# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=417 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 418 --- ## [How has Germany been able to maintain their heavy industry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-germany-been-able-to-maintain-their-heavy-industry/563671)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2010, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-has-germany-been-able-to-maintain-their-heavy-industry/563671 "2010-12-19T04:36:00Z")
I have read people say taht Germany engages in protectionism. How true is this? if this is true, then why don’t we do it here in the US? --- ## [Medical Insurance and Pre-existing Conditions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-insurance-and-pre-existing-conditions/563892)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 19, 2010, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medical-insurance-and-pre-existing-conditions/563892 "2010-12-19T01:37:17Z")
I do not understand why almost everyone supports forcing insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions. Insurance is about the transfer of risk. If a person has a pre-existing condition that is a known cost, not … --- ## [North Korea's recent attack on Yeonpeyong Island was a war crime](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-koreas-recent-attack-on-yeonpeyong-island-was-a-war-crime/563917)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-koreas-recent-attack-on-yeonpeyong-island-was-a-war-crime/563917 "2010-12-18T20:47:56Z")
Recently, this subject came up tangentially in a now-locked GD thread, but didn’t have a chance to be properly addressed. I also posted this in a pit thread, but due to the nature of the thread it wasn’t ever debated. I… --- ## [Story problem for legal types](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/story-problem-for-legal-types/564594)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/story-problem-for-legal-types/564594 "2010-12-18T17:34:15Z")
“Joe” works at the ACME company making widgets and pushing papers. One day there is an industrial accident and “Joe” is in the vicinity. Initially it looks like Joe was seriously hurt and is put on workers compensation. … --- ## [Democracy: It doesn't work.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-it-doesnt-work/560842)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2010, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democracy-it-doesnt-work/560842 "2010-12-18T17:28:27Z")
I’m done with democracy. It turns into people wanting the authorities to confirm their wishful thinking & their biases. In a country where people think Hauser’s Law is for real, or that the Laffer Curve has a steep slope… --- ## [Berlin before the Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berlin-before-the-bear/564345)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2010, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/berlin-before-the-bear/564345 "2010-12-18T08:18:05Z")
I’ve been rereading Beevor’s Berlin - The Downfall 1945 (great book by the way), and have reached the part where Eisenhower decides to let the Soviets reach Berlin first, and make no special effort on behalf of SHAEF to … --- ## [Will the Republicans obstruct the Russian treaty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-republicans-obstruct-the-russian-treaty/533995)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 18, 2010, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-republicans-obstruct-the-russian-treaty/533995 "2010-12-18T01:30:44Z")
Obama has come to an agreement on the terms of the Nuclear disarmament with Russia. It is a key factor in our future ability to manage the threat of a nuclear Iran. In order to ratify such a treaty it requires 67 votes … --- ## [Was Robert Mann also Jack the Ripper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-robert-mann-also-jack-the-ripper/564001)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-robert-mann-also-jack-the-ripper/564001 "2010-12-17T23:22:52Z")
I saw this on TV. It seems to come out of nowhere and I tend to be skeptical of shows that tend to neglect other facts that may be pertinant. Has anyone else heard of this theory and what do y’all think. --- ## [Economic question about unemployment benefits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-question-about-unemployment-benefits/563815)
**Author:** [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-question-about-unemployment-benefits/563815 "2010-12-17T21:32:45Z")
Hi all, Wasn’t sure whether to put this here or in GD. I don’t intend to start a debate but if that’s where it ends up I don’t mind. A lot of people have been saying that unemployment benefits help stimulate the econo… --- ## [Could the president, his wife, hit squads, a house member, a senator, and the AG take over America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-president-his-wife-hit-squads-a-house-member-a-senator-and-the-ag-take-over-america/563079)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-president-his-wife-hit-squads-a-house-member-a-senator-and-the-ag-take-over-america/563079 "2010-12-17T19:28:52Z")
