# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=420 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 421 --- ## [Federal reserve implements its own stimulus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-reserve-implements-its-own-stimulus/559500)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2010, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-reserve-implements-its-own-stimulus/559500 "2010-12-02T02:58:31Z")
The Federal Reserve has determined that our economy needs more stimulus, and has decided to do something about it: It’s called quantitative easing. Essentially what they’re doing is printing money. I think the timing o… --- ## [Political Correctness and Racial Profiling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-correctness-and-racial-profiling/561639)
**Author:** [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2010, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-correctness-and-racial-profiling/561639 "2010-12-02T01:45:20Z")
Will the U.S. ever get beyond Political Correctness to the point of being willing to racially profile Arabs/Muslims at airports, so the TSA issues will cause less hysterical outrage? I sure hope so, because until they a… --- ## [Wikileaks: 4 more years of leaks!\* Affects on the ME?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-4-more-years-of-leaks-affects-on-the-me/562537)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-4-more-years-of-leaks-affects-on-the-me/562537 "2010-12-01T16:06:59Z")
What impact do you think the information released by Wikileaks will have on the Middle-East/Iran? I’ve isolated some stories (in no particular order) that I think will have an effect. The encouragement of Saudi Arabia,… --- ## [Did Sandra Day O'Connor ruin her legacy with Bush vs Gore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-sandra-day-oconnor-ruin-her-legacy-with-bush-vs-gore/561878)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [December 1, 2010, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-sandra-day-oconnor-ruin-her-legacy-with-bush-vs-gore/561878 "2010-12-01T05:01:49Z")
I’ve seen Sandra Day O’Connor a few times since she’s retired from the Supreme Court. For some reason, she always seems to be in the airport at the same time I am! I think she made a horrible decision in deciding Bush v… --- ## [What is the current situation with Afghanistan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-current-situation-with-afghanistan/562436)
**Author:** [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-current-situation-with-afghanistan/562436 "2010-11-30T19:56:00Z")
Is any effort being made to actually get us out of there? With the great recession and whatnot, no one seems particularly enthused about spending billions a month in that far-away shithole. Surely it would be valuable po… --- ## [Has there ever been anyone who cost the US more of its treasure than Osama bin Laden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-anyone-who-cost-the-us-more-of-its-treasure-than-osama-bin-laden/562280)
**Author:** [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-anyone-who-cost-the-us-more-of-its-treasure-than-osama-bin-laden/562280 "2010-11-30T16:49:03Z")
I was thinking about the number of changes that have been implemented as a direct result of 9/11. Assuming for the moment that Osama bin Laden was the sole mastermind of this plot, he along with 19 suicide flyers, chang… --- ## [Has the TSA security theatre prevented any terrorist attacks?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-tsa-security-theatre-prevented-any-terrorist-attacks/561673)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-tsa-security-theatre-prevented-any-terrorist-attacks/561673 "2010-11-30T16:40:20Z")
Have they ever caught anyone trying to smuggle through security a gun, explosive liquid, any sort of implement meant to be used in a malicious manner? And what I mean by that is someone who is trying to sneak through an … --- ## [Its coming, isn't it. Fascism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-coming-isnt-it-fascism/562245)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-coming-isnt-it-fascism/562245 "2010-11-30T15:18:33Z")
“Show me your papers”, like in those old WW2 movies. Will we be required to carry identification at all times, and submit to search, including pat down, without cause? I heard a TSA official the other day say “If you don… --- ## ["People's Capitalism": Is this a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peoples-capitalism-is-this-a-good-idea/561368)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/peoples-capitalism-is-this-a-good-idea/561368 "2010-11-30T10:31:22Z")
In the past I’ve advocated for a Basic Income Guarantee: Every citizen is periodically given a sum of money by the government, and this income is guaranteed to all regardless of income or willingness to work. An example … --- ## [To argue against conspiracy theories, is it valid to say "this would be a secret too hard to keep?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-argue-against-conspiracy-theories-is-it-valid-to-say-this-would-be-a-secret-too-hard-to-keep/561603)
**Author:** [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-argue-against-conspiracy-theories-is-it-valid-to-say-this-would-be-a-secret-too-hard-to-keep/561603 "2010-11-30T07:15:33Z")
I’m pretty sure I have read here, as an argument against conspiracy theories, that those theories are untenable because too many people would have had to know the truth. e.g. if the Moon landing was a hoax, too many peo… --- ## [Technology predictions for the next couple of decades](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-predictions-for-the-next-couple-of-decades/562161)
