# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=403 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 404 --- ## [To Shoot or Not To Shoot \[Hypothetical alt reality "kill Hitler" question\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-shoot-or-not-to-shoot-hypothetical-alt-reality-kill-hitler-question/571085)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2011, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-shoot-or-not-to-shoot-hypothetical-alt-reality-kill-hitler-question/571085 "2011-02-26T20:56:08Z")
A Voice tells you that you will be transported to exactly 100 years ago to Vienna where Adolf Hitler happens to be walking by alone. It tells you that you will be given an automatic pistol with several rounds and a silen… --- ## [Perry v. Schwarzenegger: Round 2, the Appeal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perry-v-schwarzenegger-round-2-the-appeal/563168)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2011, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/perry-v-schwarzenegger-round-2-the-appeal/563168 "2011-02-26T20:36:19Z")
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is hearing Perry v. Schwarzenegger today. Two issues are being argued; whether the sponsers of Prop 8 even have standing to appeal since the State of California (which has declined to … --- ## [What If Prince Charles Killed Someone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-prince-charles-killed-someone/572429)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-prince-charles-killed-someone/572429 "2011-02-26T17:48:25Z")
This is a purely hypothetical question, and I have to admit I don’t know the finer points of the law in this area. But what if Prince Charles of England killed someone? As I understand it, most constitutional monarchies … --- ## [What's the Argument That SS Affects Deficit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-argument-that-ss-affects-deficit/572042)
**Author:** [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Replies:** 178\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-argument-that-ss-affects-deficit/572042 "2011-02-26T17:28:51Z")
I keep hearing from those concerned about the deficit that we need to do something about Social Security, but I can’t figure out why it has anything to do with the deficit. It is funded through a separate tax and has be… --- ## [Race: Yea or nay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-yea-or-nay/553699)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/race-yea-or-nay/553699 "2011-02-26T15:34:56Z")
I want to continue the debate started here, with a few questions. Do you believe in biologically determined races? Why/why not? If yes… a) What are they (the number)? b) What are the parameters of the groups? Me? N… --- ## [Qadaffi May Have Been Involved In Flt. 103 Bombing -- You Don't Say?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qadaffi-may-have-been-involved-in-flt-103-bombing-you-dont-say/572466)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2011, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/qadaffi-may-have-been-involved-in-flt-103-bombing-you-dont-say/572466 "2011-02-26T10:26:40Z")
I wondered at the time, then at the time of the trial of the intelligence officers, then when the U.S. renormalized relations with Libya, then when the Brits let the one guy go free – How in the Hell did it ever happe… --- ## [Charlie Sheen is going to rehab. Has this ever worked for \*anyone\*?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-sheen-is-going-to-rehab-has-this-ever-worked-for-anyone/572426)
**Author:** [@Recliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recliner)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2011, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-sheen-is-going-to-rehab-has-this-ever-worked-for-anyone/572426 "2011-02-26T00:07:24Z")
I’m asking because I just caught myself making a sarcastic joke about this to a friend. Now, I don’t have any beef with Mr. Sheen – in fact, before this, I was unaware that he had substance abuse issues. I just caught … --- ## [Solar Power efficiency boosted 300%. Game changer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-power-efficiency-boosted-300-game-changer/571852)
**Author:** [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-power-efficiency-boosted-300-game-changer/571852 "2011-02-25T23:33:45Z")
According to this article a US company has devised a way to increase efficiency in solar panels by 300%. I admit, the source is clearly biased, but does the science check out? And if it does, is this a game changer? --- ## [Is Napoleon regarded as an admirable figure or a villain? Or controversial yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napoleon-regarded-as-an-admirable-figure-or-a-villain-or-controversial-yet/572430)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-napoleon-regarded-as-an-admirable-figure-or-a-villain-or-controversial-yet/572430 "2011-02-25T23:23:34Z")
I’m afraid I’m starting a debate on a topic about which I don’t know as much as I’d like (and hope to learn more here). But one thing I’ve always been a little confused about is whether Napoleon is (or should be) regarde… --- ## [Labor associations - not unions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/labor-associations-not-unions/570996)
