# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=447 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 448 --- ## [Battle of the Asian Titans: India vs. China in conventional war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-the-asian-titans-india-vs-china-in-conventional-war/543258)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2010, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/battle-of-the-asian-titans-india-vs-china-in-conventional-war/543258 "2010-07-06T17:40:56Z")
Years from now, after making peace with Pakistan, India aims at possible territorial expansion. China thinks the same. Supposing India and China come to blows over a territorial dispute. The US, Russia, and Pakistan de… --- ## [Gitmo will never be shut down now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gitmo-will-never-be-shut-down-now/544905)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gitmo-will-never-be-shut-down-now/544905 "2010-07-06T16:44:14Z")
That’s what this New York Times article seems to be saying, if only by its attitude. Any thoughts on what’s “really” going on, if indeed it’s not what’s being said here? --- ## [Is there, any more, any Next Thing, any Coming Thing, any Rising Thing -- any Future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-more-any-next-thing-any-coming-thing-any-rising-thing-any-future/544882)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-more-any-next-thing-any-coming-thing-any-rising-thing-any-future/544882 "2010-07-06T13:58:08Z")
I mean in terms of ideas that give people hope for the future and for progress. Ever since the Enlightenment, if not the Renaissance, it has appeared to many thoughtful people (at least in the Western world) that this o… --- ## [Legalized Marijuana](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalized-marijuana/544818)
**Author:** [@Punisher\_11B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punisher_11B)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalized-marijuana/544818 "2010-07-06T13:16:20Z")
Ok, maybe this debate will be better. If the United States decided to legalize Marijuana, what do you think would happen to our economy? In my opinion I think it would kill our internal crop market and we would have to… --- ## [People wandering from Africa , affecting IQ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-wandering-from-africa-affecting-iq/543753)
**Author:** [@scamartistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scamartistry)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2010, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-wandering-from-africa-affecting-iq/543753 "2010-07-06T07:25:14Z")
In short: (i will post more cites if needed) the theory is simple: Since the early man emigrating from Africa. People went “first” to Europe, then after a long period ended up in the East-Asia. The longer people mig… --- ## [Bill would Expose high-speed Train Contractors With Holocaust Ties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-would-expose-high-speed-train-contractors-with-holocaust-ties/544372)
**Author:** [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-would-expose-high-speed-train-contractors-with-holocaust-ties/544372 "2010-07-06T00:01:32Z")
There’s a new bill being created in an attempt to bar any company which was involved in the World War 2 holocaust, including companies such as SNCF & French National Railway Corporation from being able to work on the new… --- ## [Health law risks turning away sick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-law-risks-turning-away-sick/545492)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-law-risks-turning-away-sick/545492 "2010-07-05T18:04:48Z")
From The Hill: So the government health plan might turn away people with pre-existing conditions? Isn’t the #1 goal of public health care to ensure that those with pre-existing conditions can find health care? This … --- ## [Blacks and the GOP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-and-the-gop/543057)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 360\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blacks-and-the-gop/543057 "2010-07-05T16:07:04Z")
The Republican party has very few black members. I’ve also sometimes heard the sentiment that blacks voting Republican are voting against their own self interest. I’ve been curious for a while about why that is. I mea… --- ## [Attempting to stop Hispanic population growth = electoral doom for GOP](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attempting-to-stop-hispanic-population-growth-electoral-doom-for-gop/544350)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/attempting-to-stop-hispanic-population-growth-electoral-doom-for-gop/544350 "2010-07-05T14:39:36Z")
When you look at demographic history and projections for the US, it becomes clear very quickly that Hispanic voters are poised for enormous power. And they have a definite, strong, Democratic lean: (The “same Gallup … --- ## [SCOTUS: Universities may deny recognition to campus groups who exclude gays, non-believers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-universities-may-deny-recognition-to-campus-groups-who-exclude-gays-non-believers/544851)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-universities-may-deny-recognition-to-campus-groups-who-exclude-gays-non-believers/544851 "2010-07-05T14:34:08Z")
Great ruling by the Supreme Court today: Roberts, Scalia, Alito and Thomas, unsurprisingly, were the dissenters. Incidentally, the Court also rejected an appeal by the Vatican in which the Vatican claimed that it is i… --- ## [Is Pretending to Be a Racist Better Than BEING One?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pretending-to-be-a-racist-better-than-being-one/545422)