**Author:** [@enigmatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigmatic)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/technology-predictions-for-the-next-couple-of-decades/562161 "2010-11-30T05:57:28Z")
The title says it all really. This thread is for people to make and discuss prediction about the direction of technological development over the next couple of decades. My predictions - Moore’s law will finally be over… --- ## [Evilest People In History](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evilest-people-in-history/562238)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evilest-people-in-history/562238 "2010-11-30T05:19:33Z")
Who was the single evilest human being who ever lived? The person must directly have caused evil (ie you can’t say Jesus for starting Christianity or Karl Marx for starting Communism). I would say Zhang Xianzhong. http:… --- ## [Tom Delay found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-found-guilty-of-money-laundering-and-conspiracy/561847)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2010, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-delay-found-guilty-of-money-laundering-and-conspiracy/561847 "2010-11-30T00:41:00Z")
Tom Delay got “hammered” by a Texas court. He was found guilty of money laundering and conspiracy. The laundering charge can mean life in prison. The conspiracy charge is from 2 to 20 years. There is also a 20 thou fine … --- ## [What would the deficit be if the economy were doing well](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-deficit-be-if-the-economy-were-doing-well/562336)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-the-deficit-be-if-the-economy-were-doing-well/562336 "2010-11-29T22:41:52Z")
If GDP were growing at 3-4% a year, the U3 unemployment rate was closer to 5% and the U6 was around 10% what would the deficit likely be? Or are other factors also important in the deficit? Under Bush, when the economy … --- ## [Chipotle - Racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chipotle-racist/215961)
**Author:** [@Hydrocortisone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hydrocortisone)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2010, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chipotle-racist/215961 "2010-11-29T17:44:55Z")
Is the restaurant Chipotle racist? I have been to three different Chipotle resturants on a number of occasions. On every trip the people making the food and cleaning up are Hispanic, while the people working the register… --- ## [Important to Me: Kuzari Principle, or Proof From Mass Revelation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/important-to-me-kuzari-principle-or-proof-from-mass-revelation/552743)
**Author:** [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Replies:** 251\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2010, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/important-to-me-kuzari-principle-or-proof-from-mass-revelation/552743 "2010-11-29T16:35:18Z")
Alrighty, this is one of the more unique arguments for religion I’ve seen. It’s called The Kuzari Principle and Orthodox Jews I talk to LOVE it. Really, many proclaim that this is it for them, the big thing nobody can di… --- ## [Wikileaks releasing thousands of diplomatic cables.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-releasing-thousands-of-diplomatic-cables/562041)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2010, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wikileaks-releasing-thousands-of-diplomatic-cables/562041 "2010-11-29T09:30:03Z")
Wikileaks is claiming to have possession of thousands of pages of State Department diplomatic cables and is planning to release them in the very near future. If Wikileaks Twitter feed is to be believed, the U.S. is brie… --- ## [The moral argument for religion/god is not "grounding" anything at all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moral-argument-for-religion-god-is-not-grounding-anything-at-all/561296)
**Author:** [@Superfluous\_Parentheses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superfluous_Parentheses)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2010, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-moral-argument-for-religion-god-is-not-grounding-anything-at-all/561296 "2010-11-29T06:46:54Z")
Please note: the question of the existence of god(s) is not at all relevant to this thread, so please leave arguments for or against the existence of deities out. I’m also using the terms “god” and “religion” as pretty m… --- ## [Why are jews hated and/or mocked so much?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-jews-hated-and-or-mocked-so-much/561709)
**Author:** [@MinkyBinks735](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinkyBinks735)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2010, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-jews-hated-and-or-mocked-so-much/561709 "2010-11-29T02:52:24Z")
Before I get a moderator attacking me, I am not trying to be offensive or anything. I am completely serious and have always wondered why many people call each other “jews.” or simply use it in such a negative tone. --- ## [Great Britain 1942 has an A-Bomb-Would They Use It?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-1942-has-an-a-bomb-would-they-use-it/562083)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2010, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-britain-1942-has-an-a-bomb-would-they-use-it/562083 "2010-11-29T01:01:24Z")