**Author:** [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/labor-associations-not-unions/570996 "2011-02-25T22:23:12Z")
Inspired by this thread, but I don’t want to hijack that one. I think there is a need for a new type of labor organization. I support unions, but I really don’t like them since it perpetuates the artificial divide betw… --- ## [Four Americans Murderd By Somali Pirates-Time to Get Serious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-americans-murderd-by-somali-pirates-time-to-get-serious/572256)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/four-americans-murderd-by-somali-pirates-time-to-get-serious/572256 "2011-02-25T21:53:35Z")
I must admit that these 4 were not the brightest people on earth-why anyone would sail into the most dangerous waters on earth is something I don’t understand. Yet, they were set upon and murdered. What should the worl… --- ## [Smuggler's Paradise: Guns, Drugs and Violence in the Southwest Part 1 of 2](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smugglers-paradise-guns-drugs-and-violence-in-the-southwest-part-1-of-2/572623)
**Author:** [@alfnumber123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alfnumber123)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smugglers-paradise-guns-drugs-and-violence-in-the-southwest-part-1-of-2/572623 "2011-02-25T21:18:08Z")
– Removed text of Media Matters posting. Full text can be seen at http://mediamatters.org/blog/201102250023 – --- ## [Without the Iraq war, would we now be seeing a Tunisian style revolution in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-iraq-war-would-we-now-be-seeing-a-tunisian-style-revolution-in-iraq/572336)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/without-the-iraq-war-would-we-now-be-seeing-a-tunisian-style-revolution-in-iraq/572336 "2011-02-25T17:00:25Z")
Was Hussein’s grip on the Iraqi people strong enough to withstand a revolution like we’ve seen in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Bahrain? Were the Iraqis persecuted enough to make them feel like such a revolution was viable? … --- ## [The Moon Landings Really Happened.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moon-landings-really-happened/571953)
**Author:** [@George\_Vreeland\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Vreeland_Hill)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moon-landings-really-happened/571953 "2011-02-25T15:48:47Z")
There are some who claim that man never landed on the Moon. They say we did not have the technology at that time to do it. Well, yes we did. The U.S. had been using rockets for decades and science was booming in the 1… --- ## [The Bigger Threat](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bigger-threat/572474)
**Author:** [@ZebStrickland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebStrickland)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 25, 2011, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bigger-threat/572474 "2011-02-25T12:46:49Z")
With the United States’ national security in mind, who poses a greater threat, North Korea or Iran? --- ## [Kuzari: Round Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kuzari-round-two/566643)
**Author:** [@abele\_derer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abele_derer)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kuzari-round-two/566643 "2011-02-24T21:19:23Z")
The previous Kuzari thread was closed. Then we talked about pascal and I stupidly referenced Kuzari. Then a whole debate ensued. Apparently, people (me included) want to continue to discuss kuzari. I will briefly outline… --- ## [Husband faces felony charges for reading wife's email](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/husband-faces-felony-charges-for-reading-wifes-email/565559)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/husband-faces-felony-charges-for-reading-wifes-email/565559 "2011-02-24T20:37:44Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101227/ap\_on\_hi\_te/us\_reading\_wife\_s\_e\_mail Wow. I agree that married couples should still retain privacy, but a felony for reading a spouse’s email? Seems a bit much to me. --- ## [Inheritance Tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inheritance-tax/571519)
**Author:** [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inheritance-tax/571519 "2011-02-24T19:27:14Z")
So many discussions on changing the death tax or Inheritance Tax there is an often quoted number of 0.24 percent of the population will ever pay that tax. I was wondering if that number holds for the not-so-distant futu… --- ## [Future Shock](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-shock/571719)
**Author:** [@dave19128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dave19128)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-shock/571719 "2011-02-24T19:21:57Z")
Not only is science accelerating, but the rate of acceleration is accelerating. Ray Kurzweil, in his book “Fantastic Voyage,” states that science is progressing exponentially, and he predicts that the 21st century will … --- ## ["There is no evidence for the existence for God." Meaningful and true?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-evidence-for-the-existence-for-god-meaningful-and-true/570213)
**Author:** [@Galileo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galileo)\ **Replies:** 177\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/there-is-no-evidence-for-the-existence-for-god-meaningful-and-true/570213 "2011-02-24T14:35:37Z")
I’m puzzled a bit by the statement “There is no evidence for the existence for God”. The statement could be meaningful and true. Or, it could be meaningful and false. Or, not meaningful, in which case it is neither tr… --- ## [No, there is no "taqiyya" doctrine that lets all Muslims lie for the good of the faith](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-there-is-no-taqiyya-doctrine-that-lets-all-muslims-lie-for-the-good-of-the-faith/571457)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-there-is-no-taqiyya-doctrine-that-lets-all-muslims-lie-for-the-good-of-the-faith/571457 "2011-02-24T14:04:37Z")
