# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=56 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 57 --- ## [When should we move our stock portfolio into recession mode?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-we-move-our-stock-portfolio-into-recession-mode/848572)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2020, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-should-we-move-our-stock-portfolio-into-recession-mode/848572 "2020-03-09T03:23:18Z")
I’m putting this in GD since there may not be a factual answer and I expect there to be a lively debate on the topic. The stocks that one would own during a bull market are different than the defensive stocks they would… --- ## [Redefining POTUS's "Executive Privilege"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redefining-potuss-executive-privilege/849076)
**Author:** [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 9, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/redefining-potuss-executive-privilege/849076 "2020-03-09T00:07:31Z")
I like to dream of a better future from time to time and I started to ponder this hypothetical situation. Suppose, just for a moment that some future POTUS decides that “Executive Privilege” has been wildly abused by pr… --- ## [Will U.S. interest rates go negative? What will the result be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-u-s-interest-rates-go-negative-what-will-the-result-be/848977)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 7, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-u-s-interest-rates-go-negative-what-will-the-result-be/848977 "2020-03-07T22:50:49Z")
Financial conditions around the world are in uncharted waters. Nobody has a clear idea of what is going to happen. Negative real interest rates are not too unusual: 1958, 1975, and especially 1980 were all periods when… --- ## [Dallas County DA - going a bit too far?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dallas-county-da-going-a-bit-too-far/832622)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 115\ **Last updated:** [March 6, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dallas-county-da-going-a-bit-too-far/832622 "2020-03-06T18:25:11Z")
So the local district attorney here in Dallas County published an open letter describing the guidelines for his office during his term. https://www.dallascounty.org/Assets/uploads/docs/district-attorney/messages-from-da… --- ## [Freedom of choice when one's behavior is compelled by one's religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-choice-when-ones-behavior-is-compelled-by-ones-religion/848649)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 5, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/freedom-of-choice-when-ones-behavior-is-compelled-by-ones-religion/848649 "2020-03-05T23:03:08Z")
We have talked before philosophically in GD about topics like “Do we really have free will?” etc. and the viewpoint of some was that we do not truly have free will because we are always constrained by many real-life fact… --- ## [Why can't we balance the budget by simply limiting its growth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-balance-the-budget-by-simply-limiting-its-growth/847999)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-cant-we-balance-the-budget-by-simply-limiting-its-growth/847999 "2020-03-04T20:23:58Z")
I know that 1995 called and wants its GOP argument back. But it seems very sensible and I hope we can have this debate without too much partisan sniping. So I am looking at these numbers: Historical Tables - OMB - The… --- ## [Just shoot the hippos!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-shoot-the-hippos/848600)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [March 4, 2020, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-shoot-the-hippos/848600 "2020-03-04T02:02:33Z")
Apparently drug kingpin Pablo Escobar liked hippos, and imported some to his home in Columbia. Since his arrest, some have gone wild, where they are thriving. The linked article discusses plans to address them “in huma… --- ## [The Vatican Secret Library, Gnosticism, and other stuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vatican-secret-library-gnosticism-and-other-stuff/181320)
**Author:** [@bifar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bifar)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-vatican-secret-library-gnosticism-and-other-stuff/181320 "2020-03-03T19:49:56Z")
Forgive me in advance if I sound really stupid about all this kind of stuff, because believe me, I am. Also sorry if this is a really old-hat discussion; I did do a cursory search and didn’t find much. Anyway. Someone … --- ## [What would happen if China were asked to pay damages for the corona virus outbreak?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-china-were-asked-to-pay-damages-for-the-corona-virus-outbreak/848062)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-happen-if-china-were-asked-to-pay-damages-for-the-corona-virus-outbreak/848062 "2020-03-03T19:42:01Z")
Hi What would happen if China were asked to pay damages for the corona virus outbreak? If indeed countries like Singapore and Japan (now on the brink of recession) ever sought damages, would it happen and how would it b… --- ## [How would you fix American policing? (UPDATED)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-fix-american-policing-updated/847555)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-fix-american-policing-updated/847555 "2020-03-03T16:20:31Z")
I’ll put it in this Great Debates thread. How would you fix policing, especially with minority communities the most? It is a bigger issue than abortion, climate change in my opinion, because public safety is a big issu… --- ## [Afghanistan - what if we had invaded but not occupied?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-what-if-we-had-invaded-but-not-occupied/848706)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 3, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-what-if-we-had-invaded-but-not-occupied/848706 "2020-03-03T00:10:44Z")
