# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=513 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 514 --- ## [Update: Candidate for Canadian Parliament Convicted of Hate Crime for Saying Gays Should be Killed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-candidate-for-canadian-parliament-convicted-of-hate-crime-for-saying-gays-should-be-killed/506181)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [September 6, 2009, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/update-candidate-for-canadian-parliament-convicted-of-hate-crime-for-saying-gays-should-be-killed/506181 "2009-09-06T03:29:34Z")
Last fall, I started a thread in the Pit about David Popescu, a fringe candidate for Parliament in last year’s federal election: Canada: Candidate for Parliament tells High School Students: Kill the Gays. As a result o… --- ## [What if we required every health insurance policy to be bundled with life insurance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-required-every-health-insurance-policy-to-be-bundled-with-life-insurance/508920)
**Author:** [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2009, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-required-every-health-insurance-policy-to-be-bundled-with-life-insurance/508920 "2009-09-05T23:43:43Z")
In the currently raging controversy on health care, we hear all the time of people who had insurance, but got dropped when they got too sick. Or they might have been accepted in good faith, but then rejected in the pin… --- ## [Would this simple solution work as a death penalty alternative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-simple-solution-work-as-a-death-penalty-alternative/508874)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-this-simple-solution-work-as-a-death-penalty-alternative/508874 "2009-09-05T20:23:43Z")
Supposing we don’t trust the government to kill convicted criminals because they might be innocent. Fine. So instead, I propose the government release the convicted criminal with the statement that they will not prosec… --- ## [Who are the liberal Glenn Becks/Hannitys/Bachmanns/Steeles/etc.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-liberal-glenn-becks-hannitys-bachmanns-steeles-etc/508777)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [September 5, 2009, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-are-the-liberal-glenn-becks-hannitys-bachmanns-steeles-etc/508777 "2009-09-05T06:04:03Z")
Here’s what I’m getting at. I grew up in a conservative family in a conservative state. Though I think the Republicans have the market cornered when it comes to stupid, that doesn’t mean I’m a liberal. That said, I’m … --- ## [Real-life example: Firemen die in fire deliberately set: Murder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-life-example-firemen-die-in-fire-deliberately-set-murder/508858)
**Author:** [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-life-example-firemen-die-in-fire-deliberately-set-murder/508858 "2009-09-04T23:40:26Z")
This story is curious to me. Mostly this: What do you think about this? Should arsonists be charged with murder if a fireman dies in a fire? I can see the murder charge if, say, a civilian died in a fire while aslee… --- ## [Why I would vote to bring back the Fairness Doctrine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-vote-to-bring-back-the-fairness-doctrine/508725)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-would-vote-to-bring-back-the-fairness-doctrine/508725 "2009-09-04T18:46:16Z")
Money lacks ideology. Power is its own principle. Given the right mix of resources of power–licences, intellectual property, & control over the dissemination of information, a smart businessman (and really, corporations … --- ## [Is GDP a good measure of value in healthcare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gdp-a-good-measure-of-value-in-healthcare/508876)
**Author:** [@PrettyVacant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PrettyVacant)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-gdp-a-good-measure-of-value-in-healthcare/508876 "2009-09-04T18:02:15Z")
I ask because it’s seen as such by many in Europe. If it is valid, then there seems some good quality data that informs the current US debate. For example: Wikipedia: vs: Forbes - dated Wed last:: I assume the comp… --- ## [If Your Parent Had An Affair](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-your-parent-had-an-affair/508510)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-your-parent-had-an-affair/508510 "2009-09-04T17:31:47Z")
Note these questions are derived from The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock, PH.D (New York: Workman), 1988. My answers are in bold While out one day, you are surprised to see your mother holding hands with someone who… --- ## [Is there any reason not to use the tax code to shape up Wall Street?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-not-to-use-the-tax-code-to-shape-up-wall-street/508543)
**Author:** [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-reason-not-to-use-the-tax-code-to-shape-up-wall-street/508543 "2009-09-04T15:32:05Z")
Seems we’ve identified some of the things they do that put the rest of us at risk, why not quantify that and tax it to tame it? If the problem is a tendency to have automated programs trigger mass selloffs on the day som… --- ## [How should we take in opposing political opinions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-we-take-in-opposing-political-opinions/508453)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-we-take-in-opposing-political-opinions/508453 "2009-09-04T15:07:53Z")
