# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=516 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 517 --- ## [Mexico decriminalizes personal drug stashes; what effect in/on the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexico-decriminalizes-personal-drug-stashes-what-effect-in-on-the-us/507216)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mexico-decriminalizes-personal-drug-stashes-what-effect-in-on-the-us/507216 "2009-08-25T00:11:16Z")
Well, it seems that Mexico has decriminlized small amounts of drugs. The third time someone was caught, however, there would be mandatoy, not just recommended, treatment, so it’s not entirely a free pass for drug use, … --- ## [Voting for someone who doesn't vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-for-someone-who-doesnt-vote/507409)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2009, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/voting-for-someone-who-doesnt-vote/507409 "2009-08-24T19:13:23Z")
Carly Fiorina is eying a senate run, taking on California’s Barbara Boxer. Meg Whitman is planning to run for California governor. Both women miss voting fairly regularly: (I’m using Whitman and Fiorina as examples j… --- ## [Economic consequences of a new, cheap, safe, 'infinitely available', energy source](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-consequences-of-a-new-cheap-safe-infinitely-available-energy-source/507335)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2009, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economic-consequences-of-a-new-cheap-safe-infinitely-available-energy-source/507335 "2009-08-24T17:50:56Z")
If an alternative energy source was discovered that was cheap, safe (including being “environmentally friendly”), easily developed, used, and distributed, and was available in unlimited quantities, what effects would the… --- ## [Can we say we have "free markets" when many markets have concentration points?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-say-we-have-free-markets-when-many-markets-have-concentration-points/507135)
**Author:** [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2009, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-say-we-have-free-markets-when-many-markets-have-concentration-points/507135 "2009-08-24T08:25:28Z")
The petroleum market is pinched at several points, like the longer pipelines and the refineries. Many producers, many end sellers, and just a few paths from one to the other. The rules of supply and demand often only ref… --- ## [U.S. agricultural policy is little more than corporate welfare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-agricultural-policy-is-little-more-than-corporate-welfare/506744)
**Author:** [@sweeteviljesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sweeteviljesus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-agricultural-policy-is-little-more-than-corporate-welfare/506744 "2009-08-24T01:31:28Z")
But I am not a farmer, nor any sort of expert on farming or farm policy. Is my position full of shit? --- ## [Start from scratch on UHC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/start-from-scratch-on-uhc/506145)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [August 24, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/start-from-scratch-on-uhc/506145 "2009-08-24T00:43:21Z")
Cancel everything. Wipe the slate clean. No deal. Start over. Americans want to reform their health care system. How about we trash every single change that has been proposed, and start over? Maybe we’ll decide to ad… --- ## [Paul Craig Roberts: The economy won't recover because there is no more economy left.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-craig-roberts-the-economy-wont-recover-because-there-is-no-more-economy-left/505785)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-craig-roberts-the-economy-wont-recover-because-there-is-no-more-economy-left/505785 "2009-08-23T23:51:15Z")
That, as far as I can tell, is the argument he makes in this article. Two difficulties I’m having discussing this article: I’m not 100% sure what he’s saying, and the blurb at the top about drug companies and psychiatri… --- ## [Is abortion a "legal form" of genocide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-abortion-a-legal-form-of-genocide/506761)
**Author:** [@Sometimes\_Sober\_Sometimes\_Not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sometimes_Sober_Sometimes_Not)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-abortion-a-legal-form-of-genocide/506761 "2009-08-23T20:18:33Z")
Genocide takes away something that you don’t want to have exist on Earth for whatever reason it may be. --- ## [Homosexuality and the ELCA Churchwide Assembly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-and-the-elca-churchwide-assembly/507044)
**Author:** [@ragerdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ragerdude)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homosexuality-and-the-elca-churchwide-assembly/507044 "2009-08-23T16:40:03Z")
What does everyone think of this news: Lutherans move toward more open view on gays There will be a series of votes on Friday dealing with the permissibility of same-sex blessings and clergy in same-sex relationships. … --- ## [Binary inches!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/binary-inches/487235)
