# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=78 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 79 --- ## [What's the purpose of following political news?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-following-political-news/828717)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2019, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-purpose-of-following-political-news/828717 "2019-02-04T06:52:36Z")
Like many others here, I follow politics avidly and spend a lot of time reading the news. Lately, though, I have been wondering what the point is. I used to think (especially in pre-Internet days) that keeping yourself… --- ## [Why should Santa be regarded differently than God?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 260\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2019, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-santa-be-regarded-differently-than-god/827442 "2019-02-04T02:52:05Z")
Tangential spinoff of the recent thread where a teacher was fired for telling students that Santa didn’t exist: There was considerable outrage on Facebook over the incident as well - I would guesstimate that about 75% o… --- ## [Is sports better off with or without politics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sports-better-off-with-or-without-politics/828599)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2019, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-sports-better-off-with-or-without-politics/828599 "2019-02-02T17:46:03Z")
This could have gone into the Game Room, IMHO or Elections as well (the admins can move it if they like): Last year, there was a good Yahoo Sports article about how the Nashville Predators chose to officially endorse Da… --- ## [How much do we have to give up to save the planet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-we-have-to-give-up-to-save-the-planet/828667)
**Author:** [@Danger\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danger_Man)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2019, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-do-we-have-to-give-up-to-save-the-planet/828667 "2019-02-01T20:20:25Z")
By that I mean what kind of lifestyle do we have to live for it to be sustainable. I’ve heard it been said that we would have to go back to how we lives in the 50s, but that can’t be entirely true. Wouldn’t mass transit,… --- ## [Objectification, Visual Aspects of Sexuality, and the "What % of Women Beautiful" Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objectification-visual-aspects-of-sexuality-and-the-what-of-women-beautiful-thread/828408)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [February 1, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/objectification-visual-aspects-of-sexuality-and-the-what-of-women-beautiful-thread/828408 "2019-02-01T16:35:46Z")
From the concurrent Men - What Percent of Women are Beautiful? thread: ———— I have quoted myself to acknowledge myself as a participant, a person who replied to the question as originally posed. I don’t dismiss t… --- ## [What is the straight dope on New York's abortion law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-straight-dope-on-new-yorks-abortion-law/828727)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2019, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-straight-dope-on-new-yorks-abortion-law/828727 "2019-01-31T18:10:00Z")
I ask this in GD because, well… abortion. I figure it’s going to be a debate, anyway. But really, my question is more of a GQ. Has New York’s new law regarding abortion changed anything in any substantive way? From w… --- ## [WTF is up with "enemies foreign and domestic"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-up-with-enemies-foreign-and-domestic/828411)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wtf-is-up-with-enemies-foreign-and-domestic/828411 "2019-01-31T13:54:28Z")
I’ve been following this thread where the OP wants a snarky comeback to a Facebook post urging people to pray for Trump because “we face enemies foreign and domestic.” I’ve probably seen that phrase a thousand times, bu… --- ## [Cuban-Americans in the eyes of other groups of Hispanic-Americans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cuban-americans-in-the-eyes-of-other-groups-of-hispanic-americans/828468)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2019, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cuban-americans-in-the-eyes-of-other-groups-of-hispanic-americans/828468 "2019-01-31T13:09:39Z")
During the early stages of the 2016 Republican presidential campaign, when Marco Rubio seemed to be at least a semi-viable candidate, I read a statement to the effect that ‘Rubio doesn’t really represent, and certainly c… --- ## [We outsource everything, why not medical care?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-outsource-everything-why-not-medical-care/828175)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2019, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-outsource-everything-why-not-medical-care/828175 "2019-01-30T17:11:48Z")
So pretend I need a hip replacement and perhaps 2 months of recovery. I have insurance but it is not terrific. I am willing to sign anything stating the insurance I have is not responsible for poor care or any complica… --- ## [UFO Theory and Middle Ground.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufo-theory-and-middle-ground/828073)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2019, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ufo-theory-and-middle-ground/828073 "2019-01-29T05:32:18Z")
I have to tell you, I am probably as skeptical as anyone else on these boards, particularly when it comes to UFO conspiracy theories. Greys, Area 51, men in black. All of it is clearly nonsense, I agree. But I do wonder… --- ## [Walter Russell Mead- anyone read? (pertinent Trump & conservative info)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walter-russell-mead-anyone-read-pertinent-trump-conservative-info/828282)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2019, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/walter-russell-mead-anyone-read-pertinent-trump-conservative-info/828282 "2019-01-28T17:54:12Z")
