# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=71 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 72 --- ## [Slowing gun violence without using gun control/elimination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slowing-gun-violence-without-using-gun-control-elimination/833963)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slowing-gun-violence-without-using-gun-control-elimination/833963 "2019-05-19T14:05:23Z")
Are there ways to effect the rate of gun violence without going anywhere near the gun control controversy? Are there underlying issues that can be realistically addressed? --- ## [Equality Act is drawing opposition from feminists and conservatives alike](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equality-act-is-drawing-opposition-from-feminists-and-conservatives-alike/833742)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equality-act-is-drawing-opposition-from-feminists-and-conservatives-alike/833742 "2019-05-17T19:45:53Z")
A prime case of “Baptists and Bootleggers”: The Equality Act is drawing opposition from both feminists and conservatives, who claim that a law that requires people to be treated as the gender that they claim to be (rath… --- ## [How do you forsee Gavin Newsom's attempt to have 3.5 million new homes built in California by 2025](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-forsee-gavin-newsoms-attempt-to-have-3-5-million-new-homes-built-in-california-by-2025/833685)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-forsee-gavin-newsoms-attempt-to-have-3-5-million-new-homes-built-in-california-by-2025/833685 "2019-05-17T17:24:54Z")
It sounds like a good plan, and increasing the number of houses will make the big cities in CA more affordable. However, there is going to be a lot of pushback from the big cities against this since homeowners will p… --- ## [Resolved: The first $2000 of Social Security tax should be eliminated.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-first-2000-of-social-security-tax-should-be-eliminated/833849)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2019, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-the-first-2000-of-social-security-tax-should-be-eliminated/833849 "2019-05-17T15:18:09Z")
Resolved: The first $2000 of Social Security tax should be eliminated. Someone earning $20,000 per year pays about $1500 in payroll taxes, and another $1500 is paid by his employer. (If the person is self-employed he p… --- ## [This one weird trick can help any state or city pass clean energy policy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-one-weird-trick-can-help-any-state-or-city-pass-clean-energy-policy/834110)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-one-weird-trick-can-help-any-state-or-city-pass-clean-energy-policy/834110 "2019-05-17T14:22:09Z")
Elect democrats. Elect democrats in veto-proof majorities to the legislature. Elect democratic governors. Elect democratic mayors, councilmen, and the like. That’s the trick, according to David Roberts of Vox: Renewabl… --- ## ["1 Student Killed, 7 Injured In Colorado School Shooting"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-student-killed-7-injured-in-colorado-school-shooting/833651)
**Author:** [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Replies:** 354\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1-student-killed-7-injured-in-colorado-school-shooting/833651 "2019-05-16T20:34:53Z")
1 Student Killed, 7 Injured In Colorado School Shooting How long has it been since the last school shooting? Six days ago in Charlotte? :frowning: --- ## [Alyssa Milano calls for "sex strike"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alyssa-milano-calls-for-sex-strike/833858 "2019-05-16T15:40:29Z")
In response to the Georgia abortion law (this thread is not about that law, but rather, about the sex strike in response) - actress Alyssa Milano called for a “sex strike” in response. It quickly led to criticism, thoug… --- ## [Is touching co-workers OK?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-touching-co-workers-ok/833424)
**Author:** [@Pantastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pantastic)\ **Replies:** 549\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-touching-co-workers-ok/833424 "2019-05-15T22:26:08Z")
In another thread, someone posted that they had an incident at work where a woman was talking at the end of a meeting, and a man put his hand on her wrist and said essentially ‘we’re out of time, let’s table this discuss… --- ## [How egotistical must an entity be to need to be worshiped](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-egotistical-must-an-entity-be-to-need-to-be-worshiped/833778)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-egotistical-must-an-entity-be-to-need-to-be-worshiped/833778 "2019-05-15T18:23:48Z")
To paraphrase James Tiberius Kirk, “What does God need with a world full of worshipers?” When you are all-powerful, why would you need your ego boosted by lesser beings telling you what you already know. In fact, how c… --- ## [What will the Republican Party be like post-Trump?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-republican-party-be-like-post-trump/833574)
**Author:** [@Boycott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boycott)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2019, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-the-republican-party-be-like-post-trump/833574 "2019-05-15T13:31:48Z")
A recent poll shows ~90% of Republicans approve the job Trump has done. He has strong - somewhat sycophantic - support among Congressional Republicans. People like Lindsey Graham, Ted Cruz and Rand Paul who ridiculed him… --- ## [How powerful must a entity be to be worshipped](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-powerful-must-a-entity-be-to-be-worshipped/833777)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_Ecks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ecks)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2019, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-powerful-must-a-entity-be-to-be-worshipped/833777 "2019-05-15T12:35:45Z")
