# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=405 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 406 --- ## [I hope the families of every one of these victims sues the federal government.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hope-the-families-of-every-one-of-these-victims-sues-the-federal-government/571053)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-hope-the-families-of-every-one-of-these-victims-sues-the-federal-government/571053 "2011-02-15T22:32:18Z")
It turns out that, once again, an illegal immigrant who was supposed to be deported—ten years ago—decided to not leave. And now he’s killed three people. If the feds had done their job and removed this person from our pr… --- ## [Non-Reprobate Dopers: How does one officially become a Calvinist? (and who isn't one?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-reprobate-dopers-how-does-one-officially-become-a-calvinist-and-who-isnt-one/571264)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-reprobate-dopers-how-does-one-officially-become-a-calvinist-and-who-isnt-one/571264 "2011-02-15T16:08:13Z")
From what I heard, Calvinism is based on the idea that God would be able (being omniscient) to know who will be saved and who will not. The elect and the reprobates. This appeals to me greatly, since I feel like I am su… --- ## [Psychologists Are Overwhelmingly Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologists-are-overwhelmingly-liberal/570674)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychologists-are-overwhelmingly-liberal/570674 "2011-02-15T14:09:42Z")
From the NYT It’s worth reading the article. ISTM that this has significant relevance when discussing the mainsteam position or consensus of professionals in the field of psychology, when the issue touches on politic… --- ## [Can an Evangelical be Considered Anything but Ignorant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-evangelical-be-considered-anything-but-ignorant/570577)
**Author:** [@revelator771](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/revelator771)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-evangelical-be-considered-anything-but-ignorant/570577 "2011-02-15T11:21:15Z")
I haven’t been on long and hoped to find a real place to discuss serious topics…not to prostylotize. However, whenever I posited cogent exercises of logic in the discourse I was met with venom and marginalization. So t… --- ## [Why don't we buy opium from Afghanistan for legitimate uses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-buy-opium-from-afghanistan-for-legitimate-uses/571045)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-we-buy-opium-from-afghanistan-for-legitimate-uses/571045 "2011-02-15T11:18:17Z")
I recently read an article, in National Geographic or Smithsonian. about our troops who are going through Afghanistan destroying poppy fields. The opium is being sold on the black market and helping to fund the Taliban,… --- ## [Could Detroit Revive? Would This Work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-detroit-revive-would-this-work/568948)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-detroit-revive-would-this-work/568948 "2011-02-15T05:34:38Z")
You have all seen the (extremely depressing) video clips of “Dying Detroit” on YouTube-there are hundreds of them. It is obvious that the city is in serious trouble. Frome a population peak of over 2 million, they are n… --- ## [Catholic church and child molestation redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-church-and-child-molestation-redux/570917)
**Author:** [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-church-and-child-molestation-redux/570917 "2011-02-15T01:31:01Z")
In the Ask a Catholic thread, I asked OP and new joiner \*\*terryobrien80 \*\* To which he replied: Now, I am not claiming to be an expert on the subject but this assessment seems wrong in every way. Claiming that only … --- ## [Neutron bomb Iraqi oil fields? I say Yes!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neutron-bomb-iraqi-oil-fields-i-say-yes/161866)
**Author:** [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neutron-bomb-iraqi-oil-fields-i-say-yes/161866 "2011-02-15T01:12:32Z")
Okay, I don’t say Yes! But seriously, it seems pretty obvious that in the event of a war Saddam intends to blow the Iraqi oil fields like he did in Quwait (sp?). Suppose, for sake of argument, his oil fields are nowher… --- ## [Christianity and Mosaic Law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-and-mosaic-law/571331)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christianity-and-mosaic-law/571331 "2011-02-14T18:56:54Z")
After Jesus’ life on Earth and the actions of His disciples what is the relation of the Mosaic Law to Christians? Certainly Jesus adding even stricter commands to the Law (ie all thoughts of anger without cause are eqiuv… --- ## [This is all very well and good, but how can the Egyptian people overthrow their own army?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-all-very-well-and-good-but-how-can-the-egyptian-people-overthrow-their-own-army/570153)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-all-very-well-and-good-but-how-can-the-egyptian-people-overthrow-their-own-army/570153 "2011-02-14T18:23:43Z")
There are and have been many countries in the world (never the U.S., fortunately) where the military establishment is an independent domestic political force in its own right – even where it does not rule directly, a for… --- ## [Facts, beliefs, and opinions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facts-beliefs-and-opinions/571142)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2011, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facts-beliefs-and-opinions/571142 "2011-02-14T08:07:50Z")
