# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=62 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 63 --- ## [Unrealistic promises are leading to voter cynicism and the rise of extremism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unrealistic-promises-are-leading-to-voter-cynicism-and-the-rise-of-extremism/842097)
**Author:** [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unrealistic-promises-are-leading-to-voter-cynicism-and-the-rise-of-extremism/842097 "2019-10-21T20:34:45Z")
Getting any consequential law passed in the US is really hard, probably harder than at any point in history. Democracy is about math, if you don’t have the numbers, it doesn’t matter how hard you fight, or how righteous … --- ## [No House of Representatives vote on Impeachment.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-house-of-representatives-vote-on-impeachment/842060)
**Author:** [@Tempe\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tempe_Jeff)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-house-of-representatives-vote-on-impeachment/842060 "2019-10-21T18:51:33Z")
Are any subpoenas legally binding without a vote? Lawyers comments would be welcome. Here’s a link. What do Lawyers say? I think the analysis is correct. --- ## [Why is the Right so credulous when it comes to conspiracy theories?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-right-so-credulous-when-it-comes-to-conspiracy-theories/841903)
**Author:** [@l0k1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/l0k1)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-right-so-credulous-when-it-comes-to-conspiracy-theories/841903 "2019-10-21T17:21:03Z")
I woke up to the news that my representative in Congress, Elijah Cummings, had passed away. It got me thinking that if the chairman of one of the Benghazi hearing committees died, it would immediately be called an assas… --- ## [Now they want to ban the sale of pointed kitchen knives in the UK to reduce knife crime.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606)
**Author:** [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Replies:** 253\ **Last updated:** [October 21, 2019, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-they-want-to-ban-the-sale-of-pointed-kitchen-knives-in-the-uk-to-reduce-knife-crime/841606 "2019-10-21T11:23:58Z")
Proposed gun control doesn’t look too bad now. --- ## [New propellant-less drive proposal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-propellant-less-drive-proposal/841639)
**Author:** [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2019, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-propellant-less-drive-proposal/841639 "2019-10-20T01:02:01Z")
It’s entirely theoretical, someone’s pet project, I noticed it through a NewScientist article with the dumbest headline and bad choice of illustration, but still! https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20190029657 I suspe… --- ## [Is the equal sign overrated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-equal-sign-overrated/841735)
**Author:** [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-equal-sign-overrated/841735 "2019-10-19T14:39:27Z")
There’s an interesting article in Wired. It’s difficult to summarize. To me it seems silly on the surface, but I’m a mathematical lightweight. --- ## [If an AI takes a picture, who owns the copyright?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-ai-takes-a-picture-who-owns-the-copyright/798387)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2019, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-an-ai-takes-a-picture-who-owns-the-copyright/798387 "2019-10-17T22:12:38Z")
Google has a new product called the Google Clips camera which is unique in that you don’t have to take the pictures, the camera will take them all by itself. In light of the recent monkey selfie copyright dispute (is t… --- ## [Consequences of Gender Ratio in China and India](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consequences-of-gender-ratio-in-china-and-india/841446)
**Author:** [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consequences-of-gender-ratio-in-china-and-india/841446 "2019-10-17T21:12:51Z")
I was reading the other day about how men outnumber women by somewhere close to 34 Million in China and something like 37 Million in India. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/ar… --- ## [How do you suppose the Republican Party plans to survive, or even thrive, as demographics change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-suppose-the-republican-party-plans-to-survive-or-even-thrive-as-demographics-change/841320)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2019, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-suppose-the-republican-party-plans-to-survive-or-even-thrive-as-demographics-change/841320 "2019-10-17T12:47:46Z")
How do you suppose the Republican Party plans to survive, or even thrive, as demographics change? The average age of Republican voters is said to be well north of 65. When they die off, become demented, or simply become… --- ## [If the Japanese had retreated to the main islands, would the Allies still have planned for invasion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-japanese-had-retreated-to-the-main-islands-would-the-allies-still-have-planned-for-invasion/841183)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 153\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2019, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-japanese-had-retreated-to-the-main-islands-would-the-allies-still-have-planned-for-invasion/841183 "2019-10-17T03:53:06Z")