Walter Russell Mead is a respectable scholar, historian and foreign policy expert. I first readzthis article about the “Jacksonian” tradition in American culture and political life about 15 years ago, and it really stru… --- ## [What can Dems extort from Trump in exchange for the wall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-dems-extort-from-trump-in-exchange-for-the-wall/827546)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-dems-extort-from-trump-in-exchange-for-the-wall/827546 "2019-01-28T00:52:25Z")
I think Dems are already doing exactly the right thing – not giving an inch to the toddler throwing a temper tantrum. But if he wants his $5.7 billion so badly, why not take advantage of his inept dealmaking and put tog… --- ## [Why don't newspapers run hedge funds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-newspapers-run-hedge-funds/828418)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2019, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-newspapers-run-hedge-funds/828418 "2019-01-27T18:19:38Z")
Just in the last 2 days, Buzzfeed News laid off it’s national news & national security desk, Gannett laid off 400 people, Verizon Media lays off 7% of it’s staff. The media bloodbath is continuing unabated and the media… --- ## [Full Funding of Essential Government Functions Such as Courts, Not Frivolous Programs Needed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-funding-of-essential-government-functions-such-as-courts-not-frivolous-programs-needed/828349)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/full-funding-of-essential-government-functions-such-as-courts-not-frivolous-programs-needed/828349 "2019-01-26T13:17:17Z")
On many issues I am generally center-to-right. I believe that government has grown to large and intrusive. However, I recognize that governments have essential functions that cannot be fulfilled by the private sector. On… --- ## [Differences between WW2 and WW3 (aside from nukes, draft, manufacturing)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-between-ww2-and-ww3-aside-from-nukes-draft-manufacturing/828358)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 26, 2019, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/differences-between-ww2-and-ww3-aside-from-nukes-draft-manufacturing/828358 "2019-01-26T01:28:16Z")
The biggest differences between World War II and a hypothetical World War III seem to be: There are thousands of nukes in the world today; there weren’t any during World War II until near the end. WW3 is likely to … --- ## ["Heightening the contradictions" - has it ever worked?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heightening-the-contradictions-has-it-ever-worked/828058)
**Author:** [@Chad\_Sudan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chad_Sudan)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [January 24, 2019, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heightening-the-contradictions-has-it-ever-worked/828058 "2019-01-24T08:12:57Z")
In the context of Brexit, Trump, etc., some commentators have expressed the notion that the only way to make things better in the long term is to deliberately make them worse in the short term. For instance… On Brexit: … --- ## [Is there really a movement for "equality = equal perception?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-movement-for-equality-equal-perception/827000)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-really-a-movement-for-equality-equal-perception/827000 "2019-01-23T08:04:08Z")
“Equality” is one of those Rorschach Blot terms that means a dozen different things to different audiences, but ISTM that many people on the gender-equality spectrum both want and do not want men and women to be perceive… --- ## [Is there any correlation between white liberals and feeling rejected from society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-white-liberals-and-feeling-rejected-from-society/827494)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 161\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-correlation-between-white-liberals-and-feeling-rejected-from-society/827494 "2019-01-23T04:46:49Z")
I know not all liberals are white, but around 3/4 of them are. Plus non-whites are already rejected from society if we are being honest so I can understand why non-whites lean leftist in politics. The % of LGBTwho ident… --- ## [The Henry L Gates Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-henry-l-gates-case/826947)
**Author:** [@CHealy7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CHealy7)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-henry-l-gates-case/826947 "2019-01-22T20:24:09Z")
A decade on from this case,would you agree with Barack Hussein Obama’s statement that the police “acted stupidly”? --- ## [Should wealthy elected official personally fund public salaries/projects?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-wealthy-elected-official-personally-fund-public-salaries-projects/827926)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2019, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-wealthy-elected-official-personally-fund-public-salaries-projects/827926 "2019-01-22T13:17:36Z")
Illinois recently elected a billionaire as governor, to replace our previous multimillionaire. The new guy recently \[url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-jb-pritzker-staff-raises-20190111-story.… --- ## [When will they admit to having an anti-gravity plane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-they-admit-to-having-an-anti-gravity-plane/828088)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2019, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-will-they-admit-to-having-an-anti-gravity-plane/828088 "2019-01-21T01:50:15Z")
