# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=81 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 82 --- ## [Google and Project Dragonfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-and-project-dragonfly/826082)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 14, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/google-and-project-dragonfly/826082 "2018-12-14T04:53:04Z")
I didn’t see a thread on this so thought I’d start one. If there is on, mods feel free to close this one down if someone will simply link to it. Anyway, I’ll link to a few things, starting with this article (which, iro… --- ## [How much influence does China have over Australia and New Zealand](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-influence-does-china-have-over-australia-and-new-zealand/825833)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [December 13, 2018, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-influence-does-china-have-over-australia-and-new-zealand/825833 "2018-12-13T21:28:00Z")
Does China have influence over these nations? If so, what kind? I’ve heard China is gaining influence on them, but I’m not sure what that means in concrete terms. --- ## [Is Australia (or parts of it) having an energy crisis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-australia-or-parts-of-it-having-an-energy-crisis/825998)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-australia-or-parts-of-it-having-an-energy-crisis/825998 "2018-12-12T23:31:59Z")
I was watching an older episode of 60 Minutes Australia and they were talking about this big energy crisis in Australia (it was from 2017), so was wonder if this is still a thing, and if so, why it’s happening? I didn’t… --- ## [Corporate pursuit of profit and its increasing social costs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-pursuit-of-profit-and-its-increasing-social-costs/825573)
**Author:** [@brujaja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brujaja)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/corporate-pursuit-of-profit-and-its-increasing-social-costs/825573 "2018-12-12T23:16:55Z")
I would really like to engage in discourse about putting some restraints on the pursuit of profits; particularly, where it intersects with the public good, other peoples’ livelihoods, their ability to pay, and their surv… --- ## [Is Trump getting attacked less by Democrats than Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-getting-attacked-less-by-democrats-than-bush/825795)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-trump-getting-attacked-less-by-democrats-than-bush/825795 "2018-12-12T04:31:31Z")
I watch a lot of older episodes of the Daily Show, Colbert, and Real Time, as well as talk shows like Leno and Letterman, and comparing those shows to today, it does seem to me that Trump is getting much less guff. And I… --- ## [On George H. W. Bush's Legacy, Propaganda, and Presidents as a Whole](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-george-h-w-bushs-legacy-propaganda-and-presidents-as-a-whole/825930)
**Author:** [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [December 12, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-george-h-w-bushs-legacy-propaganda-and-presidents-as-a-whole/825930 "2018-12-12T00:23:14Z")
So I, like a lot of left/liberal commentators, was pretty mad about the way the press chose to cover the death of George H. W. Bush. The constant hagiography, the glossing over of the various points at which he was respo… --- ## [Statistician Hans Rosling says world population will never exceed 11 billion. Is he wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistician-hans-rosling-says-world-population-will-never-exceed-11-billion-is-he-wrong/825524)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2018, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/statistician-hans-rosling-says-world-population-will-never-exceed-11-billion-is-he-wrong/825524 "2018-12-10T23:06:07Z")
Or should I say, said: Has this been debunked? Any wrong assumptions or glaring holes in his logic? --- ## [Dan Crenshaw: Porno hitman or disrespected wounded vet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dan-crenshaw-porno-hitman-or-disrespected-wounded-vet/824036)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dan-crenshaw-porno-hitman-or-disrespected-wounded-vet/824036 "2018-12-10T19:16:19Z")
So on Saturday Night Live this past week, Pete Davidson described Dan Crenshaw, a candidate for the US House in the Houston area as looking like a “hitman in a porno movie” Thing is, Crenshaw lost his eye as a SEAL in A… --- ## [How is Mason1972's example worse than the Zimmerman shooting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-mason1972s-example-worse-than-the-zimmerman-shooting/825614)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 330\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-mason1972s-example-worse-than-the-zimmerman-shooting/825614 "2018-12-10T16:55:28Z")
In another thread, Mason1972 posted this rather unsettling post: Resoundingly, we all proceeded to agree that this was a horrible tragedy rather than an example of positive gun news. I’m very proud of the gun supporter… --- ## [Why did the Allies allow Germany to re-arm after WWI?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-allies-allow-germany-to-re-arm-after-wwi/824259)
