# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=41 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 42 --- ## [Academically/Intellectually Gifted Education is problematic but necessary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academically-intellectually-gifted-education-is-problematic-but-necessary/931706)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 148\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2021, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/academically-intellectually-gifted-education-is-problematic-but-necessary/931706 "2021-02-01T22:57:16Z")
A discussion in an absolute dumpster-fire of a thread, veered off into talking about gifted/advanced classes in public schools, and whether they’re advisable. This is an issue dear to my heart, and I’d love to see a disc… --- ## [What happens to QAnon after the non-apocalypse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-qanon-after-the-non-apocalypse/920613)
**Author:** [@razordance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razordance)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2021, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-to-qanon-after-the-non-apocalypse/920613 "2021-01-30T06:09:49Z")
Assuming Trump is eased out of office without ever making a mass arrest of the deep-state Satanic pedophile conspiracy, will the followers lose the faith? --- ## [Change in conservative fears about higher education?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-in-conservative-fears-about-higher-education/929578)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 190\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2021, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/change-in-conservative-fears-about-higher-education/929578 "2021-01-29T06:06:19Z")
Something I heard the other day that I thought was interesting: Conservatives in the USA have long been worried that higher education is dominated by leftists. But in the last 10 or so years the specific worries have ch… --- ## [Big Data, Surveillance and Policing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-data-surveillance-and-policing/931668)
**Author:** [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-data-surveillance-and-policing/931668 "2021-01-28T16:10:32Z")
Just read the book Predict and Surveil -(by a sociologist named Susan Brayne, 2021). It’s an interesting short read about the potential and pitfalls of Big Data as actually used by the (LA) police. Though this subject … --- ## [Selective Magnet School in Virginia moving towards a lottery system](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selective-magnet-school-in-virginia-moving-towards-a-lottery-system/922347)
**Author:** [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Replies:** 821\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2021, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selective-magnet-school-in-virginia-moving-towards-a-lottery-system/922347 "2021-01-28T04:18:41Z")
There is a magnet school in the northern virginia suburbs that has frequently ranked top in the nations called thomas jefferson high school of science and technology or tjhsst for short. It is less selective than stuyve… --- ## [How do I best stimulate the local economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-best-stimulate-the-local-economy/931471)
**Author:** [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2021, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-best-stimulate-the-local-economy/931471 "2021-01-25T22:59:09Z")
(Put this in “great debates” not “politics” because I’m interested in the microeconomics of the local economy, not the politics of how much money should have been given or to whom). My family got our ~$2K total stimulus… --- ## [Resolved that Twitter can legally boot you for any reason, other than membership in a protected class](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-twitter-can-legally-boot-you-for-any-reason-other-than-membership-in-a-protected-class/930929)
**Author:** [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2021, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-that-twitter-can-legally-boot-you-for-any-reason-other-than-membership-in-a-protected-class/930929 "2021-01-25T04:37:54Z")
I don’t give a flying fuck about Facebook, Google, Apple, etc. I don’t care about whether it’s a good thing, a bad thing, or an indifferent thing. If you want to discuss these things, I can point you to several threads t… --- ## [Biden forces schools and colleges to allow biological males to compete in women's sports](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-forces-schools-and-colleges-to-allow-biological-males-to-compete-in-womens-sports/931098)
**Author:** [@DemonTree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DemonTree)\ **Replies:** 277\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2021, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-forces-schools-and-colleges-to-allow-biological-males-to-compete-in-womens-sports/931098 "2021-01-25T02:03:38Z")
Today he signed an executive order banning discrimination based on gender identity in any educational institution receiving federal funding; transgender students must now be allowed to play on whatever team they identify… --- ## [Why are female muggers/burglars uncommon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-female-muggers-burglars-uncommon/930979)
**Author:** [@joesnowden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joesnowden)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 25, 2021, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-female-muggers-burglars-uncommon/930979 "2021-01-25T00:55:14Z")
Or dare I say it, non-existent? My best friend who is a woman was shopping at the supermarket on the weekend and someone tried to open her rear car door. She said that it was a teenage boy. He got scared and closed the d… --- ## [What We Think We Want vs What We Really Want](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-think-we-want-vs-what-we-really-want/648934)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2021, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-we-think-we-want-vs-what-we-really-want/648934 "2021-01-21T18:08:23Z")
