# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=445 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 446 --- ## [Judge reduces file-sharing damages award by 90 percent.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-reduces-file-sharing-damages-award-by-90-percent/546283)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 255\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-reduces-file-sharing-damages-award-by-90-percent/546283 "2010-07-19T16:52:37Z")
About a year ago, Bricker started a thread about the case of Joel Tenenbaum, a Boston University student ordered to pay $675,000 in damages to the RIAA for sharing 30 songs. In that thread, Richard Parker offered the fo… --- ## [The latest Racist Fire to be fanned? Black Panther charges dropped.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-racist-fire-to-be-fanned-black-panther-charges-dropped/545957)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 172\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-racist-fire-to-be-fanned-black-panther-charges-dropped/545957 "2010-07-19T16:50:17Z")
Left Fox and friends on for a while this morning as I occaionally do just to see what they’re doing. I was shocked to hear them go on about the case of the Black Panthers outside a polling place in Philly and being charg… --- ## [Is it ok to dismiss someone for watching FOX?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-dismiss-someone-for-watching-fox/546593)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 403\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-dismiss-someone-for-watching-fox/546593 "2010-07-19T15:25:16Z")
I’ve realized that if someone tells me that they consider FOX to be a politically ‘balanced’ media outlet, or think of it as objective news, I will dismiss them. Meaning I will basically consider their opinions so wildly… --- ## [France Beats England in French&Indian Wars, What Happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-beats-england-in-french-indian-wars-what-happens/547129)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-beats-england-in-french-indian-wars-what-happens/547129 "2010-07-19T14:04:36Z")
Suppose France emerged as the victor, and takes over the Western Hemisphere from England. England loses its empire, and France becomes the dominant word power-would the USA exist today? Would the colonists eventually re… --- ## [Public School Teachers Can't Ever Get (Or Deserve) High Pay/Prestige w/ This Going On](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-school-teachers-cant-ever-get-or-deserve-high-pay-prestige-w-this-going-on/544953)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-school-teachers-cant-ever-get-or-deserve-high-pay-prestige-w-this-going-on/544953 "2010-07-19T01:11:34Z")
When I hear people bemoaning the low pay and hard conditions of public school teachers, my reaction is not knee-jerk “b.s.,” but more like a “yes and no – some good and principled and smart ones are underpaid, some lazy … --- ## [Gulf Fishermen Angry Over Claims Ruling](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-fishermen-angry-over-claims-ruling/547084)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2010, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gulf-fishermen-angry-over-claims-ruling/547084 "2010-07-19T00:36:26Z")
From this article: After reading this article, I was initially confused about the reason behind the fishermen’s anger. After all, the compensation from BP, being meted out by Feinberg, is for lost wages, correct? So … --- ## [Was prohibition stupid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-prohibition-stupid/546023)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-prohibition-stupid/546023 "2010-07-18T21:42:23Z")
I’m watching todays The Daily Show and there’s a segment about the prohibition from 1920-1933. They’re both going on about how stupid it was and how the majority of people were against it, while a majority of politicians… --- ## [What is the "small/no government" solution to the BP spill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-small-no-government-solution-to-the-bp-spill/545868)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-small-no-government-solution-to-the-bp-spill/545868 "2010-07-18T15:43:31Z")
It appears that BP might have cut a few corners in the Deepwater Horizon drilling. It appears some governmental regulations were ignored or skirted. It is apparent that many Gulf residents are being severely impacted b… --- ## [The (de facto) North Korean confession](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-de-facto-north-korean-confession/546961)
**Author:** [@Camus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Camus)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2010, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-de-facto-north-korean-confession/546961 "2010-07-18T15:40:29Z")
According to a NY Times story, a smuggled propaganda poster from NK all but takes credit for sinking the Cheonan, with an image of a NK fist punching a warship that looks suspiciously like the Cheonan in two. The captio… --- ## [Believers: Why are you so sure of your beliefs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-why-are-you-so-sure-of-your-beliefs/543965)
**Author:** [@EVIL\_COW\_PIE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EVIL_COW_PIE)\ **Replies:** 537\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/believers-why-are-you-so-sure-of-your-beliefs/543965 "2010-07-18T12:49:46Z")
Inspired by this thread. Disclaimer: I don’t lurk here (in GD) much. I’m not that smart and I don’t have as much time as I wish. Plus my search skills suck. I just had a conversation with a (what I consider to be crazy … --- ## [At what point does potential personal harm trump personal freedom?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-potential-personal-harm-trump-personal-freedom/547107)
