# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=527 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 528 --- ## [Create your own drug policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/create-your-own-drug-policy/500916)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/create-your-own-drug-policy/500916 "2009-07-07T15:53:05Z")
I’m tentatively for legalizing drugs (and other consensual crimes) but I’m wondering how doing so would work in a practical sense, especially in terms of creating a cohesive consistent policy with regards to things like … --- ## [Great History... or Greatest History?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-history-or-greatest-history/500772)
**Author:** [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2009, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-history-or-greatest-history/500772 "2009-07-07T15:43:34Z")
\[This might be more suited to IMHO but I think it’ll fit in better here. I won’t shed tears if a mod disagrees…\] Last night on Stephen Colbert made the joke, “United States: great history or greatest history?” It did … --- ## [A Message to America (Gun Control)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-message-to-america-gun-control/502183)
**Author:** [@Paleface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paleface)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-message-to-america-gun-control/502183 "2009-07-07T14:31:46Z")
--- ## [When evil triumphs: The USSR](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-evil-triumphs-the-ussr/501867)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [July 7, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-evil-triumphs-the-ussr/501867 "2009-07-07T04:13:17Z")
I recently read a fictional novel, Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith. It is set in the USSR mainly around the time of Stalin’s death, and the fact that it’s about a serial killer who gruesomely kills scores of children is the le… --- ## [Is patriotism a virtue or vice or something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-patriotism-a-virtue-or-vice-or-something-else/501899)
**Author:** [@TheMadHun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheMadHun)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-patriotism-a-virtue-or-vice-or-something-else/501899 "2009-07-06T18:22:45Z")
In each country the locals know patriotism is a virtue for them and a vice for their neighbors. I suppose in Somalia they have bumper stickers that say “My Pirates, Right Or Wrong” Having lived overseas in different cou… --- ## [How easy is the collapse of modern civilization?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-the-collapse-of-modern-civilization/499815)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-easy-is-the-collapse-of-modern-civilization/499815 "2009-07-06T17:36:46Z")
BrainGlutton’s very much unsurprising mention of James Howard Kunstler and peak oil in this thread reminded me of Kunstler’s vision of a post-peak oil world: a world without modern technology or transportation (and many … --- ## [The fight against ignorance. Can it ever be won?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fight-against-ignorance-can-it-ever-be-won/501509)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fight-against-ignorance-can-it-ever-be-won/501509 "2009-07-06T15:07:13Z")
Or are we fighting a losing battle? Take the Middle Ages. By and large (with exceptions, of course) mired in superstition, with the great mass of people believing in demons, witches, fairies, ghosts, magic and a thousan… --- ## [Jewish citizens of Palestine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-citizens-of-palestine/502047)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jewish-citizens-of-palestine/502047 "2009-07-06T05:33:00Z")
Palestinian Prime Minister assures that Jews in a future Palestinan state will be fully equal citizens. While I’d also like to see assurances regarding their security from hate attacks, I see this as a strong positive … --- ## [This just in: Norm Coleman a 300 lb. Gorilla!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-just-in-norm-coleman-a-300-lb-gorilla/501747)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-just-in-norm-coleman-a-300-lb-gorilla/501747 "2009-07-06T04:40:54Z")
According to the Associated Press, Norm Coleman is interested in, and the front-running Republican for the office of Governor of the State of Minnesota. Which I guess just goes to show that demonstrating stubborn stupid… --- ## [Reform the UN Security Council](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reform-the-un-security-council/501990)
**Author:** [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reform-the-un-security-council/501990 "2009-07-06T04:19:28Z")
I was reading this Wikipedia article on reform of the United Nations Security Council and thought it might make an interesting topic for discussion. For myself, I think that there should be a few more permenent members… --- ## [The Costs of Cap-and-Trade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-costs-of-cap-and-trade/501203)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [July 6, 2009, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-costs-of-cap-and-trade/501203 "2009-07-06T03:45:36Z")
The United States House of Representatives recently passed HR 2454. The bill does a very wide range of things for which there is bipartisan support, but the controversial centerpiece of the bill is the establishment of … --- ## [Hillary: The Movie (aka Corporate constitutional rights)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-the-movie-aka-corporate-constitutional-rights/501393)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-the-movie-aka-corporate-constitutional-rights/501393 "2009-07-05T23:11:27Z")
I did a brief search for this and saw nothing so thought I’d have a go. If this has been done please point me to it and my apologies. Reading up on the SCOTUS latest ruling I came across a bit that they will be re-hear… --- ## [Rights of residents of public housing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-of-residents-of-public-housing/501745)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rights-of-residents-of-public-housing/501745 "2009-07-05T21:26:19Z")
Many large cities have public housing projects of one variety or another. In 1976, the Supreme Court handed down a decision styled Hills v. Gautreaux, which found that public housing schemes which racially discriminate … --- ## [States' Rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-rights/501680)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/states-rights/501680 "2009-07-05T21:00:12Z")
Usually when the topic of states’ rights come up posters usually talk bad about it saying it’s only used when states want to do bad things like deny individuals their rights (or they complain that the 10th amendment says… --- ## [How (if at all) should one argue a point based on widespread, but subtle evidence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-if-at-all-should-one-argue-a-point-based-on-widespread-but-subtle-evidence/501524)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-if-at-all-should-one-argue-a-point-based-on-widespread-but-subtle-evidence/501524 "2009-07-05T19:38:25Z")
If one is convinced that a general, definite, but only subtly expressed climate exists in a forum, group, or community, how, in practical terms, can one argue that point in a debate? I was going to provide an example, b… --- ## [Did Neanderthals have souls? (Souls and religion)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-neanderthals-have-souls-souls-and-religion/501054)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [July 5, 2009, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-neanderthals-have-souls-souls-and-religion/501054 "2009-07-05T17:00:32Z")
