# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=469 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 470 --- ## [Ten Republican state AGs to sue over health bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-republican-state-ags-to-sue-over-health-bill/533432)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ten-republican-state-ags-to-sue-over-health-bill/533432 "2010-03-24T02:43:31Z")
The AG of Florida just announced: Most of those states, BTW, are near the bottom of the United States Health Foundation’s health rankings. Well, at least going to court is a more mature approach than the nullification … --- ## [Climate Science: Is it currently designed to answer questions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-science-is-it-currently-designed-to-answer-questions/533142)
**Author:** [@Poptech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poptech)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/climate-science-is-it-currently-designed-to-answer-questions/533142 "2010-03-23T19:25:26Z")
Climate Science: Is it currently designed to answer questions? (PDF) (Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor of Atmospheric Science, MIT) Deconstructing Global Warming (Video) (55min) (Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor … --- ## [Why do you suppose Jesus never condemned slavery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-suppose-jesus-never-condemned-slavery/530172)
**Author:** [@Frank\_apisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_apisa)\ **Replies:** 156\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2010, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-you-suppose-jesus-never-condemned-slavery/530172 "2010-03-23T19:02:22Z")
No real need for a preliminary discussion of why the question is being asked…or for any explanation of the context in which it is being asked. It is the kind of question that needs no clarification or justification…and … --- ## [Antidiscrimination Laws for Privately Owned Businesses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antidiscrimination-laws-for-privately-owned-businesses/533362)
**Author:** [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/antidiscrimination-laws-for-privately-owned-businesses/533362 "2010-03-23T05:08:54Z")
While reading another website I came across this article about a gay couple who was turned away from a Bed & Breakfast in the UK because the proprietor is a Christian who did not want two men sleeping together. As a fai… --- ## [December 8, 1941: U.S. sues for peace, what happens?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/december-8-1941-u-s-sues-for-peace-what-happens/532822)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2010, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/december-8-1941-u-s-sues-for-peace-what-happens/532822 "2010-03-23T02:38:06Z")
If after Pearl Harbor there was still sufficient political will not to fight, what would have happened in terms of a Peace Treaty? What would Japan demand? Would they even accept peace? Or would Japan simply be even more… --- ## [Public health reforms I'd like to see if the healthcare bill passes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-health-reforms-id-like-to-see-if-the-healthcare-bill-passes/533281)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 23, 2010, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-health-reforms-id-like-to-see-if-the-healthcare-bill-passes/533281 "2010-03-23T00:45:15Z")
I kind of sort of did this thread awhile back, but it got all messy and unfocused, and I’d like to try again now that UHC looks more like a reality than ever. First of all, I’m 100% pro-UHC. My only complaint about this… --- ## [Why does the U.S. census refer to countries in Asia as separate races?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-u-s-census-refer-to-countries-in-asia-as-separate-races/533080)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-the-u-s-census-refer-to-countries-in-asia-as-separate-races/533080 "2010-03-22T21:50:49Z")
In question 9, the U.S. census asks “What is Person 1’s race?” If you’re white, you’re not asked for your national ancestry. However, Asians must give their national ancestry (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.) and furth… --- ## [Could anti-healthcare reform rhetoric backfire on the Republicans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-anti-healthcare-reform-rhetoric-backfire-on-the-republicans/532899)
**Author:** [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-anti-healthcare-reform-rhetoric-backfire-on-the-republicans/532899 "2010-03-22T21:48:42Z")
Republicans (or at least conservatives) seem to be riding high right now, with the popularity of the tea party, congress’s dismal approval numbers, Obama’s lower numbers, etc. They seem to be banking A LOT, though, on he… --- ## [What Are Your Personal Opinions About Israel??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-personal-opinions-about-israel/533196)
**Author:** [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-personal-opinions-about-israel/533196 "2010-03-22T19:27:34Z")
Specifically, what do you think that Israel should do WRT the Palestinian issue? There are so many thoughts, facts, whatever surrounding this issue that yes, I though one more stab would be helpful…because I’m a masochi… --- ## ["Pray to End Abortion" ... so what exactly are they praying FOR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pray-to-end-abortion-so-what-exactly-are-they-praying-for/532055)
