# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=487 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 488 --- ## [Michigan finally passed a smoking ban!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-finally-passed-a-smoking-ban/520818)
**Author:** [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Replies:** 354\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2010, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michigan-finally-passed-a-smoking-ban/520818 "2010-01-07T01:48:46Z")
The Michigan legislature just passed a bill to ban smoking in public places. They tried to do this last year, but our idiot lawmakers couldn’t agree on a final version of the bill. The House (controlled by Democrats) p… --- ## [Nature of reality.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-of-reality/523842)
**Author:** [@Claude\_Remains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claude_Remains)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nature-of-reality/523842 "2010-01-06T23:51:54Z")
Is it that there is nothing but energy bound into many states and that the Human experience is but an illusion? Or have I been reading too much Alan Watts? Am I to believe that I am God playing hide- and go seek- with… --- ## [Is humanity's future a near guaranteed dystopian oligarchy? \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-humanitys-future-a-near-guaranteed-dystopian-oligarchy-ed-title/523599)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2010, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-humanitys-future-a-near-guaranteed-dystopian-oligarchy-ed-title/523599 "2010-01-06T22:37:51Z")
Dystopian oligarchy sounds like a cool band name. Either way. There are various forms of ‘capital’. Financial capital, political capital, social capital, etc which can be used for acquisition, protection and influence. … --- ## [Lies told by prominant democrats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lies-told-by-prominant-democrats/523428)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2010, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lies-told-by-prominant-democrats/523428 "2010-01-06T21:30:41Z")
As many on the right contend that the Democrats are every bit as bad as the Republicans when it comes to lying. This is something I just include in the long line of Republican supported lies but in an effort to be object… --- ## [Is the latest "terrorist attack" a real threat or the act of another lame poser?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-latest-terrorist-attack-a-real-threat-or-the-act-of-another-lame-poser/522854)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-latest-terrorist-attack-a-real-threat-or-the-act-of-another-lame-poser/522854 "2010-01-06T19:15:48Z")
I’m not sure what to make of the Nigerian/Detroit incident. As we’ve learned, especially with 9/11, there is the story behind the story. When the news of these things break I try to suspend belief until better researched… --- ## [US Military vs Outside the Box](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-vs-outside-the-box/523482)
**Author:** [@WhyWhyWhy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyWhyWhy)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2010, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-vs-outside-the-box/523482 "2010-01-06T14:16:07Z")
Being the USA (bigger budgets, advanced technology, maybe over-confidence) do we train our guys adequately to thing outside of the box, to not underestimte the enemey, etc., etc.?? --- ## [Canada/ Prorogation and the 2010 Winter Olympics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-prorogation-and-the-2010-winter-olympics/523425)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2010, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-prorogation-and-the-2010-winter-olympics/523425 "2010-01-06T04:50:02Z")
Lets Review. A year ago, Harper got permission to get Parliament recessed from December 4, 2008 to January 27, 2009. Most of us first heard of the term “prorogue” and the opposition cried foul. Parliament out of actio… --- ## [Released Guantanamo Detainees Planned Fizzled Plane Explosion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/released-guantanamo-detainees-planned-fizzled-plane-explosion/522903)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 208\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/released-guantanamo-detainees-planned-fizzled-plane-explosion/522903 "2010-01-06T04:16:15Z")
ABC News says that two of the four leaders said to have planned the al Qaeda attempt to blow up a jet plane over Detroit with a suicide bomber were former Gitmo detainees, released into a “rehabilitation program” run by … --- ## [Could Wikipedia get too big to fail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-wikipedia-get-too-big-to-fail/523130)
**Author:** [@Dilton\_Doiley\_Philosopher\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dilton_Doiley_Philosopher_King)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-wikipedia-get-too-big-to-fail/523130 "2010-01-05T23:53:52Z")
According to this personal appeal from Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, the website is run on $10 million a year. He also says it is the fifth-most-viewed website in the world. Could there be a point where Wikipedia coul… --- ## [What would've happened had we screwed up the bank bailouts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wouldve-happened-had-we-screwed-up-the-bank-bailouts/522521)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-wouldve-happened-had-we-screwed-up-the-bank-bailouts/522521 "2010-01-05T22:10:15Z")
