# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=48 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 49 --- ## [Should we turn over fossils or other findings to scientists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-turn-over-fossils-or-other-findings-to-scientists/918000)
**Author:** [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-turn-over-fossils-or-other-findings-to-scientists/918000 "2020-08-14T17:53:40Z")
I am a bit of a rockhound and collect fossils and such. I am on discussion boards with many other people who do the same. People find some pretty good things even here in Kansas like fossilized shark teeth, fish skeleton… --- ## [Hierarchy of billionaires, how valid is it](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-billionaires-how-valid-is-it/917946)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [August 14, 2020, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hierarchy-of-billionaires-how-valid-is-it/917946 "2020-08-14T08:18:53Z")
I saw this interesting video today which discussed how billionaires are not all the same and net worth alone can’t be used to determine who is the most powerful. It breaks billionaires into four categories … --- ## [Other nation's human-rights abuses - "We shouldn't criticize; we are human rights abusers too"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-nations-human-rights-abuses-we-shouldnt-criticize-we-are-human-rights-abusers-too/917333)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/other-nations-human-rights-abuses-we-shouldnt-criticize-we-are-human-rights-abusers-too/917333 "2020-08-09T14:35:46Z")
Whenever the United States criticizes or sanctions other nations for their human-rights abuses (such as China’s detention of Uighur Muslims in camps or crackdown in Hong Kong,) there are always a considerable number of A… --- ## [Can the US presidential election be delayed? (I have a twist...I think...before you jump to a conclusion)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-us-presidential-election-be-delayed-i-have-a-twist-i-think-before-you-jump-to-a-conclusion/916885)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [August 9, 2020, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-us-presidential-election-be-delayed-i-have-a-twist-i-think-before-you-jump-to-a-conclusion/916885 "2020-08-09T06:37:31Z")
I will assume everyone reading this is familiar with president Trump recently suggesting that the 2020 presidential election may be delayed. It has been noted by many, far and wide, that the president has absolutely no … --- ## [What happens if Trump and Chief Justice Roberts do this to steal the election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-and-chief-justice-roberts-do-this-to-steal-the-election/915942)
**Author:** [@ready29003](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ready29003)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2020, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-if-trump-and-chief-justice-roberts-do-this-to-steal-the-election/915942 "2020-08-08T03:26:13Z")
I posted a previous debate question about what will happen if Trump just attempts to stay in office. Who would the military obey? I am convinced from that great debate discussion that the military will obey whoever the… --- ## [Jane Elliott, Educator, asks white people if they would like to be treated like a black person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jane-elliott-educator-asks-white-people-if-they-would-like-to-be-treated-like-a-black-person/913927)
**Author:** [@urbanredneck2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urbanredneck2)\ **Replies:** 479\ **Last updated:** [August 8, 2020, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jane-elliott-educator-asks-white-people-if-they-would-like-to-be-treated-like-a-black-person/913927 "2020-08-08T00:16:03Z")
Jane Elliott, famous for her “Eye of the Beholder” practice of allowing children to see prejudice, has had a quote going around. Here it is: " A white woman, race educator Jane Elliot says to an auditorium full of peopl… --- ## [To what extent can/should people be expected to "live by future judgment?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-should-people-be-expected-to-live-by-future-judgment/915718)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [August 6, 2020, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-can-should-people-be-expected-to-live-by-future-judgment/915718 "2020-08-06T13:21:59Z")
A considerable amount of the judging these days has been of people from past eras being assessed by the culture of today - for instance, the Boeing executive who resigned over an article he wrote 33 years ago. Without f… --- ## [Should a White man, let alone a White person care about Black Lives Matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-white-man-let-alone-a-white-person-care-about-black-lives-matter/916540)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [August 4, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-white-man-let-alone-a-white-person-care-about-black-lives-matter/916540 "2020-08-04T16:57:02Z")
If they have no Black friends or acquaintances, live in a 85%-100% all white town, go to work with majority white people, they don’t care for the issue of criminal justice although criminal justice issues affect EVERY pe… --- ## [Derail Using Education](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derail-using-education/917028)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [August 3, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/derail-using-education/917028 "2020-08-03T20:16:49Z")
Dear Straight Dope Message Board, Our friend SmartAleq recently linked to a very interesting website called “Derailing for Dummies: A Guide to Derailing Conversations”. The particular chapter she linked to is titled “De… --- ## [Why don't the Portland police arrest the camouflaged feds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-portland-police-arrest-the-camouflaged-feds/916331)
