# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=511 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 512 --- ## [Legality of Drugs and Guns: Commensurable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-drugs-and-guns-commensurable/509766)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legality-of-drugs-and-guns-commensurable/509766 "2009-09-14T16:49:32Z")
Guns, when used responsibly, can be a largely non-destructive (and some would argue positive) force in society. The same can be said for drugs. Guns can kill people, some drugs can also kill people. Guns are legal while… --- ## [Is There Really Such a Thing as 'Improper' English?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-improper-english/509493)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-such-a-thing-as-improper-english/509493 "2009-09-14T14:06:20Z")
IIRC, I alluded to this theory of mine about 7 years ago shortly after I joined these boards. But to my recollection, I never put my theory in a thread all by itself. And I put it in GD, because as you will see, my theor… --- ## [Can Creationists say that different plants are related?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-creationists-say-that-different-plants-are-related/509888)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2009, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-creationists-say-that-different-plants-are-related/509888 "2009-09-14T05:05:18Z")
…like the way onions and garlic are related? --- ## [9:26am nyt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-26am-nyt/509675)
**Author:** [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-26am-nyt/509675 "2009-09-14T01:12:14Z")
Fellow Dopers - Today, at the time listed above, there will be a moment of silence in memory and honor of those who lost their lives in the attacks, eight years ago today. No matter what our political or other disagree… --- ## [Charlie Sheen: Hero, Villian or Martyr?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-sheen-hero-villian-or-martyr/509774)
**Author:** [@Zanthor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanthor)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-sheen-hero-villian-or-martyr/509774 "2009-09-14T00:35:34Z")
Martyr?, soon to be culled? silenced? like all too many good men are? Twenty Minutes with the President Reported by Charlie Sheen Tuesday, September 8, 2009 Alex Jones interviews Charlie Sheen. I recently had the p… --- ## [Who is really pleased with their current health insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-really-pleased-with-their-current-health-insurance/507667 "2009-09-13T23:03:00Z")
I was thinking about this when reading this thread. When I hear people express opposition to health care reform, I’m not sure whether they are opposed to the very idea of health care reform, or instead, to the specific … --- ## [Justify illegal immigration to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justify-illegal-immigration-to-me/509697)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justify-illegal-immigration-to-me/509697 "2009-09-13T20:15:18Z")
1 They’re making a better life for themselves Then by all rights, I should be allowed to rob banks. Why not? So what if it’s against the law. An extra $5000 per month would certainly help out my family. And why we’… --- ## [Public option Obama style](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-option-obama-style/509735)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2009, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/public-option-obama-style/509735 "2009-09-13T15:57:11Z")
Although this is a question that in-and-of itself doesn’t belong in GD, I have a feeling this thread would get moved here eventually. Obama says he’s for a public option that isn’t tax funded and must rely on the money … --- ## [Why doesn't the "United States of America" encompass all of North and South America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-united-states-of-america-encompass-all-of-north-and-south-america/509027)
**Author:** [@Dilton\_Doiley\_Philosopher\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dilton_Doiley_Philosopher_King)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2009, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-the-united-states-of-america-encompass-all-of-north-and-south-america/509027 "2009-09-13T08:40:41Z")
… Why did the Imperialist Britain / Colonial American armies/governments stop where they did? It looks like in 1970 we traded off negative seven-hundred acres to Mexico (but what about the people!?); since then, (as wel… --- ## [The human population becomes unsustainable - is forcing a woman to have an abortion acceptable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-human-population-becomes-unsustainable-is-forcing-a-woman-to-have-an-abortion-acceptable/509480)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-human-population-becomes-unsustainable-is-forcing-a-woman-to-have-an-abortion-acceptable/509480 "2009-09-13T03:26:52Z")
See Also In an alternative scenario: The world’s population in 2050 is estimated to be over 9 Billion people. Given the limited number of resources available (food, water, energy, space,etc), it’s not unrealistic tha… --- ## [Fines for no health insurance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fines-for-no-health-insurance/509395)
