# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=418 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 419 --- ## [Should Droids be granted Sentient Rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-droids-be-granted-sentient-rights/563380)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-droids-be-granted-sentient-rights/563380 "2010-12-13T15:00:16Z")
Inspired by this GD thread: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=322160&highlight=mutant+registration And This Fanfic: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5914015/1/Measure\_of\_a\_Droid Droids from the Galaxy F… --- ## [Pope calls health care an "Inalienable Right". What's the right-wing spin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-calls-health-care-an-inalienable-right-whats-the-right-wing-spin/561262)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 234\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2010, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pope-calls-health-care-an-inalienable-right-whats-the-right-wing-spin/561262 "2010-12-13T11:53:47Z")
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1004736.htm Myself, I stop short of calling health care a right, but nevertheless something that a non-third-world country should be able to make affordable to everyone. Lik… --- ## [To Death Penalty Opponents](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-death-penalty-opponents/563369)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2010, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-death-penalty-opponents/563369 "2010-12-13T02:25:53Z")
Are you opposed to the death penalty because you think there is a possiblity an innocent person might be killed or because you think even executing a murderer is wrong? --- ## [Transitioning America's economy away from consumerism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transitioning-americas-economy-away-from-consumerism/562331)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/transitioning-americas-economy-away-from-consumerism/562331 "2010-12-13T00:54:27Z")
This is kind of a long OP, but I have a lot on my mind that I want to get out and get some answers and opinions on. For a long time I have heard criticism that Americans overspend and over-consume and I agree (and I use… --- ## [Bernie Sanders is staging a filibuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-is-staging-a-filibuster/563693)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernie-sanders-is-staging-a-filibuster/563693 "2010-12-12T21:48:15Z")
Bernie Sanders has been holding a filibuster since 10:30. He is fighting the tax bill Obama wants. He is doing it on CSPAN right now. That is what should be required for a filibuster. Stand up and show your face when you… --- ## [Why don't Brits want King Charles III (or will it be King George VII?)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-brits-want-king-charles-iii-or-will-it-be-king-george-vii/562326)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2010, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-brits-want-king-charles-iii-or-will-it-be-king-george-vii/562326 "2010-12-12T17:36:53Z")
I know it’s not because of the current Duchess of Cornwall (even though it didn’t help) but I’ve been hearing of Charles, Prince of Wales should give up the throne for as long as I can remember. Here in the colonies, I … --- ## [Should the media report on dangerous people who crave the attention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-media-report-on-dangerous-people-who-crave-the-attention/563775)
**Author:** [@Knigel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knigel)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2010, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-media-report-on-dangerous-people-who-crave-the-attention/563775 "2010-12-12T14:35:20Z")
Socially undesirable people sometimes commit taboo acts such as murder or rape in order to gain negative attention from the public. They may do deeds that shock the public because they enjoy the publicity. What is the … --- ## [Obama {deals | caves} on tax cut extensions](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-deals-caves-on-tax-cut-extensions/563266)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 225\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2010, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-deals-caves-on-tax-cut-extensions/563266 "2010-12-12T08:01:58Z")
The President has apparently struck a deal with Republicans to extend the Bush-era tax cuts in exchange for the approval of unfunded unemployment extensions. According to a couple of on-air commentators I heard this mor… --- ## [Islamofascists](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islamofascists/563719)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2010, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/islamofascists/563719 "2010-12-12T07:55:21Z")
Can someone who uses this term explain your decision to use it? I see no real connection between al Quada-type groups and fascist movements. In the term’s use, “fascist” does not seem to mean anything other than bad. Bu… --- ## [Add pot legalization to the compromise bill.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-pot-legalization-to-the-compromise-bill/563741)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/add-pot-legalization-to-the-compromise-bill/563741 "2010-12-12T05:31:21Z")