**Author:** [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [December 8, 2018, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-allies-allow-germany-to-re-arm-after-wwi/824259 "2018-12-08T09:47:13Z")
I know some attempt was made to prevent Germany from being able to wage offensive war at Versailles but all that seems to have gone by the wayside over the next decade or so and by the mid 30s the Germans once again had … --- ## [Medicare For All / Single Payer system. Pros, Cons, versus our current system and other systems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-single-payer-system-pros-cons-versus-our-current-system-and-other-systems/824968)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [December 5, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/medicare-for-all-single-payer-system-pros-cons-versus-our-current-system-and-other-systems/824968 "2018-12-05T02:41:34Z")
What are the pros and cons, and what are the debates for each pro/con. The gist of the arguments to be made to my understand are the following. A) It costs too much and B) It will make medical quality worse. Are either o… --- ## [Should the law allow trusts and other dead hand control?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-law-allow-trusts-and-other-dead-hand-control/824510)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-law-allow-trusts-and-other-dead-hand-control/824510 "2018-12-04T19:29:56Z")
I get frustrated when I read some of these trust documents. A person died in 1967 and yet their wishes still control the disposition of real property or money. I understand that they owned this stuff in 1967, but why d… --- ## [Why is population growth rarely discussed as a factor in climate change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-population-growth-rarely-discussed-as-a-factor-in-climate-change/825350)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [December 4, 2018, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-population-growth-rarely-discussed-as-a-factor-in-climate-change/825350 "2018-12-04T01:38:54Z")
Among all the articles written about climate change and the various proposed ways to address it, very few mention population growth as a factor. With projections of 2 billion additional people in the next 30 years, the … --- ## [Some late questions about Citizen's United.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-late-questions-about-citizens-united/825456)
**Author:** [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [December 3, 2018, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-late-questions-about-citizens-united/825456 "2018-12-03T00:09:02Z")
Ok, so I’m admittedly a bit late to the party on this, but I’ve only really become interested in politics since Trump’s appearance on the stage, so forgive me if I dig up old issues. I’ve got some questions about Citize… --- ## [Are the CDC warnings about Romaine lettuce unfair?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-cdc-warnings-about-romaine-lettuce-unfair/825026)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2018, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-cdc-warnings-about-romaine-lettuce-unfair/825026 "2018-11-30T22:53:59Z")
They are advising people to not eat any romaine lettuce at all because of possible contamination. This seems rather unfair to farmers who are not involved and selling lettuce that is safe. They are being punished for s… --- ## [Is mathematics invented or discovered](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mathematics-invented-or-discovered/824542)
**Author:** [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mathematics-invented-or-discovered/824542 "2018-11-26T04:04:24Z")
There has been a dearth of philosophical threads recently in GD, so I am going to try to correct that :slight\_smile: Summary of the debate inside spoiler tag for those not familiar with it: \[spoiler\] Basically the deb… --- ## [Nuclear Bomb Test](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-bomb-test/784415)
**Author:** [@saturncomet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saturncomet)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [November 29, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-bomb-test/784415 "2018-11-29T21:09:36Z")
I think we need to hold a Nuclear Bomb Test in an isolated area. It would be a clear signal to the North Korean guy with the bad haircut to BEWARE and back off.:eek: --- ## [Simply Giving Money to the US Government.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simply-giving-money-to-the-us-government/824707)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/simply-giving-money-to-the-us-government/824707 "2018-11-28T19:48:08Z")
I was actually inspired to ask this question some time ago. Billionaire Bill Gates donated the majority of his fortune to a charity. I can understand his logic. Just how much money does one man need? But when he did, I … --- ## [Should all colleges put out a "Placement Report"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-colleges-put-out-a-placement-report/824847)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-all-colleges-put-out-a-placement-report/824847 "2018-11-28T15:14:26Z")
HERE is a small school in South Dakota. On thing I like about them is they put out a “Placement Report” on their graduates 6 months after graduation. HERE and HERE are examples. They show: of graduates who respond to su… --- ## [Trump SCOTUS nominees facing a Democratic Senate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-scotus-nominees-facing-a-democratic-senate/823963)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-scotus-nominees-facing-a-democratic-senate/823963 "2018-11-28T14:58:22Z")
Suppose the following things happen: Democrats capture the Senate this November, and hold the chamber all the way through 2024 and beyond; and Trump is reelected in 2020; and One or more of the current Supreme Co… --- ## [If the House votes to impeach, does the Senate have to have a trial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-house-votes-to-impeach-does-the-senate-have-to-have-a-trial/817943)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 28, 2018, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-house-votes-to-impeach-does-the-senate-have-to-have-a-trial/817943 "2018-11-28T03:41:19Z")
