# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=59 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 60 --- ## [New Rules 2020: Discussion Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-2020-discussion-thread/845729)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-rules-2020-discussion-thread/845729 "2020-01-06T21:08:52Z")
Now, as I’m sure you’ve notice, I’ve just stickied new rules for both Great Debates and Politics and Elections. Tubadiva and I have been working on these rules for a month or so as we took to heart the posts made in the… --- ## [What about having a branch of the military specifically devoted to nation building?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-having-a-branch-of-the-military-specifically-devoted-to-nation-building/845897)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-about-having-a-branch-of-the-military-specifically-devoted-to-nation-building/845897 "2020-01-06T02:55:54Z")
This sentence posted by Bump got me thinking. The US military is really good at killing people, and blowing stuff up without getting killed or blown up itself. This is not surprising. It is their primary purpose and w… --- ## [How will people view the Afghanistan and Iraq wars and their veterans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-people-view-the-afghanistan-and-iraq-wars-and-their-veterans/845326)
**Author:** [@Yankees\_1996\_Champs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yankees_1996_Champs)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [January 6, 2020, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-people-view-the-afghanistan-and-iraq-wars-and-their-veterans/845326 "2020-01-06T02:19:32Z")
The West lost those two wasteful wars. The Iraq War was based on lies. The Afghanistan War was based on lies, and the US government lied, as revealed in December 2019. Post-1975, American Vietnam War veterans were spi… --- ## [was the Monroe Doctrine an empty bluff?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-monroe-doctrine-an-empty-bluff/845954)
**Author:** [@fedman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 5, 2020, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-monroe-doctrine-an-empty-bluff/845954 "2020-01-05T03:23:24Z")
when the US declared that ‘everything on this side of the Atlantic was ours’, how could they enforce it? Our navy was small compared to French, English and even Spanish Navies, especially if 2 or 3 all came over at same … --- ## [The Decline of Religion in American Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decline-of-religion-in-american-life/844744)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 243\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2020, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-decline-of-religion-in-american-life/844744 "2020-01-04T23:53:54Z")
So I’m reading 538 this morning and there’s coverage of a new report out of the American Enterprise Institute about how younger folks - Millennials in popular parlance, I suppose - are abandoning religion. Millennials A… --- ## [Why does anti-Semitism among Westerners/Western-educated people have such staying power today?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-anti-semitism-among-westerners-western-educated-people-have-such-staying-power-today/845712)
**Author:** [@davidmich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidmich)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-anti-semitism-among-westerners-western-educated-people-have-such-staying-power-today/845712 "2020-01-04T23:17:09Z")
Hi Why does anti-Semitism among Westerners/Western-educated people have such staying power today? I can understand perhaps anti-Semitism having such traction when Jews were one of the few minorities in our society./ Bu… --- ## [Overton Window or Third Law/Pendulum Effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overton-window-or-third-law-pendulum-effect/845467)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/overton-window-or-third-law-pendulum-effect/845467 "2020-01-03T21:04:01Z")
I have heard a lot on these boards about the Overton Window and how pushing discussion farther to an extreme shifts the window of discourse. My position is that that is mostly a load of hooey. Pushing to extremes with … --- ## [Scientists and Atheism.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-and-atheism/845481)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scientists-and-atheism/845481 "2020-01-03T13:45:29Z")
Something I have wondered about for some time now. Are most scientists atheists? Let me carefully define the term. I mean smart knowledgeable ones. For the purpose of this question, I am not talking about garden variety… --- ## [Predict the next war(s)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-next-war-s/771225)
**Author:** [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Replies:** 146\ **Last updated:** [January 3, 2020, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predict-the-next-war-s/771225 "2020-01-03T03:56:17Z")
Sure, another Trumpocalypse thread. Why not? So, I assume we’ll soon be “bombing the shit out of” ISIS. I’m not sure we’ll be sending massive numbers of ground troops into the fray. Maybe. Who knows? The US and Ira… --- ## [Should the powerful be able to control the speech of the less powerful?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-powerful-be-able-to-control-the-speech-of-the-less-powerful/845470)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2020, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-powerful-be-able-to-control-the-speech-of-the-less-powerful/845470 "2020-01-02T23:08:49Z")
(Spinning this out of another thread.) I hope that the answer to this question is the same whether you agree with what is being expressed or disagree with it, but have experiences here that ethics of the powerful exerti… --- ## [Is JK Rowling transphobic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jk-rowling-transphobic/845105)
