# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=441 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 442 --- ## [US Sebate Lockerbie enquiry postponed as British Ministers refuse to attend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-sebate-lockerbie-enquiry-postponed-as-british-ministers-refuse-to-attend/548294)
**Author:** [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-sebate-lockerbie-enquiry-postponed-as-british-ministers-refuse-to-attend/548294 "2010-08-10T15:39:24Z")
Making big splashes in the news in the UK today is the postponement of the Senate enquiry into alleged connections between BP oil contracts in Libya and the release of al-Megrahi, after the (now former) British Justice S… --- ## [Paying off the National Debt - Why won't this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-off-the-national-debt-why-wont-this-work/548758)
**Author:** [@Astral\_Rejection](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astral_Rejection)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paying-off-the-national-debt-why-wont-this-work/548758 "2010-08-10T12:47:35Z")
Let’s say congress passes a bipartisan bill that will enact a tax of twenty dollars, once per year, for every American. Assuming we have 330 million Americans, and also assuming they can pay (I acknowledge that many Am… --- ## [Sweden: naked manga is child porn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweden-naked-manga-is-child-porn/548061)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [August 10, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweden-naked-manga-is-child-porn/548061 "2010-08-10T04:39:31Z")
A court in Sweden has fined a man for being in position of 54 manga pictures (out of a collection of several thousand cartoons) which they considered to be child porn. Translator fined over child porn cartoons. d’oh! Ho… --- ## [Judge blocks Arizona "show me your papers" law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-blocks-arizona-show-me-your-papers-law/548345)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 490\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2010, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-blocks-arizona-show-me-your-papers-law/548345 "2010-08-09T23:58:57Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us\_arizona\_immigration Three cheers to the judge. The part requiring legal immigrants to carry papers is the most disgusting of all. Glad that the courts are doing their job here. Let’s hope … --- ## [Can you debunk these claims about Social Security?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-debunk-these-claims-about-social-security/549193)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2010, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-debunk-these-claims-about-social-security/549193 "2010-08-09T23:34:05Z")
http://pol.moveon.org/ssmyths/?id=22141-7594488-u9bkMLx&t=1 This sounds credible to me. What they’re not mentioning is that FICA is no longer the cash cow for the rest of the government it became in the 1980’s. Once FI… --- ## [On the subject of airport body scanners (again)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-subject-of-airport-body-scanners-again/549196)
**Author:** [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2010, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-subject-of-airport-body-scanners-again/549196 "2010-08-09T23:19:36Z")
So I was just reading this thread about body scanners a few months ago. It didn’t seem like many were concerned then. But then I read this article (from cnet.com) today, which, as it turns out, the scans have actually b… --- ## [Innocent people have been executed--does this change your stance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocent-people-have-been-executed-does-this-change-your-stance/549471)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2010, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/innocent-people-have-been-executed-does-this-change-your-stance/549471 "2010-08-09T18:07:30Z")
In various threads that I’m too lazy to link to, some pro-death penalty dopers have argued that no one who has ever been executed has been later proved innocent. I didn’t know of any cases and, frankly, thought the argu… --- ## [Comparison of State Debt per capita](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparison-of-state-debt-per-capita/549065)
**Author:** [@Rafe\_Hollister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rafe_Hollister)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2010, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comparison-of-state-debt-per-capita/549065 "2010-08-09T02:32:14Z")
Using this and this as my references, some quick calculations showed the following: Blue States Mean Debt per capita: $1773 Highest: Connecticut-$4859 Lowest: Iowa-$73 Red States Mean Debt per capita: $737 Highest… --- ## [Obama's Harvard transcript - an issue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-harvard-transcript-an-issue/548752)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2010, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-harvard-transcript-an-issue/548752 "2010-08-09T02:02:03Z")
I was just having a conversation with a family friend who is a staunch Republican, and someone I generally respect. He claims that Obama’s Harvard transcript has never been publicly released, and seems to read at least s… --- ## [Are Supporter of Gay Marriage Skipping the 'Main Course'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-supporter-of-gay-marriage-skipping-the-main-course/549230)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-supporter-of-gay-marriage-skipping-the-main-course/549230 "2010-08-08T22:39:09Z")