Resolved: in Great Debates, and indeed in any serious discussion, we should carefully distinguish between these three kinds of statements, as follows. Facts are those statements that are verifiably true to a high degre… --- ## [Is being gay going against natural laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-gay-going-against-natural-laws/570440)
**Author:** [@Rokman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rokman)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-being-gay-going-against-natural-laws/570440 "2011-02-14T04:53:24Z")
I just had a thought, similar to the film Daybreakers, what if everyone on the planet was gay? and nobody had sex with the opposite gender. Humanity would end! Isn’t that sort of going against nature and our basic anima… --- ## [Mega Corporations Ruling America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-corporations-ruling-america/568792)
**Author:** [@NewDeb2011](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NewDeb2011)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mega-corporations-ruling-america/568792 "2011-02-14T02:53:40Z")
Has anyone noticed that all the big corporations are out of control (watch any documentary about anything) and no one is talking about it? Corporations are censoring the news, squashing facts that show them in a bad lig… --- ## [Foreign Ownership in the UK](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-ownership-in-the-uk/571124)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2011, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/foreign-ownership-in-the-uk/571124 "2011-02-13T20:25:14Z")
I’ve pondered this question for a while now, and it’s apparent I cannot really wrap my brains around it, so here it goes. Most of the worlds states have companies which serve the national interest, or are funded by gove… --- ## [A roadmap for Egypt, Tunisia and others](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-roadmap-for-egypt-tunisia-and-others/570817)
**Author:** [@Agnostic\_Pagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agnostic_Pagan)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-roadmap-for-egypt-tunisia-and-others/570817 "2011-02-13T18:23:11Z")
IMHO, the best of all possibilities for North Africa and the Middle East is to transition to modern non-sectarian democratic government from autocratic dictatorships. And many countries have made that switch. Egypt, Tun… --- ## [Will the Tunisian revolution inspire actions beyond the Arab world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-beyond-the-arab-world/570085)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2011, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-tunisian-revolution-inspire-actions-beyond-the-arab-world/570085 "2011-02-13T02:43:22Z")
Well, this thread’s OP has been answered in the affirmative. After the Tunisian uprising, people all over the Arab world started acting as if it had just occurred to them, for the first time ever, “You can do that?!” C… --- ## [Handicap PPACA/Obamcare in the SCOTUS](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-ppaca-obamcare-in-the-scotus/570306)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2011, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-ppaca-obamcare-in-the-scotus/570306 "2011-02-12T21:17:34Z")
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare” is headed for the Supreme Court. See Wikipedia, and SDMB threads \[thread=595325\]Another Strike \[in the courts against HealthCare Reform law\]\[/thread\] and \[th… --- ## [Is Jesus something other than love for some Christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jesus-something-other-than-love-for-some-christians/569607)
**Author:** [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jesus-something-other-than-love-for-some-christians/569607 "2011-02-12T21:16:28Z")
Collibri offered by way of explanation on a thread in ATMB: I am not Christian, so I am full of ignorance to be fought on this topic. I thought the belief that “Jesus is love” is universal among Christians. Do some Ch… --- ## [Are we being naive about the possibility of Egyptian "democracy"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-being-naive-about-the-possibility-of-egyptian-democracy/570179)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2011, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-being-naive-about-the-possibility-of-egyptian-democracy/570179 "2011-02-12T20:40:58Z")
A lot of people have been optimistically speculating that the Egyptian uprising will lead to a free, democratic, system that somehow espouses democratic ideas and freedoms similar to those of the west. Those who predict… --- ## [Ronald Reagan's Legacy: Your Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ronald-reagans-legacy-your-thoughts/568379)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 282\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ronald-reagans-legacy-your-thoughts/568379 "2011-02-12T20:11:33Z")
Reagan is constantly in the news these days due to his 100th birthday coming up and more recently the family squabbles. I am going to start with an admission of ignorance: I remember much of Reagan’s presidency but it … --- ## [Should police face criminal charges for mistakes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-police-face-criminal-charges-for-mistakes/570900)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2011, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-police-face-criminal-charges-for-mistakes/570900 "2011-02-12T03:08:44Z")