The U.S. has just signed an agreement with the Taliban to leave Afghanistan after almost 20 years. I have always wondered whether it would have been possible to pursue Al Qaeda in Afghanistan without actually occupying … --- ## [Do You Have to Think Jesus is Real to be a Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-think-jesus-is-real-to-be-a-christian/848312)
**Author:** [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-to-think-jesus-is-real-to-be-a-christian/848312 "2020-02-29T04:35:46Z")
This discussion concerns a totally hypothetical person, Mr. X. Suppose Mr. X thinks\* that the character of Jesus in the New Testament is a myth or legend that may or may not have been based on one or more actual persons… --- ## [California crop wipeout?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-crop-wipeout/848735)
**Author:** [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-crop-wipeout/848735 "2020-03-01T16:14:01Z")
No rain in California for the first February in 150 years. It feels like an early spring, and I see many fruit and nut trees blossoming already. Beautiful! But atmospheric rivers, the Pineapple or Arctic Express sort, ca… --- ## [What if we let AI take over the legislative role](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-let-ai-take-over-the-legislative-role/848106)
**Author:** [@NotFromWuhan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotFromWuhan)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2020, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-we-let-ai-take-over-the-legislative-role/848106 "2020-03-01T03:53:04Z")
There’s probably a concept coined for it but… What if Artificial Intelligent will take over role of politicians, but executive will be done by the people - direct democracy. AI role is to research and advice. --- ## [Were there any lasting positive impacts of the pink tide in latin america a decade ago](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-lasting-positive-impacts-of-the-pink-tide-in-latin-america-a-decade-ago/848714)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-there-any-lasting-positive-impacts-of-the-pink-tide-in-latin-america-a-decade-ago/848714 "2020-02-29T20:34:00Z")
About a decade ago a lot of latin america moved towards the left politically beacuse of unhappiness with neoliberal economics. With the rise of people like Sanders in the US, I’m wondering if there were any lasting posi… --- ## [Are short lifespans inherently linked to domestication?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-short-lifespans-inherently-linked-to-domestication/848424)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-short-lifespans-inherently-linked-to-domestication/848424 "2020-02-29T06:49:09Z")
I was reading a comment about how sad it was that pets like cats and dogs have such a short lifespan in comparison to humans. But I thought about it and it occurred to me that this might be an inherent part of the proce… --- ## [Time for big cuts in the military? Could we start closing America's 800 military bases overseas?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-big-cuts-in-the-military-could-we-start-closing-americas-800-military-bases-overseas/848437)
**Author:** [@Razncain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Razncain)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-for-big-cuts-in-the-military-could-we-start-closing-americas-800-military-bases-overseas/848437 "2020-02-29T05:28:45Z")
From The Hill: This was a part of the cold war build up. Over 194 bases in Germany, 121 in Japan, and 83 in S. Korea. Wouldn’t a couple do in each? Or none, they are still our allies. Trump has raised the same concer… --- ## [Medicare for All: What to be done to reduce fraud?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-what-to-be-done-to-reduce-fraud/848559)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-what-to-be-done-to-reduce-fraud/848559 "2020-02-29T03:33:05Z")
\*(Thread meant to be a debate about only one specific aspect of Medicare-for-All: fraud - not a broader discussion of Medicare or healthcare in general) \* Around a decade ago, CBS reported that Medicare was averaging $… --- ## [If existence unfolds and no one is around to perceive it, does time exist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-existence-unfolds-and-no-one-is-around-to-perceive-it-does-time-exist/848364)
**Author:** [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2020, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-existence-unfolds-and-no-one-is-around-to-perceive-it-does-time-exist/848364 "2020-02-29T03:24:34Z")
My answer is no. I have been inspired to ask the question by this thread. The OP wonders how time travel would actually work and at first my knee-jerk reaction was to reply it wouldn’t. I immediately decided not to repl… --- ## [Shouldn’t the number of Coronavirus infections be increasing much more aggressively?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldn-t-the-number-of-coronavirus-infections-be-increasing-much-more-aggressively/848647)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shouldn-t-the-number-of-coronavirus-infections-be-increasing-much-more-aggressively/848647 "2020-02-28T15:41:06Z")
Over the last week, the number of reported 2019-nCov infections has slowed considerably, staying in the low 80k’s. While the WHO estimates says it’s R0 is probably around 2 (1.4-2.5) other studies average around 3.5. … --- ## [What would it take to get notifications of cookie acceptance on websites to STOP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-get-notifications-of-cookie-acceptance-on-websites-to-stop/848504)
