# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=47 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 48 --- ## [Are We Less Concerned About Nuclear Catastrophe Today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-less-concerned-about-nuclear-catastrophe-today/918721)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2020, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-less-concerned-about-nuclear-catastrophe-today/918721 "2020-09-04T23:50:47Z")
I grew up in the early-to-mid 80’s. At least that is when I was a young adult. Typically Generation X. Anyway, there was this rumor going around. I guess you could call it a rumor. Most kids my age thought we’d have a n… --- ## [The Raised Fist as a Political Symbol](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-raised-fist-as-a-political-symbol/919245)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-raised-fist-as-a-political-symbol/919245 "2020-09-03T17:39:17Z")
Is the reason the raised fist is such an effective political symbol is because it was used as a nonverbal way to communicate aggression and/or dominance for as long as humans have existed. I assert, without any facts to… --- ## [Name the Police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-police/855918)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-the-police/855918 "2020-09-02T00:09:45Z")
As an alternative to “abolish the police” or “defund the police”, I think that the best strategy is to be given a mandate that they have to identify themselves. The grand majority of harassment of the black community by… --- ## [The "walkaway movement to abandon liberalism" is astroturf.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walkaway-movement-to-abandon-liberalism-is-astroturf/817206)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2020, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walkaway-movement-to-abandon-liberalism-is-astroturf/817206 "2020-09-01T20:32:09Z")
There’s a new “movement”, #walkaway, on Twitter that appears to be going viral. It’s called “the walkaway movement to abandon liberalism”. It appears to be obvious astroturf. Twitter account “New Knowledge” makes the ca… --- ## [Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howard-zinns-a-peoples-history-of-the-united-states/917776)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/howard-zinns-a-peoples-history-of-the-united-states/917776 "2020-08-31T18:28:29Z")
I’m a liberal and I have heard about this book for years. Now I know it has certain truths about this country that you will not find in your typical high school history book. But I am just wondering how much to believe. … --- ## [Can white people call other white people crackers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-white-people-call-other-white-people-crackers/918752)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [August 31, 2020, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-white-people-call-other-white-people-crackers/918752 "2020-08-31T14:27:07Z")
If not, how about if you don’t use a hard R? --- ## [If both Trump and Biden claim to be the commander in chief? Who will the military obey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-both-trump-and-biden-claim-to-be-the-commander-in-chief-who-will-the-military-obey/914550)
**Author:** [@ready29003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ready29003)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2020, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-both-trump-and-biden-claim-to-be-the-commander-in-chief-who-will-the-military-obey/914550 "2020-08-30T22:10:58Z")
Asking the Straight Dope Message Board community: What will happen if both Trump and Biden claim to be the commander in chief? Who will the military obey? Bonus Question: In 2000, if Al Gore had refused to accept the… --- ## [Can either sexual preference be an "acquired taste"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-either-sexual-preference-be-an-acquired-taste/194775)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [August 30, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-either-sexual-preference-be-an-acquired-taste/194775 "2020-08-30T21:35:13Z")
Recently on PBS, there was a 3-hour documentary about the Spartans of ancient Greece. According to this documentary, young Spartan boys at the age of 7 were taken away from their families to train to become warriors. (… --- ## [What is the purpose of euphemisms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-euphemisms/919281)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-purpose-of-euphemisms/919281 "2020-08-29T19:31:16Z")
Our friend @Ascenray appears to claim that the purpose of a euphemism is not to avoid “offending” people. I suggest that the purpose of a euphemism is to avoid offending people. I consider the following examples to be e… --- ## [Did i miss the dinosaur extinction anniversary?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-miss-the-dinosaur-extinction-anniversary/918426)
**Author:** [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2020, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-i-miss-the-dinosaur-extinction-anniversary/918426 "2020-08-26T04:23:59Z")
As far back as i remember, i always heard the dinosaurs extinctified 65 million years ago… I’ve recently started seeing references to it being 66 million years… So when did that tick over ? --- ## [Some Christians and Alcohol Consumption](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-christians-and-alcohol-consumption/918549)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2020, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-christians-and-alcohol-consumption/918549 "2020-08-25T14:28:22Z")
