# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=442 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 443 --- ## [U.S. looking at charging Assange of Wikileaks under Espionage Act of 1917](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-looking-at-charging-assange-of-wikileaks-under-espionage-act-of-1917/549028)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-looking-at-charging-assange-of-wikileaks-under-espionage-act-of-1917/549028 "2010-08-05T05:40:06Z")
No, really. Story here. The Espionage Act of 1917?! WHY IS THAT DAMNED THING STILL ON THE BOOKS?! :mad::mad::mad: It was the basis of Schenck v. United States – one of the most disgraceful episodes in the history of… --- ## [Were Papal States the worst-governed in 16th century Europe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-papal-states-the-worst-governed-in-16th-century-europe/545521)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-papal-states-the-worst-governed-in-16th-century-europe/545521 "2010-08-05T04:17:31Z")
Re-reading William Roberton’s 18th century book The Progress of Society in Europe, I was struck by this passage on page 103: What do today’s historians think of Robertson in general? How about this particular paragraph… --- ## [My Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-life/548607)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [August 5, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-life/548607 "2010-08-05T00:39:25Z")
I feel compelled to share at least some of my life as it relates to God. Well throughout most of my later childhood while I did go to church I didn’t attend services as I was kind of frightened of some of the biblical a… --- ## [Why so few elected scientists in Western democracies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-elected-scientists-in-western-democracies/548992)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-elected-scientists-in-western-democracies/548992 "2010-08-04T21:04:05Z")
Alternatively, the question may be what draws so many humanities and social science graduates towards politics, but repels scientists? Following this article in the Independent, where the only scientists currently sitti… --- ## [Bush's head of CIA says strike on Iran likely](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-head-of-cia-says-strike-on-iran-likely/547980)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bushs-head-of-cia-says-strike-on-iran-likely/547980 "2010-08-04T20:03:43Z")
HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost Hayden was Bush’s head of the CIA. He says a strike against Iran was down the list of probabilities when Bush was in charge. Now he says it is high on the list be… --- ## [Bully bosses may become illegal in New York](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bully-bosses-may-become-illegal-in-new-york/548093)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bully-bosses-may-become-illegal-in-new-york/548093 "2010-08-04T19:15:17Z")
I did a search and I don’t think anyone has brought up this topic. On Headline News today they mentioned how New York is considering a bill making it illegal for bosses to bully their employees. I couldn’t find anythin… --- ## [The Rich Are Better Stewards of Money Than the Poor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rich-are-better-stewards-of-money-than-the-poor/547340)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-rich-are-better-stewards-of-money-than-the-poor/547340 "2010-08-04T07:13:36Z")
This comment was made in my thread, “How does lowering taxes increase revenue?” And I definitely think it represents a divide in how to view the economy. Perhaps a key distinction between liberal and conservative. I’… --- ## [Might invading North Korea be both a moral duty, and a sure thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-invading-north-korea-be-both-a-moral-duty-and-a-sure-thing/547094)
**Author:** [@Recliner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Recliner)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/might-invading-north-korea-be-both-a-moral-duty-and-a-sure-thing/547094 "2010-08-04T02:48:21Z")
I was just reading about the conflicting reports of the WHO and Amnesty International on NK’s healthcare system (an odd flap, but basically, WHO praises it, Amnesty says its “medieval”), and now I’m thinking: should “we”… --- ## [Assumption that smaller class sizes = better student achievement turns out not to be true. What now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assumption-that-smaller-class-sizes-better-student-achievement-turns-out-not-to-be-true-what-now/547041)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assumption-that-smaller-class-sizes-better-student-achievement-turns-out-not-to-be-true-what-now/547041 "2010-08-04T01:35:19Z")
That smaller class sizes and smaller schools were necessary for better student achievement is practically an article of faith in American education, however, real world implementation of this scenario does not bear this … --- ## [The single most reprehensible thing the free market ever did?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-single-most-reprehensible-thing-the-free-market-ever-did/548329)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-single-most-reprehensible-thing-the-free-market-ever-did/548329 "2010-08-04T01:07:09Z")
