# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=470 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 471 --- ## [Why don't anti-abortion lobbyists dictate HCR language?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-anti-abortion-lobbyists-dictate-hcr-language/530623)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-anti-abortion-lobbyists-dictate-hcr-language/530623 "2010-03-19T02:41:15Z")
Anti-abortion lobbyists could pen basically any sort of HCR language they want if they persuaded a single Republican Senator to permit an up or down vote on health care reform. The situation would throw Democrats into a… --- ## [Sexual orientation, Virginia universities, and the new AG](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-orientation-virginia-universities-and-the-new-ag/532008)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 205\ **Last updated:** [March 19, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sexual-orientation-virginia-universities-and-the-new-ag/532008 "2010-03-19T02:13:36Z")
So the new Republican Attorney General in Virginia is kicking up a stir. He’s informed the various state universities that they cannot legally include sexual orientation in their list of prohibited discriminations, becau… --- ## [Does Medicine/Social Class Screw up Evolution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-medicine-social-class-screw-up-evolution/532744)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2010, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-medicine-social-class-screw-up-evolution/532744 "2010-03-18T22:12:35Z")
Evolution in its most basic sense is survival of the fittest, correct? So why is it that we treat illness and defects, and let humans procreate that wouldn’t naturally be able to? You could argue that medicine and scien… --- ## [Study: Controlling Risk factors doesn't change health](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-controlling-risk-factors-doesnt-change-health/532918)
**Author:** [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/study-controlling-risk-factors-doesnt-change-health/532918 "2010-03-18T20:31:07Z")
In recent decades, it has been treated as axiomatic by those doing medical research and those giving medical advice that reducing risk factors for a condition will reduce risk of having the condition, that is if there is… --- ## [Rights of the seller - installing GPS car disabling devices in cars you sell.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-of-the-seller-installing-gps-car-disabling-devices-in-cars-you-sell/532889)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-of-the-seller-installing-gps-car-disabling-devices-in-cars-you-sell/532889 "2010-03-18T19:38:47Z")
Texan accused of disabling 100 cars over Internet So Ramon-Lopez is accused of going into the dealership’s computer (he worked there, as a “collector” - repo man?) and deactiviting starters and sounding the horns on ca… --- ## [Animal Abuse Registry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-abuse-registry/530490)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-abuse-registry/530490 "2010-03-18T16:53:11Z")
A news story came to my attention a few days ago, and now I no longer have a link. It seems someone in California (Florida?) has a proposed a statewide registry of animal abusers. This make a whole lot of sense. Animal … --- ## [Can "White Nationalists" use the immigration issue to reach the mainstream?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-white-nationalists-use-the-immigration-issue-to-reach-the-mainstream/524554)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [March 18, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-white-nationalists-use-the-immigration-issue-to-reach-the-mainstream/524554 "2010-03-18T13:33:32Z")
That is one of the theses of the new documentary White Power USA: The Rise of Right-Wing Militias in America, by Rick Rowley and Jacquie Soohen, excerpted here: I don’t expect any RaHoWa, of course. But, there are som… --- ## [Nietschze: The Anti-American Philosophy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nietschze-the-anti-american-philosophy/529733)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nietschze-the-anti-american-philosophy/529733 "2010-03-17T22:35:31Z")
Was the philosophy of Friedrich Nietschze the antithesis of “Americanism”? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy\_of\_Friedrich\_Nietschze “Americanism” professes human equality, democracy, optimism, and (to most Americ… --- ## [Explain to me how American taxation is fair.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-how-american-taxation-is-fair/528228)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-how-american-taxation-is-fair/528228 "2010-03-17T21:16:26Z")
First off, American corporations are taxed on profit and not revenue. It may make since to expense out such things as payroll, COGS, factory depreciation etc, but it also allows the company to expense out buying naming … --- ## [What do you know about Australia and it's Aborigines? (+ opinions on what you DO know)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-know-about-australia-and-its-aborigines-opinions-on-what-you-do-know/532237)
**Author:** [@Jump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jump)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-know-about-australia-and-its-aborigines-opinions-on-what-you-do-know/532237 "2010-03-17T18:50:26Z")
For the non-Aussies: What do you know about the relationship between Aboriginal Australians and non-Aboriginal Australians? What do you know about our attitudes towards each other? How our cultures mix? How intergrat… --- ## [Monogamy, polygamy and social chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monogamy-polygamy-and-social-chaos/531811)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/monogamy-polygamy-and-social-chaos/531811 "2010-03-17T16:25:05Z")