This one has vexed me for some time now. Where exactly does it say in the Bible you can’t drink whiskey? In fact in Jesus’ first miracle, the miracle at Cana (John 2: 1-11–look it up :slight\_smile:), he furnished people … --- ## [For those who think the 2nd Amendment is for defending us against a tyrannical government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-think-the-2nd-amendment-is-for-defending-us-against-a-tyrannical-government/916560)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2020, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-think-the-2nd-amendment-is-for-defending-us-against-a-tyrannical-government/916560 "2020-08-24T23:30:23Z")
Please-No Preemptive Strikes. Let those who this thread is addressed to answer freely. My question for those who believe that one of the reasons the 2nd Amendment exists is to take up arms against an oppressive and/or … --- ## [Did the Nazis break the law? Did the Nazis follow illegal orders?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-nazis-break-the-law-did-the-nazis-follow-illegal-orders/918169)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2020, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-the-nazis-break-the-law-did-the-nazis-follow-illegal-orders/918169 "2020-08-24T07:51:53Z")
I’ve always thought the Nuremberg trials make for an interesting part of history, particularly the charges of “crimes against humanity”. I am much underread on this topic, but my impression is that Nazi crimes against hu… --- ## [Blockchain tech for votes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blockchain-tech-for-votes/798478)
**Author:** [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Replies:** 216\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2020, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blockchain-tech-for-votes/798478 "2020-08-23T14:01:02Z")
I have been researching the bitcoin/blockchain tech recently, for various reasons. It really is a very elegant system that the guy (whoever it was) invented. Different aspects of the system just mesh nicely, ensure anon… --- ## [Does labeling people by race promote racism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-labeling-people-by-race-promote-racism/918338)
**Author:** [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Replies:** 179\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2020, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-labeling-people-by-race-promote-racism/918338 "2020-08-23T09:00:36Z")
Our penchant for racial labeling, even when well-intentioned, is in and of itself a bias. This might be a new concept for many people to grasp, because for years America’s race-based diversity programs have relied upo… --- ## ["Executive vs Legislative" VS "Executive vs Judicial"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-vs-legislative-vs-executive-vs-judicial/847600)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/executive-vs-legislative-vs-executive-vs-judicial/847600 "2020-08-21T23:39:36Z")
The US Constitution provides for the three branches of government - legislative, executive and judicial - and the system of checks and balances between and among them. These checks and balances are meant to ensure that … --- ## [I seem to be one of the few people who does not believe that COVID victims were murdered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-seem-to-be-one-of-the-few-people-who-does-not-believe-that-covid-victims-were-murdered/917193)
**Author:** [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2020, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-seem-to-be-one-of-the-few-people-who-does-not-believe-that-covid-victims-were-murdered/917193 "2020-08-21T04:27:44Z")
Maybe this belongs in Great Debates, or even the Pit, IDK, but while a COVID death is unfortunate in any case and a tragedy in some, unless those people crossed paths with a medical serial killer, I don’t think they were… --- ## [Does the US or EU have more minority representation in leadership at Fortune companies / Politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-or-eu-have-more-minority-representation-in-leadership-at-fortune-companies-politics/918237)
**Author:** [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2020, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-us-or-eu-have-more-minority-representation-in-leadership-at-fortune-companies-politics/918237 "2020-08-20T07:47:39Z")
UK is excluded from this discussion because it is no longer part of the EU. The EU often prides itself to be progressive but in my travels through Germany, Italy and a few other countries (mostly on business), I’ve pers… --- ## ['Whiteness' Chart at the Smithsoniam Museum](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteness-chart-at-the-smithsoniam-museum/915636)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 268\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2020, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whiteness-chart-at-the-smithsoniam-museum/915636 "2020-08-19T18:43:28Z")
There has been a story floating around on the right about a chart called, “Aspects and Assumptions of Whiteness and White Culture in the United States.” This is a ‘woke’ chart in the Museum of African American history,… --- ## [Do you find a similarity between entertainment 'disclaimers' and](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-find-a-similarity-between-entertainment-disclaimers-and/918239)
**Author:** [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2020, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-find-a-similarity-between-entertainment-disclaimers-and/918239 "2020-08-18T16:12:11Z")
the Comics Code Authority Warning labels on CDs The movie rating system Video game ratings? Disclaimers such as appearing now on Blazing Saddles and Gone with the Wind. Or such that have appeared for a while on Loone… --- ## [If that's not an emolument, I don't know what is](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-thats-not-an-emolument-i-dont-know-what-is/841919)