The “How could God prove himself to atheists “ thread is attacking the problem from the wrong angle. The question should be, is there a theoretical entity that, if it existed, would deserve worship, and if so, what woul… --- ## [Atheists , how could God prove to you he exists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-how-could-god-prove-to-you-he-exists/833518)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 197\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-how-could-god-prove-to-you-he-exists/833518 "2019-05-15T00:45:11Z")
to start I am pretty much an agnostic. Let’s say someone shows up at your door and says he’s God and wants to prove it. Then he says “I can snap my fingers and any car you want will appear right here. In fact I can b… --- ## [Will having children solve climate change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-having-children-solve-climate-change/831598)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 285\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2019, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-having-children-solve-climate-change/831598 "2019-05-15T00:26:00Z")
Fifty-three Republican Senators voted unanimously against holding hearings on climate change. Let’s listen in as the key Senator explains his reasons: Since this is in GD, I guess I’m obligated to start the debate. I… --- ## [John Roberts and the course of the US](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-roberts-and-the-course-of-the-us/831345)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-roberts-and-the-course-of-the-us/831345 "2019-05-14T22:56:05Z")
Recently, a biography of SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts was released - Joan Biskupic’s The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts. Although it sounds like a fabulous read, there is too much … --- ## [Racist stereotypes, the white working class and ego-driven abuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-stereotypes-the-white-working-class-and-ego-driven-abuse/833512)
**Author:** [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racist-stereotypes-the-white-working-class-and-ego-driven-abuse/833512 "2019-05-14T20:24:33Z")
1: It’s occurred to me that a fair number of stereotypes which are applied to ethnic minorities, especially blacks, seem to apply to the more dysfunctional parts of the white, especially rural, working class. Is this jus… --- ## [Brett Kavanaugh and Apple Anti-Trust](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brett-kavanaugh-and-apple-anti-trust/833940)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brett-kavanaugh-and-apple-anti-trust/833940 "2019-05-14T19:05:53Z")
Color me surprised but something I wouldn’t have expected to ever read is It’s an interesting case, and one that potentially could overturn a great deal of our existing software sales models. I can’t blame Apple for f… --- ## [If you use something for free do you/should you get to criticize/complain about its faults?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-something-for-free-do-you-should-you-get-to-criticize-complain-about-its-faults/833493)
**Author:** [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-use-something-for-free-do-you-should-you-get-to-criticize-complain-about-its-faults/833493 "2019-05-14T17:42:55Z")
in this thread https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=21624880#post21624880 the op was upset that an update had messed up things in his version firefox which is a free apparently open source web browser … --- ## [Why is there fear of North Korea’s nuclear power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-fear-of-north-korea-s-nuclear-power/833904)
**Author:** [@Steven\_Estes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Estes)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2019, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-fear-of-north-korea-s-nuclear-power/833904 "2019-05-14T03:08:45Z")
Why is there fear of North Korea’s nuclear power? Were North Korea to launch a Nuclear attack on Los Angeles or, I assume, Seoul, the United States would respond with an all out nuclear attack and there would be no Nort… --- ## [Why are liberal arts colleges so expensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-liberal-arts-colleges-so-expensive/833722)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2019, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-liberal-arts-colleges-so-expensive/833722 "2019-05-13T20:07:10Z")
I was speaking with a co-worker whose son is a HS senior. She said he just was accepted into William and Mary, to study history, and it might cost $60k/year. Now William and Mary and other “historic” colleges might hav… --- ## [Why has the military sexual assault rate jumped nearly 40%?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-military-sexual-assault-rate-jumped-nearly-40/833390)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [May 11, 2019, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-the-military-sexual-assault-rate-jumped-nearly-40/833390 "2019-05-11T07:58:42Z")
From this article about the Pentagon’s biennial report on sexual assault in the military, we learn that the rate has jumped 38% from 2016 to 2018. Where the fuck did the current military get the idea that sexual assault… --- ## [White collar criminals should NOT get a pass](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-collar-criminals-should-not-get-a-pass/833338)