Face it, the compromises are already more dramatic than the legalization of pot. Legalizing pot would gain support from ~49% of the population, depending on location. What could grease the wheels of this proposal with th… --- ## [No Debate on the Dream Act yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-debate-on-the-dream-act-yet/563491)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2010, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-debate-on-the-dream-act-yet/563491 "2010-12-11T17:56:15Z")
I did a search and didn’t come up with anything in the last few months. The Dream Act, for those who don’t know, is legislation aimed at allowing people who came to the US illegally as minors to have a path toward citiz… --- ## [Does the debt have a time limit?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-debt-have-a-time-limit/563512)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2010, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-debt-have-a-time-limit/563512 "2010-12-11T15:20:38Z")
This is inspired by my musings over Bricker’s thread concerning Obama’s caving to Republican demands on tax cuts for the wealthy. I was thinking that I can accept BHO’s tax compromise. He isn’t prejudiced against the ri… --- ## [How long would slavery have lasted if there were no US Civil War](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-slavery-have-lasted-if-there-were-no-us-civil-war/563218)
**Author:** [@Lazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazy)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-slavery-have-lasted-if-there-were-no-us-civil-war/563218 "2010-12-11T14:28:13Z")
Say the US civil war had somehow been averted. Maybe the South peacefully seceded, or maybe some accommodation was reached. Is it conceivable that slavery would have lasted into the 20th century? Into the 21st? --- ## [Anyone else who doesn't accept that they are conscious?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-who-doesnt-accept-that-they-are-conscious/560543)
**Author:** [@iamnotbatman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamnotbatman)\ **Replies:** 398\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-else-who-doesnt-accept-that-they-are-conscious/560543 "2010-12-11T02:54:01Z")
Forget discussions about the origin of consciousness – I don’t even believe in it in the first place. I figured I’d see if anyone else here shares this understanding – I’ve never met anyone who did (or even read about it… --- ## [Smurfberries: A Great Debate for our Age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smurfberries-a-great-debate-for-our-age/563547)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [December 11, 2010, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smurfberries-a-great-debate-for-our-age/563547 "2010-12-11T00:36:21Z")
So it seems that smurfberries are stirring up a bit of trouble. For those who are not informed of the issue, in the iPhone app “The Smurf’s Village”, the player uses smurfberries to trade for houses and other things. T… --- ## [In hindsight, did Obama deserve his Nobel Peace Prize?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-hindsight-did-obama-deserve-his-nobel-peace-prize/562827)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-hindsight-did-obama-deserve-his-nobel-peace-prize/562827 "2010-12-10T21:19:40Z")
Peace? We are still in Iraq and Obama is increasing the involvement in Afghanistan. Hope? For the real-life people, hope is a rare commodity. For those of you that point to (IMO questionable) numbers and want to clai… --- ## [President Obama: The First Step in Negotiating Is Not "Bend Over"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-the-first-step-in-negotiating-is-not-bend-over/559518)
**Author:** [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-the-first-step-in-negotiating-is-not-bend-over/559518 "2010-11-05T22:54:24Z")
In his speech last night President Obama signalled willingness to consider letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy continue, which would cost the government $700 billion dollars. I cannot BELIEVE how stupid this is. I… --- ## [EuroDopers: What's going on over there?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eurodopers-whats-going-on-over-there/561976)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2010, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eurodopers-whats-going-on-over-there/561976 "2010-12-10T16:12:37Z")
Looking for how the financial problems are affecting everyday people and a discussion of the possible long-term outcome? --- ## [How might Christianity have developed if the doctrine of the Virgin Birth had never taken hold?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-christianity-have-developed-if-the-doctrine-of-the-virgin-birth-had-never-taken-hold/563542)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-might-christianity-have-developed-if-the-doctrine-of-the-virgin-birth-had-never-taken-hold/563542 "2010-12-10T16:10:32Z")
Of the four canonical gospels, only Luke & Matthew claim that Jesus was born of a woman who had never known a man. I am not aware of any statements by the Apostle Paul that definitively make any such assertion either; a… --- ## [Is Julian Assange a rapist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-julian-assange-a-rapist/562700)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-julian-assange-a-rapist/562700 "2010-12-10T15:47:38Z")
Opinions on his Wikileaks-related activities are being thoroughly discussed in other threads. Also, for this thread, I’m hoping that the veracity of the accusers—whether they are government shills or sooper-seecret spies… --- ## [What is WikiLeaks' mission?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wikileaks-mission/563296)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wikileaks-mission/563296 "2010-12-09T15:21:39Z")