**Author:** [@Avarie537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avarie537)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pray-to-end-abortion-so-what-exactly-are-they-praying-for/532055 "2010-03-22T18:49:24Z")
I drive past a Planned Parenthood location that performs abortions. Every year, twice a year, people associated with “40 days for Life” stand quietly outside and hold signs. One says “Pray to end Abortion.” And I’m re… --- ## [Obama's harvard Transcript?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-harvard-transcript/532776)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-harvard-transcript/532776 "2010-03-22T16:26:51Z")
Right-wing radio talk show hosts (like Beck and O’Reilly) keep harping on the “fact” that Obama has never released his law school grades. Is this true? Presumably he had to apply for jobs in the past, so wouldn’t his a… --- ## [Constitutionality of the Slaughterhouse Rule](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutionality-of-the-slaughterhouse-rule/533031)
**Author:** [@NotreDame05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotreDame05)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutionality-of-the-slaughterhouse-rule/533031 "2010-03-22T05:25:55Z")
The Slaughterhouse rule, also called the Self-Executing rule, as I understand it, will permit the House of Representatives to vote on the package of amendments and corrections to the Senate bill, and if this package pass… --- ## [What's the argument that the Pledge and "In God We Trust" are Constitutionally okay?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-argument-that-the-pledge-and-in-god-we-trust-are-constitutionally-okay/532253)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-argument-that-the-pledge-and-in-god-we-trust-are-constitutionally-okay/532253 "2010-03-22T04:39:00Z")
I’ve been mystified by this since I was a kid. It appears obvious to me that for government entities to proclaim that they trust in God, and for the Pledge (officially sanctioned by the government) to declare the nation… --- ## [What would really happen if a state legalized marijuana?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-really-happen-if-a-state-legalized-marijuana/531952)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 22, 2010, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-really-happen-if-a-state-legalized-marijuana/531952 "2010-03-22T02:07:47Z")
Right now the possession, cultivation, and sale of marijuana is illegal under federal law. This is true even in states that have legalized marijuana for medical use, but the Obama administration has announced that it … --- ## [Religious Stance on the UHC Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-stance-on-the-uhc-bill/533063)
**Author:** [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-stance-on-the-uhc-bill/533063 "2010-03-21T21:15:01Z")
First off, I’m not religious and don’t follow any boards other than this one and a another related board. I’ve got no insight into current church positions. What’s the general religious position on universal health care… --- ## [Health care reform: Coming vote? Will it pass?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-reform-coming-vote-will-it-pass/532487)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/health-care-reform-coming-vote-will-it-pass/532487 "2010-03-21T20:17:46Z")
I’d like to leave behind, for now, the debates over whether health care reform (especially in its current state) should pass; there are plenty of threads for that. All signs in the media (which could very well be wrong;… --- ## [SawStop product safety liability case.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawstop-product-safety-liability-case/532895)
**Author:** [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sawstop-product-safety-liability-case/532895 "2010-03-21T19:09:30Z")
Now may be a good time to revisit the subject of this 2006 thread. The manufacturer of Ryobi power saws has been ordered to pay Carlos Osorio $1.5 million, apparently on the basis of their failure to incorporate this te… --- ## [Medicare will soon be bankrupt.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-will-soon-be-bankrupt/529398)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-will-soon-be-bankrupt/529398 "2010-03-21T17:46:55Z")
According to the most recent report from the Trustees of Medicare, the system will go belly-up in 2017. Now if you ask me, this should be an area of concern, perhaps even more so than the use of the word “retarded”. A… --- ## [Should those accused of rape be anonymous as well?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-those-accused-of-rape-be-anonymous-as-well/531005)
**Author:** [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-those-accused-of-rape-be-anonymous-as-well/531005 "2010-03-21T08:46:56Z")
Been thinking about this for a while and then this topic brought it to mind again. I’ve always thought that those accused of crimes like rape or child molestation are treated very unfairly. Even if they are eventually … --- ## [It is acceptable for people to die because they can't afford the proper treatment.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-acceptable-for-people-to-die-because-they-cant-afford-the-proper-treatment/532956)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-is-acceptable-for-people-to-die-because-they-cant-afford-the-proper-treatment/532956 "2010-03-21T01:32:15Z")
Perhaps it is time to confront the elephant in the room. With all the rhetoric thrown around in the health care debate, I really think it all comes down to this: “It is acceptable for people to die because they can’t a… --- ## [Should 911 audio recordings be publicly available?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-911-audio-recordings-be-publicly-available/533177)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-911-audio-recordings-be-publicly-available/533177 "2010-03-21T01:16:47Z")