**Author:** [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Replies:** 431\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2020, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-jk-rowling-transphobic/845105 "2020-01-02T17:20:53Z")
Her tweet. According to The Guardian, the Maya in question is Maya Forstater, a UK citizen who was fired from her job for a series of tweets that included such nuggets as Men cannot change into women. Rowling would se… --- ## [Time Person of the Year 2019](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year-2019/844748)
**Author:** [@BeepKillBeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeepKillBeep)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-person-of-the-year-2019/844748 "2020-01-02T15:06:39Z")
The person selected was Greta Thunberg. I think that’s a decent choice. She certainly had an impact. Do you think Time made the right choice? Who would you rather have been selected if not? I think another strong possi… --- ## [North American Free Trade Agreement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-american-free-trade-agreement/845202)
**Author:** [@Mike\_Mabes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Mabes)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [December 31, 2019, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-american-free-trade-agreement/845202 "2019-12-31T03:27:32Z")
Well I guess Trump got something done. Or did he? Does this turn “America’s worst deal” into a “wonderful” agreement? I read a bit about it, and as a Trump hater, immediately seized on the negatives. It does add some goo… --- ## [Does consideration of acquitted conduct allow federal judges to bypass statutory sentencing limits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-consideration-of-acquitted-conduct-allow-federal-judges-to-bypass-statutory-sentencing-limits/844728)
**Author:** [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-consideration-of-acquitted-conduct-allow-federal-judges-to-bypass-statutory-sentencing-limits/844728 "2019-12-30T23:58:50Z")
“Acquitted conduct” is conduct that led prosecutors to file charges against you, where a jury then acquitted you of those charges. Apparently federal judges sometimes use such behavior when sentencing you for other charg… --- ## [Will the seventh political system see realignment along gender, education and generation lines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-seventh-political-system-see-realignment-along-gender-education-and-generation-lines/845554)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2019, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-seventh-political-system-see-realignment-along-gender-education-and-generation-lines/845554 "2019-12-30T21:13:30Z")
We are supposedly currently in the 6th party system. The fifth party system was the new deal coaltion started under FDR. A big transition was southern whites and rural whites abandoning the democratic party and becom… --- ## [Can the US legally repudiate debt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-us-legally-repudiate-debt/844642)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-us-legally-repudiate-debt/844642 "2019-12-30T20:40:33Z")
I’ve been having a debate on Twitter with a guy who admittedly has more authority than I do on this subject, since he’s a lawyer and I didn’t even go to college. But he is just one guy and it’s not his specialty, so I fi… --- ## [Please explain how McConnell will prevent the Trial of Trump](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-how-mcconnell-will-prevent-the-trial-of-trump/845108)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2019, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-how-mcconnell-will-prevent-the-trial-of-trump/845108 "2019-12-30T02:21:36Z")
Now the articles of impeachment have been passed, we have a fresh round of disinformation that SML M. McConnell will somehow stop the trial or run it in a partisan fashion. I thought we had dispensed with this ignorance… --- ## [Nancy should hold on to Articles of Impeachment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nancy-should-hold-on-to-articles-of-impeachment/845079)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [December 30, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nancy-should-hold-on-to-articles-of-impeachment/845079 "2019-12-30T01:39:33Z")
Nancy Pelosi should not give the Senate the Articles of Impeachment until the Senate Majority leader either recuses himself or recants his statement that he will not be impartial. --- ## [Talk me off the edge: UK democracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-off-the-edge-uk-democracy/844847)
**Author:** [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2019, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/talk-me-off-the-edge-uk-democracy/844847 "2019-12-29T22:24:57Z")
I’ve experienced disappointment in elections before. I have always been a floating voter. I voted Lib Dem in my first election in 2001, again 2005, then Tory 2010, Green 2015, and Labour the past two. I was surprised whe… --- ## [Where's the line between advising someone to take steps to protect themselves and victim-blaming?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-line-between-advising-someone-to-take-steps-to-protect-themselves-and-victim-blaming/844322)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 630\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2019, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-line-between-advising-someone-to-take-steps-to-protect-themselves-and-victim-blaming/844322 "2019-12-29T16:45:29Z")
