# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=500 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 501 --- ## [Should police be able to pull you over on an anonymous tip?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-police-be-able-to-pull-you-over-on-an-anonymous-tip/514607)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-police-be-able-to-pull-you-over-on-an-anonymous-tip/514607 "2009-10-28T14:00:08Z")
I was reading this article and thought it would be interesting to discuss here. The question for debate is do you think an anonymous tip is sufficient for police to pull you over or do they have to witness you breaking… --- ## [Target Kevin Jennings](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-kevin-jennings/513930)
**Author:** [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/target-kevin-jennings/513930 "2009-10-28T13:43:00Z")
Congressman Steve King along with 52 of his fellows has written letter calling on Obama to fire Jennings from his position running the Education Department’s Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. They claim he does not … --- ## [Is the idea of national sovereignty philosophically sound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-idea-of-national-sovereignty-philosophically-sound/515092)
**Author:** [@tofergregg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofergregg)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-idea-of-national-sovereignty-philosophically-sound/515092 "2009-10-28T13:23:43Z")
Partly inspired by Would You Support A One World Government thread, I have been wondering about the whole idea of national sovereignty and how the idea holds up philosophically and morally. My feeling is that national s… --- ## [Ranked voting - Making third party viable or letting people vote more then once?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ranked-voting-making-third-party-viable-or-letting-people-vote-more-then-once/515230)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ranked-voting-making-third-party-viable-or-letting-people-vote-more-then-once/515230 "2009-10-28T04:26:09Z")
Minneapolis is trying out ranked voting in their upcoming local elections. Here is how it works, we’ll use the mayoral race, with 11 candidates as an example: Each voter gets to vote for a first, second and third prefe… --- ## [Would a president that did nothing have been better than George W Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-president-that-did-nothing-have-been-better-than-george-w-bush/514690)
**Author:** [@The\_Bith\_Shuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Bith_Shuffle)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-president-that-did-nothing-have-been-better-than-george-w-bush/514690 "2009-10-28T03:26:03Z")
I’m open to the idea that the answer is “no”, so don’t get the impression that I think the answer must be “yes” when I ask this question. I just mean to ask… Suppose that a teddy bear had sat in the Oval Office for eig… --- ## [A Million Poor Young Black Men in Jail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-million-poor-young-black-men-in-jail/515062)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-million-poor-young-black-men-in-jail/515062 "2009-10-28T02:08:24Z")
There was a theory that starting in the 90s or so, a massive crime wave would hit the US. 80s movies like RoboCop and Escape from New York were possibly based on this idea that an increasing crime rate was just going to … --- ## [The homeless, the impoverished and the Military](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-homeless-the-impoverished-and-the-military/515173)
**Author:** [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-homeless-the-impoverished-and-the-military/515173 "2009-10-28T01:11:53Z")
General: If you don’t have any money and are living below the poverty line, why not join the military and “work”? Welfare recipients who are clearly able to work and choose not to, should be made to. If they can’t find… --- ## [Should insider trading be legal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-insider-trading-be-legal/515121)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2009, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-insider-trading-be-legal/515121 "2009-10-28T00:46:37Z")
This Wall Street Journal opinion column says yes. And so do many libertarians. What do you think of his arguments? Are there better ones, libertarians? --- ## [Are restrictions on pet adoptions a net benefit for animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-restrictions-on-pet-adoptions-a-net-benefit-for-animals/514648)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2009, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-restrictions-on-pet-adoptions-a-net-benefit-for-animals/514648 "2009-10-26T22:49:26Z")
In this thread, a poster asks how to politely tell someone who they are considering adopting a pet from that they don’t feel comfortable having someone they don’t know visit their home. This is a fairly common requireme… --- ## [In the big scheme of things, will personal "green" lifestyle changes do much to stem global warming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-big-scheme-of-things-will-personal-green-lifestyle-changes-do-much-to-stem-global-warming/515204)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-the-big-scheme-of-things-will-personal-green-lifestyle-changes-do-much-to-stem-global-warming/515204 "2009-10-26T18:42:07Z")
