# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=480 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 481 --- ## [Godwin's rule: Ayn rand vs. Adolf hitler - exception?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godwins-rule-ayn-rand-vs-adolf-hitler-exception/526568)
**Author:** [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Piranha_Brothers)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/godwins-rule-ayn-rand-vs-adolf-hitler-exception/526568 "2010-02-01T23:00:18Z")
Is a comparison between ayn rand and adolf hitler an exception to the rule of Godwin? Wikipedia says: I’m arguing that a comparison is valid and that this is one of the exceptions as forseen by Godwin. Both wrote book… --- ## [If a crime is "pervasive" then get a lesser sentence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-crime-is-pervasive-then-get-a-lesser-sentence/526520)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-crime-is-pervasive-then-get-a-lesser-sentence/526520 "2010-02-01T22:41:41Z")
Not sure this is GD but seems it could go there. I was reading this article which describes the sentencing of a stock broker who ripped off his customers: Huh? So, because there is a pervasive culture of corruption t… --- ## [About the significance of birth as a landmark moment in attaining personhood.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-significance-of-birth-as-a-landmark-moment-in-attaining-personhood/526295)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-significance-of-birth-as-a-landmark-moment-in-attaining-personhood/526295 "2010-02-01T22:34:21Z")
I find birth to be a pretty arbitrary watershed moment as there is no significant developmental progress in the minutes/hours it takes for a baby to be born. The baby as it was in utero in essentially the same as it is n… --- ## [Is it fair to hold the citizens of a poor country accountable for their condition?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-fair-to-hold-the-citizens-of-a-poor-country-accountable-for-their-condition/527014)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-fair-to-hold-the-citizens-of-a-poor-country-accountable-for-their-condition/527014 "2010-02-01T20:31:11Z")
This blog post by an ex-athlete, now ESPN writer, is being vilifiedas a mean spirited and callous screed and ESPN fired him for it the next day. The quake aside, and Haiti specifically aside, I’m wondering to what exten… --- ## [Will epigenetics change standards of morality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-epigenetics-change-standards-of-morality/525806)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-epigenetics-change-standards-of-morality/525806 "2010-02-01T20:30:15Z")
I was just reading Time magazine’s article on epigenetics. Very interesting stuff. The basic idea is that scientists are discovering there are a surprising number of genetic characteristics which are both changeable and … --- ## [Stock Bubbles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-bubbles/524430)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stock-bubbles/524430 "2010-02-01T18:12:44Z")
I am fairly sold on the idea that the stock market is nothing more than a bubble machine. Say that I loan $1000 to someone at 5% interest for 5 years. For this, each month, I receive $18.87, until the 5 years are up. (A… --- ## [Would humanity ever be satisfied with a static society?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-humanity-ever-be-satisfied-with-a-static-society/527194)
**Author:** [@Saganist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saganist)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-humanity-ever-be-satisfied-with-a-static-society/527194 "2010-02-01T17:16:27Z")
This is my first GD thread, though I’ve hung out for a while watching the debates, musings, and opinions of veterans here. This thread was partially inspired by the ongoing peak oil thread in part from the questions abo… --- ## [Obama's SoTU Speech Analysis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-sotu-speech-analysis/526715)
**Author:** [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-sotu-speech-analysis/526715 "2010-02-01T15:30:56Z")
I didn’t see a general thread on this, so I figured I’d open one. Just the introductions right now. Michelle looks stunning. Lots of applause. --- ## [If a child is conceived as a result of rape, should the rapist have paternal rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-child-is-conceived-as-a-result-of-rape-should-the-rapist-have-paternal-rights/526885)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2010, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-child-is-conceived-as-a-result-of-rape-should-the-rapist-have-paternal-rights/526885 "2010-02-01T03:13:54Z")
In this thread, the issue of a rapist’s “paternal rights” is touched on. So it’s been established that John Doe raped Mary Smith and the child was conceived as a result of that rape, and Mary carried it to term and is r… --- ## [Is there any legitimate reason for \*not\* forgiving third world loan debts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-legitimate-reason-for-not-forgiving-third-world-loan-debts/527080)
**Author:** [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-legitimate-reason-for-not-forgiving-third-world-loan-debts/527080 "2010-01-31T22:40:49Z")
The debts owed by third world countries to first world a countries a major source of theirpoverty. Most of these countries have debt that was incurred by colonial governments, and then later by corrupt regimes. Not only … --- ## [Was there ever a war because of religion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-war-because-of-religion/526755)