**Author:** [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/binary-inches/487235 "2009-08-23T15:53:21Z")
Let me start of with: Screw metric, gooo inches! Unfortunately… I’m still pretty bothered by all the dumb 3/16 5/8 fractions. They’re hard to think about unless you’ve got them down to rote. But here’s an idea. Why not … --- ## [Benefits to a smaller income gap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-to-a-smaller-income-gap/506922)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/benefits-to-a-smaller-income-gap/506922 "2009-08-23T05:49:37Z")
Say you have ten plots of farmland and a single farmer per each, but there’s one shed with shared tools, and one distributor for all of them and so forth. There’s one manager who doesn’t farm, he simply sees to it that g… --- ## [Question for Objectivists:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-objectivists/506926)
**Author:** [@Trepa\_Mayfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trepa_Mayfield)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-objectivists/506926 "2009-08-23T03:37:05Z")
Or, I guess, any strong fiscal conservative. I’m kinda fuzzy on what Objectivism is. It seems clear that one of the main themes of your philosophy is that people ought to pay directly for their failures. I get where tha… --- ## [About the legalities of Sea Shepherds and the whaling industry.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-legalities-of-sea-shepherds-and-the-whaling-industry/501031)
**Author:** [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/about-the-legalities-of-sea-shepherds-and-the-whaling-industry/501031 "2009-08-23T02:19:38Z")
I have watched some episodes of the “Whale Wars” show. In short, the Japanese catch whales under some legal provision that lets them capture them for research, they do their thing and then sell and eat the rest. The Sea … --- ## [Pre-Iraq Account of White House Meeting Disclosed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-iraq-account-of-white-house-meeting-disclosed/507359)
**Author:** [@adhay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhay)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-iraq-account-of-white-house-meeting-disclosed/507359 "2009-08-23T02:19:24Z")
xxx --- ## [Anarchy, and delivery of complex services](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anarchy-and-delivery-of-complex-services/506685)
**Author:** [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [August 23, 2009, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anarchy-and-delivery-of-complex-services/506685 "2009-08-23T02:13:46Z")
We’ve recently had a self-proclaimed anarchist join the board, (and oh, hey, welcome aboard dude, in case I forgot to say it in your first thread), and I’ve found my mind wandering back to the little I know about anarchi… --- ## [Why should Christ be responsible for the crimes of Christians?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-christ-be-responsible-for-the-crimes-of-christians/505843)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2009, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-christ-be-responsible-for-the-crimes-of-christians/505843 "2009-08-22T08:18:18Z")
I am not thinking in terms of the mystical or supernatural meaning of the Atonement, but something else entirely. In the thread about killing Hitler currently running in GD, the OP asked which historical figures posters… --- ## [At what price victory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-price-victory/506945)
**Author:** [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2009, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-price-victory/506945 "2009-08-22T08:08:42Z")
I posted this in a Pit thread, but I think I’ll actually get a response if I post it here. It seems like every day, there’s some sort of brouhaha about someone doing something idiotic at a Town Hall. Most of the conser… --- ## [Humanitarian crisis in Gaza](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza/507183)
**Author:** [@Estilicon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Estilicon)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2009, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humanitarian-crisis-in-gaza/507183 "2009-08-22T03:36:04Z")
link According to the article 80% of palestinians living in Gaza now depend on foreign aid. Is thos report accurate? I want a GQ answer but I am posting here because it will quickly degenarate into a debate. --- ## [What is the Legacy of the Hippie Movement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-legacy-of-the-hippie-movement/504407)
**Author:** [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2009, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-legacy-of-the-hippie-movement/504407 "2009-08-22T02:28:53Z")
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11375105&postcount=27 In the above link njtt writes: I have come across a few older people who described themselves as hippies in the 1960s and 70s and most of them l… --- ## [Human beings are the most selfish animals on Earth. Every action we do benefits us, and us only.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768)