**Author:** [@dan39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dan39)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2020, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-it-take-to-get-notifications-of-cookie-acceptance-on-websites-to-stop/848504 "2020-02-28T02:30:39Z")
Why do we need to be reminded to accept the cookie or privacy policy of lots of websites? I, as I’m sure many of you, find the pop-ups very annoying especially when it’s an invasive pop-up on the screen which you can on… --- ## [Anti-pipeline demonstrations across Canada](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-pipeline-demonstrations-across-canada/847986)
**Author:** [@dan39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dan39)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anti-pipeline-demonstrations-across-canada/847986 "2020-02-26T02:33:37Z")
I’m not entirely sure I understand much about this subject even though it is right in my own back yard (figuratively speaking, meaning British Columbia). The Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan indigenous people and their supporte… --- ## [How would time travel actually work in nature (under known laws of physics)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-time-travel-actually-work-in-nature-under-known-laws-of-physics/848218)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [February 26, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-time-travel-actually-work-in-nature-under-known-laws-of-physics/848218 "2020-02-26T00:03:34Z")
According to Wikipedia, “time travel to the past is theoretically possible in certain general relativity spacetime geometries that permit traveling faster than the speed of light.” Fine. So based on the current known l… --- ## [Christian sues US Postal Service over Sunday work shifts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-sues-us-postal-service-over-sunday-work-shifts/848191)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2020, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christian-sues-us-postal-service-over-sunday-work-shifts/848191 "2020-02-24T21:58:12Z")
AP story here: Here’s the relief being sought: And lest anyone forgets, the article reminds us: Will Mr. Groff prevail or fail? How and why? And which way would you prefer to see this case resolved? --- ## [Is there a silver lining to Trump's win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-silver-lining-to-trumps-win/847706)
**Author:** [@GreenHell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenHell)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2020, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-silver-lining-to-trumps-win/847706 "2020-02-22T08:15:10Z")
I am not a lawyer, but for a layperson I have a pretty good understanding of the political and legal system of the U.S. I would appreciate a more expert take on this idea, though. So, predictably Trumo got off on a (nea… --- ## [Gun violence against Turkish cafe's in Germany](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-violence-against-turkish-cafes-in-germany/848321)
**Author:** [@dan39](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dan39)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-violence-against-turkish-cafes-in-germany/848321 "2020-02-22T00:52:43Z")
Yesterday a gunman stormed two Turkish cafes and killed at least 9 innocent people. The gunman later killed himself and his mother (or vice-versa, we don’t know yet) so now there will be no accountability for any of thi… --- ## [Why wouldn't a flat income tax work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wouldnt-a-flat-income-tax-work/583343)
**Author:** [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wouldnt-a-flat-income-tax-work/583343 "2020-02-21T15:34:08Z")
Say the feds do the math and a flat income tax of 27% for all Americans who have an income is needed to balance the budget (I know the number would be higher, it’s the concept I am curious about). The full time college … --- ## [Surely the mass of humanity is more "awful" now than it was before "The Great Flood"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-the-mass-of-humanity-is-more-awful-now-than-it-was-before-the-great-flood/848129)
**Author:** [@2Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2Bits)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2020, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-the-mass-of-humanity-is-more-awful-now-than-it-was-before-the-great-flood/848129 "2020-02-21T13:47:10Z")
Whatever those folks (except for Noah) were doing that inspired God to “wipe the slate clean” must’ve paled in its degree of badness as compared our current state of horribleness. No? Well, what the heck is he/ she waiti… --- ## [Florida's Baker Act-Overused, or overcriticized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-baker-act-overused-or-overcriticized/847971)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridas-baker-act-overused-or-overcriticized/847971 "2020-02-19T23:49:02Z")
This story about a six year old girl is all over the news. After supposedly acting out of control at school, a social worker called the police and had her committed to a mental hospital for two days…without informing th… --- ## [Is there any way to gauge how much money America would save if all regulatory capture was eliminated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-gauge-how-much-money-america-would-save-if-all-regulatory-capture-was-eliminated/848014)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2020, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-way-to-gauge-how-much-money-america-would-save-if-all-regulatory-capture-was-eliminated/848014 "2020-02-19T22:52:06Z")
Regulatory capture in all its forms (the government passing laws designed to protect industries from competition or the forces of the free market). Health care would see massive savings alone, I mean if we eliminated re… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=55) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=57)