**Author:** [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-the-portland-police-arrest-the-camouflaged-feds/916331 "2020-08-02T22:36:26Z")
In the news, unmarked federal agents wearing camouflage have been kidnapping people in Portland, Oregon and generally harrassing peaceful protesters (Federal Agents Push Into Portland Streets, Stretching Limits of Their … --- ## [What is the difference between race, nationality, ethnicity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-race-nationality-ethnicity/916288)
**Author:** [@kswiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kswiss)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-difference-between-race-nationality-ethnicity/916288 "2020-08-02T06:54:28Z")
I am apparently not up to speed on this. --- ## [Are SSRI antidepressants worthless in the long term?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ssri-antidepressants-worthless-in-the-long-term/739052)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 327\ **Last updated:** [August 2, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-ssri-antidepressants-worthless-in-the-long-term/739052 "2020-08-02T00:45:54Z")
I don’t have a dog in this fight one way or the other I’m just curious. Your body in my understanding produces new neurotransmitters at fairly regular intervals, and taking SSRI’s and other reputake inhibitors prevents r… --- ## [Was the United States almost defeated by Grenada's local police force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-united-states-almost-defeated-by-grenadas-local-police-force/916558)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [August 1, 2020, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-united-states-almost-defeated-by-grenadas-local-police-force/916558 "2020-08-01T18:40:43Z")
A claim has been made by our esteemed colleague, @Crane: Putting aside what does or doesn’t count as a “war”, I have never before heard that the United States was nearly defeated by the Grenadan police. But then I’ve n… --- ## [Resolved: 90% of religious people](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-90-of-religious-people/196854)
**Author:** [@Kalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalt)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2003, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-90-of-religious-people/196854 "2003-08-24T05:15:13Z")
Nine out of ten religious people support monuments/displays representing their own (but not someone else’s) religion on public property. For example, 9 out of 10 christians will support a 10 commandments monument at a … --- ## [Elia Kazan Honorary Oscar](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elia-kazan-honorary-oscar/916598)
**Author:** [@kswiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kswiss)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2020, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elia-kazan-honorary-oscar/916598 "2020-07-29T05:00:13Z")
Rather mixed results from the audience, some gave a standing ovation, some sat down and politely clapped. Some sat down and looked disapprovingly at the event. He did “name names” to the House on UnAmeric… --- ## [Should we Mourn the death of Olivia de Havilland](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-mourn-the-death-of-olivia-de-havilland/916455)
**Author:** [@kswiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kswiss)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [July 29, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-mourn-the-death-of-olivia-de-havilland/916455 "2020-07-29T03:42:27Z")
Wonderful actress. Strong powerful woman. Quite ahead of her time regarding woman’s rights. And breaking the studio system. Yet she was in this horribly racist movie called “Gone with the Wind”, it was banned recently.… --- ## [Calvary Chapel case at Supreme Court - should they have won?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calvary-chapel-case-at-supreme-court-should-they-have-won/916424)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [July 28, 2020, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calvary-chapel-case-at-supreme-court-should-they-have-won/916424 "2020-07-28T20:15:48Z")
Coronavirus-related, but doesn’t belong in Quarantine Zone - more of a constitutional debate: Just two days ago, a church in Nevada saw a case decided before the Supreme Court: In a nutshell, Nevada regulations restrict… --- ## [If you shoot someone in self-defense are you better off (from a legal standpoint) to kill the person rather than wound them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-shoot-someone-in-self-defense-are-you-better-off-from-a-legal-standpoint-to-kill-the-person-rather-than-wound-them/914018)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-shoot-someone-in-self-defense-are-you-better-off-from-a-legal-standpoint-to-kill-the-person-rather-than-wound-them/914018 "2020-07-26T22:06:44Z")
I was reading the comments section of a Reddit thread and came across this string of responses where a very large number of people responded that if you shoot someone in self-defense you are far, far better off from lega… --- ## ["Virtue Signaling"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtue-signaling/855565)
**Author:** [@Dan\_Turk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dan_Turk)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [July 26, 2020, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtue-signaling/855565 "2020-07-26T03:42:09Z")
I am not certain this belongs in GD. It may be political, GQ, or even MPSIMS, but I’m starting it here… This phrase has had a lot of mileage in the last couple of years. What do you take it to mean? Do you think it’s … --- ## [A Holocaust 2.0: Would it be a casus belli?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-holocaust-2-0-would-it-be-a-casus-belli/915590)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 24, 2020, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-holocaust-2-0-would-it-be-a-casus-belli/915590 "2020-07-24T08:17:01Z")