I was listening a NPR segment today discussing new laws some state are considering to curb the publicizing of 911 calls. I couldn’t find the segment online yet but I’d expect it in a day or two, I’ll link it then. Often… --- ## [Explain to me what I'm missing re: health care reconciliation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-im-missing-re-health-care-reconciliation/532053)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2010, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-what-im-missing-re-health-care-reconciliation/532053 "2010-03-20T23:59:50Z")
As far as I can tell, the following four things are true: The Senate already passed a comprehensive health care bill, which if the House passes as-is, can be signed by the President. Among the reasons the House is … --- ## [Electoral college](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electoral-college/532435)
**Author:** [@vanotd21](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanotd21)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2010, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electoral-college/532435 "2010-03-20T20:04:50Z")
I don’t know if this one has been answered, but I 'm hoping it hasn’t. there is something in the U.S known as the electoral college. I think David Feldman explained this in one of his imponderable books, but I didn’t und… --- ## [Resolved: Morality and Law Have NOTHING To Do With Eachother](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-morality-and-law-have-nothing-to-do-with-eachother/532991)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2010, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-morality-and-law-have-nothing-to-do-with-eachother/532991 "2010-03-20T17:01:00Z")
As I see it, “Laws” are rules, made up by men, and voted on in legislatures. Morality describes individual codes of behavior…which are peculiar to one’s religion/worldview. Hence, an Orthodox Jew would have different i… --- ## [Does this help to define the distinction between 'worker' and 'paper pusher'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-help-to-define-the-distinction-between-worker-and-paper-pusher/533103)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-help-to-define-the-distinction-between-worker-and-paper-pusher/533103 "2010-03-20T15:12:55Z")
I am actually not particularly emotionally invested in this issue, regardless of the fact that I have brought it up at least a few times already :slight\_smile: But I read this article, here are some quotes: So. It sou… --- ## [The United States without slavery](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-without-slavery/532349)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [March 20, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-without-slavery/532349 "2010-03-20T00:23:47Z")
A question from an ignorant foreigner - could the United States abolished slavery in all her states without the Civil War…and how early? In an effort to avoid Whig History, abolitionist efforts were already under way in… --- ## [Is the Toyota acceleration problem actually just mass hysteria?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-toyota-acceleration-problem-actually-just-mass-hysteria/531969)
**Author:** [@Vernon\_Vernons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vernon_Vernons)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2010, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-toyota-acceleration-problem-actually-just-mass-hysteria/531969 "2010-03-19T19:25:21Z")
The thought occurred to me when I just watched this online news video about a representative case. Notice how thoughtless and panicked the guy sounds, even though he’s only doing a whopping 80 mph. on the interstate - he… --- ## [Colonizing space w/o organised religion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonizing-space-w-o-organised-religion/532201)
**Author:** [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2010, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colonizing-space-w-o-organised-religion/532201 "2010-03-19T14:29:54Z")
Will Humans ever be able to drop it like a hot potato no matter where we go? --- ## [I cut the tough, woody ends off the asparagus...in the store. Did I steal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-the-tough-woody-ends-off-the-asparagus-in-the-store-did-i-steal/532544)
**Author:** [@Gruntled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gruntled)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2010, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cut-the-tough-woody-ends-off-the-asparagus-in-the-store-did-i-steal/532544 "2010-03-19T14:07:49Z")
Yesterday I was at the grocery store buying asparagus. It was expensive, and also the bunches they had consisted of long stalks with an excessive amount of the nearly-inedible, thick, tough, woody ends on. I would be pay… --- ## [Why do extremist parties split and splinter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-extremist-parties-split-and-splinter/531987)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2010, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-extremist-parties-split-and-splinter/531987 "2010-03-19T13:32:03Z")
\[insert your own Monty Python’s Life of Brian joke here\] It is a fact of political life that extreme or out-of-mainstream political movements, left, right and other, tend to splinter. Look at this list of third parties… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=468) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=470)