If the Empire of Japan had withdrawn all its military forces back to the home islands in, say, August 1944 (before the Battle of Leyte Gulf), removing its armies from China, the Philippines, and from everywhere else they… --- ## [What attributes makes a smaller nation a target for imperialism or proxy wars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-attributes-makes-a-smaller-nation-a-target-for-imperialism-or-proxy-wars/841793)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2019, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-attributes-makes-a-smaller-nation-a-target-for-imperialism-or-proxy-wars/841793 "2019-10-17T02:29:11Z")
With the proxy wars in places like Ukraine or Syria going on I’m wondering what traits a small nation can possess that make larger nations desire to control them (militarily, economically, diplomatically, etc). What make… --- ## [84% of female soldiers are failing the US Army's new gender-neutral physical fitness test (ACFT)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/84-of-female-soldiers-are-failing-the-us-armys-new-gender-neutral-physical-fitness-test-acft/841487)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/84-of-female-soldiers-are-failing-the-us-armys-new-gender-neutral-physical-fitness-test-acft/841487 "2019-10-16T23:14:20Z")
source What should the Army do about this? Should they go back to different standards for (realizing I might be stepping into a quagmire with this next word, but unsure how else to phrase it) each gender? Should the te… --- ## [If consciousness is an illusion, who is being illuded?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-consciousness-is-an-illusion-who-is-being-illuded/841501)
**Author:** [@TGWATY](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TGWATY)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-consciousness-is-an-illusion-who-is-being-illuded/841501 "2019-10-15T21:02:52Z")
How can I be deceived into thinking there is an I if there is no I? A magician can in principle produce any illusion you can imagine. Except the illusion that there is audience observing his illusion. If there is no aud… --- ## [Supreme Court to hear case about LGBTQ employment rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-to-hear-case-about-lgbtq-employment-rights/841500)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-to-hear-case-about-lgbtq-employment-rights/841500 "2019-10-15T16:05:05Z")
NPR story here. (I see no thread about this already in GD.) The suit is to settle whether Title VII employment protections “on the basis of sex” includes protection for LGBTQ persons. About half the states have state la… --- ## [Has the U.S. orchestrated a 'decent interval' in Afghanistan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-u-s-orchestrated-a-decent-interval-in-afghanistan/734627)
**Author:** [@Ryan\_Liam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ryan_Liam)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2019, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-u-s-orchestrated-a-decent-interval-in-afghanistan/734627 "2019-10-14T15:16:44Z")
Background Like with South Vietnam in 1973, the US signed the Paris peace accords, and lent support to the South Vietnamese military in aid and more importantly, air support. Kissinger likened this to a ‘decent interval… --- ## [The Future: after the industrial age](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-after-the-industrial-age/841271)
**Author:** [@Jeb\_2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeb_2026)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2019, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-after-the-industrial-age/841271 "2019-10-14T01:44:07Z")
We are currently living in the most abnormal time in human history. For better and for worse, the era we live in is unique in the annals of time. Never before have so many humans lived (7.7 billion, growing by 80 million… --- ## [WeWork, Theranos, and the myth of modern meritocracy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wework-theranos-and-the-myth-of-modern-meritocracy/840484)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2019, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wework-theranos-and-the-myth-of-modern-meritocracy/840484 "2019-10-13T23:52:31Z")
So… the CEO of WeWork sure is saying some wacky shit, huh? Neumann, after spending an international flight on a private jet toking, reportedly left a cereal box stuffed with so much weed on the plane that when crewmembe… --- ## [is Rudi Guliani going to take the fall for Donald Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rudi-guliani-going-to-take-the-fall-for-donald-trump/841675)
**Author:** [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-rudi-guliani-going-to-take-the-fall-for-donald-trump/841675 "2019-10-13T23:25:12Z")
The news the last couple of days has me thinking that this may be Donald’s idea as how to diffuse the Impeachment proceedings. Donald is well known for throwing his supporters to the wolves, and Rudi looks like the next… --- ## [How come there isn't more political violence in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-there-isnt-more-political-violence-in-the-us/841454)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-come-there-isnt-more-political-violence-in-the-us/841454 "2019-10-12T21:14:40Z")
White/Christian Identity is full of delusional conspiracist paranoia. The Fourteen Words they have for slogan goes: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children”\*. Conspiracy theories like … --- ## [How to effectively combat the Fox News propaganda machine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-effectively-combat-the-fox-news-propaganda-machine/841305)
**Author:** [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-effectively-combat-the-fox-news-propaganda-machine/841305 "2019-10-12T20:14:49Z")
It’s hard to overestimate the impact Fox News has on the US political scene. It’s a highly effective ultra-conservative Regular Fox News viewers obediently swallow whatever the Fox propaganda machine tells them, includi… --- ## [Should the United States join the Commonwealth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/841376)