If someday you look up into the sky and see a strange looking, triangular UFO with a round orb in the center, dont freak. Its not aliens. Its the advanced TR-3B aircraft. I believe they call it the ASTRA. Yes,the Air Fo… --- ## [So, is wealth still a guarantee that democracy will survive](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-wealth-still-a-guarantee-that-democracy-will-survive/827771)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2019, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-wealth-still-a-guarantee-that-democracy-will-survive/827771 "2019-01-20T04:08:57Z")
The last few years I like trotting out this old chestnut, a study that shows democracy tends to be pretty resilient when per capita income is above $6000, and pretty much permanent at $10,000 or more. http://blogs.reute… --- ## [What makes some countries prone to coup d'etats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-some-countries-prone-to-coup-detats/827750)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2019, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-some-countries-prone-to-coup-detats/827750 "2019-01-20T04:03:25Z")
Putschs, military overthrows, whatever name you use. When General So-and-so’s soldiers suspend the legislature and/or arrest legislators, troops occupy the television and radio stations, opposition presses are shut down … --- ## [Staunch conservatives requesting public funded benefits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staunch-conservatives-requesting-public-funded-benefits/827268)
**Author:** [@birdiesbuddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birdiesbuddy)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2019, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/staunch-conservatives-requesting-public-funded-benefits/827268 "2019-01-19T21:12:41Z")
It amazes me how many people who are fans of conservative “agenda” request assistance of community funds, public funds due to a change in their circumstances. I find that interesting and wonder why they don’t see the co… --- ## [Conservatives: Do you believe in social progress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-do-you-believe-in-social-progress/826687)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 204\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2019, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-do-you-believe-in-social-progress/826687 "2019-01-19T17:06:09Z")
When we look back on the history books, we see that we have mistreated a lot of folks. Women haven’t been treated equally, people of color haven’t been treated fairly. Gay, lesbian and transgendered people haven’t been t… --- ## [Why is incest so bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-incest-so-bad/288075)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [February 6, 2005, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-incest-so-bad/288075 "2005-02-06T08:41:57Z")
Inspired by this thread I have to ask the same question about incest among siblings (definately not parents and kids). While my knee jerk reaction to it is the same as gay marriage (hey, not for me, don’t like to even p… --- ## [Loch Ness Monster Is/Was a Plesiosaur? Does it still Exist in the Atlantic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loch-ness-monster-is-was-a-plesiosaur-does-it-still-exist-in-the-atlantic/827809)
**Author:** [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2019, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loch-ness-monster-is-was-a-plesiosaur-does-it-still-exist-in-the-atlantic/827809 "2019-01-19T02:47:39Z")
An article in a Charleston, SC newspaper dated 3/15/1869 relates a finding while in St. Simon’s Bay Capt. Perry fell in with a “dead monster of the deep floating on the surface.” The carcass was 15 feet out of water and … --- ## [The five billion dollar wall](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-five-billion-dollar-wall/826495)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 544\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-five-billion-dollar-wall/826495 "2019-01-18T20:58:17Z")
Trump wants five billion dollars to pay for the wall. Why isn’t anyone saying, “Hey, Mr. President, you promised that Mexico would pay for the wall.”? We know Trump does not have the authority to spend Mexico’s money, … --- ## [Constitutional rights violations and crimes committed when spotted by the gang unit](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-rights-violations-and-crimes-committed-when-spotted-by-the-gang-unit/827276)
**Author:** [@memeingtrillions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/memeingtrillions)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 18, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-rights-violations-and-crimes-committed-when-spotted-by-the-gang-unit/827276 "2019-01-18T04:46:56Z")
Hypothetical scenario: You are jaywalking in Denver and the police pull up behind you. You are quickly cuffed without warning but are not under arrest. The police make idle conversation and jokes with you for about 20 mi… --- ## [Ok, I give up: What is with the tension between "FYR" Macedonia and Greece Proper?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-the-tension-between-fyr-macedonia-and-greece-proper/573500)
**Author:** [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Replies:** 103\ **Last updated:** [January 16, 2019, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-i-give-up-what-is-with-the-tension-between-fyr-macedonia-and-greece-proper/573500 "2019-01-16T09:59:02Z")
Ok, I give up: There have been very emotional mass protests in the recent past by Greeks who protest against the new country of Macedonia (or FYROM, it’s capital at Skopjye). The issue seems to be because of the name Ma… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=77) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=79)