# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=795 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 796 --- ## [Will copyright become unenforcable (and useless) someday? Now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-copyright-become-unenforcable-and-useless-someday-now/353769)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-copyright-become-unenforcable-and-useless-someday-now/353769 "2006-04-27T23:02:13Z")
In this Internet/computer age, with CD rippers, scanners, video feed uploaders, and myriad other ways to copy pop culture products and software (not to mention the increasingly sophisticated ways constantly being develop… --- ## [Court says schools can ban hurtful T-shirt slogans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-says-schools-can-ban-hurtful-t-shirt-slogans/353674)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/court-says-schools-can-ban-hurtful-t-shirt-slogans/353674 "2006-04-27T22:51:39Z")
According to the ninth circuit, a shirt saying, "Homosexuality is shameful can be banned by a public school. As repulsive as such shirts are, I’m really not convinced that it’s constitutional to ban them (assuming that… --- ## [Will China ever break up the way the Soviet Union did?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-china-ever-break-up-the-way-the-soviet-union-did/353358)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-china-ever-break-up-the-way-the-soviet-union-did/353358 "2006-04-27T22:46:38Z")
China, like the old USSR, is a multinational empire held together, in theory, by a shared ideology. OTOH, it is not quite so multinational as the Soviet Union was; its core Han-Chinese population is much larger relative… --- ## [Conflict between Amendments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conflict-between-amendments/354309)
**Author:** [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conflict-between-amendments/354309 "2006-04-27T22:25:26Z")
I think this is the proper forum; if not, I’d appreciate a mod’s moving it as needed. Last weekend, some friends and I were watching TV and the topic of conversation came up about how the media, especially TV news, tend… --- ## [Social effects of cheap space travel & colonization](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-effects-of-cheap-space-travel-colonization/353798)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/social-effects-of-cheap-space-travel-colonization/353798 "2006-04-27T22:08:06Z")
Thought experiment: In the next 50-100 years, space-related technology advances to the point where it is relatively cheap to explore or colonize space. There are Earth-to-orbit beanstalks, L5 colonies, and fusion-ramje… --- ## [Make campaign contributions anonymous](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-campaign-contributions-anonymous/354178)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-campaign-contributions-anonymous/354178 "2006-04-27T17:39:33Z")
(Note to mods…not necessarily a debate, but any political discussion may get contentious.) I heard a commentator on NPR this morning (possibly a local segment, so I may not be able to provide a link) propose the followi… --- ## [God vs. Dr. House: Faith healers and psychosomatic explanations](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-vs-dr-house-faith-healers-and-psychosomatic-explanations/354329)
**Author:** [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/god-vs-dr-house-faith-healers-and-psychosomatic-explanations/354329 "2006-04-27T14:58:31Z")
Inspired by this thread over here. What’s your take on faith healers and the process of healing by faith? --- ## [Student riots in France](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-riots-in-france/349000)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 27, 2006, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/student-riots-in-france/349000 "2006-04-27T13:18:24Z")
Link Link Is France going to be able to make the necessary reforms to allow it to compete in the world market, or is this the first sign of collapse? Are we seeing the start of a new French Revolution? Last year it was… --- ## [The basic philosophy behind Anarcho-Capitalism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-basic-philosophy-behind-anarcho-capitalism/353570)
**Author:** [@WillMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillMagic)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-basic-philosophy-behind-anarcho-capitalism/353570 "2006-04-26T22:48:58Z")
So let’s begin. Anarcho-capitalism is grounded in the libertarian philosophy of natural rights and self-ownership. That is to say, that each man and woman owns his own life. To deny this is to admit that someone else … --- ## [What moral obligation does a man have to a child of rape?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-moral-obligation-does-a-man-have-to-a-child-of-rape/354172)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-moral-obligation-does-a-man-have-to-a-child-of-rape/354172 "2006-04-26T21:05:10Z")
Let’s consider two scenarios: A man’s estranged wife is raped. The two of them are legally separated and in the midst of a divorce; however, they are as cordial as two persons in such a circumstance can be. They have … --- ## [Leftists, Rightists, Centrists--Why Can't We All Just Get Along?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftists-rightists-centrists-why-cant-we-all-just-get-along/353673)