So I am under the impression that in polygamous cultures, the most wealthy and powerful men monopolize all the women, which makes all the men at the bottom of the socioeconomic totem pole have more to gain and less to lo… --- ## [Cigars and hookers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigars-and-hookers/531851)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cigars-and-hookers/531851 "2010-03-17T14:41:32Z")
Believe it or not, there’s a connection, and a non-Clintonesque use of the cigar for the connection, even. On these boards, there is a widespread acceptance of the idea that prostitution should be legal. Despite acknowl… --- ## [Another Niqab Controversy \[Quebec "defense" of French too far?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-niqab-controversy-quebec-defense-of-french-too-far/531074)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-niqab-controversy-quebec-defense-of-french-too-far/531074 "2010-03-17T05:26:47Z")
First off, I’ve got nothing good to say about women wearing Niqabs, Burqas or veils even though I have no problem with their masters wearing gowns. But, I do feel quite happy with how my country, Canada, generally acc… --- ## [Living a western lifestyle on a shoestring budget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-a-western-lifestyle-on-a-shoestring-budget/532635)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 17, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-a-western-lifestyle-on-a-shoestring-budget/532635 "2010-03-17T00:39:32Z")
So it seems that much of the wealthy world has overextended itself. Entitlement programs and aging are going to be a big global problem, various wealthy countries are reaching bankruptcy, etc. I assume the big goal of i… --- ## [Is it ethical that all of celebrity's dirty laundry is exposed for all to see?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-that-all-of-celebritys-dirty-laundry-is-exposed-for-all-to-see/532405)
**Author:** [@mmpetrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmpetrin)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2010, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-that-all-of-celebritys-dirty-laundry-is-exposed-for-all-to-see/532405 "2010-03-16T23:23:09Z")
In thinking about the Tiger Woods scandal, his career is done. I’m not justifying what he did, but others have committed similar mistakes except they are not fossilized forevermore by thousands of internet articles and t… --- ## [Cops Out Lesbian to Air Force](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-out-lesbian-to-air-force/532460)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2010, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cops-out-lesbian-to-air-force/532460 "2010-03-16T20:41:54Z")
Thishas me puzzled: Can cops really expect you to come home from work to help them in an investigation? Are you under any obligation to say where someone wanted on theft charges might be? Does it matter if they are con… --- ## [Carlos Slim, world's richest man disagrees with Gates & Buffett on charitable giving. Who is right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carlos-slim-worlds-richest-man-disagrees-with-gates-buffett-on-charitable-giving-who-is-right/532134)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2010, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carlos-slim-worlds-richest-man-disagrees-with-gates-buffett-on-charitable-giving-who-is-right/532134 "2010-03-16T03:10:53Z")
Per this articlethe current “richest man in the world” Carlos Slim says “Santa Claus” in this case is an obvious reference to the Gates and Buffet foundations that are dedicated to funding various charitable causes wor… --- ## [Career politicians vs. "citizen legislators"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/career-politicians-vs-citizen-legislators/530613)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2010, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/career-politicians-vs-citizen-legislators/530613 "2010-03-15T22:38:09Z")
This thread was getting hijacked (my fault as much as Oakminster’s), so I thought I’d break out the hijack into a separate one. Oakminster says the very existence of such things as “career politicians” is regrettable an… --- ## [Which Republicans of the past would be in the party today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-republicans-of-the-past-would-be-in-the-party-today/532547)
**Author:** [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2010, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-republicans-of-the-past-would-be-in-the-party-today/532547 "2010-03-15T20:01:06Z")
Teddy Roosevelt- Introduced many regulations on industry and took on corporate trusts. Set aside wilderness for protection. Probably not a current GOP. Dwight Eisenhower- High high tax rates, huge infrastructure spendin… --- ## [Tax delinquents can vote on taxes? Why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-delinquents-can-vote-on-taxes-why/531226)
**Author:** [@pabstist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pabstist)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 15, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-delinquents-can-vote-on-taxes-why/531226 "2010-03-15T03:16:58Z")
We just had our town budget vote here (payed for by property tax), and a few weeks beforehand we got our annual town report (which listed delinquent property tax amounts). Which got me to wondering- Why are homeowners w… --- ## [Should high gov't officials be allowed conflicting financial interest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-high-govt-officials-be-allowed-conflicting-financial-interest/532432)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 14, 2010, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-high-govt-officials-be-allowed-conflicting-financial-interest/532432 "2010-03-14T16:22:34Z")