**Author:** [@Running\_with\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Running_with_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [August 18, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-thats-not-an-emolument-i-dont-know-what-is/841919 "2020-08-18T13:11:02Z")
Trump has awarded G-7 summit to his Miami-area resort, the White House says Geez, they’re not even trying to pretend that they’re doing the right thing any more. --- ## [Is standing for the national anthem political?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-standing-for-the-national-anthem-political/918025)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-standing-for-the-national-anthem-political/918025 "2020-08-17T22:11:48Z")
One of the main arguments against kneeling, is fans don’t want to mix politics with sports, and kneeling is political. If kneeling is political, is standing political too? --- ## [Justice Department Finds Yale Illegally Discriminates Against Asians and Whites in Undergraduate Admissions in Violation of Federal Civil-Rights Laws](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-department-finds-yale-illegally-discriminates-against-asians-and-whites-in-undergraduate-admissions-in-violation-of-federal-civil-rights-laws/918127)
**Author:** [@damuriajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/damuriajashi)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-department-finds-yale-illegally-discriminates-against-asians-and-whites-in-undergraduate-admissions-in-violation-of-federal-civil-rights-laws/918127 "2020-08-16T19:44:32Z")
Justice Department Finds Yale Illegally Discriminates Against Asians and Whites in Undergraduate Admissions in Violation of Federal Civil-Rights Laws Some commentators point out that DOJ is sort of using asians as cov… --- ## [Is it ideology that makes fascism fascist, or tactics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ideology-that-makes-fascism-fascist-or-tactics/917682)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ideology-that-makes-fascism-fascist-or-tactics/917682 "2020-08-16T16:15:14Z")
If one looks at Antifa from an objective standpoint - that is, setting aside bias, looking solely at techniques for a moment - wearing masks and hoods, using violence, trying to squelch those who hold opposing views via … --- ## [LIVE PD has been cancelled (along with cops). Can we talk about it please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-pd-has-been-cancelled-along-with-cops-can-we-talk-about-it-please/855474)
**Author:** [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2020, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-pd-has-been-cancelled-along-with-cops-can-we-talk-about-it-please/855474 "2020-08-16T00:05:11Z")
So LIVE PD has been cancelled by A&E and COPS has been cancelled by FOX. Dan Abrams, the host of LIVE PD, had a bit of a contentious interview with CNN. I think both sides made some good arguments. I personally like t… --- ## [9th Circuit ends California ban on high-capacity magazines. Why are hi-cap mags important?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9th-circuit-ends-california-ban-on-high-capacity-magazines-why-are-hi-cap-mags-important/918148)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9th-circuit-ends-california-ban-on-high-capacity-magazines-why-are-hi-cap-mags-important/918148 "2020-08-15T22:44:36Z")
The article that prompted this: 9th Circuit ends California ban on high-capacity magazines I read the article. I am not seeing how a high capacity magazine makes you more safe and is constitutionally protected. Obvi… --- ## [What welfare programs are currently not considered universal in wealthier nations, but will be in the near future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-welfare-programs-are-currently-not-considered-universal-in-wealthier-nations-but-will-be-in-the-near-future/917668)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-welfare-programs-are-currently-not-considered-universal-in-wealthier-nations-but-will-be-in-the-near-future/917668 "2020-08-15T20:27:30Z")
Health care is considered a universal welfare program in most of the world (other than the US). K-12 education is universal in much of the world that can afford it. Pensions for the elderly are pretty much universal in n… --- ## [What sort of op-eds should news outlets publish and not publish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-op-eds-should-news-outlets-publish-and-not-publish/918023)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-op-eds-should-news-outlets-publish-and-not-publish/918023 "2020-08-15T17:05:26Z")
We have a Pit thread that’s been going on for a while over the NYT’s publication of an op-ed by senator Tom Cotton - don’t want to derail it, so here is a separate thread: AIUI, the purpose of an op-ed section is to air… --- ## [Better ways to reapportion Congress](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-ways-to-reapportion-congress/917741)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2020, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-ways-to-reapportion-congress/917741 "2020-08-15T12:42:27Z")
A state’s apportionment in the House of Representatives is determined by the Constitution, Article I, Section 2: Representatives … shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, … --- ## [What can be done about police who are willing to help subvert democracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-be-done-about-police-who-are-willing-to-help-subvert-democracy/918117)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-be-done-about-police-who-are-willing-to-help-subvert-democracy/918117 "2020-08-14T20:49:24Z")
If Trump steals the election in 2020 and there are riots in the streets police will be cracking peoples heads open the same day. Its the same in Hong Kong and Belarus where people are protesting to uphold democracy and h… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=46) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=48)