**Author:** [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-pretending-to-be-a-racist-better-than-being-one/545422 "2010-07-05T13:28:54Z")
Inspired by this news item: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2010/07/02/clinton\_defends\_byrds\_kkk\_ties\_he\_was\_trying\_to\_get\_elected.html Believe it or not, I do NOT wish to bash the recently deceased Robert Byrd.… --- ## [Federal subsidies to industries: explain why they make sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-subsidies-to-industries-explain-why-they-make-sense/544834)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/federal-subsidies-to-industries-explain-why-they-make-sense/544834 "2010-07-05T07:02:50Z")
I’ve always been mildly curious about federal subsidies to industry (agriculture, in particular). I don’t see what the function of such subsidies is, other than to turn farming into a government job. It seems like Repu… --- ## [What Would Happen if We Eliminated Corp Tax](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-we-eliminated-corp-tax/543887)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-we-eliminated-corp-tax/543887 "2010-07-05T04:19:14Z")
First, I am not a tea party, anti-tax sort. What would happen to tax revenue if we eliminated corporate taxes? At some point the money saved in taxes would be paid to individuals through income, disbursements, dividends,… --- ## [If an American woman keeps aborting female babies to get a boy should that be OK legally?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-american-woman-keeps-aborting-female-babies-to-get-a-boy-should-that-be-ok-legally/545066)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-american-woman-keeps-aborting-female-babies-to-get-a-boy-should-that-be-ok-legally/545066 "2010-07-05T04:08:17Z")
Per the impact of sex selection in India thread I ran across this articlewhich implies that sex selective abortions are happening in the US within certain ethnic cohorts. It is a basic presumption and valued right among… --- ## [538 takes on another pollster](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538-takes-on-another-pollster/545047)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/538-takes-on-another-pollster/545047 "2010-07-04T07:31:07Z")
Less ‘takes on’ than ‘forced into conflict with’, I suppose. Like Strategic Vision last year this time Research2000 is in trouble as analysts not involved with 538 noticed statistical problems with R2K’s results publish… --- ## [What about death remotes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-death-remotes/545464)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2010, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-death-remotes/545464 "2010-07-04T03:59:45Z")
Silly questions perhaps but with some obvious connections to the various gun threads: If there existed a remote control which would in some manner (pick one) instantly or near instantly kill anyone that you pointed it a… --- ## [Black/brown race relations ..... how is it covered?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-brown-race-relations-how-is-it-covered/545062)
**Author:** [@klsdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/klsdad)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2010, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-brown-race-relations-how-is-it-covered/545062 "2010-07-03T10:34:16Z")
Tell me about “racism” between blacks and Hispanics. Is there any way to measure it and show that it is more or less than racism involving whites and either of those two group? If it is actually more prevalent relative… --- ## [Is it time to declare war on Oil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-declare-war-on-oil/544901)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2010, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-declare-war-on-oil/544901 "2010-07-03T06:06:02Z")
Say we drop all the other wars as (literally) practically irrelevant. The war on drugs. The war in Iraq. The War in Afghanistan. Your stupid personal war. The jihadists’ war against America. The unknown foreigners’ war v… --- ## [McDonald v. Chicago Discussion Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonald-v-chicago-discussion-thread/544660)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mcdonald-v-chicago-discussion-thread/544660 "2010-07-03T03:10:08Z")
On Monday the Supreme Court is expected to deliver the opinion in McDonald v. Chicago. The case is about the handgun ban currently in place in Chicago. The expectation is that the ban will be overturned. Alan Gura, the … --- ## [Resolved: For God to have genuine moral authority, S/He must be comprehensible to mortals.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-for-god-to-have-genuine-moral-authority-s-he-must-be-comprehensible-to-mortals/545223)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-for-god-to-have-genuine-moral-authority-s-he-must-be-comprehensible-to-mortals/545223 "2010-07-02T20:06:25Z")
Note: For purposes of this discussion, let’s assume that God–by which I mean a supernatural, immortal creator more powerful than the rest of the universe combined–actually exists. We’re not assuming that God is omnipoten… --- ## [Is "comprehensive" legislation a good thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-comprehensive-legislation-a-good-thing/544591)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2010, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-comprehensive-legislation-a-good-thing/544591 "2010-07-02T19:33:02Z")