**Author:** [@Stoneburg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoneburg)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-ever-a-war-because-of-religion/526755 "2010-01-31T19:43:30Z")
I’m very anti-religion myself and have in the past claimed that religion is the cause of war but I’m not sure I agree with myself. It’s obviously true that there has been religions justification for a lot of wars, but th… --- ## [Do Conservatives Have Morals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-conservatives-have-morals/527124)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-conservatives-have-morals/527124 "2010-01-31T18:16:15Z")
Looking at the current situation it seems as though conservatives have no morals, they just do what ever they think they need to do to advance their cause. Oppose UHC? Just make up a bunch of lies about death panels. Opp… --- ## [If you think it's OK to walk out on a mortgage that you can afford](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-its-ok-to-walk-out-on-a-mortgage-that-you-can-afford/525047)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-think-its-ok-to-walk-out-on-a-mortgage-that-you-can-afford/525047 "2010-01-31T06:07:50Z")
In a couple of different threads a common argument for it being OK to walk out on a mortgage that you can afford but don’t want to pay because you owe more than the house is worth goes like this; It’s in the contract tha… --- ## [Can an Economic Recovery Occur Without a Robust Manufacturing Sector?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-economic-recovery-occur-without-a-robust-manufacturing-sector/526175)
**Author:** [@sleeping](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-an-economic-recovery-occur-without-a-robust-manufacturing-sector/526175 "2010-01-31T02:09:57Z")
From Alan Tonelson in the Jan 2010 issue of Harpers: So, Tonelson identifies a number of ways in which American manufacturers are at a very real disadvantage compared to foreign firms, and suggests that because of the … --- ## [Socialist(Community) entitlements vs Private Sector](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialist-community-entitlements-vs-private-sector/526785)
**Author:** [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialist-community-entitlements-vs-private-sector/526785 "2010-01-31T01:34:24Z")
In your own opinion, make a (semi) short list of what services you feel the government in their infinite wisdom (or community in general I suppose) should cover for the greater good of the nation. We currently have: Pol… --- ## [Citing difference requires similarity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citing-difference-requires-similarity/526787)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citing-difference-requires-similarity/526787 "2010-01-31T01:08:19Z")
I have heard this idea mentioned before: In order to find a difference between two things, there must be some area of similarity (i.e. some common substrate, although abstract concepts would require a figurative substra… --- ## [Is the word "panties" offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-panties-offensive/524979)
**Author:** [@horhay\_achoa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/horhay_achoa)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2010, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-word-panties-offensive/524979 "2010-01-31T00:04:51Z")
OK. I am going to throw this out there. I don’t know how much of a debate will develop, but here goes… My sister in law is totally against the word “panties” as a term for women’s underwear. Apparently she is not alo… --- ## [Going Green / The Real Problem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-green-the-real-problem/526912)
**Author:** [@greg1701](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/greg1701)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-green-the-real-problem/526912 "2010-01-30T20:59:33Z")
Hi all… I’ve been bombarded from every angle to save water, clean our air, recycle everything, switch my light bulbs, etc… Isn’t all of it moot though if we don’t stop increasing the Earth’s population? If you had one… --- ## [Fluoride in Drinking Water: Good? Bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluoride-in-drinking-water-good-bad/526004)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fluoride-in-drinking-water-good-bad/526004 "2010-01-30T19:29:36Z")
Apparently there’s a grass-roots movement in my old home town to stop the practice of adding fluoride to the drinking water. It sounds like the people behind it are a bunch of nut-jobs though, of the anti-vaccination ty… --- ## [Black Slave Owners in America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-slave-owners-in-america/526478)
**Author:** [@TheHonorableEric](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheHonorableEric)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/black-slave-owners-in-america/526478 "2010-01-30T18:01:50Z")
I am writing a book and uncovered new information that put a twist in my subject matter. Are there any serious historians and genealogy people out there that can contribute reference information to this hidden secret in … --- ## [No Dungeons and Dragons in prison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dungeons-and-dragons-in-prison/526664)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-dungeons-and-dragons-in-prison/526664 "2010-01-30T10:57:41Z")
