# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=409 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 410 --- ## [What would have happened to Mussolini if he had survived the war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-to-mussolini-if-he-had-survived-the-war/568768)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-have-happened-to-mussolini-if-he-had-survived-the-war/568768 "2011-01-26T21:59:55Z")
If he and his mistress hadn’t been strung up by their heels outside that gas station, what would have happened to him? Would the Allies considered him as bad of a war criminal as his Axis allies? Could he possibly have s… --- ## [Can currencies float if they are on the gold standard?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-currencies-float-if-they-are-on-the-gold-standard/568776)
**Author:** [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-currencies-float-if-they-are-on-the-gold-standard/568776 "2011-01-26T20:51:42Z")
I am in no way in favor of the gold standard but I’m trying to understand some of the nuances of the pro/con arguments. In my (naive) understanding if two currencies are on the gold standard then their relative value to… --- ## [Who was the worse coloniser - the British or the Spanish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-worse-coloniser-the-british-or-the-spanish/501238)
**Author:** [@SomeBodyUK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeBodyUK)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-worse-coloniser-the-british-or-the-spanish/501238 "2011-01-26T19:07:28Z")
I started taking a Spanish class last week - an the instructor starts talking about American history. She said that the Spanish were better colonisers that the British, cos the British killed everybody off, and the Spani… --- ## [2005: Record Exxon Profit = Evil Price Gouging, 2011: Record Apple Profit = American Success Story?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-record-exxon-profit-evil-price-gouging-2011-record-apple-profit-american-success-story/568210)
**Author:** [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2005-record-exxon-profit-evil-price-gouging-2011-record-apple-profit-american-success-story/568210 "2011-01-26T07:46:20Z")
So despite the unfortunate health news about Steve Jobs, Apple computers seems to be chugging along. They just reported a quarterly profit of $6 billion on $26.74 billion in revenue. Most opinion makers and consumers s… --- ## [How do we balance individual rights and public safety wrt the mentally ill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-balance-individual-rights-and-public-safety-wrt-the-mentally-ill/567464)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-we-balance-individual-rights-and-public-safety-wrt-the-mentally-ill/567464 "2011-01-26T04:12:00Z")
Without pointing fingers at any political party, how do we come together as a nation with a solution to the problem of the danger the mentally ill can potentially present to public safety, while maintaining some safeguar… --- ## [More questions about god.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-god/568895)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-questions-about-god/568895 "2011-01-26T03:22:01Z")
Is god alive? How about the angels? --- ## [Is removal/delivery an acceptable alternative to late-term abortion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-removal-delivery-an-acceptable-alternative-to-late-term-abortion/568914)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2011, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-removal-delivery-an-acceptable-alternative-to-late-term-abortion/568914 "2011-01-26T00:24:13Z")
I was thinking of very late-term abortions lately, and it seems to me that if instead of killing the foetus, you just took it out, you would still satisfy most of the arguments for abortion (not being forced to carry ins… --- ## [why are $100 laptop type initiatives coming from American do-gooders and not Chinese businessmen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-100-laptop-type-initiatives-coming-from-american-do-gooders-and-not-chinese-businessmen/568740)
**Author:** [@code\_grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/code_grey)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-100-laptop-type-initiatives-coming-from-american-do-gooders-and-not-chinese-businessmen/568740 "2011-01-25T23:31:31Z")
I can easily imagine American execs sincerely believing that everybody and his brother has extra $300 to shell out for a laptop or mobile device. But the Chinese ones obviously have a huge internal market nearby with a w… --- ## ["Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care law act"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repealing-the-job-killing-health-care-law-act/567988)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/repealing-the-job-killing-health-care-law-act/567988 "2011-01-25T21:39:06Z")
I get it. Republicans have a fundamental disagreement about the role of government in our society. They were duly elected to hold a majority in the House of Representatives, and they are determined to pass a law to repea… --- ## [Men's Rights: Why not get rid of Selective Service?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-why-not-get-rid-of-selective-service/568056)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-rights-why-not-get-rid-of-selective-service/568056 "2011-01-25T15:16:58Z")