Perhaps financial reform is a good example that is also less contentious than health care and immigration might be. Two comments… Why weren’t all the good things (whatever they are) in there done a long time ago ? … --- ## [Justice Stevens Says Gun Ownership a Threat to Our Constitutional Structure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-stevens-says-gun-ownership-a-threat-to-our-constitutional-structure/544925)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2010, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-stevens-says-gun-ownership-a-threat-to-our-constitutional-structure/544925 "2010-07-02T17:11:57Z")
As quoted in CTV When I read that, I instantly thought back to Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot. The problems each robot faced hinged on some form of logic trap: go toward point A, stay away from point B. If point B was too … --- ## [Based on their political and economic platform are the Ku Klux Klan "semi-libertarians" or not?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/based-on-their-political-and-economic-platform-are-the-ku-klux-klan-semi-libertarians-or-not/545169)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/based-on-their-political-and-economic-platform-are-the-ku-klux-klan-semi-libertarians-or-not/545169 "2010-07-02T13:20:52Z")
In this Slate articlere the history of Robert Byrd’s association with the KKK, the author claims the KKK is “semi-libertarian” based on their current political party platform statement. In looking at it linked below is … --- ## [So Did General Motors Do Good Or Not Today \[2010-07-01\]?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-general-motors-do-good-or-not-today-2010-07-01/545210)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2010, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-did-general-motors-do-good-or-not-today-2010-07-01/545210 "2010-07-02T05:59:18Z")
Today’s headlines on one story: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=11063788 (Reuters) http://www.benzinga.com/markets/company-news/10/07/358798/gm-u-s-sales-surge-36-in-may-f-tm (Reuters) http://www.goo… --- ## [Evaluation of the UK's Cameron/Clegg coalition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaluation-of-the-uks-cameron-clegg-coalition/545044)
**Author:** [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2010, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/evaluation-of-the-uks-cameron-clegg-coalition/545044 "2010-07-01T21:31:04Z")
The new government has had time to settle in now. In particular, they’ve just passed an emergency budget, hoping to deal with the massive deficit. How do Britons feel about the performance so far of their new governmen… --- ## [Egyptian Mummies and Respect for the Dead...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egyptian-mummies-and-respect-for-the-dead/545140)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/egyptian-mummies-and-respect-for-the-dead/545140 "2010-07-01T17:32:12Z")
This is something I have wondered for some time. And since it is a moral debate, it may have no definite answer (although I do look forward to hearing people’s opinions on the matter). When we modern humans exhume ancien… --- ## [Why the sudden obsession about deficit cutting all of a sudden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-sudden-obsession-about-deficit-cutting-all-of-a-sudden/544720)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2010, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-sudden-obsession-about-deficit-cutting-all-of-a-sudden/544720 "2010-07-01T00:02:13Z")
The other countries at the G20 summit apparently told Obama that they prefer to pursue deficit-cutting measures and not advocate stimulus funds to jump start their (the world) economy. Why, at this particular point in t… --- ## [Sen. Robert Byrd dead at 92](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-dead-at-92/544768)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [July 1, 2010, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sen-robert-byrd-dead-at-92/544768 "2010-07-01T00:02:09Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100628/ap\_on\_go\_co/us\_obit\_byrd This will be an interesting replacement. Gov. Joe Manchin-WV is a Democrat, but is very conservative. There is some speculation that he will appoint himself… --- ## [Morality and animals labeled as "pests"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-and-animals-labeled-as-pests/542887)
**Author:** [@GavinB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GavinB)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-and-animals-labeled-as-pests/542887 "2010-06-30T21:54:03Z")
I had an argument with a friend about the use of glue traps. He said he used them to catch some mice… okay, that’s fine, sometimes that is necessary. This is despite my moral qualms with glue traps, I am of the belief th… --- ## [The Media Treatment of Rand Paul - Knee Jerk Reactionism by Mental Midgets](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-media-treatment-of-rand-paul-knee-jerk-reactionism-by-mental-midgets/540445)
**Author:** [@jrodefeld](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrodefeld)\ **Replies:** 488\ **Last updated:** [June 30, 2010, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-media-treatment-of-rand-paul-knee-jerk-reactionism-by-mental-midgets/540445 "2010-06-30T16:51:03Z")
Page 1 of 2 To preface this thread, I know there is another thread about Rand Paul already. However, I am going to cover slightly different topics and I want everyone to pay attention to what I am about to write, rathe… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=446) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=448)