I’ve been following along in this ATMB thread, and I am a bit confused on where Dopers see the line between prudent advice and victim-blaming. A snippet from one post particularly stuck out to me: So, please help my u… --- ## [Judea, Israel, and Jerusalem](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judea-israel-and-jerusalem/845369)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [December 29, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judea-israel-and-jerusalem/845369 "2019-12-29T00:45:29Z")
In A.D.70, the Romans destroyed Jerusalem. What became of the rest of the Holy Land…Israel and Judea? --- ## [Why Is the Song of Solomon In the Bible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-song-of-solomon-in-the-bible/845186)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-song-of-solomon-in-the-bible/845186 "2019-12-28T20:17:01Z")
I don’t know if any of you ever read the Song of Solomon in the Christian Bible. But it is downright dirty. I think it also involves an unmarried couple. I could be wrong on that one. Because I never read it thru. And al… --- ## [Is this the Mandela effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-mandela-effect/844894)
**Author:** [@nanancyy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nanancyy)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [December 28, 2019, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-the-mandela-effect/844894 "2019-12-28T18:08:16Z")
I saw an article about the ballet “The Nutcracker Suite.” Suddeny, the main character is Marie. Her name has always been Clara. Does anybody remember this? Is this another Mandela effect? --- ## [Hallmark Channel buckles to pressure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hallmark-channel-buckles-to-pressure/844912)
**Author:** [@atimnie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atimnie)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [December 27, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hallmark-channel-buckles-to-pressure/844912 "2019-12-27T19:15:41Z")
Given an opportunity to stand up for what is right, Hallmark has buckled under pressure from conservative idiots and has pulled an ad featuring a same sex wedding. Gay marriage has been legal for four years, and somehow … --- ## [New York Times article: Impeachment risks becoming a new norm in the future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-times-article-impeachment-risks-becoming-a-new-norm-in-the-future/845097)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [December 26, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-york-times-article-impeachment-risks-becoming-a-new-norm-in-the-future/845097 "2019-12-26T19:54:44Z")
This NYT article might be lurking behind a paywall, so I’ll give a gist/summary: \[ul\] \[li\]It used to be the case that things like filibusters were rare, and Supreme Court nominees sailed through the Senate by unanimous… --- ## [Is modern civilization a mistake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-modern-civilization-a-mistake/787978)
**Author:** [@Machinaforce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machinaforce)\ **Replies:** 269\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-modern-civilization-a-mistake/787978 "2019-12-24T21:50:20Z")
Environmental issues and the additional pressures and strains that modern life brings, not to mention our great dependence on technology. We seem to idle our time with non productive work (Like anything that doesn’t cont… --- ## [How can you measure whether the total accounted for gold increases faster than gold is mined?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-measure-whether-the-total-accounted-for-gold-increases-faster-than-gold-is-mined/845043)
**Author:** [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-measure-whether-the-total-accounted-for-gold-increases-faster-than-gold-is-mined/845043 "2019-12-24T18:50:21Z")
Throughout history there have been many opportunities to hoard natural resources such as gold, silver, etc. Supposing someone was slowly, or quickly, cashing that out, do we have a way of detecting it? For example, doe… --- ## [FISA warrant was used to spy on the Trump campaign and presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fisa-warrant-was-used-to-spy-on-the-trump-campaign-and-presidency/845242)
**Author:** [@EasyPhil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EasyPhil)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fisa-warrant-was-used-to-spy-on-the-trump-campaign-and-presidency/845242 "2019-12-24T12:50:10Z")
The FISA warrant obtained to spy on Carter Page allowed the FBI to spy on not only Carter Page but also people that Carter Page communicated with in addition to people that communicated with people that communicated with… --- ## [Free public college and state residency: how would it work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-public-college-and-state-residency-how-would-it-work/845155)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [December 24, 2019, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-public-college-and-state-residency-how-would-it-work/845155 "2019-12-24T03:55:53Z")
One thing that hasn’t been mentioned with the free college debate is exactly how it would work in the real world. Would students only get free public education in the state they lived in and could claim residency? There… --- ## [Christmas a National Holiday?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-a-national-holiday/844902)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [December 23, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/christmas-a-national-holiday/844902 "2019-12-23T18:29:20Z")
Why is Christmas a national holiday in the USA? I mean what is the logic? No other Christian holiday is a federal holiday. Easter Monday is a holiday in Canada. But not here. The Feast of St. John the Baptist? St. Swithi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=58) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=60)