First off, I’m not a global warming denying nutter. I believe it is happening and caused in great part by man. But if global warming and other environmental problems really are as dire as Al Gore claims in “An Inconveni… --- ## [Why Don't More People Warn Me That I'm Going To Hell?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-more-people-warn-me-that-im-going-to-hell/514751)
**Author:** [@GregH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GregH)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-more-people-warn-me-that-im-going-to-hell/514751 "2009-10-26T17:18:50Z")
I heard someone say this the other day, and it got me thinking… I’m not much of a religion expert, so let me start by making some assumptions: All Christians believe in Christ as their saviour All Christians believe i… --- ## [Over a Million Jobs for Low skilled workers overnight!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/over-a-million-jobs-for-low-skilled-workers-overnight/514760)
**Author:** [@curious11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curious11)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 26, 2009, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/over-a-million-jobs-for-low-skilled-workers-overnight/514760 "2009-10-26T04:54:25Z")
Extend the Oregon “Gas Attendent Required Law” to all of the United States. What could possibly go wrong? --- ## [Would Hillary be doing a better job than Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-hillary-be-doing-a-better-job-than-obama/512386)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-hillary-be-doing-a-better-job-than-obama/512386 "2009-10-25T23:22:36Z")
In a recent interview in the London Times Gore Vidal now says that he regrets having backed Obama in preference to Hillary Clinton. I have no dog in this fight as I supported neither but I can see his point. It’s cert… --- ## [Should we care if safety equipment causes most airline crashes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-care-if-safety-equipment-causes-most-airline-crashes/515096)
**Author:** [@The\_Cleveland\_Steamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Cleveland_Steamer)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-care-if-safety-equipment-causes-most-airline-crashes/515096 "2009-10-25T22:33:32Z")
\[QUOTE=Scylla\] I later read a book called Deep Survival which cited a study that said that most major airplane accidents happened as a result of faulty safety equipment. This means the bad safety equipment actually caus… --- ## [Has Obama committed any "Impeachable Offenses"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-obama-committed-any-impeachable-offenses/508750)
**Author:** [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-obama-committed-any-impeachable-offenses/508750 "2009-10-25T19:50:43Z")
I live in the Red State of Texas, and I have seen some bumper stickers saying “Impeach Obama!” Now, I’m sure the guy who had it on his rusty pickup next the sticker of Calvin peeing on a Ford logo did not put much thoug… --- ## [Are journalists more liberal because they're also more informed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-journalists-more-liberal-because-theyre-also-more-informed/514890)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-journalists-more-liberal-because-theyre-also-more-informed/514890 "2009-10-25T14:30:03Z")
I’ve seen studies stating that something like 90 percent of journalists lean to the left when it comes to their personal political views. I’m wondering if this has to do with the fact that they have a close-up view of th… --- ## [Atheists/agnostics and believers - what would make you change your mind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-and-believers-what-would-make-you-change-your-mind/514826)
**Author:** [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-agnostics-and-believers-what-would-make-you-change-your-mind/514826 "2009-10-25T13:48:34Z")
Yes, yes, another thread about YHWH’s existence, or lack thereof. I’m pretty confident in stating that most atheists/agnostics probably came to their position through the consideration that there was not enough evidence … --- ## [The Problems With Liberalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problems-with-liberalism/514341)
**Author:** [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Replies:** 184\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-problems-with-liberalism/514341 "2009-10-25T13:31:08Z")
Over here \*\*Starving Artist opined: To which I challenged him: Being the friendly, helpful, and cooperative sort that I am, here’s a thread for him to do it in. --- ## [The Nature of Time and Particles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-time-and-particles/514906)
**Author:** [@Stalky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stalky)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-nature-of-time-and-particles/514906 "2009-10-25T09:41:05Z")
Physics doesn’t know as much as they seem to let on about the nature of time/events and about wave/particle duality and where these things arise from. I was thinking about it this afternoon and i jotted this down. I’m … --- ## [I don't need the State's permission to defend myself (Gun Control)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-need-the-states-permission-to-defend-myself-gun-control/514556)
**Author:** [@Xan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xan)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-need-the-states-permission-to-defend-myself-gun-control/514556 "2009-10-25T01:06:28Z")
Unlike other gun control threads, I’m not going I’m not going to bother with statistics. Instead I’m going to offer a different take and that is this: I have the right to defend myself and I do not need the permission t… --- ## [Supergraphics and electronic billboards: Atrocity, menace, or outrage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergraphics-and-electronic-billboards-atrocity-menace-or-outrage/511935)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2009, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergraphics-and-electronic-billboards-atrocity-menace-or-outrage/511935 "2009-10-24T19:56:06Z")