**Author:** [@Sometimes\_Sober\_Sometimes\_Not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sometimes_Sober_Sometimes_Not)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 22, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-beings-are-the-most-selfish-animals-on-earth-every-action-we-do-benefits-us-and-us-only/506768 "2009-08-22T00:47:04Z")
To argue over abortion or global warming is really a joke in the long run. Man was put on Earth to destroy it. Not to preserve it. Human beings are the most selfish conceded animals in the animal kingdom. Human beings… --- ## [Bob Dylan seized](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-dylan-seized/506617)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bob-dylan-seized/506617 "2009-08-21T15:17:40Z")
I went looking for more on this story after reading about in this thread, and found this story, which includes an interview with the officer in question. If this is what police training, logic and perception is like, ou… --- ## [Proposal: The Anti-Legislature](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-the-anti-legislature/506731)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-the-anti-legislature/506731 "2009-08-21T14:18:38Z")
In the other thread on people wanting to change the Constitution, well, there really wasn’t a debate. Suffice it to say I think nearly every proposal a bad one, usually built around the author’s pet prejudices and whims. … --- ## [Dual party governance? Would this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dual-party-governance-would-this-work/507129)
**Author:** [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dual-party-governance-would-this-work/507129 "2009-08-21T12:12:58Z")
While discussing the mess in congress today, a friend and myself came to the conclusion that looking generally at the political spectrum in America the country is pretty evenly divided. While in the strictest sense the m… --- ## [Will the Dogs Accompany Us, On Interstellar Voyages?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-dogs-accompany-us-on-interstellar-voyages/506639)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-dogs-accompany-us-on-interstellar-voyages/506639 "2009-08-21T10:49:24Z")
I cannot imagine life without dogs-they are such wonderful companions for human. So, is it likely tht they will go with us to the stars? --- ## [Tunisian woman (allegedly) pregnant with 12](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tunisian-woman-allegedly-pregnant-with-12/506862)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tunisian-woman-allegedly-pregnant-with-12/506862 "2009-08-21T10:05:47Z")
I heard this story this morning on the radio and hoped it was just a hoax. I’m curious if those who are against abortion for the sake of the mother would be okay (not overjoyed, obviously) with abortion to save the li… --- ## [Can we put a moratorium on the word "socialist"? Pretty please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-put-a-moratorium-on-the-word-socialist-pretty-please/506551)
**Author:** [@wierdaaron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wierdaaron)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 9:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-put-a-moratorium-on-the-word-socialist-pretty-please/506551 "2009-08-21T09:45:22Z")
Look, I’m up for a good debate about anything, but this socialism/socialist bullshit has got to go. Unless you are 100% in favor of eliminating Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid; privatizing police and fire depar… --- ## [Democratic Concern Over Healthcare??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-concern-over-healthcare/507007)
**Author:** [@SanDiegoTim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanDiegoTim)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democratic-concern-over-healthcare/507007 "2009-08-21T04:20:44Z")
If the Democrats who support one or more of the health care plans being floated/negotiated are so sure they will be good for the country, why the concern over passing a bill without any Republican support? --- ## [Historically, how did philosophers benefit the general public?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historically-how-did-philosophers-benefit-the-general-public/504682)
**Author:** [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [August 21, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historically-how-did-philosophers-benefit-the-general-public/504682 "2009-08-21T01:48:46Z")
I’ve just read the Wiki page on Philosophy and now I am wondering how the general populace looked at the philosophers of their time. Did the public perceive genuine benefit from listening to their endless pontifications… --- ## [Christians: what's your take on the prosperity gospel and its proponents?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-whats-your-take-on-the-prosperity-gospel-and-its-proponents/506747)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christians-whats-your-take-on-the-prosperity-gospel-and-its-proponents/506747 "2009-08-20T23:52:53Z")
I’ve been thinking about this on and off for a while, and this article from yesterday’s New York Times made me actually start a thread. I address my question to Christians specifically because the opinions of some of ou… --- ## [What is socialism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-socialism/506785)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-socialism/506785 "2009-08-20T19:41:29Z")
I’ve been debating with myself whether or not to post this, but what the heck, I’m really curious to hear what you have to say. Whenever somebody here in the US is called a socialist, or a program is called socialistic,… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=515) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=517)