**Author:** [@peledre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peledre)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2010, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-does-potential-personal-harm-trump-personal-freedom/547107 "2010-07-18T12:07:26Z")
I’m thinking in terms of drug usage, but I suppose it could apply to other potentially personally dangerous activities as well. In the US, our drug laws aren’t really based on any objective measures, but if we were to r… --- ## [How does one choose a religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-a-religion/546920)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-choose-a-religion/546920 "2010-07-18T04:57:26Z")
Every now and then, I hear about a friend or friend of a friend looking into changing religions. My family is mostly Jewish (though I’m an atheist), and so occasionally friends who’re looking into converting will come al… --- ## [A Concern about Oil Wells](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-concern-about-oil-wells/546876)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2010, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-concern-about-oil-wells/546876 "2010-07-17T19:30:19Z")
So the Maconda oil well has been been capped and it now has the ability to provide for a flow of controlled oil like any other oil well. Yet BP is concerned about leaks from the well into the strata well below the sur… --- ## [Resolved: Tax cuts do NOT result in higher tax revenue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-tax-cuts-do-not-result-in-higher-tax-revenue/546279)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-tax-cuts-do-not-result-in-higher-tax-revenue/546279 "2010-07-17T16:26:21Z")
From this thread. I think we have put this particular myth of supply side economics to rest. --- ## [The Latest Republican huff over a recess appointment.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-republican-huff-over-a-recess-appointment/546748)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2010, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-latest-republican-huff-over-a-recess-appointment/546748 "2010-07-17T14:37:49Z")
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/108931-gop-retaliates-for-berwick-recess-appointment-to-medicare-leadership-post Is there anything about this particular recess appointment that is very very different than other reces… --- ## [Are Tasers increasing police violence, not decreasing it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tasers-increasing-police-violence-not-decreasing-it/546511)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2010, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-tasers-increasing-police-violence-not-decreasing-it/546511 "2010-07-17T10:38:11Z")
AFAIK, the rationale for bringing in Tasers for use with the police was to reduce the number of fatal shootings that police had to dole out with enraged, armed or maniac suspects. After watching the video related with t… --- ## [Question for California residents: What do you think of Gov. Schwarzenegger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-california-residents-what-do-you-think-of-gov-schwarzenegger/546667)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2010, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-california-residents-what-do-you-think-of-gov-schwarzenegger/546667 "2010-07-17T05:48:45Z")
The New York Times ran a pretty interesting piece about him over the weekend. Basically it said that being an independent he really had few friends within his own party, while he was also too conservative to earn the tru… --- ## [FCC needs new obscenity guidelines. What are yours?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-needs-new-obscenity-guidelines-what-are-yours/546703)
**Author:** [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2010, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fcc-needs-new-obscenity-guidelines-what-are-yours/546703 "2010-07-17T04:40:18Z")
Per this Time article: A Federal court has struck down the FCC regulations over “fleeting expletives” due to vagueness and the idea that such vagueness might create a “chilling effect” of self-censorship. Thus, new an… --- ## [Is it possible to be anti-capitalist and pro-market?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-be-anti-capitalist-and-pro-market/545534)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-be-anti-capitalist-and-pro-market/545534 "2010-07-16T21:15:00Z")
Interesting discussion I came across on the TVTropes page, Anarchy is Chaos: I’ve never seen these antitheses stated in quite that way before. Of course it is possible to be anti-capitalist and pro-market, defining th… --- ## [Market manipulation video: is this for real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/market-manipulation-video-is-this-for-real/545831)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2010, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/market-manipulation-video-is-this-for-real/545831 "2010-07-16T18:36:46Z")