**Author:** [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leftists-rightists-centrists-why-cant-we-all-just-get-along/353673 "2006-04-26T18:14:39Z")
I just finished reading Al Franken’s Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, and I’ve gotta tell you, every page I turned got me angrier and angrier about the political polarization of this country and the agendae of the… --- ## [In what sense can certain criminals be declared "not human?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-sense-can-certain-criminals-be-declared-not-human/354202)
**Author:** [@Aholibah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aholibah)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-what-sense-can-certain-criminals-be-declared-not-human/354202 "2006-04-26T17:06:13Z")
Inspired by this Pit thread, regarding a child rapist, I wanted to open up a discussion. I’m not a regular habitue of Great Debates, but I hope this may turn out interesting despite any of my own shortcomings as Debate … --- ## [So, how d'ya feel about Sudan having nukes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-dya-feel-about-sudan-having-nukes/354234)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-dya-feel-about-sudan-having-nukes/354234 "2006-04-26T16:49:21Z")
Linky Link Me? Not so hot. I do believe this is the same government that, at best, tacitly condones a brutal program of genocide within its borders. I know the question has been asked before, but are these Iranians t… --- ## [Is this a fair definition of neoconservatism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-fair-definition-of-neoconservatism/354282)
**Author:** [@Mal\_Adroit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mal_Adroit)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-fair-definition-of-neoconservatism/354282 "2006-04-26T15:48:48Z")
This is for an introductory political science course I’m editing–in his manuscript, the author often comes across as a frothing leftie and, though I freely admit to being a tree-hugging pinko myself, I’m trying to temper… --- ## ["Drug firms 'inventing diseases'"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-firms-inventing-diseases/352628)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drug-firms-inventing-diseases/352628 "2006-04-26T15:35:52Z")
From this article Is there any reason why I see such a prevalence of “ask your doctor about ‘so and so’” commercials in the US while I don’t see them anywhere else I have been to? Is there any advantage to pitching the… --- ## [If you Photoshop a child's face onto an adult naked body that's child porn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-photoshop-a-childs-face-onto-an-adult-naked-body-thats-child-porn/353937)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-photoshop-a-childs-face-onto-an-adult-naked-body-thats-child-porn/353937 "2006-04-26T02:04:38Z")
Not a strict GQ, but placed here because I can’t think of a better venue for discussion of legal issues. Mods move if you must. Story via Fark- Per this story a photographer was convicted for cutting and pasting picture… --- ## [Tactical victories that were strategic disasters \[Military history\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tactical-victories-that-were-strategic-disasters-military-history/352828)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2006, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tactical-victories-that-were-strategic-disasters-military-history/352828 "2006-04-26T00:15:56Z")
Inspired by the thread in GD Military/History Question \[What battle had the most surprising outcome?\] I thought I would persue a similar topic. What battles in history would you mark as tactical victories but (with hind… --- ## [What hope is there for humanity if we are products of natural selection](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-hope-is-there-for-humanity-if-we-are-products-of-natural-selection/354113)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-hope-is-there-for-humanity-if-we-are-products-of-natural-selection/354113 "2006-04-25T22:45:10Z")
I’ve been reading evolutionary biology (hi EvenSven) and it is pretty depressing. I already knew most of the info but E. B. has really put it into my face to the point where I can’t ignore it. Good emotions like empathy… --- ## [Kunilou's rules of conspiracies](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kunilous-rules-of-conspiracies/352557)
**Author:** [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kunilous-rules-of-conspiracies/352557 "2006-04-25T21:51:03Z")
In a couple of recent Conspiracy Theory threads, I’ve mentioned my rules of conspiracies. I thought it would be a good idea to let the collective wisdom of the board discuss, debate and, if necessary, add some additional… --- ## [Question for Christians and Specially Presbyterians - All Penitent Forgiven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-christians-and-specially-presbyterians-all-penitent-forgiven/353916)
**Author:** [@Acqua\_Minerale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acqua_Minerale)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-christians-and-specially-presbyterians-all-penitent-forgiven/353916 "2006-04-25T21:10:00Z")
I haven’t been to church in years, but I went to church for the first time in years today. The Prayer of Confession during the service contained the following line: “and you (God) forgive the sins of all who are peniten… --- ## [Americans and Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-and-irony/353950)