RWs seem to constantly invoke it – "Who cares what the MB in Egypt says they’re going to do?! They really want an Egyptian theocracy and a pan-Islamic Caliphate! You can’t believe anything they say – taqiyya!" There i… --- ## [How Do Creationists Explain the Tower Of Babel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-creationists-explain-the-tower-of-babel/571865)
**Author:** [@BluePitbull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BluePitbull)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-creationists-explain-the-tower-of-babel/571865 "2011-02-24T04:10:07Z")
Why Did God Destroy the Tower Of Babel, but not skyscrapers? After All, Bronze Age Technology cant reach any where near a 2 story building. And Why would God allow space shuttles? How Do Creationist explain them? --- ## [(Non-Mormon) Christians converting to Mormonism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-mormon-christians-converting-to-mormonism/571310)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 168\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-mormon-christians-converting-to-mormonism/571310 "2011-02-24T02:17:55Z")
Two-part question. (Non-Mormon) Christians: Can you see yourself ever converting to Mormonism? Specifically, do you think you could ever accept the “mythology” (for lack of a better word) of the book of Mormon, especi… --- ## [Fermi's Paradox and Time Travel.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fermis-paradox-and-time-travel/570867)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fermis-paradox-and-time-travel/570867 "2011-02-24T01:41:57Z")
I don’t know if Fermi’s Paradox is the right term, but seems to apply here: If time travel is possible (a big “if” I realize), then where are all the tourists from the future? You notice I put this in GD, since I assum… --- ## [Is Islamism in Egypt really worth worrying about?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islamism-in-egypt-really-worth-worrying-about/571453)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-islamism-in-egypt-really-worth-worrying-about/571453 "2011-02-23T22:32:25Z")
Based on this article, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has changed in recent decades and is changing still and yet is still too stuffy and old-fashioned for the younger membership. These are not your Ayatollah’s Islamis… --- ## [Raise Doping Penalties!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raise-doping-penalties/572328)
**Author:** [@Chupacabras](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chupacabras)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raise-doping-penalties/572328 "2011-02-23T20:58:15Z")
I’ve been hearing a lot lately about these drug wars south of the border (I’m a US citizen), such as in Mexico and Columbia. A lot of these cartels’ funding is coming from drug money in the US. So, as a gesture to help p… --- ## [If No Barbarian Invasions, Could The Roman Empire Lasted Another 2000 Years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-no-barbarian-invasions-could-the-roman-empire-lasted-another-2000-years/571952)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2011, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-no-barbarian-invasions-could-the-roman-empire-lasted-another-2000-years/571952 "2011-02-23T20:46:02Z")
For the sake of arguement, suppose there was no pressure on the western empire-the Germans, Goths, Picts, etc. stayed where they were. Under these circumstances, is it possible that Rome would have gone on for well pas… --- ## [Should Geohot Go to Jail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-geohot-go-to-jail/572212)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [February 23, 2011, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-geohot-go-to-jail/572212 "2011-02-23T04:00:59Z")
George “Geohot” Hotz is a hacker most well known for jailbreaking the iPhone. Recently he, along with a group known as fail0verflow, successfully hacked the Sony Playstation 3. According to both Hotz and many of the oth… --- ## [What will happen to infidels on the rapture?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-infidels-on-the-rapture/571762)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-happen-to-infidels-on-the-rapture/571762 "2011-02-22T23:55:16Z")
Lets assume that the Rapture will happen. What will happen to atheists and believers of the wrong faith? What does the bible and the different interpretations say? --- ## [Is philosophy only about universal truths? Are human perspectives irrelevant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-philosophy-only-about-universal-truths-are-human-perspectives-irrelevant/571706)
**Author:** [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2011, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-philosophy-only-about-universal-truths-are-human-perspectives-irrelevant/571706 "2011-02-22T21:00:45Z")
Inthis thread, but really starting from around here, Naxos attempts to shoot down any merit to Existentialism (and also, by extension, any philosophical school I can think of) by claiming that any philosophical discussio… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=402) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=404)