What use do military commanders have anymore with selective service? What use do draftees serve in the modern military? In effect the Government tells men what to do with their bodies - by reserving the right to hijack … --- ## [Andrew Wakefield: why ain't he in choky?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-wakefield-why-aint-he-in-choky/568168)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/andrew-wakefield-why-aint-he-in-choky/568168 "2011-01-25T14:49:38Z")
I’m sure you’ve all heard by now that the brilliant researcher behind the vaccine/autism link was making it all up in order to defraud woo-friendly parents and the UK National Health Service, among others. The blood of … --- ## [Is social media addiction a real problem?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-social-media-addiction-a-real-problem/568500)
**Author:** [@The\_Amazing\_Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Amazing_Hanna)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-social-media-addiction-a-real-problem/568500 "2011-01-25T14:45:15Z")
It has come to my attention that a lot of us, myself reluctantly included, spend much time these days stimulating the pleasure center of our brains by clicking the “Update” button on Facebook, rather like the monkeys in … --- ## [What is China doing wrong with its currency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-china-doing-wrong-with-its-currency/568692)
**Author:** [@tetranz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tetranz)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-china-doing-wrong-with-its-currency/568692 "2011-01-25T11:53:42Z")
I started this as a GQ but I think it belongs here. Can someone please explain the details of the accusation that China is undervaluing its currency? I understand the basic arithmetic. The value of the Yuan is keep low… --- ## [If the courts strike down health-care reform](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-courts-strike-down-health-care-reform/568295)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-courts-strike-down-health-care-reform/568295 "2011-01-25T04:53:50Z")
I thought about putting this in IMHO, but considering the subject matter, I thought it might be best to post this in GD. So, if national health insurance mandate were struck down by a federal court, would Massachusetts’… --- ## [Why is Xmas still a big deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-xmas-still-a-big-deal/568684)
**Author:** [@AshenLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AshenLady)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-xmas-still-a-big-deal/568684 "2011-01-25T02:32:10Z")
Everyone knows that Xmas is a made up holiday with no basis in the bible, first of all. Second of all, it’s a pagan holiday that is meant to cover-up Roman and pagan feasts. Third, it’s not at the proper time of year a… --- ## [You're Hitler. When do you call it quits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hitler-when-do-you-call-it-quits/568482)
**Author:** [@The\_Amazing\_Hanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Amazing_Hanna)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-hitler-when-do-you-call-it-quits/568482 "2011-01-25T02:04:38Z")
A counterfactual scenario: You’re Hitler. It’s 1933. One stormy evening a strange-looking machine materializes in your office and is instantly riddled with Sturmgewehr bullets from your attentive guards, killing its sur… --- ## [What is Fascism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-fascism/568615)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-fascism/568615 "2011-01-25T01:50:21Z")
Down in the Pit, I am cruising for a bruising by maintaining that modern Islamic political thought is Fascist. I have long held that Fascism is the idea that the 'race," “community,” or “society” has rights it may impose… --- ## [Would a bomb going off in a TSA line put an end to the ridiculous security theater?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-bomb-going-off-in-a-tsa-line-put-an-end-to-the-ridiculous-security-theater/560323)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-bomb-going-off-in-a-tsa-line-put-an-end-to-the-ridiculous-security-theater/560323 "2011-01-25T00:09:59Z")
Previous thread was closed, but I guess this was the question I was going for. And since there is no factual answer, here it is in GD. My suspicion is no. They will still use the excuse that they are protecting tall buil… --- ## [Kudos to Obama for Regulatory Review](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kudos-to-obama-for-regulatory-review/568099)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kudos-to-obama-for-regulatory-review/568099 "2011-01-24T18:15:47Z")
I’ve been saying on this board for two years that one of the easiest ‘stimulus’ plans would be a review of existing regulations, with an eye towards getting rid of the ones that have the worst cost-benefit ratios. In an… --- ## [Abortion and child support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-child-support/563985)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 828\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2011, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abortion-and-child-support/563985 "2011-01-24T17:18:48Z")
Ok, this will be a good one. Let’s put aside the legal abortion debate. Let’s just concede the point that it is the constitutional right of every woman to choose whether or not to abort. No father/spouse consent/notif… --- ## [Have advancing military technologies made wars more or less decisively winnable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-advancing-military-technologies-made-wars-more-or-less-decisively-winnable/568372)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2011, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-advancing-military-technologies-made-wars-more-or-less-decisively-winnable/568372 "2011-01-24T14:20:43Z")