After the Holocaust, much of the world said, “Never again.” But I’d like to start a GD debate about just how far “never again” really extends. Suppose a modern nation today set up everything Holocaust-ish - an exact re… --- ## [Are the Polar bears actually diminishing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-polar-bears-actually-diminishing/480132)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [July 22, 2020, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-polar-bears-actually-diminishing/480132 "2020-07-22T18:28:27Z")
One thing that the global warming crowd talks about is the “plight” of the polar bears. According to orthodox GM “theology”, the bears depend upon seals, which they catch by sitting by the seal’s breathing holes (in the … --- ## ["Modern" mega-projects that future generations will see and admire](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-mega-projects-that-future-generations-will-see-and-admire/915420)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-mega-projects-that-future-generations-will-see-and-admire/915420 "2020-07-20T19:59:16Z")
What ‘modern’ mega-projects (defined as after the 19th century) do you speculate might still be around in, oh, say 2 or 3 thousand years in the future, and admired by the people of that time in the way we often admire th… --- ## [Thoughts on social justice. (New attempt at failed Pit thread, minus the well poison.)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-social-justice-new-attempt-at-failed-pit-thread-minus-the-well-poison/915553)
**Author:** [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-social-justice-new-attempt-at-failed-pit-thread-minus-the-well-poison/915553 "2020-07-20T19:01:30Z")
First, preamble. No need to click the spoiler unless you’re familiar with my recent trainwreck of a Pit thread, which was about what the historical outpour of social justice energy ought to focus on as first and second (… --- ## [What's wrong with being a traitor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-being-a-traitor/912501)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-being-a-traitor/912501 "2020-07-20T17:19:48Z")
In this thread, there’s some talk about how we need to not honor Confederates because they’re traitors. It seems to me that their crime was standing for the wrong ideals, not that they were traitors. Isn’t George Wash… --- ## [Decoupling from China...some questions and a debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decoupling-from-china-some-questions-and-a-debate/915325)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 20, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decoupling-from-china-some-questions-and-a-debate/915325 "2020-07-20T01:34:14Z")
I’ve heard talk about the US and other countries ‘decoupling’ from China (or China from them, or just decoupling in general) so thought I’d start a thread here to ask a few questions then pose a hypothetical debate. Fir… --- ## [Is Covid going to slow construction?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-covid-going-to-slow-construction/915669)
**Author:** [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2020, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-covid-going-to-slow-construction/915669 "2020-07-19T22:32:51Z")
Some signs of “normality” that I have enjoyed throughout the Covid crisis is the continuing road and building construction. I am a bit surprised at all the building construction, putting in new hotels and office buildin… --- ## [Should Confederate Flags be banned from NASCAR events?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321)
**Author:** [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [July 19, 2020, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-confederate-flags-be-banned-from-nascar-events/855321 "2020-07-19T21:19:00Z")
Bubba Wallace, the only black driver currently in NASCAR, is calling for the Confederate Flag to be banned from all races. There are unconfirmed reports that NASCAR is actually discussing it. As NASCAR is not the govern… --- ## [Making society less of a "viewpoint minefield"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-society-less-of-a-viewpoint-minefield/914785)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 195\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2020, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/making-society-less-of-a-viewpoint-minefield/914785 "2020-07-18T12:01:33Z")
Regardless of one’s political views, I think most of us can agree that modern U.S. (and some Western) society has become a minefield: If you say something that is perceived as wrong by some group of people (whatever the … --- ## [Redskins Win!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redskins-win/510942)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 383\ **Last updated:** [July 17, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redskins-win/510942 "2020-07-17T21:40:00Z")
No, not the game yesterday. (Well, they did “win” if you want to call a 9-7, no-Washington-TD win against the much-maligned Rams a victory, but I digress.) No, this was a victory earlier this year, in Pro Football v. Har… --- ## [Will the Segway ("Ginger") change the world as we know it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-segway-ginger-change-the-world-as-we-know-it/96719)
**Author:** [@David\_Weman\_cdw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Weman_cdw)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-segway-ginger-change-the-world-as-we-know-it/96719 "2020-07-16T18:05:45Z")
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,186660-1,00.html http://www.segway.com/ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=49)