Despite the problems that happened ($700 billion in debt, 500k+ jobs lost a month for several months in a row, 7-10 million total jobs lost), my understanding from what I know of it is that Bernanke handled the situation… --- ## [Blood Libel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-libel/522020)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 173\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-libel/522020 "2010-01-05T12:16:04Z")
Holy fucking shit Israel admitted that it really was harvesting Palestinian organs without consent. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/dec/20/israel-admits-harvesting-palestinian-organs --- ## [Childfree is anti-natalism and anti-natalism is bigotry](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childfree-is-anti-natalism-and-anti-natalism-is-bigotry/523443)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 232\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/childfree-is-anti-natalism-and-anti-natalism-is-bigotry/523443 "2010-01-05T09:19:46Z")
In this thread, Ethical Implications of Remaining Childless By Choice we discussed whether or not it’s acceptable to remain childless by choice. The overwhelming answer, unanimous it seems to me is that yes, it’s perfec… --- ## [Subsidized prostitution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsidized-prostitution/522573)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/subsidized-prostitution/522573 "2010-01-05T08:55:05Z")
Progressives are much concerned with inequality of wealth, yet have little concern for inequality of social status, which arguably more important for happiness. One facet of this is inequality in access to sexual partne… --- ## [Why do countries seem to undergo major sociological changes at ~$5000 per capita income](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-countries-seem-to-undergo-major-sociological-changes-at-5000-per-capita-income/523031)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-countries-seem-to-undergo-major-sociological-changes-at-5000-per-capita-income/523031 "2010-01-05T05:11:28Z")
I don’t know if I’m cherry picking information, but it does seem that getting to/being at $5000 or so per capita income results in major changes to a society. The total fertility rate (the number of children born per w… --- ## [Is it/should it be illegal to flash lights to warn other motorists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-should-it-be-illegal-to-flash-lights-to-warn-other-motorists/523136)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-should-it-be-illegal-to-flash-lights-to-warn-other-motorists/523136 "2010-01-05T02:09:46Z")
of a police presence? Inspired by this closed thread: Ticketed for flashing headlights... (video) - Great Debates - Straight Dope Message Board It seems to me from the video that the officer wasn’t worried about any ty… --- ## [Nuclear weapons in non-MAD scenarios](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-weapons-in-non-mad-scenarios/522937)
**Author:** [@twhitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twhitt)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2010, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-weapons-in-non-mad-scenarios/522937 "2010-01-05T01:29:27Z")
In this thread about Iran, it is suggested that Iran intends to build and detonate a nuclear bomb as an act of war. There exist some opposing pairs of nations which would likely always result in MAD scenarios, such as P… --- ## [Ethical Implications of Remaining Childless By Choice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-implications-of-remaining-childless-by-choice/521653)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 241\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-implications-of-remaining-childless-by-choice/521653 "2010-01-04T18:47:38Z")
I would like to start off by saying that I am 25 years old, childless, and plan on remaining childless, although I also freely grant that my feelings on the matter could change. I’ve heard from childless-by-choice peopl… --- ## [The Nevada gambler, al-Qaida, the CIA and the mother of all cons](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nevada-gambler-al-qaida-the-cia-and-the-mother-of-all-cons/523288)
**Author:** [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nevada-gambler-al-qaida-the-cia-and-the-mother-of-all-cons/523288 "2010-01-03T19:44:06Z")
I remember all the scheduled BA flights being cancelled - one daily flight in particular was cancelled at short-notice day after day, iirc to the extent they had to retitle it as it had such a bad rep: Guardian Ever s… --- ## [Should Repeat HIV Spreaders Be Punished?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-repeat-hiv-spreaders-be-punished/522012)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2010, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-repeat-hiv-spreaders-be-punished/522012 "2010-01-02T16:44:05Z")
I was reading up on the BBC debate on the death penalty for homosexuals in Uganda and found this post: I vaguely agree with in theory although this law doesn’t need to implemented in the US, in South Africa and other A… --- ## [mother turned child in to police](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-turned-child-in-to-police/522665)
**Author:** [@timmar68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmar68)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-turned-child-in-to-police/522665 "2010-01-01T19:48:17Z")
On the news this morning I saw a segment about a woman who turned her child in to the police when she shoplifted and they questioned if it was good parenting or being too tough. I say, why the debate? The mother said th… --- ## [UHC Ethical Dilemma: Where do you draw the line?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-ethical-dilemma-where-do-you-draw-the-line/522930)