There are many folks, both here and in general, who deplore political “echo chambers,” where you don’t have to even think about opposing opinions. But having been to one or two of them online myself, I can definitely se… --- ## [Japan: DJP takes power. Will this result in real change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-djp-takes-power-will-this-result-in-real-change/508261)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/japan-djp-takes-power-will-this-result-in-real-change/508261 "2009-09-04T14:22:44Z")
Link. My eldest son currently lives in Japan (teaches English there for now) and is duly impressed by the atypical political engagement of the populus. I quote from his election eve blog for feedback. (A link can be … --- ## [High school band forced to return shirts referencing evolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-band-forced-to-return-shirts-referencing-evolution/508451)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/high-school-band-forced-to-return-shirts-referencing-evolution/508451 "2009-09-04T12:14:23Z")
Article here. In a nutshell, a high school band was required to turn in their shirts promoting the fall program because some parents objected to the design, which featured a monkey “evolving” into a man, each with a dif… --- ## [If all drugs were legal, would they become more popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-drugs-were-legal-would-they-become-more-popular/506277)
**Author:** [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-drugs-were-legal-would-they-become-more-popular/506277 "2009-09-04T05:20:32Z")
As the great societal commentator Alonzo Bodden observed, “Drugs are bought because they work.” Just to be clear, personally, I’ve only been drunk once and didn’t like it. Only tried pot a half dozen times to be social … --- ## [Should Murder Be Legalized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-murder-be-legalized/508811)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 4, 2009, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-murder-be-legalized/508811 "2009-09-04T01:19:11Z")
Discuss. --- ## [How far back should a candidate be held responsible for his statements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-should-a-candidate-be-held-responsible-for-his-statements/508746)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-back-should-a-candidate-be-held-responsible-for-his-statements/508746 "2009-09-03T22:54:06Z")
Everybody sit back, and let the Captain tell you a story. About 20 years ago, there was a guy…let’s call him Bob. Bob was in his thirties and getting his master’s degree in public policy and his law degree from Regent… --- ## [Should we ask the commentators to supply birth certificates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ask-the-commentators-to-supply-birth-certificates/508783)
**Author:** [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-ask-the-commentators-to-supply-birth-certificates/508783 "2009-09-03T20:25:15Z")
I have a feeling some of them are here illegally. Dodging insurance fraud by faking suicide and then getting new IDs by copying info off a tombstone. I personally suspect Beck of having multiple SSN’s so when illegals wo… --- ## [Disparate Impact](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disparate-impact/508485)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2009, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/disparate-impact/508485 "2009-09-03T19:22:44Z")
Apparently the Justice Department intends to step up prosecution of these cases. I have two objections to this type of “discrimination”. 1. If you’ve made decisions that are not at all based on race/religion/gender etc.… --- ## [Ted Kennedy is dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-is-dead/507746)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ted-kennedy-is-dead/507746 "2009-09-03T16:33:25Z")
ABC news is reporting that Senator Kennedy is dead at 77. I’m putting this here in the event that people want to debate his legacy. --- ## [Modern US politics and mainstream religion.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-us-politics-and-mainstream-religion/508444)
**Author:** [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2009, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/modern-us-politics-and-mainstream-religion/508444 "2009-09-03T12:53:30Z")
This is a spin-off question from the GQ thread Nations With Official (or Unofficial) Theocratic Tendencies (so please forgive a few messy cross quotes). DrDeth suggested starting a thread about “how Theocratic the USA” … --- ## [How will the US debt be resolved?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-us-debt-be-resolved/507429)
**Author:** [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2009, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-the-us-debt-be-resolved/507429 "2009-09-03T03:12:48Z")
It is a fact that the national debt, and the debt/GDP ratio, is increasing year by year. This is not sustainable - either something fundamental must change to gradually lower the debt/GDP ratio, or some cataclysm such a… --- ## [One-sided views of the I/P discussion, and why they hobble understanding as well as resolution.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-sided-views-of-the-i-p-discussion-and-why-they-hobble-understanding-as-well-as-resolution/508616)