**Author:** [@Bassman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bassman)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2019, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-united-states-join-the-commonwealth/841376 "2019-10-10T02:42:41Z")
I’ve long had the idea that the United States should join the Commonwealth of Nations. Based on the eligibility criteria, there’s no reason why we can’t. I think it would be a good way for our next Democratic administrat… --- ## [Emotions in a human. Which is dominant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotions-in-a-human-which-is-dominant/841373)
**Author:** [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emotions-in-a-human-which-is-dominant/841373 "2019-10-08T19:56:57Z")
How many emotions can a human experience. Happiness, sadness, love, hate, melancholia, jealousy, …how many more are there? Is hate the dominant emotion in a human? --- ## [Is it time to bring up the 25th Amendment again?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-bring-up-the-25th-amendment-again/841426)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-bring-up-the-25th-amendment-again/841426 "2019-10-08T17:02:59Z")
Because our Fearless Leader just tweeted this: No, not The Onion. If only. Link above is to the Trump Twitter Archive, where you can read Trump’s tweets without having to click on his actual Twitter feed. Direct lin… --- ## [The democrats abandoning gun control will not help them win the votes of rural whites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-abandoning-gun-control-will-not-help-them-win-the-votes-of-rural-whites/829504)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 116\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2019, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democrats-abandoning-gun-control-will-not-help-them-win-the-votes-of-rural-whites/829504 "2019-10-07T19:29:31Z")
Its an argument a lot of people seem to be making. “If democrats abandon gun control, then rural whites will be more open to the party”. I disagree. For one thing, gun control is fairly popular. But more importantly… --- ## [Trump administration threatens federal funding to universities over course content](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-administration-threatens-federal-funding-to-universities-over-course-content/840574)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-administration-threatens-federal-funding-to-universities-over-course-content/840574 "2019-10-07T19:26:36Z")
…Specifically, that their Middle East studies program “portray Islam too positively”. The Education Department wrote in an Aug. 29 letter to the Duke-UNC Consortium for Middle East Studies that the program disproportion… --- ## [What Do Sovereign Citizens Get Out of All Their Nonsense?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-sovereign-citizens-get-out-of-all-their-nonsense/834851)
**Author:** [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Replies:** 167\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2019, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-sovereign-citizens-get-out-of-all-their-nonsense/834851 "2019-10-07T17:30:31Z")
I understand hating the government, and not liking to pay taxes. But what the hell? I’ve seen a few of these Sovereign Citizen videos on YouTube, and I can’t make head or tail out of why anyone would want to make their … --- ## [What's up with Giuliani?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-giuliani/841181)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2019, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-up-with-giuliani/841181 "2019-10-07T17:22:48Z")
I have a bunch of questions about Rudy Giuliani. I would like factual answers to my questions so I thought about posting in General Questions. The are political though, so maybe this thread belongs in Elections. That … --- ## [Do you believe it's immoral to willingly enlist in the military?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-its-immoral-to-willingly-enlist-in-the-military/840901)
**Author:** [@CatRummage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatRummage)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2019, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-its-immoral-to-willingly-enlist-in-the-military/840901 "2019-10-06T23:11:49Z")
If you think it would depends on the military then you could use the US Military and the IDF as examples. --- ## [Aus Fed govt to bring in drug/alcohol testing for welfare recipients.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aus-fed-govt-to-bring-in-drug-alcohol-testing-for-welfare-recipients/841199)
**Author:** [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aus-fed-govt-to-bring-in-drug-alcohol-testing-for-welfare-recipients/841199 "2019-10-04T21:53:40Z")
The ever-progressive Australian federal government (conservatives, called the Liberal Party) are seeking to introduce mandatory drug and alcohol testing for ‘some’ people in ‘some’ communities in order to kick them off N… --- ## [NY AG threatening companies for selling "ghost guns". Isn't this perfectly legal in NY?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-threatening-companies-for-selling-ghost-guns-isnt-this-perfectly-legal-in-ny/840724)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2019, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ny-ag-threatening-companies-for-selling-ghost-guns-isnt-this-perfectly-legal-in-ny/840724 "2019-10-04T20:42:23Z")
Here is the story: Here is the actual ‘cease and desist’ letter. My understanding is that it’s perfectly lawful for a NY resident to acquire materials / components / parts and build their own rifle, even one based on … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=61) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=63)