# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=410 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 411 --- ## [In Nietzsche, does "power" mean power-over-others, or something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-nietzsche-does-power-mean-power-over-others-or-something-else/568330)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2011, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-nietzsche-does-power-mean-power-over-others-or-something-else/568330 "2011-01-22T03:26:52Z")
It’s almost a year since we’ve had a good Nietzsche thread. In his History of Western Philosophy, Bertrand Russell calls Nietzsche a “sycophant of aristocracy” – not of any established aristocracy in particular, but of … --- ## [What would be the Achilles heel of religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-achilles-heel-of-religion/567092)
**Author:** [@automagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/automagic)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-achilles-heel-of-religion/567092 "2011-01-22T01:37:56Z")
Every scientific theory is only one piece of evidence away from being disproved. For example, if a mammalian fossil were to be conclusively dated to being hundreds of millions of years old or if a hominid fossil were to … --- ## [I don't understand the "white nationalist" position.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-white-nationalist-position/566715)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2011, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-understand-the-white-nationalist-position/566715 "2011-01-22T01:27:05Z")
I’ve spent some time recently browsing a certain forum for “people of Germanic heritage.” It is not the notorious one with a name involving a type of unpleasant weather. I won’t say which one it is, specifically, because… --- ## [Would the US hostages in Iran have been released if Carter had been reelected.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-us-hostages-in-iran-have-been-released-if-carter-had-been-reelected/568368)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-us-hostages-in-iran-have-been-released-if-carter-had-been-reelected/568368 "2011-01-22T01:02:04Z")
Jan 20, 1981 As Ronald Regan is being sworn into office as POTUS, the US hostages in Iran were released. It’s obvious that the hostage release was timed so that it wouldn’t happen under President Carter. One last chanc… --- ## [States Declaring Bankruptcy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-declaring-bankruptcy/568477)
**Author:** [@A.Selene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.Selene)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2011, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-declaring-bankruptcy/568477 "2011-01-22T00:45:50Z")
I’ve been lurking, but been a while since I’ve been back here posting. Howdy everyone! Was just reading a NYT article about the possibility of states declaring bankruptcy. Right now, it’s just in the works, but it’s c… --- ## [Is it improper to speculate on the Spokane bomb plot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-improper-to-speculate-on-the-spokane-bomb-plot/568392)
**Author:** [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2011, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-improper-to-speculate-on-the-spokane-bomb-plot/568392 "2011-01-21T18:44:31Z")
In the wake of the Tucson shootings, it seems to me that the media has muzzled itself on the story of a bomb planted on a parade route in Spokane, WA on MLK day. Coverage, while it is out there, is very light considerin… --- ## [Wichita school district puts checkbook online](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wichita-school-district-puts-checkbook-online/566901)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 9, 2011, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wichita-school-district-puts-checkbook-online/566901 "2011-01-09T03:35:59Z")
I think this is a great idea. Not just for the schools, but for all of Wichita’s government expenses. Actually, I meant for all of Kansas…heck, make that for all 50 states…and the federal government of course. All t… --- ## [We need more civility in our political discourse!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-need-more-civility-in-our-political-discourse/567586 "2011-01-21T17:22:12Z")
Uh, why exactly? There may have been some hand-wringing over his pot usage and his mental problems. Not much. And with regard to the latter, seems like its as much about treatment (we need more money and new laws!) as… --- ## [Oligarchs, Plutocrats and The Elites...and the Worker Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oligarchs-plutocrats-and-the-elites-and-the-worker-bees/568421)
**Author:** [@lurking\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurking_guest)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2011, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oligarchs-plutocrats-and-the-elites-and-the-worker-bees/568421 "2011-01-21T14:14:07Z")
Geographical boundaries. Hemispheres. Forms of Government. Are there others, who think as I do, that the groups mentioned in the thread title have more in common with one another than with the citizenry of their vario… --- ## [Dr. Kenneth Gosnell's "abortion mill" and crimes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-kenneth-gosnells-abortion-mill-and-crimes/568357)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-kenneth-gosnells-abortion-mill-and-crimes/568357 "2011-01-20T21:55:46Z")