Many religions claim a metaphysical side to humanity - a soul - something that survives death and passes on to reward or damnation or to the next cycle or whatever. But if we have souls, and so did our ancestors, what … --- ## [Madoff's Sentence](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madoffs-sentence/500717)
**Author:** [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2009, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madoffs-sentence/500717 "2009-07-04T22:12:42Z")
His lawyer thinks 12 to 15 years is sufficient. I guess if there was no parole that would be a life sentence or very close. I think the harshest sentence that the law allows is what he should get on the slight chance t… --- ## [Smartphone apps vs Desktop apps: Walled garden vs free range](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphone-apps-vs-desktop-apps-walled-garden-vs-free-range/501848)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smartphone-apps-vs-desktop-apps-walled-garden-vs-free-range/501848 "2009-07-04T21:01:46Z")
It seems to me that, even though smartphones these days (like the iPhone) are basically computers connected to a high speed data network, just like desktop computers are, there is a huge difference in how much freedom ap… --- ## [Cell Phones are the spawn of Satan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-the-spawn-of-satan/501873)
**Author:** [@Nation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nation)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 4, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cell-phones-are-the-spawn-of-satan/501873 "2009-07-04T15:33:50Z")
Prove its not true. --- ## [Intelligent critique of raw food diets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intelligent-critique-of-raw-food-diets/497780)
**Author:** [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2009, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/intelligent-critique-of-raw-food-diets/497780 "2009-07-03T13:54:02Z")
When I was in the Navy I became a vegetarian that ate only eggs and the salad bar for 1 year. I’ve never really cooked for myself - I just ate what was available. The motivation was that I am spontaneous and it was somet… --- ## [Calling All Lawyers: Prop 8 Court Order](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-lawyers-prop-8-court-order/501631)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2009, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-all-lawyers-prop-8-court-order/501631 "2009-07-03T04:39:54Z")
The US District Court of Northern California seems to have laid down quite a challenge to the anti-SSM crowd when it comes to SSM withthis latest court order in the Boies-Olsen Prop 8 Challenge Basically what the court i… --- ## [Dr. Zahi Hawass-Serious Egyptologist or Publicity Hound?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-zahi-hawass-serious-egyptologist-or-publicity-hound/501273)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [July 3, 2009, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-zahi-hawass-serious-egyptologist-or-publicity-hound/501273 "2009-07-03T04:04:09Z")
This guy is always on TV. I wonder, is he a serious scientist, or mainly a “public relations” type egyptologist? I like his efforts to publicize ancient egypt, does anyone his academic standing? --- ## [French President Sarkozy Wants to Ban Burkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-president-sarkozy-wants-to-ban-burkas/500699)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 209\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-president-sarkozy-wants-to-ban-burkas/500699 "2009-07-02T23:00:48Z")
Story here. Pres. Sarkozy in the wake of the Iranian chaos is amping up rhetoric against the religious enforcement of female subservience among certain Muslim groups in France. He’s quoted as saying: Now, I’m an athei… --- ## [You Balance the California Budget](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-balance-the-california-budget/501501)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-balance-the-california-budget/501501 "2009-07-02T21:57:35Z")
Try it. They are in big trouble… --- ## [9/11 and Choice of Airlines](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-and-choice-of-airlines/501721)
**Author:** [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/9-11-and-choice-of-airlines/501721 "2009-07-02T21:15:00Z")
An associate of mine is of the opinion that American Airlines and United Airlines were chosen by the 9/11 hijackers exclusively due to the symbolic value of committing terrorism with these air carriers, as opposed to say… --- ## [What animals can I kill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-can-i-kill/501539)
**Author:** [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-animals-can-i-kill/501539 "2009-07-02T19:46:10Z")
Based upon the recent threads about trapping vs. shooting feral cats and the fact that the county that I live in has recently begun to allow property owners to shoot wild hogs on your property without a limit or even a l… --- ## [Any Other Lefties Dubious on AGW?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-other-lefties-dubious-on-agw/501156)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 154\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-other-lefties-dubious-on-agw/501156 "2009-07-02T13:47:44Z")
I like science and understand the difference between mainstream viewpoints and a few fringe whackos, but there is something about AGW that sets off warning signals in my mind. I don’t like AGW opponents being marginalize… --- ## [What can the GOP do to attract more minorities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881)
**Author:** [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-the-gop-do-to-attract-more-minorities/500881 "2009-07-02T05:03:11Z")
A poll in the L.A. Times today found that, at least in Los Angeles, black and Hispanic voters are more likely than whites to identify themselves as conservative. I know many Hispanics, including some within my own fami… --- ## [Did German Chancellor Merkel take a huge public swipe at the Bush Administration?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-german-chancellor-merkel-take-a-huge-public-swipe-at-the-bush-administration/501166)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-german-chancellor-merkel-take-a-huge-public-swipe-at-the-bush-administration/501166 "2009-07-02T00:37:25Z")
I was watching the Obama/Merkel press conference yesterday. At the end of her opening remarks Merkel said: This sounds to me to be an expression of repudiation and frustration with the Bush Administration. It seems to … --- ## [The priorities for bankruptcy settlements should be changed.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-priorities-for-bankruptcy-settlements-should-be-changed/501629)
**Author:** [@Brainiac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brainiac)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-priorities-for-bankruptcy-settlements-should-be-changed/501629 "2009-07-02T00:20:32Z")
Today’s news story is just the latest outrage. People injured because of defective GM products may lose all standing in bankruptcy court even though others with identical injuries were compensated. Why? Because they are … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=526) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=528)