This is really a broader issue (as below), but the immediate impetus for this is a new study that just came out. Better sex life linked to division of housework : U.S. study The reason this is remarkable is because I’… --- ## [Where does "melting pot" turn into multiculturalism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-melting-pot-turn-into-multiculturalism/930915)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2021, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-melting-pot-turn-into-multiculturalism/930915 "2021-01-20T23:02:21Z")
When I was in grade and high school (50’s and 60’s) we were taught about how the US is a melting pot. What this seemed to mean at the time is that immigrants did their best to assimilate into the dominant (anglo-saxon) c… --- ## [Can and will Trump pardon all the DC rioters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-and-will-trump-pardon-all-the-dc-rioters/930249)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2021, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-and-will-trump-pardon-all-the-dc-rioters/930249 "2021-01-20T22:26:54Z")
My understanding is that legally, there is no reason Trump couldn’t just issue a blanket pardon against anyone involved in the DC riots. That wouldn’t, however, protect them from state-level charges. Any particular rea… --- ## [Should President-Elect Biden hold the Swearing-in ceremony away from Washington D.C.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-president-elect-biden-hold-the-swearing-in-ceremony-away-from-washington-d-c/930331)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2021, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-president-elect-biden-hold-the-swearing-in-ceremony-away-from-washington-d-c/930331 "2021-01-20T21:30:15Z")
Question in the topic. “Due to the recent events we have all seen, and to reduce the clear danger to government officials and law enforcement officers, I will take the oath of office at a location to be disclosed after … --- ## [Should Capitol trespassers lose gun rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-capitol-trespassers-lose-gun-rights/930820)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2021, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-capitol-trespassers-lose-gun-rights/930820 "2021-01-20T02:06:37Z")
I was wondering whether a loss of access to firearms, and required surrender of guns, should be an aspect of the repercussions for people convicted IRT the 1/6 insurrection. I have no idea what legal provisions would al… --- ## [Where draw the line? (on stigmatizing Trumpists)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-draw-the-line-on-stigmatizing-trumpists/930450)
**Author:** [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-draw-the-line-on-stigmatizing-trumpists/930450 "2021-01-19T17:21:40Z")
I think a certain amount of cancel culture is ok: why should I continue supporting someone financially whose expressed views I find repugnant? Especially when I have easy choices to support someone whose views I admire? … --- ## [Potential consequences for servicemembers failing military vetting against seditious or white supremacist sympathies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-consequences-for-servicemembers-failing-military-vetting-against-seditious-or-white-supremacist-sympathies/930793)
**Author:** [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potential-consequences-for-servicemembers-failing-military-vetting-against-seditious-or-white-supremacist-sympathies/930793 "2021-01-19T15:08:46Z")
Inspired by this (still sketchy and unconfirmed) breaking news report: Narrowly construed, this falls under the existing topics in P&E related to what might happen at the upcoming inauguration. But I think there’s an… --- ## [What's going on in the Irish baby homes investigation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-in-the-irish-baby-homes-investigation/930478)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2021, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-on-in-the-irish-baby-homes-investigation/930478 "2021-01-18T22:02:18Z")
I just read about the new report that was released this week. But the accounts I read are pretty dry and are avoiding any speculation. And they’re probably directed at Irish readers who have been following this story and… --- ## [Revolution? Civil War? What's going to happen to the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revolution-civil-war-whats-going-to-happen-to-the-us/779892)
**Author:** [@ultimate11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultimate11)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revolution-civil-war-whats-going-to-happen-to-the-us/779892 "2021-01-18T20:56:36Z")
I thought about making a topic like this for a couple of months, if not this month after my polls, I’ve notice the US is a bit tense. Riots over speeches, complete panic over a button pressed that Donald Trump pushed and… --- ## [Are conservatives or progressives more likely to buy their child birth control at age 13?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-conservatives-or-progressives-more-likely-to-buy-their-child-birth-control-at-age-13/919541)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2021, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-conservatives-or-progressives-more-likely-to-buy-their-child-birth-control-at-age-13/919541 "2021-01-18T20:14:25Z")
This is a spin-off from the Politics & Elections topic, “Are Kellyanne and George Conway declaring a truce?” Just pretend @Kearsen1 was the original poster. Here is the post: Please give me a couple minutes to bring i… --- ## [1/6/21 insurrection post mortem: How did it happen? What could/should have been done? What should be the response?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-6-21-insurrection-post-mortem-how-did-it-happen-what-could-should-have-been-done-what-should-be-the-response/929915)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 206\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2021, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-6-21-insurrection-post-mortem-how-did-it-happen-what-could-should-have-been-done-what-should-be-the-response/929915 "2021-01-17T18:52:42Z")