So this seems a clear-cut case to a pro-choice guy like me: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iOM8K2HklZK17c0mbflBO7Th7Pzg?docId=97816a13b1b443f48dade38143b9013 Not only was the guy not licensed properl… --- ## [Most despicable reaction to the Tucson shootings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-despicable-reaction-to-the-tucson-shootings/567443)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-despicable-reaction-to-the-tucson-shootings/567443 "2011-01-20T17:06:30Z")
The idiot sheriff? Bob Kerry associating it with Obamacare? Brady’s proposed hate speech legislation? Palin’s efforts to defend herself? --- ## ["Land of the Free, home of the Brave"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-of-the-free-home-of-the-brave/567794)
**Author:** [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/land-of-the-free-home-of-the-brave/567794 "2011-01-20T13:16:18Z")
I’m curious about the above description - namely whether the average American does view themself as coming from a land that is “freer” and “braver” than other countries. From my POV (in the UK) these two elements appear… --- ## [Christian Rep. of TX Leo Berman wants to abolish religious laws (what am I missing?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rep-of-tx-leo-berman-wants-to-abolish-religious-laws-what-am-i-missing/568003)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-rep-of-tx-leo-berman-wants-to-abolish-religious-laws-what-am-i-missing/568003 "2011-01-19T22:26:03Z")
Leo Berman is a Texas State Representative who once commented that “Barack Obama is God’s punishment on us…” at Glenn Beck’s “Taking Back America” rally. (I mention this not to signal readers which “side” to take, but to… --- ## [Obama's speechifying](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837)
**Author:** [@freemal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freemal2)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-speechifying/567837 "2011-01-19T20:53:37Z")
What do people make of Obama’s speeches in general. As usual he has high flying and high minded rhetoric but rarely acts on them. Is he just playing the game. Such as when corporations tell their employees how importa… --- ## [Can a libertarian explain to me how we are supposed to prevent environmental disaster?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-libertarian-explain-to-me-how-we-are-supposed-to-prevent-environmental-disaster/566410)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-libertarian-explain-to-me-how-we-are-supposed-to-prevent-environmental-disaster/566410 "2011-01-19T19:26:28Z")
I’ve had about a million frustrating conversations with libertarians, and for reasons I can’t understand, no one can answer this simple question for me: In a libertarian system, are there ANY preventative measures used t… --- ## [Why Are the Swedish Democrats Considered Racists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-swedish-democrats-considered-racists/567313)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-the-swedish-democrats-considered-racists/567313 "2011-01-19T07:30:06Z")
I think it may belong in GQ but on the other hand I’m taking the safe side. In many threads where the Swedish Democrats came up they are usually referred to as a racist but what evidence do they have for that? It may be … --- ## [Comparison: Tucson vs Ft Hood](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparison-tucson-vs-ft-hood/567220)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparison-tucson-vs-ft-hood/567220 "2011-01-19T06:39:18Z")
Political climate? High profile? Influences of the alleged shooter? Opportunists reactions? President’s response? --- ## [Hypothetical: The reaction if it had been Sarah Palin instead of Gabby?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-the-reaction-if-it-had-been-sarah-palin-instead-of-gabby/567057)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hypothetical-the-reaction-if-it-had-been-sarah-palin-instead-of-gabby/567057 "2011-01-19T04:01:35Z")
Keep in mind, Gabby is an elected official to the House of Representatives. Sarah is a private citizen. +1 Gabby Both seemed to like public appearances. Even. Gabby is married to an astronaut and Sarah is married to a … --- ## [Why aren't there more bench trials? Or, is our justice system based on deception and stupidity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-more-bench-trials-or-is-our-justice-system-based-on-deception-and-stupidity/566678)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-there-more-bench-trials-or-is-our-justice-system-based-on-deception-and-stupidity/566678 "2011-01-19T02:47:03Z")
I read the wiki on bench trials, which up until now, I just called judge trials, meaning a trial without a jury, sorta like what you’d see on The People’s Court. The wiki told me a few interesting things, which is that … --- ## [Could "disorder" be used as evidence against God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-disorder-be-used-as-evidence-against-god/568100)