This is part GQ/GD question, so I decided to put it in here. I’ve just come across this video, which purports to show blatant market manipulation, supposedly illegal, which isn’t being picked up on by the regulators. A… --- ## [New papers found, Abe Lincoln gay--what would change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-papers-found-abe-lincoln-gay-what-would-change/544732)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-papers-found-abe-lincoln-gay-what-would-change/544732 "2010-07-16T01:05:59Z")
It’s August 12, 2010 and lost letters of Abraham Lincoln are found in a trunk. Love letters. To a man. They are explicit and unambiguous. Honest Abe was honestly gay. What would happen? How much would his reputatio… --- ## [Changing laws regarding investors and companies (US)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-laws-regarding-investors-and-companies-us/546760)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2010, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/changing-laws-regarding-investors-and-companies-us/546760 "2010-07-15T22:10:37Z")
I hope this is the right forum. I have a question about what would happen if the relationship between investors and companies that issue stock changed. But first, let me state how I see the relationship between compani… --- ## [BritDopers: reaction to Harold Wilson conspiracy theories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-reaction-to-harold-wilson-conspiracy-theories/545380)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-reaction-to-harold-wilson-conspiracy-theories/545380 "2010-07-15T19:41:16Z")
I was very surprised when I stumbled across this. C’mon: The Prime Minister was a KGB agent? There was a nascent military coup planned against him? MI5 conspired against him? It all seems pretty far-fetched to me. … --- ## [Bestiality: Always wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bestiality-always-wrong/545597)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2010, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bestiality-always-wrong/545597 "2010-07-15T16:59:29Z")
Right. First off, bestiality is gross. Really gross. God dammit they don’t even have boobs! But, I saw a documentary a few years back on More Four, about bestiality, which featured an elderly farmer who has sex with … --- ## ["Political Correctness" and Factual Correctness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-correctness-and-factual-correctness/544902)
**Author:** [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2010, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-correctness-and-factual-correctness/544902 "2010-07-15T15:43:27Z")
Note: I am mostly speaking to an American audience here. When I talk about conservatism here, I’m talking about stances that one would associate with the American Republican Party. I’ve suspected for a long time that po… --- ## [A uniquely successful African state](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-uniquely-successful-african-state/545329)
**Author:** [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 15, 2010, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-uniquely-successful-african-state/545329 "2010-07-15T09:46:46Z")
So this state is a former British colony and has had it’s independence for just under 20 years; it is capitalistic, democratic, peaceful and politically stable (in comparison to all it’s neighbouring countries). However … --- ## [E-cigarettes and tax revenue](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-cigarettes-and-tax-revenue/546352)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/e-cigarettes-and-tax-revenue/546352 "2010-07-14T21:56:38Z")
Say a large majority of smokers say suck it to the government and their anti-smoking laws (there is no right to smoke, but these laws are a giant fuck you to private business owners which can only be fought by having smo… --- ## [India: Pakistani intelligence controlled and coordinated the Mumbai attack](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-pakistani-intelligence-controlled-and-coordinated-the-mumbai-attack/546680)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/india-pakistani-intelligence-controlled-and-coordinated-the-mumbai-attack/546680 "2010-07-14T21:41:01Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100714/wl\_nm/us\_india\_pakistan Um…so now what? Does this mean war? --- ## [BART police officer gets involuntary manslaughter for killing passenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bart-police-officer-gets-involuntary-manslaughter-for-killing-passenger/546036)
**Author:** [@HoboStew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoboStew)\ **Replies:** 166\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2010, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bart-police-officer-gets-involuntary-manslaughter-for-killing-passenger/546036 "2010-07-14T14:56:22Z")
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci\_15467680?nclick\_check=1 He walks, using a defense that he thought what he was reaching for was his taser when it turned out to be his gun. Couple thoughts: Avoid downtown … --- ## [Federal judge rules DOMA unconstitutional!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-rules-doma-unconstitutional/546019)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [July 13, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-judge-rules-doma-unconstitutional/546019 "2010-07-13T20:54:44Z")
This isn’t Perry v. Schwarzenegger; it’s another case on the East Coast. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts had filed suit against the federal government claiming that the “Defence of Marriage” Act was unconstitutional … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=444) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=446)