Inspired by That’s it I am done with movies, in which it was lamented that there is nothing, nothing whatsover so offensively stupid and insipid that Hollywood won’t produce it if it’ will make a profit. So what, in the … --- ## [Did Obama lie then or now? Or is there another explanation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-lie-then-or-now-or-is-there-another-explanation/547544)
**Author:** [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-lie-then-or-now-or-is-there-another-explanation/547544 "2010-08-04T00:12:46Z")
During all the debate about the healthcare bill, there’s was much push-back because the healthcare mandate was viewed by Republicans as a tax. But Obama swore up and down that it was NOT a tax. (Since he would not be imp… --- ## [Palm reading=Spirituality=Religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palm-reading-spirituality-religion/549056)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palm-reading-spirituality-religion/549056 "2010-08-03T21:09:42Z")
A “spiritual advisor” claims that requests that she submit to licensing violate her rights. I can see the judge’s reasoning that she might be trying to avoid an investigation into her past, but what of the larger issue… --- ## [How historically non-violent are Buddhists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-historically-non-violent-are-buddhists/548842)
**Author:** [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-historically-non-violent-are-buddhists/548842 "2010-08-03T16:47:04Z")
Has Buddhism been the source of ethnic, religious or other violence? Are they the most non-violent of all major religions anyone can join? (Excluding any that you can only join by birth, or those with fewer than say 100… --- ## [Sound Colour Synesthesia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-colour-synesthesia/548156)
**Author:** [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2010, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sound-colour-synesthesia/548156 "2010-08-03T15:48:29Z")
I have a question for the cynical and skeptical types on here! I am a student of music, and in a few of my grad classes, I got into a heated (but civil and respectful) debate on the nature of synesthesia as it pertains t… --- ## [State Secret's Privilege Is Established On A Lie: From Reynolds To Al Masri - will we ever learn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-secrets-privilege-is-established-on-a-lie-from-reynolds-to-al-masri-will-we-ever-learn/548783)
**Author:** [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2010, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-secrets-privilege-is-established-on-a-lie-from-reynolds-to-al-masri-will-we-ever-learn/548783 "2010-08-03T15:21:46Z")
In the light of the recent Wikileaks hullabaloo, how do WE decide who decides who “Needs To Know”? Or should WE, the public, not get ourselves too worked up on this issue and allow those who know what they are on about d… --- ## [Video of US Rep. Weiner ripping Repubs on 9/11 Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-us-rep-weiner-ripping-repubs-on-9-11-bill/548617)
**Author:** [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-of-us-rep-weiner-ripping-repubs-on-9-11-bill/548617 "2010-08-03T14:41:18Z")
I’m not entirely sure what’s going on in this video clip, but it indeed sounds like some individuals got their ass handed to them in the senate. What happened (I got the thread title from the video’s title)? --- ## [Calvinism or Arminianism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calvinism-or-arminianism/548401)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calvinism-or-arminianism/548401 "2010-08-03T05:20:12Z")
This is basically the classic theological question of “Predestination or Freewill?” What in your opinion on this or if you’re nonreligious what in your opinion do you think the Bible says on it? --- ## [Drugs, the toothpaste is out of the tube.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-the-toothpaste-is-out-of-the-tube/547744)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-the-toothpaste-is-out-of-the-tube/547744 "2010-08-02T14:47:08Z")
A thread about prohibition has got me speculating. Illegal recreational drugs are a global phenoneman. The profits are incredible, the response by Western Governments is incredible, but the demand is insatiable and it … --- ## [Pentagon can't account for $8.7 BILLION of Iraqi aid money. Where's the outrage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cant-account-for-8-7-billion-of-iraqi-aid-money-wheres-the-outrage/548272)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pentagon-cant-account-for-8-7-billion-of-iraqi-aid-money-wheres-the-outrage/548272 "2010-08-02T12:58:29Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100727/ts\_nm/us\_iraq\_usa\_spending This story will just blow away. Yet, if some welfare mom in Detroit gets an extra $10 in food stamps the press is all over it. We can’t afford health care r… --- ## [Trying Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in NYC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-in-nyc/546192)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-khalid-sheikh-mohammed-in-nyc/546192 "2010-08-02T04:12:50Z")
Are there ten New Yorkers who have never heard about 9/11? --- ## [What 20th century (and before) staples might not survive the 21st century?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-20th-century-and-before-staples-might-not-survive-the-21st-century/547725)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2010, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-20th-century-and-before-staples-might-not-survive-the-21st-century/547725 "2010-08-01T03:04:15Z")