**Author:** [@Dostoyevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dostoyevsky)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2011, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-disorder-be-used-as-evidence-against-god/568100 "2011-01-19T02:35:38Z")
I’ll make this short and sweet. I’m often told that the orderliness of the universe is evidence (or at least part of it) for the existence of God. Ok, maybe it is. But then, wouldn’t disorder (or “chaos”) be evidence … --- ## [If King had not been assassinated, would anything be different now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-king-had-not-been-assassinated-would-anything-be-different-now/568002)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-king-had-not-been-assassinated-would-anything-be-different-now/568002 "2011-01-18T21:58:18Z")
King would be 82 today. What, if anything, might he have accomplished, if he had lived from 1968 to now, that would make things in America significantly different now? E.g., I’ve sometimes heard progressives speak of M… --- ## [Question for originalists. Was the Supreme Court wrong in Brown?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-originalists-was-the-supreme-court-wrong-in-brown/567275)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-originalists-was-the-supreme-court-wrong-in-brown/567275 "2011-01-18T21:56:04Z")
In Brown v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools are a per se violation of the 14th amendment, but the same Congress that sent the 14th to the states funded funded segregated schools, and t… --- ## [Does America need to maintain the Marines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-america-need-to-maintain-the-marines/567306)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-america-need-to-maintain-the-marines/567306 "2011-01-18T20:52:46Z")
From the January 10, 2011, New Yorker: Should America maintain the Marines as a separate branch? Or would it be more efficient to subsume the Marines’ functions into the Army and Navy? Would we save money by eliminatin… --- ## [Why is pet euthanasia okay but people euthanasia not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pet-euthanasia-okay-but-people-euthanasia-not/567958)
**Author:** [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-pet-euthanasia-okay-but-people-euthanasia-not/567958 "2011-01-18T19:41:30Z")
Thread over in IMHO started by a poster who had to put her dog down, and after a few years is getting another. Posted by way of example only. So, most people would say that euthanasia is wrong, and that you shouldn’t ki… --- ## [We should be more worried about random violence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-more-worried-about-random-violence/567775)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-should-be-more-worried-about-random-violence/567775 "2011-01-18T19:17:04Z")
Why is this acceptable? --- ## [Does the STUXNET virus and nuclear scientist assassinations mean no military strike?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-stuxnet-virus-and-nuclear-scientist-assassinations-mean-no-military-strike/562277)
**Author:** [@Camus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Camus)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-stuxnet-virus-and-nuclear-scientist-assassinations-mean-no-military-strike/562277 "2011-01-18T08:24:12Z")
The STUXNET virus was a recent major story that, despite Iranian denials that it caused damage or interfered with their uranium enrichment efforts, seemed designed to successfully do exactly that. Then, today, there is t… --- ## [Believers: What would it take to convince you your faith is false?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-what-would-it-take-to-convince-you-your-faith-is-false/566936)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-what-would-it-take-to-convince-you-your-faith-is-false/566936 "2011-01-18T08:10:27Z")
Serious question. It always seems that believers have some way (and rarely if ever an intellectually honest way) to answer the “problem of evil,” or explain away science that seems to contradict doctrine, or to rational… --- ## [What will South Sudanese independence mean for the region?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-south-sudanese-independence-mean-for-the-region/567107)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-south-sudanese-independence-mean-for-the-region/567107 "2011-01-18T05:06:55Z")
As asked in the title - what will an independent South Sudan mean for the region? For that matter, what will it mean for the people of South Sudan? For myself, my barely-educated guess is that independence will be remar… --- ## [Was the Supreme Court wrong on state apportionment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-supreme-court-wrong-on-state-apportionment/567842)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-supreme-court-wrong-on-state-apportionment/567842 "2011-01-18T02:51:32Z")
I was reading about some cases like Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims on the issue of state legislative apportionament policies. It’s clear that some states had legislative districts of disproportionate voting weight -… --- ## [Am I a Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-christian/565624)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2011, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-christian/565624 "2011-01-18T01:48:12Z")
I do not believe in God or Jesus’ divinity. I do not base my morality or anything else on Christian views I was baptized and confirmed in a Prebyterian church. I have not been to church in 10 years. I have never officia… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=409) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=411)