**Author:** [@Sevastopol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevastopol)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-and-irony/353950 "2006-04-25T20:40:41Z")
Wikipedia offers this commentary: However Wikipedia also states: How should the comments be cleaned up? --- ## [What caused the Pleistocene/Holocene extinction? Human hunters, or climate change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-the-pleistocene-holocene-extinction-human-hunters-or-climate-change/353398)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-caused-the-pleistocene-holocene-extinction-human-hunters-or-climate-change/353398 "2006-04-25T16:57:55Z")
Between 13,000 and 9,000 years ago, a great many “megafauna” – large mammals – went extinct all over the world. This was the sixth known “mass extinction event” in the planet’s history. There are two main theories as t… --- ## [Seriously, How in the Hell does Privatizing ANYTHING Make it Better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-how-in-the-hell-does-privatizing-anything-make-it-better/353941)
**Author:** [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-how-in-the-hell-does-privatizing-anything-make-it-better/353941 "2006-04-25T16:09:01Z")
Title pretty much says it all. I’m against privatizing things, at least, as far as I know this moment. The FDA, education, and law enforcement come to mind. --- ## [So What's IRAN Up To?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-iran-up-to/352286 "2006-04-25T09:11:29Z")
The Iranians have announced thta they have achieved uranium enrichment-in a small pilot plant. Unofficial reports suggest that most of the centrifuges they are using have a number of problems-including disintegrating whe… --- ## [Bay Area to Bush:Welcome to dinner; now please choke on it....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bay-area-to-bush-welcome-to-dinner-now-please-choke-on-it/353831)
**Author:** [@alaricthegoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alaricthegoth)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bay-area-to-bush-welcome-to-dinner-now-please-choke-on-it/353831 "2006-04-25T02:54:13Z")
“So many protesters gathered at Stanford – more than 1,000 – that a reception for Bush at the Hoover Institution was moved at the last minute to the campus home of former Republican Secretary of State George Shultz after… --- ## [The future of heavy armored warfare](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-heavy-armored-warfare/353522)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-heavy-armored-warfare/353522 "2006-04-25T02:21:25Z")
I’m currently reading a book in the Starfist series by David Sherman. In the story there is a small historical digression where they relate the demise of the Main Battle Tank in the OOB of all armies. In the digression… --- ## [Why are we in Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-in-iraq/353079)
**Author:** [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [April 25, 2006, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-we-in-iraq/353079 "2006-04-25T01:11:41Z")
Please be careful, folks. I’m not looking for opinions, guesses, hunches, or insults. I’m looking for the reasons that the administration used for the war, before it started. I remember Powell’s infamous “WMD” speech … --- ## [How are myth based, supernatural belief systems like Chrstianity going to survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-myth-based-supernatural-belief-systems-like-chrstianity-going-to-survive/353695)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-myth-based-supernatural-belief-systems-like-chrstianity-going-to-survive/353695 "2006-04-24T21:30:29Z")
As modernity proceeds the supernatural & miraculous underpinnings of theist belief systems like Christianity etc. are becoming more and more attenuated in terms of how far educated people in modernity are willing to inve… --- ## [Gambling loses are deductible, but medical expenses only sometimes? The logic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-loses-are-deductible-but-medical-expenses-only-sometimes-the-logic/353987)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2006, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gambling-loses-are-deductible-but-medical-expenses-only-sometimes-the-logic/353987 "2006-04-24T20:16:52Z")
Why are gambling losses tax deductible? And more importantly, why are medical expenses not tax deductible as a matter of course? (The current structure allows deduction only to the extent medical expenses exceed 7.5% of … --- ## [The anti-heckling law for foreign politicians is nonsense, and wrong.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-heckling-law-for-foreign-politicians-is-nonsense-and-wrong/353715)
**Author:** [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [April 24, 2006, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-anti-heckling-law-for-foreign-politicians-is-nonsense-and-wrong/353715 "2006-04-24T20:10:23Z")
Ms. Wang has been charged: CNN I have no idea which Congress passed this law, nor which President signed it. This law, as it is being applied, is asinine and idiotic, and should be overturned by the courts forthwith. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=794) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=796)