I thought it might be appropriate/desirable to have a separate thread in which we discuss how/why yesterday happened, what should have been done differently, what repercussions who should bear, and what should be done di… --- ## [California Prop 16 (reinstating affirmative action) fails](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-prop-16-reinstating-affirmative-action-fails/926439)
**Author:** [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-prop-16-reinstating-affirmative-action-fails/926439 "2021-01-17T14:53:11Z")
California has rejected affirmative action as it is practiced today. California legislators tried to ride the wave of anti-trump sentiment to push through a measure repealing a constitutional amendment that prohibits … --- ## [Can private entities restrict freedom of expression?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-private-entities-restrict-freedom-of-expression/930624)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-private-entities-restrict-freedom-of-expression/930624 "2021-01-15T23:49:47Z")
Spin-off from the ongoing debate, “Are social media’s recent bannings a freedom of expression issue?” The topic for debate is this: can private entities restrict freedom of expression? Is it possible, and if so, under w… --- ## [If the coup attempt had been better planned, could it have actually damaged democracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-coup-attempt-had-been-better-planned-could-it-have-actually-damaged-democracy/930096)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 15, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-coup-attempt-had-been-better-planned-could-it-have-actually-damaged-democracy/930096 "2021-01-15T20:32:22Z")
The coup was mostly a bunch of guys breaking in and sitting at desks and vandalizing things. But assume it had been done more intelligently with more planning. Lets say they took politicians hostage, they executed 100+ … --- ## [So what would have happened after 1/6 had the riot been successful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-have-happened-after-1-6-had-the-riot-been-successful/930286)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-would-have-happened-after-1-6-had-the-riot-been-successful/930286 "2021-01-14T17:09:38Z")
So let’s say that the rioters on 1/6 were successful (however that’s defined). What might have happened next? Civil war? Lots of lawsuits? Emergency Congressional appointments and a do-over of the vote certification … --- ## [Are there high and low roads between disparate groups of political protestors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-high-and-low-roads-between-disparate-groups-of-political-protestors/929900)
**Author:** [@cessna99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cessna99)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2021, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-high-and-low-roads-between-disparate-groups-of-political-protestors/929900 "2021-01-14T04:15:01Z")
What is the difference between the disruptive WH protestors and the disruptive protestors in big cities this past spring and summer? Both were engaged in occupying and damaging government buildings, and assaulting the p… --- ## [Name of this rhetorical device](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-this-rhetorical-device/930355)
**Author:** [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 13, 2021, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-of-this-rhetorical-device/930355 "2021-01-13T22:31:20Z")
Hi, if someone posts a meme like “If Big Tech can censor the President of the United States, it can silence us all.” and introduces it by stating: “Regardless of your political persuasions! This is totalitarianism!”, wh… --- ## [Lead in Flint's water. Who decided to change supply? Why is governor under fire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-in-flints-water-who-decided-to-change-supply-why-is-governor-under-fire/743637)
**Author:** [@justmeetee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justmeetee)\ **Replies:** 187\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lead-in-flints-water-who-decided-to-change-supply-why-is-governor-under-fire/743637 "2021-01-12T21:31:52Z")
I’m trying to understand this mess and keep hearing the city changed where the water came from to save money. But now the governor is being blamed for the lead poisoning of the children. Shouldn’t the blame be on the cit… --- ## [British Drug Rehabilitation Program - Pre 1970's](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-drug-rehabilitation-program-pre-1970s/930193)
**Author:** [@Bonum\_Legatum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bonum_Legatum)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/british-drug-rehabilitation-program-pre-1970s/930193 "2021-01-12T18:07:45Z")
Many years ago, I remember hearing that the United States should follow the British example, their program was described as “Addicts register with the government and are given drugs and shown how to administer (inject) t… --- ## [OK Let's do this: who thinks social media's recent bannings are first amendment violations?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-lets-do-this-who-thinks-social-medias-recent-bannings-are-first-amendment-violations/930310)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2021, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-lets-do-this-who-thinks-social-medias-recent-bannings-are-first-amendment-violations/930310 "2021-01-12T13:52:14Z")
Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assem… --- ## [When did it become a crime?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-a-crime/930281)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2021, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-it-become-a-crime/930281 "2021-01-11T22:14:28Z")
Many have suggested and some have actually asserted that the President committed a criminal act related to the attack on the Capitol. Mr. Trump held a rally the day of the attack and it is said that he incited a mob. Ca… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=40) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=42)