I was just thinking about the recent court case surrounding gay marriage. And I was wondering: are supporters of gay marriage skipping the main course, and going straight to desert? Allow me to elaborate. Most states in… --- ## [Will Bush Bashing help?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bush-bashing-help/549453)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bush-bashing-help/549453 "2010-08-08T17:25:04Z")
Saw this article on CNN and thought it would make an interesting (in the Chinese sense of the word) debate. Here is a link to the article. In brief, the article posits that President Obama and the Dems seem to be focus… --- ## [Is it there any logical argument to be a meat eater, but offended by hunting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-there-any-logical-argument-to-be-a-meat-eater-but-offended-by-hunting/549250)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2010, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-there-any-logical-argument-to-be-a-meat-eater-but-offended-by-hunting/549250 "2010-08-08T15:28:27Z")
I run into this argument every once in a while. The argument is usually that " I dont think its ok to kill for “fun”". How would you respond to this position? --- ## [How Much Are YOU Personally Willing To Pay To End Illegal Immigration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-personally-willing-to-pay-to-end-illegal-immigration/548587)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2010, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-you-personally-willing-to-pay-to-end-illegal-immigration/548587 "2010-08-08T08:48:59Z")
I remember this question being posed to people in favour of universal health care, so now here it is again, posed to those who support laws like Arizona’s A.R.S. § 11-1051(B) Anti-illegal-immigrant law. Illegal immigran… --- ## [Jews and high-tech business success](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-high-tech-business-success/548876)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jews-and-high-tech-business-success/548876 "2010-08-08T06:20:18Z")
I hate to bring up this issue, since it usually brings accusations or implications of anti-semitism and/or association with all sorts of anti-semitic loons, but I think there is an interesting phenomenon that begs to be … --- ## [Arguments against HPV vaccines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-against-hpv-vaccines/549380)
**Author:** [@StrangeBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StrangeBird)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2010, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arguments-against-hpv-vaccines/549380 "2010-08-08T04:29:07Z")
I was recently reminded that, some time ago, the current leader of the opposition in Australia said he wouldn’t be rushing out to get his daughters vaccinated against cervical cancer (I believe he was the Minister for He… --- ## [Israel and the USA-Why Does This Farce Continue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-and-the-usa-why-does-this-farce-continue/532387)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 520\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-and-the-usa-why-does-this-farce-continue/532387 "2010-08-07T21:52:28Z")
Look at the latest event (visit of VP Biden). The Israelis authorized a new, 1600 unit housing project in East Jerusalem-which pissed off the Palestinians. Biden knew all about it, but was compelled to show his “disple… --- ## [New study answers the black/white athletic performance difference question - It's just physics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-study-answers-the-black-white-athletic-performance-difference-question-its-just-physics/547518)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-study-answers-the-black-white-athletic-performance-difference-question-its-just-physics/547518 "2010-08-07T18:05:56Z")
Per the article below the hypothesis discussed in the article seems like a perfectly reasonable and sufficiently powerful explanation to the whole black/white performance gap question. Any reason why this is would not s… --- ## [Has there ever been a real "melting pot"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-real-melting-pot/549248)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-real-melting-pot/549248 "2010-08-07T00:52:20Z")
A place where ethnicity/race is not an issue. Truth, reality or crackpot utopia? Are we too hardwired to tribalism or could a true melting pot ever happen? --- ## [Is Cordoba House a provocative name?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cordoba-house-a-provocative-name/549130)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 7, 2010, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cordoba-house-a-provocative-name/549130 "2010-08-07T00:26:58Z")
I am involved in a discussion on my Facebook page with some real mouth breathing neandertals about the proposed Cordoba House. As you know this is the name of the Muslim center being contemplated near the WTC site. I w… --- ## [Gay Marriage and Don't ask Don't Tell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-and-dont-ask-dont-tell/549377)
**Author:** [@Oliveritaly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oliveritaly)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gay-marriage-and-dont-ask-dont-tell/549377 "2010-08-06T23:59:41Z")
I’d like to start out by saying, flatly, that I’m all for both gay marriage and getting rid of the military’s, “don’t ask don’t tell policy.” My question however is this. If the military decides to repeal don’t ask don… --- ## [Why is Birth Right Citizenship so privileged, and Naturalization so difficult?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-birth-right-citizenship-so-privileged-and-naturalization-so-difficult/549229)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-birth-right-citizenship-so-privileged-and-naturalization-so-difficult/549229 "2010-08-06T22:56:33Z")