In this aging thread there’s a debate about a specific botched SWAT raid that resulted in a man holding a golf club being shot dead by police in his home. While nobody wants to defend the poorly executed raid itself, th… --- ## [How acceptable would the Lord's Prayer be to non-Christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-acceptable-would-the-lords-prayer-be-to-non-christians/570420)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-acceptable-would-the-lords-prayer-be-to-non-christians/570420 "2011-02-11T23:58:16Z")
There are slightly different variations in various Christian faiths, but here’s how the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer puts it: \*Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on… --- ## [Should the US lower its immigration numbers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-lower-its-immigration-numbers/568488)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 160\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-lower-its-immigration-numbers/568488 "2011-02-11T23:53:56Z")
I recently came across this video, which put forth a surprisingly persuasive argument for lower immigration numbers. The argument boils down to: If the US increases it’s immigration numbers it wouldn’t do anything to… --- ## [40 Million Americans on Food Stamps: When Do WE Start Rioting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-million-americans-on-food-stamps-when-do-we-start-rioting/569677)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/40-million-americans-on-food-stamps-when-do-we-start-rioting/569677 "2011-02-11T22:25:49Z")
Forty million Americans, or one in eight of us, are currently on food stamps, according to this report. Clearly, the American economic system is breaking down, and breaking Americans down with it. How bad does it have t… --- ## [Rachel Maddow & US Magazine: Mighty Quick to Report Palin Jokes As News](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rachel-maddow-us-magazine-mighty-quick-to-report-palin-jokes-as-news/570944)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rachel-maddow-us-magazine-mighty-quick-to-report-palin-jokes-as-news/570944 "2011-02-11T21:54:12Z")
This is getting to be a trend- some left-wing satirist writes a joke story in which Sarah Palin says or does something demented, and someone in the mainstream media eagerly repeats the story without making the slightest … --- ## [What Consequences - if the Revolt in Egypt Fails?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-consequences-if-the-revolt-in-egypt-fails/570650)
**Author:** [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-consequences-if-the-revolt-in-egypt-fails/570650 "2011-02-11T16:40:11Z")
Although like everyone else I thought at first the Egyptian dictatorship was doomed, I’m starting to think that the dictatorship may survive. Usually, dictators fall to popular uprisings when the momentum builds against … --- ## [Should OTC Pseudophedrine drugs require a prescription to purchase?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-otc-pseudophedrine-drugs-require-a-prescription-to-purchase/570518)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-otc-pseudophedrine-drugs-require-a-prescription-to-purchase/570518 "2011-02-11T16:16:36Z")
Over the counter cold medicines containing psuedophedrine for years in the US are have been required to be obtained from the pharmacist (without a prescription) with the presentation of a government issued photo ID. Con… --- ## [What 3 SCOTUS decisions do you overturn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-3-scotus-decisions-do-you-overturn/570706)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-3-scotus-decisions-do-you-overturn/570706 "2011-02-11T15:00:29Z")
A lot of debates on the Dope come down to SCOTUS cases and the “correctness” of the decisions both legally and morally. Today you have been appointed to unilaterally overturn 3 decisions that are still considered case l… --- ## [Ask A Catholic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-catholic/570897)
**Author:** [@terryobrien80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terryobrien80)\ **Replies:** 220\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-a-catholic/570897 "2011-02-11T11:48:14Z")
Hello there. I am a Conservative and a Catholic. I am real about my conservatism and I am real about my Catholicism. If you have a question about Catholicism that you feel you have never gotten a straight answer to, ask … --- ## [Lies, damn lies, and unemployment statistics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lies-damn-lies-and-unemployment-statistics/571001)
**Author:** [@terryobrien80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terryobrien80)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 11, 2011, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lies-damn-lies-and-unemployment-statistics/571001 "2011-02-11T11:46:52Z")
LIES, DAMN LIES, AND UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS By Dick Morris And Eileen McGann - 02.7.2011 LINK\> http://www.dickmorris.com/blog/lies-damn-lies-and-unemployment-statistics/ The drop in unemployment the Obama Administrat… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=404) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=406)