Today Clear Channel Communications lost its bid to block enforcement of a new L.A. city ordinance barring new digital billboards and supergraphics. I’m far from being one of those right wing cheerleaders for business an… --- ## [Post-Modernism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-modernism/514812)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2009, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-modernism/514812 "2009-10-24T19:05:17Z")
What is your opinion of post-modernism? I think post-modernism is a bunch of nonsense created by pathetic losers who liked to make everyone more or less equally pathetic and loserific as them. They have declared there i… --- ## [Two MDs discuss and compare Canadian healthcare system to US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-mds-discuss-and-compare-canadian-healthcare-system-to-us/514977)
**Author:** [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/two-mds-discuss-and-compare-canadian-healthcare-system-to-us/514977 "2009-10-24T17:51:37Z")
I found this discussion fascinating. PJTV interview of Ronald Leuchter, MD (esteemed GYN specialist) link to his bio: http://www.gynoncology.com/Physicians/Dr\_Leuchter.htm Here’s the video: http://www.pjtv.com/v/257… --- ## [Justice, Human Nature, Morality and Variations of the Golden Rule.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-human-nature-morality-and-variations-of-the-golden-rule/514974)
**Author:** [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2009, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justice-human-nature-morality-and-variations-of-the-golden-rule/514974 "2009-10-24T17:46:51Z")
There is a very interesting debate on youtube featuring Noam Chomsky and Michel Foucault on what constitutes human nature and whether it is possible to reach a more just society based on a common human nature (as Chomsky… --- ## [Pain and suffering follow a bell curve distribution relative to cognitive abilities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-and-suffering-follow-a-bell-curve-distribution-relative-to-cognitive-abilities/514889)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pain-and-suffering-follow-a-bell-curve-distribution-relative-to-cognitive-abilities/514889 "2009-10-24T15:41:34Z")
I hate it when you spend 20 minutes writing something and firefox freezes up and shuts down. I switched to firefox because IE sucked. Fuck this. I’m going to seamonkey. So if this post seems rambling that is why. Having… --- ## [Theists, agnostics, beleivers: Have you attempted to read a book by Richard Dawkins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-agnostics-beleivers-have-you-attempted-to-read-a-book-by-richard-dawkins/510623)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 290\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2009, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theists-agnostics-beleivers-have-you-attempted-to-read-a-book-by-richard-dawkins/510623 "2009-10-24T15:39:04Z")
Inspired by Atheists, agnostics, & non-believers: do you enjoy reading any part of the Bible?. When I read RD I find myself thoroughly enthralled by what I’m reading. If it’s possible I become even more sure of the non… --- ## [Religion and Occam's Razor...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-and-occams-razor/514832)
**Author:** [@lurking\_guest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurking_guest)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-and-occams-razor/514832 "2009-10-23T22:26:56Z")
All of the hundreds of threads with Believers vs. Non-Believers… The most commited believers, I think, know a personal connection that is almost completely barred from explanation to unbelievers. How does one explain t… --- ## [Would You Support A One World Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-a-one-world-government/513855)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-support-a-one-world-government/513855 "2009-10-23T17:25:35Z")
Would you support a one world democratic government centralized as the EU? What about a world government centralized as much as the current USA? --- ## [Catholic fishing for Anglican defectors?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-fishing-for-anglican-defectors/514547)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/catholic-fishing-for-anglican-defectors/514547 "2009-10-23T17:00:24Z")
It does seem that the Catholic Church is fishing in the Anglican pond. Does this mean war? Do the Anglicans go after Catholics disiilusioned over a variety of Catholic positions? --- ## [Resolved: After You're Dead, You Have No Right To Your Body](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 159\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2009, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-after-youre-dead-you-have-no-right-to-your-body/513803 "2009-10-23T16:14:45Z")
Organ donation is a great social good. Many people decline to become organ donors, however, because of religious concerns (“I won’t have my liver in Heaven!”) or specious safety concerns (“They’ll let me die in the OR to… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=499) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=501)