**Author:** [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uhc-ethical-dilemma-where-do-you-draw-the-line/522930 "2010-01-01T18:47:39Z")
Loosely based on this thread in the Pit: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=545309. As it is the Pit, it turned into a pitting against a poster, and left the “real” issue behind, which Sateryn76 and I… --- ## [Do we as citizens have a societal obligation to be productive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-as-citizens-have-a-societal-obligation-to-be-productive/521660)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2010, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-as-citizens-have-a-societal-obligation-to-be-productive/521660 "2010-01-01T05:22:00Z")
Although this isn’t at all related to Gestalt’s thread on the ethics of being childless, I found that one sentence in his OP stood out and made me think. I turned this around a bit tho, and now would ask: Do we as cit… --- ## [What are some criticisms of evolutionary psychology or left wing social and economic policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-criticisms-of-evolutionary-psychology-or-left-wing-social-and-economic-policy/522686)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-criticisms-of-evolutionary-psychology-or-left-wing-social-and-economic-policy/522686 "2010-01-01T03:29:04Z")
Over the last few years I have developed my personal philosophy on the nature of life and human behavior which is more or less based on evolutionary psychology which states most of human behavior has its roots in evolved… --- ## [Oh, no! Obama Imposes One-World Gov't On US!!1! (Interpol Exec order)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-no-obama-imposes-one-world-govt-on-us-1-interpol-exec-order/523079)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 1, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-no-obama-imposes-one-world-govt-on-us-1-interpol-exec-order/523079 "2010-01-01T01:16:15Z")
I was alerted to this latest threat to democracy by this page, which breathlessly infomrs me that President Obama has issued a new Executive Order that is ultimately… and will lead to Perhaps so, although the discuss… --- ## [F\*ck the "long American tradition of armed resistance to intrusive government"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-the-long-american-tradition-of-armed-resistance-to-intrusive-government/522859)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2009, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/f-ck-the-long-american-tradition-of-armed-resistance-to-intrusive-government/522859 "2009-12-31T19:00:25Z")
Belated followup to this thread. From furt’s post #52: The link is to an article in the libertarian Reason magazine. My response in post #79: I have not read Churchill’s book, but found a thumbnail review on Amazon… --- ## [No, the Green Party are not "Luddites"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-the-green-party-are-not-luddites/522857)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2009, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-the-green-party-are-not-luddites/522857 "2009-12-31T16:46:01Z")
I keep seeing this meme repeated, on this board and elsewhere, as a basic, established fact, hardly worth discussing. But check out the platform of the Green Party of the United States. Just what is there here, that su… --- ## [The Hindenburgh doesn't burst into flames; effect on the fate of rigid airships?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hindenburgh-doesnt-burst-into-flames-effect-on-the-fate-of-rigid-airships/522591)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hindenburgh-doesnt-burst-into-flames-effect-on-the-fate-of-rigid-airships/522591 "2009-12-31T14:01:34Z")
Picture it; Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 6th 1937. The LZ-129 Hindenburg arrives on her first North American trip of the season. Crowds gather to watch it land, newsreel cameras are rolling, and everything goes as p… --- ## [The sad, strange case of Akmal Shaikh](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sad-strange-case-of-akmal-shaikh/522848)
**Author:** [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2009, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sad-strange-case-of-akmal-shaikh/522848 "2009-12-31T13:50:13Z")
I rarely post here anymore, but I think this story deserves more circulation than it has received. In about 4 1/2 hours, a man is going to be put to death in China. His name is Akmal Shaikh. He’s not a hero. He wasn’t j… --- ## [If this healthcare bill passes, can costs only go up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-this-healthcare-bill-passes-can-costs-only-go-up/522778)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2009, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-this-healthcare-bill-passes-can-costs-only-go-up/522778 "2009-12-31T06:55:04Z")
I put this in GD because there will be a debate on the answer to my question. If I understand the bill that will be passed: You MUST buy health insurance An insurance company may not deny you for a pre-existing condit… --- ## [Is subjecting "foreign" passengers to extra screening a valid air security tool?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-subjecting-foreign-passengers-to-extra-screening-a-valid-air-security-tool/522730)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-subjecting-foreign-passengers-to-extra-screening-a-valid-air-security-tool/522730 "2009-12-30T19:01:13Z")
Caveats: Yes, I realize citizenship is not the magic talisman of terrorism prognostication I neither advocate this, nor do I not advocate this. Rather just looking for discussion. Yes, I understand that security screen… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=486) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=488)