What does WikiLeaks want? Do they see themselves as a bastion of freedom of speech? Are they trying to uncover treachery by the United States government? Do they just want their name in the paper? Julian Assange hims… --- ## [Putins Legacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putins-legacy/563194)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2010, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putins-legacy/563194 "2010-12-09T14:45:34Z")
I read up on the Mafia state claims and whilst his Presidency has been marred by various human rights abuses and accusations of his authoritarianism, what’s Putins legacy going to be in regards to leaving Russia for bett… --- ## [Why would living in a diverse community make one more racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-living-in-a-diverse-community-make-one-more-racist/563175)
**Author:** [@Diamonds02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamonds02)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2010, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-living-in-a-diverse-community-make-one-more-racist/563175 "2010-12-09T03:11:47Z")
I have heard that living in a racially integrated neighborhood (or going to RI schools or working in a RI workplace) will cause someone to distrust people of different races even more so. It seems like it would be the o… --- ## [Assassinating American Citizens--Impeach Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassinating-american-citizens-impeach-obama/562190)
**Author:** [@Pierrot\_Le\_Fou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pierrot_Le_Fou)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [December 9, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assassinating-american-citizens-impeach-obama/562190 "2010-12-09T01:36:50Z")
Is what situations do you think it is okay for the US president to order the assassination of an American citizen? I know this is kind of an old story, but I think Obama should be impeached for this order. There are fe… --- ## [N. and S. Korea firing artillery at each other](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-and-s-korea-firing-artillery-at-each-other/561645)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 550\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2010, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/n-and-s-korea-firing-artillery-at-each-other/561645 "2010-12-08T23:14:41Z")
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40329037/ns/world\_news-asiapacific/ Apparently they’re taking out some aggression over a long-lasting maritime dispute, but the timing is no coincidence, with the new chapter in NK’s ongoing … --- ## [The "Ground Zero Mosque" Can be built, but should it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ground-zero-mosque-can-be-built-but-should-it/561496)
**Author:** [@MinkyBinks735](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinkyBinks735)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2010, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-ground-zero-mosque-can-be-built-but-should-it/561496 "2010-12-08T18:30:22Z")
the title is the debate in which I am starting. Fire away your opinions --- ## [Why didn't monarchies reinvent themselves as dictatorships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-monarchies-reinvent-themselves-as-dictatorships/562960)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2010, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-didnt-monarchies-reinvent-themselves-as-dictatorships/562960 "2010-12-08T17:03:12Z")
Many countries went from being hereditary monarchies to one-party states ruled by a president-for-life (with or without ever having been democracies in anything but name). I wonder; what are modern dictators doing right … --- ## [is all knowledge tautology?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-all-knowledge-tautology/562925)
**Author:** [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2010, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-all-knowledge-tautology/562925 "2010-12-08T13:23:23Z")
A really mind-bending topic came up dealing with the core nature of reality…the debate is can we “know” anything? Or is everything simply a matter of probability that is, in reality, unknowable? The example is stepping … --- ## [Why were the Bush Tax cuts temporary ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-bush-tax-cuts-temporary/563064)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2010, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-were-the-bush-tax-cuts-temporary/563064 "2010-12-08T08:18:51Z")
Was it because they were an experiment to see if they would be of benefit. Well, how is that working out for you? I thought the economy was running along pretty smoothly before they were implemented. I’ve heard that t… --- ## ["Companies still need talented systems designers and other well-trained technicians" LOL WUT?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companies-still-need-talented-systems-designers-and-other-well-trained-technicians-lol-wut/560542)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2010, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companies-still-need-talented-systems-designers-and-other-well-trained-technicians-lol-wut/560542 "2010-12-08T06:21:18Z")
but… “A lot of lower-end IT work has been outsourced to India”… http://finance.yahoo.com/news/20-Industries-Where-Jobs-Are-usnews-367106623.html?x=0 What was that? First, let’s just put the POLITICS of pro-offshoring … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=417) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=419)