Suppose that great Britain had been able to develop an atomic bomb on its own-would it have dropped one on Germany? And (suppose the elected to destroy Berlin)-would that have ended the war? I think so-physicists like … --- ## [Facebook users 'are insecure, narcissistic and have low self-esteem'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-users-are-insecure-narcissistic-and-have-low-self-esteem/561924)
**Author:** [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/facebook-users-are-insecure-narcissistic-and-have-low-self-esteem/561924 "2010-11-28T21:49:37Z")
Hey, don’t bitch at me, that’s the title of the article in the Daily Mail from September 9th. The study was published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behaviour And Social Networking A relevant quote: So does the popu… --- ## [On the non-validity of "arguments from nature"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-non-validity-of-arguments-from-nature/562048)
**Author:** [@sundog66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sundog66)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-non-validity-of-arguments-from-nature/562048 "2010-11-28T21:48:31Z")
At least once, although possibly not on this board, I have encountered an argument along the following lines: “Animals in nature engage in homosexual behavior, therefore human homosexual behavior should be tolerated.” I … --- ## [Dope Members Alone](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dope-members-alone/562121)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2010, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dope-members-alone/562121 "2010-11-28T21:08:13Z")
What if all currently living, nonbanned Straight Dope Message Board members were the only people on Earth and everyone other human being disappeared? Would we be able to make contact with each other and establish a funct… --- ## [Congressman King and the 14th Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-king-and-the-14th-amendment/561691)
**Author:** [@Spavined\_Gelding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spavined_Gelding)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congressman-king-and-the-14th-amendment/561691 "2010-11-28T13:11:16Z")
One of my least favorite Congressmen, Steven King, 5th District, Iowa, is slated to become the chair of the House Judiciary subcommittee on immigration. Mr. King is talking about a legislative repeal of the 14th Amendme… --- ## [How long has it been since we had a successful international conference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-it-been-since-we-had-a-successful-international-conference/562038)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-has-it-been-since-we-had-a-successful-international-conference/562038 "2010-11-27T20:17:36Z")
A couple weeks ago there was the G20 conference in South Korea, which failed to come up with any sort of resolution on currency issues. Almost exactly a year ago, world leaders from over 200 nations met in Copenhagen an… --- ## [Warren Buffet weighs in on tax cuts and supply side economics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-buffet-weighs-in-on-tax-cuts-and-supply-side-economics/561487)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2010, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/warren-buffet-weighs-in-on-tax-cuts-and-supply-side-economics/561487 "2010-11-27T16:05:16Z")
Warren Buffet has weighed in on tax cuts. Choice quotes from Bloomberg: Billionaire Warren Buffett said that rich people should pay more in taxes and that Bush-era tax cuts for top earners should be allowed to expire at… --- ## [The morality of criminalizing immorality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-morality-of-criminalizing-immorality/561657)
**Author:** [@smileybastard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smileybastard)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-morality-of-criminalizing-immorality/561657 "2010-11-26T23:02:25Z")
Is it moral to enforce a groups morality on others by criminalizing behaviors they consider immoral. Keep in mind that there is a crossover and many things considered immoral are also causing harm to others and should b… --- ## [The unconstitutionality of defaulting on U.S. debt... irrelevant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unconstitutionality-of-defaulting-on-u-s-debt-irrelevant/561513)
**Author:** [@Le\_Jacquelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Jacquelope)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unconstitutionality-of-defaulting-on-u-s-debt-irrelevant/561513 "2010-11-26T22:42:29Z")
Some people say that it is unconstitutional for the United States to default on its national debt. I say that the constitutionality of such a thing is irrelevant. Why? Because Congressional approval is needed to extend … --- ## [Paying for organs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-organs/561825)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-for-organs/561825 "2010-11-26T21:57:51Z")
Right or wrong? On the one hand, there is a shortage of organs available. On the other hand, having poor people seriously compromise their health for a quick bit of money doesn’t seem right. --- ## [is raping a prostitute the same as shoplifting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-raping-a-prostitute-the-same-as-shoplifting/561612)
**Author:** [@MinkyBinks735](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MinkyBinks735)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [November 25, 2010, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-raping-a-prostitute-the-same-as-shoplifting/561612 "2010-11-25T21:13:33Z")
is raping a prostitute the same as shoplifting? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=419) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=421)