**Author:** [@ajb867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ajb867)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2009, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fines-for-no-health-insurance/509395 "2009-09-13T02:02:12Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090909/ap\_on\_go\_pr\_wh/us\_health\_care\_overhaul Are you for or against fines for people who are uninsured? --- ## [Hundreds of thousands protesting bigt government in DC and nationwide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hundreds-of-thousands-protesting-bigt-government-in-dc-and-nationwide/509843)
**Author:** [@Evil\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_One)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2009, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hundreds-of-thousands-protesting-bigt-government-in-dc-and-nationwide/509843 "2009-09-12T23:22:21Z")
It’s that darned Glenn Beck and his “9-12” project again. I just watched tens of thousands waving signs and chanting “USA” on the national mall. They are primarily protesting government spending and the grip of specia… --- ## [Does any other country need American military protection any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-other-country-need-american-military-protection-any-more/508032)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2009, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-any-other-country-need-american-military-protection-any-more/508032 "2009-09-12T07:18:52Z")
During the Cold War the value of American military protection to South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Western Europe, seemed obvious. There’s a widespread assumption that America, even today, is benefitting other nations by prot… --- ## [Are humans inherently "better" than other animals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-inherently-better-than-other-animals/507206)
**Author:** [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2009, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-humans-inherently-better-than-other-animals/507206 "2009-09-12T05:59:05Z")
This is based on a tangent going on in another thread, but thought it would be better to ask here: One of the implicit assumptions that it seems most people have is that a human life is worth more than that of, say, a f… --- ## [Would a public option force insurance out of business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-public-option-force-insurance-out-of-business/509411)
**Author:** [@happywaffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happywaffle)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2009, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-a-public-option-force-insurance-out-of-business/509411 "2009-09-12T05:57:18Z")
One of the most concerned points I’ve heard raised by those against a public option is not that it’s a single-payer system - it isn’t - but that it would inevitably become one, i.e. it would offer health care cheaper tha… --- ## [Legalizing Runaways and Child Labor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalizing-runaways-and-child-labor/507294)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legalizing-runaways-and-child-labor/507294 "2009-09-11T23:59:56Z")
Runaways often turn to prostitution as work, in the US. This is because as runaway children they can’t find legal work, and this is the only labor available. Prostitution itself generally means issues with drug/alcohol … --- ## [Taking bets: Whose 9/11 tribute tonight will be the most pathetic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-bets-whose-9-11-tribute-tonight-will-be-the-most-pathetic/509728)
**Author:** [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-bets-whose-9-11-tribute-tonight-will-be-the-most-pathetic/509728 "2009-09-11T22:47:29Z")
Frontrunners are Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Bill O’Reilly. And by “tribute,” I mean “bringing it up out of context to try to shoehorn it into an argument about some current issue.” My money is on Beck, there will be… --- ## [Republican worker arrested for molesting children.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-worker-arrested-for-molesting-children/509689)
**Author:** [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-worker-arrested-for-molesting-children/509689 "2009-09-11T22:34:30Z")
Here’s the report. “Bartleson listed his occupation as “political consultant” at the Pueblo County Jail, the Chieftain reported, but state Republican groups were quick to distance themselves from him.” But: “Bartleson… --- ## ["Illegal immigrants will not be covered by this bill." They should be.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-immigrants-will-not-be-covered-by-this-bill-they-should-be/509575)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illegal-immigrants-will-not-be-covered-by-this-bill-they-should-be/509575 "2009-09-11T18:52:42Z")
I don’t hang around in GD a whole lot, and I know there are multiple debates about healthcare reform going on. So I apologize is this has been done and if so, feel free to close this thread and direct me to it. One of t… --- ## [So, what do people think about the health care address?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-people-think-about-the-health-care-address/509519)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-people-think-about-the-health-care-address/509519 "2009-09-11T18:04:13Z")
As a conservative, I had a reasonably good response to the speech. This guy is up there with Reagan as a “great communicator”. As usual, the devil is in the details… Yet a lot of promises were made, and little evidence … --- ## ["No one should die because they can't afford health care"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-should-die-because-they-cant-afford-health-care/508758)