I don’t see where the Constitution specifically requires the Senate to try a person that the House has voted to impeach. Article I, Section 3 of the Constitution (6th paragraph) says, 'The Senate shall have the sole Pow… --- ## [What could stop the pending Disney marriage to Fox from going through?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-stop-the-pending-disney-marriage-to-fox-from-going-through/825140)
**Author:** [@Kadmos1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kadmos1)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-could-stop-the-pending-disney-marriage-to-fox-from-going-through/825140 "2018-11-27T19:12:38Z")
\-If just 1 foreign regulator says “no” to the Disney Empire’s plant to buy-out most of the Fox Empire, will that bar Disney from conducting the deal in that country or does it shut down the entire planned buy-out? -Let’… --- ## [Five Gun Rights Cases to Watch in CA](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-gun-rights-cases-to-watch-in-ca/705089)
**Author:** [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Replies:** 128\ **Last updated:** [November 27, 2018, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-gun-rights-cases-to-watch-in-ca/705089 "2018-11-27T15:16:12Z")
\[ol\] \[li\]Silvester v. Attorney General Harris\[/li\]10 day waiting period. Here is a thread discussing the district court opinion What it is: Federal Second Amendment challenge to California’s 10-day waiting period (as … --- ## [Infant genetal mutilation is a blood sacrifice to the demon Yahwe.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infant-genetal-mutilation-is-a-blood-sacrifice-to-the-demon-yahwe/824321)
**Author:** [@DJ\_Motorbike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DJ_Motorbike)\ **Replies:** 459\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/infant-genetal-mutilation-is-a-blood-sacrifice-to-the-demon-yahwe/824321 "2018-11-26T18:21:49Z")
Infant boys’ genitals are mutilated to appease the desert demon yahwe. The modern medical establishment is an affront to the true gods and using it is against my religion. This practice was carried out on me as an infant… --- ## [Have people argued that the judicial branch is not co-equal with the executive and legislature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-people-argued-that-the-judicial-branch-is-not-co-equal-with-the-executive-and-legislature/824928)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 26, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-people-argued-that-the-judicial-branch-is-not-co-equal-with-the-executive-and-legislature/824928 "2018-11-26T16:08:53Z")
Lately, I seem to recall having read on the SDMB that some (primarily Republican-aligned) commentators have advanced that argument, but I can’t find a citation for it. Can this be corroborated? --- ## [Can Trumpists ever be forgiven?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trumpists-ever-be-forgiven/824965)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-trumpists-ever-be-forgiven/824965 "2018-11-24T20:51:44Z")
One day, Mr. Trump will be long gone but most of his supporters, facilitators, various ‘fellow travelers’, and uncategorizable sycophants will remain. What Trump and the Greedy Old Plutocrats\* have done is unforgivable.… --- ## [Hilary Clinton and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Personal E-mail Account](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hilary-clinton-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-personal-e-mail-account/714092)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 1017\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hilary-clinton-and-the-terrible-horrible-no-good-very-bad-personal-e-mail-account/714092 "2018-11-24T04:41:19Z")
From CNN: Of course, some of those with an axe to grind against Secretary Clinton are now piously announcing their great concern for transparent retention of e-mail records. But as a Clinton spokesperson points out: … --- ## [The USA and the Metric System.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-and-the-metric-system/824672)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [November 24, 2018, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-usa-and-the-metric-system/824672 "2018-11-24T01:53:07Z")
I don’t need a cite for this one. The USA is one of only two countries in the world that hasn’t yet switched over to the metric system. The other one is some obscure country in Africa, I forget the name just now. My que… --- ## [Is man merely a machine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-man-merely-a-machine/823570)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2018, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-man-merely-a-machine/823570 "2018-11-23T07:28:04Z")
I recently finished reading a book called “In Search of the Miraculous” by P.D. Ouspensky- a Russian philosopher. One of the fundamental points of the book is the ‘mechanical’ nature of man, and of all things- according … --- ## [Are US “national interests” really US national interests?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-national-interests-really-us-national-interests/824908)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-national-interests-really-us-national-interests/824908 "2018-11-23T04:18:42Z")
The recent response by Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the Khashoggi case has me thinking about US “national interests.” Here is one article that describes the Trump administration’s position on the matter. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=80) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=82)