face-value/933158)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2021, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-biggest-event-that-is-accepted-by-all-conspiracy-theorists-at-face-value/933158 "2021-03-02T14:38:16Z")
First off, I recognize that conspiracy theorists don’t ascribe to all CTs. Someone who believes 9/11 was an inside job may not think the Moon landing was faked, for instance. That being said, it seems like no major worl… --- ## [Why isn't the US doing anything for the Uighur muslims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-us-doing-anything-for-the-uighur-muslims/918973)
**Author:** [@KennyT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennyT)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2021, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-the-us-doing-anything-for-the-uighur-muslims/918973 "2021-03-02T07:27:31Z")
Since the Chinese government are committing genocide against a whole people, why aren’t the US offering all Uighur peoples asylum? Does genocide not meet asylum requirements? Various organs of our state department has … --- ## [How Much Power Do Parents Have (Religious Beliefs)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-do-parents-have-religious-beliefs/933496)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-power-do-parents-have-religious-beliefs/933496 "2021-03-02T01:48:56Z")
This question actually came up some time back, when I was in a bookstore (yes, at one time stores actually sold books :wink: ). Anyways I was reading this book about being a teenage Wiccan. It had some clever arguments t… --- ## [Bringing back mammoths to fight climate change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-back-mammoths-to-fight-climate-change/933534)
**Author:** [@Lantern2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern2)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2021, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bringing-back-mammoths-to-fight-climate-change/933534 "2021-03-01T23:24:18Z")
This may be the single craziest idea I know of which people are seriously contemplating. Apparently the idea is to create an elephant-mammoth hybrid called a “mammophant” which is better adapted to survive in the tun… --- ## [Feds 'black-bagging people' in Portland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-black-bagging-people-in-portland/915638)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 1291\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-black-bagging-people-in-portland/915638 "2021-02-24T00:35:26Z")
Ok. Without us getting into a fight…can someone tell me what laws are being broken? What Constitutional rights are being infringed? Supposedly, the Feds are: Not identifying themselves Not carrying anything that ident… --- ## [Establishing a particular sect of Christianity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/establishing-a-particular-sect-of-christianity/933029)
**Author:** [@bmasters1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmasters1)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2021, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/establishing-a-particular-sect-of-christianity/933029 "2021-02-23T03:01:49Z")
When James Madison said in his Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments in 1785 that illegitimate authorities might “establish Christianity, in exclusion of all other Religions,” and "may establish with th… --- ## [Electric cars vs. power outages](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-cars-vs-power-outages/933495)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-cars-vs-power-outages/933495 "2021-02-22T23:51:32Z")
The recent severe power outages in Texas got me wondering if electric cars would be a liability in such a situation. Gasoline is storable and there, barring the inability of stations to run their pumps (emergency backup?… --- ## [Who will the history books talk more about: Obama or Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-the-history-books-talk-more-about-obama-or-trump/932338)
**Author:** [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2021, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-the-history-books-talk-more-about-obama-or-trump/932338 "2021-02-22T04:55:53Z")
Suppose 50 years from now when both men will be gone and their presidencies and first hand accounts a distant memory and left to the archives. The students of the future will have more archival material than ever before … --- ## [Canadian 'dopers, how serious is all this about Justin Trudeau?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-how-serious-is-all-this-about-justin-trudeau/915868)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 338\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadian-dopers-how-serious-is-all-this-about-justin-trudeau/915868 "2021-02-19T17:18:10Z")
Ok, so, full confession here…I didn’t know anything about this until I saw this CNN article earlier. Sorry Canadian 'dopers, the only thing about Canada I really was paying attention too was the situation with Huawei, t… --- ## [R.I.P. Ady Gil \[Sea Shepherd boat\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-ady-gil-sea-shepherd-boat/546987)
**Author:** [@Roadfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roadfood)\ **Replies:** 214\ **Last updated:** [February 17, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/r-i-p-ady-gil-sea-shepherd-boat/546987 "2021-02-17T14:31:24Z")
The TV show “Whale Wars” has finally shown the episode in which the Ady Gil gets hit by the Japanese ship. The Ady Gil was a way cool boat, and I’m sorry that it is no more. But I am in no way sorry that Pete Bethune, … --- ## [Where is income tax going to end up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-income-tax-going-to-end-up/932970)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-income-tax-going-to-end-up/932970 "2021-02-16T16:24:08Z")
People were already beginning to work from home before 2020 but the pandemic greatly accelerated the process. And as this becomes more normal, I feel we’re going to see a lot of people seeking a greater divide between th… --- ## [When the current Dalai Lama dies, how will they choose the next one?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-current-dalai-lama-dies-how-will-they-choose-the-next-one/402401)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-the-current-dalai-lama-dies-how-will-they-choose-the-next-one/402401 "2021-02-15T15:08:37Z")
Traditionally, the monks wait a few years, then search the neighborhood of the lamaserie for small boys, hoping to find one who recognizes the late lama’s possessions; any who appears to is presumed to be the lama’s late… --- ## [Things that could be more acceptable to the other side if "sold" differently](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-could-be-more-acceptable-to-the-other-side-if-sold-differently/922727)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2021, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-that-could-be-more-acceptable-to-the-other-side-if-sold-differently/922727 "2021-02-15T07:25:41Z")
IMHO, a lot of ideas could be more acceptable to the other side if “sold” in different packaging. Single-payer healthcare: Saying “we need to do it out of compassion” is totally the wrong way, that doesn’t sell it. Rath… --- ## [No, you don't need a semiautomatic rifle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 217\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2021, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705 "2021-02-13T21:06:29Z")
In another thread we had the following exchange which the mods have requested we take to Great Debates: The fact that you think that there is no use for semi-automatic rifles in a hunting situation tells me you’ve neve… --- ## [Why do mobile apps really get updated so regularly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mobile-apps-really-get-updated-so-regularly/915758)
**Author:** [@Fiendish\_Astronaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiendish_Astronaut)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-mobile-apps-really-get-updated-so-regularly/915758 "2021-02-13T20:39:52Z")
I almost asked this in GQ but I’m not sure if there’s one consistent answer and I suspect there will be a lot of speculation so I’ll put it here. Popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, Tinder and Twitter publish updates… --- ## [What's the Big Deal About English Common Law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-english-common-law/931592)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2021, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-big-deal-about-english-common-law/931592 "2021-02-11T08:36:47Z")
I live in Michigan. And in Michigan, the English Common Law system is the default law and rule system, for any problem or controversy that may come up. I think states that have this system in place, actually pass a law t… --- ## [With climate change, how do you determine financially when its best to transition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-climate-change-how-do-you-determine-financially-when-its-best-to-transition/931259)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2021, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/with-climate-change-how-do-you-determine-financially-when-its-best-to-transition/931259 "2021-02-09T21:03:01Z")
There is more to life than finances, but as of the year 2021 I think it’ll cost something like ~70 trillion dollars for the entire world to transition to a zero carbon economy by 2050 https://e360.yale.edu/digest/the-gl… --- ## [College cheerleader sues over harrassment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-cheerleader-sues-over-harrassment/931865)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2021, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/college-cheerleader-sues-over-harrassment/931865 "2021-02-04T04:10:16Z")
Wondering what folk thought about this news story in which a NW {NW = Northwestern University What Exit?} cheerleader sued the school for alleged harassment. She contends female cheerleaders were required to mingle w/ … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=39) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=41)