**Author:** [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 3, 2009, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-sided-views-of-the-i-p-discussion-and-why-they-hobble-understanding-as-well-as-resolution/508616 "2009-09-03T00:31:39Z")
Tom closed another thread whose tangents spiraled around to this topic, and I’d like to elaborate on a point that I was making before the sucker got locked. Somewhere in the discussion, Desmond Tutu was put forward as so… --- ## [Why don't people acknowledge that we're all in the same fish tank? \[society is the fish tank\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-acknowledge-that-were-all-in-the-same-fish-tank-society-is-the-fish-tank/507949)
**Author:** [@Transistor\_Rhythm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Transistor_Rhythm)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-acknowledge-that-were-all-in-the-same-fish-tank-society-is-the-fish-tank/507949 "2009-09-02T18:29:46Z")
That’s the metaphor that I like to use for society. We are all living in society together when it comes down to it, and society is a holistic organism. It seems that so few people recognize and acknowledge this, especial… --- ## [Article 41.2.2 of Bunracht na hEireann](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-41-2-2-of-bunracht-na-heireann/508469)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/article-41-2-2-of-bunracht-na-heireann/508469 "2009-09-02T17:57:20Z")
\*Article 41.2.1: In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. Article 41.2.2: The State shall, therefore, end… --- ## [Obama "scares" former P&G VP Lou Pritchett in mass email -- What say you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-scares-former-p-g-vp-lou-pritchett-in-mass-email-what-say-you/508142)
**Author:** [@ambushed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ambushed)\ **Replies:** 124\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-scares-former-p-g-vp-lou-pritchett-in-mass-email-what-say-you/508142 "2009-09-02T17:30:47Z")
I’m posting this to solicit reality and fact checking regarding the following anti-Obama mass email, at least for the subset of Pritchett’s dubious and over-wrought accusations that can be reality-checked and/or debunked… --- ## [Honduras: Who's correct?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honduras-whos-correct/501305)
**Author:** [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Replies:** 281\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honduras-whos-correct/501305 "2009-09-02T17:15:05Z")
In case you haven’t been following events in Honduras, the president was just ousted by the military. However, it appears that the president was pressing ahead with referendum to extend his term in office that the Supre… --- ## [Cash for Clunkers meant higher prices, no deals for the next two months](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-for-clunkers-meant-higher-prices-no-deals-for-the-next-two-months/507895)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cash-for-clunkers-meant-higher-prices-no-deals-for-the-next-two-months/507895 "2009-09-02T17:12:28Z")
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cash-for-Clunker-means-higher-cnnm-4273037056.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=8&asset=&ccode= For those of us who thought Cash for Clunkers was shortsighted, this article seems to confirm. --- ## [Paul Wolfowitz argues against Obama Administration's foreign policy "realism" - with commentary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-wolfowitz-argues-against-obama-administrations-foreign-policy-realism-with-commentary/508302)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-wolfowitz-argues-against-obama-administrations-foreign-policy-realism-with-commentary/508302 "2009-09-02T16:29:02Z")
Not a debate as such, but as it references a debate, I think this probably belongs here vs other forums. Mods move if you must. I’m not a big Paul Wolfowitz fan by any stretch as I think he is one of the primary archit… --- ## [Canada grants Refugee Status to White South African: Racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-grants-refugee-status-to-white-south-african-racist/508620)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-grants-refugee-status-to-white-south-african-racist/508620 "2009-09-02T15:47:34Z")
Canada has given refugee status to a White South African man who alleges he was being targeted in his home country because of his race. Naturally, there are quite a few people (including the African National Congress, S… --- ## [Would You Launch the Nukes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-launch-the-nukes/508057)
**Author:** [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-launch-the-nukes/508057 "2009-09-02T10:14:37Z")
If you were the President of the United States of America and World War 3 began when the enemy launched several hundred nuclear missiles toward the United States would you launch American nuclear missiles in response? Th… --- ## [Ok. I gotta know: the morality of disequal pay for equal work effort](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-gotta-know-the-morality-of-disequal-pay-for-equal-work-effort/507447)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [September 2, 2009, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-gotta-know-the-morality-of-disequal-pay-for-equal-work-effort/507447 "2009-09-02T05:24:29Z")
Ok, before proceeding, understand this: this is not some communist diatribe regarding “equal work for equal pay”. There are many good reasons why such a system is untenable and unwarranted. I repeat: this is not some “th… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=512) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=514)