**Author:** [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Replies:** 122\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-one-should-die-because-they-cant-afford-health-care/508758 "2009-09-11T17:49:01Z")
“and no one should go broke because they get sick” It’s floating around FB today, all us conscientious liberals are supposed to change our statuses in a show of unity. You know what, I don’t think I can do that. No on… --- ## [Defending a libertarian utopia against invasion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defending-a-libertarian-utopia-against-invasion/509457)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/defending-a-libertarian-utopia-against-invasion/509457 "2009-09-11T14:39:44Z")
Let’s say for the sake of argument that a libertarian/ anarchist society is possible, would work, and would in fact be the utopia that many people imagine it would be. Unfortunately, it shares a land border with Authorit… --- ## [Another health care "Would this work in the US"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-health-care-would-this-work-in-the-us/509572)
**Author:** [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2009, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-health-care-would-this-work-in-the-us/509572 "2009-09-11T12:33:29Z")
According to the linked articles Switzerland and the Netherlands cover all of their citizens with private, for profit insurance companies. Would this work in the US? Here is the Washington Post article and here is the… --- ## [Why no psuedo-gnostic resurgence during the Reformation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-psuedo-gnostic-resurgence-during-the-reformation/509187)
**Author:** [@Aelita\_Daystar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aelita_Daystar)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2009, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-psuedo-gnostic-resurgence-during-the-reformation/509187 "2009-09-10T20:20:17Z")
I’d put this in GQ, but I suppose that it belongs in GD since it deals with religion and it’s possible that it doesn’t not have a clear cut answer either. I have an interest in the pseudo-gnostic systems of Marcion, Ape… --- ## [View Michael Moore's SiCKO and then rip-o](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/view-michael-moores-sicko-and-then-rip-o/507705)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/view-michael-moores-sicko-and-then-rip-o/507705 "2009-09-10T18:45:17Z")
You can view Michael Moore’s latest film “SiCKO” here at freedocumentaries.org. It seems eerily relevant to issues that have been discussed in the past few weeks. But then again, it is Michael Moore, after all. Demoli… --- ## [Gallup: Public opinion on health-care reform almost unchanged from beginning of August](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-public-opinion-on-health-care-reform-almost-unchanged-from-beginning-of-august/509566)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gallup-public-opinion-on-health-care-reform-almost-unchanged-from-beginning-of-august/509566 "2009-09-10T17:30:36Z")
See here. So what exactly did all those town-hall demonstrations, etc., accomplish? Were they a waste of time? --- ## [What is it with the Japanese and young schoolgirls?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-japanese-and-young-schoolgirls/509193)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2009, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-with-the-japanese-and-young-schoolgirls/509193 "2009-09-10T16:26:47Z")
Are they a nation of pedophiles? Sure, you can argue different tradition, Westerners shouldn’t judge, blah blah, but it really looks to me like middle-aged men lusting after barely pubescent schoolgirls. A pedo is a pedo… --- ## [Brooks v. Lind: Is Obama's approval-ratings problem that he's too far left, or not left enough?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooks-v-lind-is-obamas-approval-ratings-problem-that-hes-too-far-left-or-not-left-enough/509218)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brooks-v-lind-is-obamas-approval-ratings-problem-that-hes-too-far-left-or-not-left-enough/509218 "2009-09-10T16:02:38Z")
David Brooks: Michael Lind: For my part, I think Lind has the right of it. It’s amazing how many conservatives, and even self-ID’d “moderates,” are still so oblivious to (or in denial of) how far leftward the politi… --- ## [Is the US better at cancer screening than other countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-better-at-cancer-screening-than-other-countries/504992)
**Author:** [@happywaffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/happywaffle)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2009, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-better-at-cancer-screening-than-other-countries/504992 "2009-09-10T16:02:06Z")
I’ve recently started educating myself in force on the health care debate, taking special care to record all opinions and factoids from all sides to compare against each other. One thing that really surprised me, from th… --- ## [Brainwashing versus Education (Children)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing-versus-education-children/508687)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2009, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brainwashing-versus-education-children/508687 "2009-09-10T15:48:27Z")
In the “Voting with your Vagina” thread the subject of how religious fundamentalist raise their children came up which included accusations of brainwashing, and, in one case, the abolishing of home school. Rather than… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=510) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=512)