The title says it all. Maybe this is a GQ type question but I suspect it ain’t. Nowadays the most advanced Militaries on Earth have access to weapons that were science fantasy fever dreams 100 and more years ago. Howeve… --- ## [Anti Semites and the "Jews killed Jesus" argument](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-semites-and-the-jews-killed-jesus-argument/568483)
**Author:** [@SmithCommaJohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmithCommaJohn)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2011, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-semites-and-the-jews-killed-jesus-argument/568483 "2011-01-24T01:52:19Z")
Please forgive me if this post betrays my near-total ignorance of Christian theology. Anyway, anti-Semites have a few very common arguments to back up their hatred of Jewish people: they control the media, the banks and… --- ## [A Libertarian Argument Regarding State Schools and the Curriculum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-libertarian-argument-regarding-state-schools-and-the-curriculum/563108)
**Author:** [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2011, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-libertarian-argument-regarding-state-schools-and-the-curriculum/563108 "2011-01-23T21:44:59Z")
A friend of mine got into an argument with me on the email. My ideology of confrontationalist atheism, I was informed, is essentially authoritarian. My friend asked me if in my view, creationism (which we presumably agre… --- ## [Comcast/NBC merger approved...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-nbc-merger-approved/568158)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comcast-nbc-merger-approved/568158 "2011-01-23T21:11:04Z")
Story here. So what does this mean, exactly? Will non-NBC network and Netflix fans in Comcast-exclusive areas soon have the screws put to them, web service and speed-wise? Will NBC’s coverage start to be slowly slante… --- ## [From vitriol to violence ....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-vitriol-to-violence/568550)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-vitriol-to-violence/568550 "2011-01-23T16:26:59Z")
Let’s just get the rules of the debate established first …What’s the standard for inciting or perpetrating political violence? It’s pretty well “understood” around here that the right are the evil doers and the left eit… --- ## [The Race Card and the Racist Card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-race-card-and-the-racist-card/568305)
**Author:** [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2011, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-race-card-and-the-racist-card/568305 "2011-01-23T15:04:15Z")
About fifteen years ago, around the time of the OJ Simpson trial, the phrase “playing the race card” was introduced into public life. I’m sure everyone knows what it means, but for those unsure, it’s when someone decides… --- ## [Fuel from Micro-organisms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuel-from-micro-organisms/568104)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2011, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuel-from-micro-organisms/568104 "2011-01-23T14:06:56Z")
Joule Unlimited Inc. has been on the scene for a little over a year, and has patented a micro-organism that can directly produce ethanol or other fuels, without the need for an intermediate feedstock such as corn or biom… --- ## [What stage is the US empire's decline at?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-stage-is-the-us-empires-decline-at/568194)
**Author:** [@Sablicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sablicious)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2011, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-stage-is-the-us-empires-decline-at/568194 "2011-01-23T13:40:11Z")
Lecture Pretty pictures Rings very true for where the US seem to be now; over-stretched (waging wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan…), chaotic (Tea Party, gun laws, endemic violence…), desparate (kowtowing to India, Ch… --- ## [Humans are not hard-wired for moral behavior](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-are-not-hard-wired-for-moral-behavior/567802)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2011, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-are-not-hard-wired-for-moral-behavior/567802 "2011-01-23T12:52:15Z")
Some people on this board believe that humans are hard-wired to exhibit certain moral tendencies. Typically they say that humans are hard-wired to obey moral rules that contribute to social cohesion, such as rules again… --- ## [Is this really a consequence of Obamacare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-a-consequence-of-obamacare/568320)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2011, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-really-a-consequence-of-obamacare/568320 "2011-01-22T17:02:17Z")
I talked to this guy yesterday who has worked for a hospital for 20 years. He has never bought into the hospital’s health insurance plan as he gets insurance through his wife’s employer. He claims that under Obamacare,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=408) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=410)