And have it all be nice and legal? Here is the scenario: The president, using hit squads, kills all the members of Congress except two: a house member and a senator. These are now the only members of Congress. They eac… --- ## [2012 Republican nominee: Chris Christie or Sarah Palin (probably Christie)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-republican-nominee-chris-christie-or-sarah-palin-probably-christie/564241)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2012-republican-nominee-chris-christie-or-sarah-palin-probably-christie/564241 "2010-12-17T18:25:32Z")
I think either Chris Christie or Sarah Palin will be the Republican nominee. Probably Christie, because he’s a lot a smarter. To see why, let’s start with a historical analogy. The printing press appeared in Europe ar… --- ## [What limits does the Constitution place on the federal government?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-limits-does-the-constitution-place-on-the-federal-government/564216)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-limits-does-the-constitution-place-on-the-federal-government/564216 "2010-12-17T15:27:25Z")
A libertarian blogger asks this question of his liberal readers. As it’s a libertarian blog, I don’t expect a lot of answers from said liberals (just from sheer numbers, you understand), but I was curious as to what the… --- ## [The Extent of the Butterfly Effect](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extent-of-the-butterfly-effect/562902)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extent-of-the-butterfly-effect/562902 "2010-12-17T06:39:02Z")
I am interested in alternate history but I find it ridiculous when the writers ignore the butterfly effect and have FDR in a TL that diverged during the Civil War twenty years before Roosevelt was born. Do the writers re… --- ## [The Obama Administration and Freedom of Speech and the Press](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-administration-and-freedom-of-speech-and-the-press/564456)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-obama-administration-and-freedom-of-speech-and-the-press/564456 "2010-12-17T03:31:56Z")
I find the idea of prosecuting Assange to be very dangerous for the reasons that Davidson outlines. If Assange can be convicted, then Bob Woodward can be convicted. Basically, any person who reports on the State Depar… --- ## [Wikileaks has released the documents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 17, 2010, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-has-released-the-documents/562198 "2010-12-17T01:42:45Z")
The Guardian has an interactive browsable database. --- ## [Million Dollar Winner...or Not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/million-dollar-winner-or-not/563982)
**Author:** [@K-MAN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/K-MAN)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/million-dollar-winner-or-not/563982 "2010-12-16T23:21:30Z")
Lets say you purchased a lottery ticket from a store, which ended up winning the grand prize of $1,000,000. However, when you were buying the ticket, the store clerk was so busy that, they ended giving you the same amou… --- ## [Why is Gasoline so damn expensive right now ($3.00 US, approx)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-gasoline-so-damn-expensive-right-now-3-00-us-approx/563899)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-gasoline-so-damn-expensive-right-now-3-00-us-approx/563899 "2010-12-16T19:25:28Z")
Before the second invasion of Iraq, gasoline in the US (depending on where you lived, cost of living, and state taxes, of course, hovered around $1 and $1.25, IIRC. When gas began to rise sharply in the US, to approxima… --- ## [Is the cat now out of the bag wrt Wikileaks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-cat-now-out-of-the-bag-wrt-wikileaks/564101)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-cat-now-out-of-the-bag-wrt-wikileaks/564101 "2010-12-16T19:02:25Z")
Is it now too late for governments worldwide to stem the tide of websites dedicated to leaking sensitive documents? Not just Wikileaks (which, last I heard, now has over 200 hundred mirrors worldwide, including one bein… --- ## [Liberal (American) dopers, a question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-american-dopers-a-question/563845)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 125\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/liberal-american-dopers-a-question/563845 "2010-12-16T18:04:16Z")
First, my apologies to the mods and admins if this is in the wrong forum. I have a question for you. The reason I did not put this in GD is because I’m only interested in hearing what you have to say. I’m not planning… --- ## [How high must wages go to make large scale factory automation attractive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-must-wages-go-to-make-large-scale-factory-automation-attractive/563042)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-high-must-wages-go-to-make-large-scale-factory-automation-attractive/563042 "2010-12-16T17:23:52Z")
Toyota workers in Kentucky plant made more (on average) than UAW members last year Granted, this is to prevent the workers from unionizing and this was a one-time spike; but as the article points out Toyota regularly p… --- ## [Leftist opposition to the existence of corporations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftist-opposition-to-the-existence-of-corporations/561336)