News from Thailand concerns ex-PM Thaksin who used his governmental power egregiously to build profits at his own companies. We like to think this couldn’t happen in the U.S.A. But is that true? While Rumsfeld was Sec… --- ## [Dawkins: Is he dangerous?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dawkins-is-he-dangerous/531953)
**Author:** [@nilum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nilum)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dawkins-is-he-dangerous/531953 "2010-03-13T21:42:28Z")
I’ve been watching some of Richard Dawkins’ videos and he makes a lot of claims that religion is dangerous. He points out that radicals are just ticking time bombs and that religion is a breeding ground for intolerance a… --- ## [Why do governments legislate maximum vehicle speeds...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-governments-legislate-maximum-vehicle-speeds/531260)
**Author:** [@Random\_Design](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random_Design)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-governments-legislate-maximum-vehicle-speeds/531260 "2010-03-13T19:54:26Z")
… but leave the application to end-user discretion? Why do they allow manufacturers to produce engines that will produce speeds well in excess of the speed they (the govt) has stated as the maximum? And then have the law… --- ## [Document exposes what the RNC really thinks of its donors, admits to using "fear."](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/document-exposes-what-the-rnc-really-thinks-of-its-donors-admits-to-using-fear/531303)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 359\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/document-exposes-what-the-rnc-really-thinks-of-its-donors-admits-to-using-fear/531303 "2010-03-13T13:01:26Z")
Politico The presentation also included a slide show featuring that stupid Obama-as-the-Joker picture (and what the hell is that evensupposed to mean, exactly? I’ve never been able to figure that out), as well as Nancy… --- ## [Trade your Bibles for Porn -- "Smut for Smut" Event!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251)
**Author:** [@ragerdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ragerdude)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trade-your-bibles-for-porn-smut-for-smut-event/531251 "2010-03-13T08:44:58Z")
The Atheist Agenda, a student group at the University of Texas at San Antonio, hosted a provocative event over the past few days. Students would receive free porn in exchange for their holy texts. I as a … --- ## [Student loan reform tied to Healthcare bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loan-reform-tied-to-healthcare-bill/532302)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-loan-reform-tied-to-healthcare-bill/532302 "2010-03-13T06:28:04Z")
According to this CNN article, Democrats are trying to essentially nationalize the student loan market. The purpose of this thread is not to discuss that issue. What I would like to discuss is this point. \[QUOTE=CNN\] t… --- ## [Larry King asks Massa "Are you gay", Massa (kinda) answers](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-king-asks-massa-are-you-gay-massa-kinda-answers/531991)
**Author:** [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/larry-king-asks-massa-are-you-gay-massa-kinda-answers/531991 "2010-03-13T03:29:18Z")
http://www.breitbart.tv/are-you-gay-massa-avoids-answering-kings-question/ So, Larry King asked former Rep. Massa if he’s gay — a fair question, IMO, considering there’s questions of his conduct around male staffers and… --- ## [Anti-immigration White Nationalists & the Dalai Lama -- equivalency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-immigration-white-nationalists-the-dalai-lama-equivalency/532074)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [March 13, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-immigration-white-nationalists-the-dalai-lama-equivalency/532074 "2010-03-13T00:58:03Z")
Ever since China took over Tibet in 1950, the PRC government has been systematically settling Han-Chinese there, in a clear (and apparently successful) effort to make it a Han-majority region and thereby forestall nation… --- ## [Grayson Introduces Medicare Buy-in Provision into Healthcare Bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grayson-introduces-medicare-buy-in-provision-into-healthcare-bill/532206)
**Author:** [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/grayson-introduces-medicare-buy-in-provision-into-healthcare-bill/532206 "2010-03-12T23:48:39Z")
Full text of bill here. Essentially, every person under 65 will be able to buy into Medicare at a monthly rate equal to costs incurred by individuals in his/her age group. Thus, the bill costs nothing since the individu… --- ## [Median net worth for single black women: $5](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/median-net-worth-for-single-black-women-5/532168)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 12, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/median-net-worth-for-single-black-women-5/532168 "2010-03-12T23:41:43Z")
This is staggering to me. I haven’t read the study that this article references yet. Here are a few quotes. \[QUOTE=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette\] Among the most startling revelations in the wealth data is that while single … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=469) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=471)