Up for discussion: -Newspapers -Skyscrapers -The personal computer as we know it -The television as we know it -Landline telephones -The automobile as we know it -Strip malls -The print magazine -Corporate radio … --- ## [Simple - deport illegals & use volunteer prisoners to work fields](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-deport-illegals-use-volunteer-prisoners-to-work-fields/547775)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simple-deport-illegals-use-volunteer-prisoners-to-work-fields/547775 "2010-07-31T20:27:35Z")
Someone on I know suggested the “simple” solution of deporting all illegals and using volunteer non-violent prisoners to work the fields in exchange for reduction of prison sentences. I wonder how to pay for the increas… --- ## [Where's the most racist/xenophobic area in your country? In the world?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-most-racist-xenophobic-area-in-your-country-in-the-world/547067)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 10:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-most-racist-xenophobic-area-in-your-country-in-the-world/547067 "2010-07-31T10:48:32Z")
…and why? Inspired by several current threads on the topic on the front page on GD. I say racism and xenophobia as they are not necessarily mutually inclusive, although they usually are - somebody’s physical features a… --- ## [Scott Brown for Republican nominee in 2012?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-brown-for-republican-nominee-in-2012/548449)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scott-brown-for-republican-nominee-in-2012/548449 "2010-07-31T02:19:32Z")
I was reading the latest Palin thread, and it got me thinking. None of the current leading Republicans really shine, not from here on the other side of the Atlantic anyway, and many have significant issues. So I’m wonder… --- ## [Libel: Which way should the presumption go?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libel-which-way-should-the-presumption-go/548492)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/libel-which-way-should-the-presumption-go/548492 "2010-07-31T02:07:52Z")
This keeps coming up in other threads even if it is barely relevant to the topic at hand. In Ireland, if you make an assertion about someone, you have to back it up. You can’t infringe on someone’s Constitutional right… --- ## [Obama-Palin debate in 2012--strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-palin-debate-in-2012-strategy/548297)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-palin-debate-in-2012-strategy/548297 "2010-07-31T02:01:31Z")
Someone in the “Palin good job?” thread asked about an Obama - Palin debate in 2012 as if it were a slamdunk, bt I think it’s sorta tricky, and would like to discuss the correct approach. For Obama, of course–Palin’s job… --- ## [Republicans filibuster the Disclose Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-filibuster-the-disclose-act/548338)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-filibuster-the-disclose-act/548338 "2010-07-31T00:51:34Z")
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, holding that corporate funding of independent political broadcasts in candidate elections cannot be limited under the First Ame… --- ## [Just what is the Roman Catholic church, a religion, a nation, a private club, an evil empire..?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-the-roman-catholic-church-a-religion-a-nation-a-private-club-an-evil-empire/547098)
**Author:** [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [July 31, 2010, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-what-is-the-roman-catholic-church-a-religion-a-nation-a-private-club-an-evil-empire/547098 "2010-07-31T00:19:10Z")
Inspired by another ongoing Catholic church thread, in which John Mace equated the Catholic Church to a private club that can be as discriminatory as it wants toward its members. I don’t think that’s a particularly good… --- ## [Resolved:menstruation is a sin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-menstruation-is-a-sin/548563)
**Author:** [@willthekittensurvive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/willthekittensurvive)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2010, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-menstruation-is-a-sin/548563 "2010-07-30T23:31:24Z")
If spilling your seed is a sin (euhm…. Masturbation) why is a woman having a menstruation not a crime in the eye of GOD? She could have had a child if she had let someone impregnate her, but she choose to waste her egg,… --- ## [What would it take for Mel Gibson to be redeemed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-mel-gibson-to-be-redeemed/547453)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [July 30, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-for-mel-gibson-to-be-redeemed/547453 "2010-07-30T17:16:03Z")
Can he be redeemed professionally, in public opinion, in his personal life, & for those of you who once had some regard for him, in your esteem? I think he can. Right now, he is rightly vilified & I hope Oksana soaks hi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=441) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=443)