**Author:** [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Replies:** 202\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftist-opposition-to-the-existence-of-corporations/561336 "2010-12-16T15:13:54Z")
Based on this but also based on many, many similar threads on this forum I’ve noticed that many left leaning types believe that corporate person hood is this great evil scourge upon society. I personally think such a vi… --- ## [Why so many different treatments for overweight/obesity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-different-treatments-for-overweight-obesity/564071)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-many-different-treatments-for-overweight-obesity/564071 "2010-12-16T07:52:55Z")
If you take your garden-variety medical disorder, there is usually a pretty standard treatment, with perhaps some possible modifications based on your personal situation. Example: Atopic dermatitis. First line treatment … --- ## [The Logical Fallacy "ad hominem" and others, and How to Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-logical-fallacy-ad-hominem-and-others-and-how-to-debate/563355)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-logical-fallacy-ad-hominem-and-others-and-how-to-debate/563355 "2010-12-16T07:10:24Z")
Why GD? \[ul\] \[li\] Debate is an art. (A nearly lost one) Debate has rules for how it is conducted, that’s why there is Great Debates AND In My Humble Opinion. \[/li\]\[li\] Those rules include arguing honestly and to the… --- ## [What would be the next thing in information-management technology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-next-thing-in-information-management-technology/564046)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 16, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-next-thing-in-information-management-technology/564046 "2010-12-16T05:08:49Z")
I don’t mean just increases in computing power/speed/whatever, I mean “information management technology” in a broader sense. From The Outline of History (1920), by H.G. Wells, 24.1, “The Science of Alexandria”: Putti… --- ## [Were the Founding Fathers ultimately failures?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-founding-fathers-ultimately-failures/563913)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-founding-fathers-ultimately-failures/563913 "2010-12-15T20:02:49Z")
I keep hearing from Tea Party types about what geniuses the Founding Fathers were. The essential evidence of this genius is that they founded a system that sustained over the centuries. I don’t hear anybody responding th… --- ## [Why didn't the Dems let the tax cuts expire and then introduce a new tax cut bill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-dems-let-the-tax-cuts-expire-and-then-introduce-a-new-tax-cut-bill/563391)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 15, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-the-dems-let-the-tax-cuts-expire-and-then-introduce-a-new-tax-cut-bill/563391 "2010-12-15T18:27:27Z")
Politically, how would it have worked out if the Dems let the Bush tax cuts expire, and then promptly introduced a bill with tax cuts similar to the Bush ones, but that exclude the top 2% of Americans? I assume the Repu… --- ## [What's the Fracing Truth? (gas drilling)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-fracing-truth-gas-drilling/544130)
**Author:** [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-fracing-truth-gas-drilling/544130 "2010-12-14T21:53:09Z")
I just watched GasLand (I think), a documentry on the practice of drilling for gas with the process known as fracturing or “fracing”. It was more than a little disconcerting seeing the burning tapwater at homes near some… --- ## [What's behind the "Threat to Traditional Marriage" argument?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-behind-the-threat-to-traditional-marriage-argument/562699)
**Author:** [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Replies:** 292\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-behind-the-threat-to-traditional-marriage-argument/562699 "2010-12-14T15:47:34Z")
The Illinois House and Senate have passed a civil-union bill that is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature. Good thing, say I, but that’s not what this thread is about. In this article, a state rep opposed to the … --- ## [The moral standards of Wikileaks' critics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moral-standards-of-wikileaks-critics/562842)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2010, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moral-standards-of-wikileaks-critics/562842 "2010-12-14T10:59:28Z")
The title is cribbed from this salon.com articleby Glenn Greenwald. In it, he talks about the relative morality he sees in the people who are calling for the imprisonment or death of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. H… --- ## [Precious Metals Investment Thesis Without Emotion (Is It Possible?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/precious-metals-investment-thesis-without-emotion-is-it-possible/563299)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2010, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/precious-metals-investment-thesis-without-emotion-is-it-possible/563299 "2010-12-14T07:58:51Z")
I’m not sure how good an investor I am. I’ve lost money on some investments, made it on others. So far, though, I have stayed largely away from gold and silver, and the reason is that I can’t seem to cut through the po… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=416) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=418)