**Author:** [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/white-collar-criminals-should-not-get-a-pass/833338 "2019-05-09T13:33:10Z")
NASA Says Metals Fraud Caused $700 Million Satellite Failure Falsifying tests and delivering faulty parts FOR NINETEEN YEARS!!!. That seems like a pattern of criminal behavior to me. But THIS is what caught my eye: T… --- ## [Why is prostitution illegal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-prostitution-illegal/833491)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 9, 2019, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-prostitution-illegal/833491 "2019-05-09T03:50:48Z")
Does anyone actually think prostitution should be criminalized? Chances are if you’re prostituting yourself you have other issues such as drug abuse or financial issues. I believe it was Sweden or maybe Switzerland that … --- ## ["All Payer rate Setting" Healthcare Plan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-payer-rate-setting-healthcare-plan/833135)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-payer-rate-setting-healthcare-plan/833135 "2019-05-08T18:39:51Z")
“All-payer rate setting: America’s back-door to single-payer?” For the sake of discussion in this thread let us assume that a one step to Medicare for All is not going to happen with any Congress that is likely to be el… --- ## [Individual vs. corporate responsibility for the state of the environment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/individual-vs-corporate-responsibility-for-the-state-of-the-environment/833451)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2019, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/individual-vs-corporate-responsibility-for-the-state-of-the-environment/833451 "2019-05-08T03:22:16Z")
For the purposes of this discussion, let’s assume that the frequently repeated factoid that a handful of corporations produce many times more pollution, waste, and general environmental destruction than all individual ci… --- ## [Hermann Goring- was He Really Up To The Job?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hermann-goring-was-he-really-up-to-the-job/564709)
**Author:** [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hermann-goring-was-he-really-up-to-the-job/564709 "2019-05-08T02:36:11Z")
I don’t mean as a combat pilot as I doubt that his bravery and skill earlier on could be doubted. Also I understand that he bought to the Nazis a lot of popular appeal as a war hero. However, eventually it seems that t… --- ## [Which US Presidents were on the political left/right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-presidents-were-on-the-political-left-right/833127)
**Author:** [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2019, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-us-presidents-were-on-the-political-left-right/833127 "2019-05-07T13:58:44Z")
This interesting Quora answer discusses how the Democrats’ and Republicans’ political ideologies have essentially flipped over the last century or so. The map of Democrat and Republican states of the Fourth Party System,… --- ## [Why would Russia tinker with the presidential election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2019, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-would-russia-tinker-with-the-presidential-election/833375 "2019-05-07T07:01:16Z")
If Russia did attempt to sway the Presidential Election, what could have been their motivation? Did they all think that Trump would cede Alaska back to Russia? Did they think Hillary would imposes sanctions against Rus… --- ## [Could India and Pakistan have survived as a single country, if England hadn't divided then in 1947?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-india-and-pakistan-have-survived-as-a-single-country-if-england-hadnt-divided-then-in-1947/833527)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2019, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-india-and-pakistan-have-survived-as-a-single-country-if-england-hadnt-divided-then-in-1947/833527 "2019-05-07T04:45:24Z")
What were relations like between the Hindu and the Muslims, before the partition of India, in 1947? I know that the partition resulted in millions of people becoming refugees, as they left their existing homes and moved … --- ## [Objectively, how good is the U.S. economy right now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objectively-how-good-is-the-u-s-economy-right-now/833480)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2019, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objectively-how-good-is-the-u-s-economy-right-now/833480 "2019-05-06T20:01:41Z")
Suppose we completely ignore Trump in this thread - pretend it were President Hillary in the White House or someone else, but with the exact same economic data (Dow Jones above 26,000, unemployment below 4 percent)…how g… --- ## [Racism, Kate Smith & School Brawls - Which is More Detrimental to Urban Youth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-kate-smith-school-brawls-which-is-more-detrimental-to-urban-youth/833479)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2019, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/racism-kate-smith-school-brawls-which-is-more-detrimental-to-urban-youth/833479 "2019-05-06T19:42:33Z")
This past week featured two unrelated event, both relating to issues concerning urban youth, and perceived racial slights. Kate Smith’s racist lyrics cause her removal from baseball games Excerpt: One wonders, what ar… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=70) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=72)