In Singer v. Raemisch, the Seventh Circuit this month upheld a prison regulation forbidding inmates from playing Dungeons and Dragons, apparently because the game would encourage prisoners to escape. I’m not sure I foll… --- ## [What would be a likely reason for interstellar/interspecies war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-a-likely-reason-for-interstellar-interspecies-war/526680)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-a-likely-reason-for-interstellar-interspecies-war/526680 "2010-01-30T08:50:36Z")
Many science fiction books and films deal with interstellar wars, often between different alien species. Wars on earth are primarily predicated on the acquisition of resources, land grabs, mineral wealth etc. If the huma… --- ## [Well, the Democrats just threw me under a bus with healthcare.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-democrats-just-threw-me-under-a-bus-with-healthcare/526385)
**Author:** [@VoluntaryPlan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VoluntaryPlan)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-democrats-just-threw-me-under-a-bus-with-healthcare/526385 "2010-01-30T05:44:56Z")
From this link: I’ll note that I don’t see any other way to interpret the new language, either. As a teenager, I suffered from heart disease that I thankfully survived but now, as I’m nearing my graduation in a few mo… --- ## [A child should have the true name of his parents on his birth record](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-child-should-have-the-true-name-of-his-parents-on-his-birth-record/526297)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-child-should-have-the-true-name-of-his-parents-on-his-birth-record/526297 "2010-01-30T03:12:29Z")
It seems to me that a basic right of a child should be protected by the state he or she is born in. The right to have the true names of its parents on his/her birth certificate/record. Why is there no law that requires t… --- ## [How can you be X faith if you don't believe your holy word](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-be-x-faith-if-you-dont-believe-your-holy-word/526358)
**Author:** [@Cumberdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumberdale)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2010, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-be-x-faith-if-you-dont-believe-your-holy-word/526358 "2010-01-30T01:56:34Z")
From this thread: Why do Fundies call skeptics/scientific materialists "secular humanists"? - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board One question I’ve wondered is how can people call themselves Christian, Muslim, … --- ## [The hijack about proof theory](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hijack-about-proof-theory/521367)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hijack-about-proof-theory/521367 "2010-01-29T23:33:32Z")
This is a continuation of a debate conversation from this thread. I wasn’t sure whether to put it in GD or IMHO. But in any case, here it is. See linked thread for background. It’s the conversation about proof theory, … --- ## [Will humanity soon be awash in cheap food](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-humanity-soon-be-awash-in-cheap-food/526868)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-humanity-soon-be-awash-in-cheap-food/526868 "2010-01-29T22:28:38Z")
I don’t know very much about agriculture, so hopefully someone else does. According to some agricultural companies (like Monsanto) and some scientists and professors I’ve read of, crop yields may double per acre between… --- ## [Do free-market capitalists really disregard the importance of well-informed, -educated consumers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-free-market-capitalists-really-disregard-the-importance-of-well-informed-educated-consumers/526784)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-free-market-capitalists-really-disregard-the-importance-of-well-informed-educated-consumers/526784 "2010-01-29T21:40:31Z")
In a previous question I asked about the role of education in capitalism, I was trying to get at the fact that if markets are to be efficient in providing the best products, then shouldn’t education be a central part of … --- ## [A Question Concerning Group Health Plans \[fixed math errors\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-concerning-group-health-plans-fixed-math-errors/526926)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-concerning-group-health-plans-fixed-math-errors/526926 "2010-01-29T19:14:44Z")
This question is posed mainly for conservatives on the anti-UHC/anti-Obamacare side of the argument. When I started working in the US, I signed up for the group health plan offered by my company. At the time the premium… --- ## [A Question Concerning Group Health Plans \[closed at OP's request\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-concerning-group-health-plans-closed-at-ops-request/526903)
**Author:** [@emacknight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emacknight)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-concerning-group-health-plans-closed-at-ops-request/526903 "2010-01-29T17:26:34Z")
This question is posed mainly for conservatives on the anti-UHC/anti-Obamacare side of the argument. When I started working in the US, I signed up for the group health plan offered by my company. At the time the premiu… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=479) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=481)