Something occurred to me recently. It’s accepted as a given that citizens of this country are free to procreate to their heart’s content. In other words, they can add as many new citizens as they like to our country via … --- ## [After a person has been convicted of a crime...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-a-person-has-been-convicted-of-a-crime/549286)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2010, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-a-person-has-been-convicted-of-a-crime/549286 "2010-08-06T20:45:21Z")
I was reading through this thread about a politician with two DUI/DWIs. One of the comments expressed the notion that it is possible to get caught the one and only time you drove drunk, but to be caught a second time su… --- ## [Obama nominates Elena Kagan for Supreme Court](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-elena-kagan-for-supreme-court/538669)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 237\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2010, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-nominates-elena-kagan-for-supreme-court/538669 "2010-08-06T18:18:26Z")
Politico and others are reporting that Obama is likely to nominate Solicitor General, Elena Kagan to replace the retiring Justice stevens on the US Supreme Court. Here is a profile on her from CNN. She looks like a pre… --- ## [How much of a 'threat' are China to the West?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-threat-are-china-to-the-west/548889)
**Author:** [@Sablicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sablicious)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2010, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-of-a-threat-are-china-to-the-west/548889 "2010-08-06T18:11:52Z")
http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/twt/201008/20100802-mearsheimer-webspecial.mp3 -Professor John Mearsheimer So what potential is there that there will be another push for superpowerdom, this time in the Asia-Pac… --- ## [Thoughts on Citizens United v FEC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-citizens-united-v-fec/549297)
**Author:** [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-citizens-united-v-fec/549297 "2010-08-06T00:57:16Z")
I’ve been considering the controversial \*Citizens United vs. Federal Election \*Commission case, which decided in essence that corporations are persons that have the same 1st Amendment free speech rights as anybody else. … --- ## [Elena Kagan should not be confirmed as Justice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elena-kagan-should-not-be-confirmed-as-justice/545398)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elena-kagan-should-not-be-confirmed-as-justice/545398 "2010-08-05T23:28:04Z")
Looking at this thread, I am struck by the fact that Elena Kagan filed a “friend of the court” brief claiming that even if a prosecutor frames a defendant, said prosecutor should be considered personally inviolate. I … --- ## [Meir Baranes's Crazy Lenient Sentences?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meir-baraness-crazy-lenient-sentences/548597)
**Author:** [@Bpelta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bpelta)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/meir-baraness-crazy-lenient-sentences/548597 "2010-08-05T20:26:46Z")
Alright, I have a really tough question. I’ve looked and looked, and I’ve got nothing… There’s an Israeli guy who’s considered a bit deranged by the name of Meir Baranes. In 1998 or 1999, Baranes physically attacked Saf… --- ## [Will robots transform our lives in the next 30 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-robots-transform-our-lives-in-the-next-30-years/548867)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-robots-transform-our-lives-in-the-next-30-years/548867 "2010-08-05T19:22:48Z")
In the last 30 years, we have seen a revolution in a cluster of technologies built around IT: computers, the Internet, mobile gadgets and so on. I believe that in the next 30 years we will see an equally profound revolut… --- ## [Has Obama spent a million dollars to hide his birth certificate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-obama-spent-a-million-dollars-to-hide-his-birth-certificate/505877)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 603\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-obama-spent-a-million-dollars-to-hide-his-birth-certificate/505877 "2010-08-05T17:22:30Z")
No, I’m not a “birther”, I have no doubt Obama was born in Hawaii, that’s not what this is about. P I’ve seen in several places the claim that Obama has spent a million dollars to hide his birth certificate. It may or… --- ## [Why are Republicans pushing to extend the Bush tax cuts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-pushing-to-extend-the-bush-tax-cuts/547945)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 397\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-republicans-pushing-to-extend-the-bush-tax-cuts/547945 "2010-08-05T09:49:21Z")
Do they really believe in Laffer Curve/supply side economics and think that it will actually raise revenue? Are they in the pocket of the rich? Do they just see it as a way to rile up the base so they can get re-elected … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=440) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=442)