# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=82 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 83 --- ## [Is Soros actually actively trying to change U.S. policy? Or what is the basis of the hatred?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-soros-actually-actively-trying-to-change-u-s-policy-or-what-is-the-basis-of-the-hatred/823682)
**Author:** [@Disheavel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disheavel)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-soros-actually-actively-trying-to-change-u-s-policy-or-what-is-the-basis-of-the-hatred/823682 "2018-11-23T00:10:50Z")
So I’ve tried a search both here as well as the internet, but I can’t find the original basis. My partner used to work for Soros’s Open Society Institute and so I am generally familiar with him and the dislike historica… --- ## [So, are we ready for a land invasion?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-we-ready-for-a-land-invasion/824014)
**Author:** [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [November 22, 2018, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-we-ready-for-a-land-invasion/824014 "2018-11-22T00:07:48Z")
All this talk of an invasion of the United States, I got to wondering how that would work. Of course, I realize that Trump’s posturing about the Central American refugees – the “caravan” – is political nonsense intended… --- ## [The Catholic Church of Guam to declare bankruptcy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-catholic-church-of-guam-to-declare-bankruptcy/824471)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-catholic-church-of-guam-to-declare-bankruptcy/824471 "2018-11-21T22:23:17Z")
Story here. Is this the right way to “solve” an ongoing problem and How is it they can declare bankruptcy and not involve the main church? In my opinion the Catholic Church is the Catholic Church, so how can the main … --- ## [What happen to the regular people who committed crimes in Nazi Germany?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happen-to-the-regular-people-who-committed-crimes-in-nazi-germany/824712)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happen-to-the-regular-people-who-committed-crimes-in-nazi-germany/824712 "2018-11-21T16:55:52Z")
In germany all the “regular” people who were police, enlisted soldiers, and mayb security guards, were they ever charged with war crimes or only their superiors? Is there any laws restricting who you can target for war c… --- ## [Should we replace Columbus Day with a Day Off For Election Day?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-replace-columbus-day-with-a-day-off-for-election-day/824821)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-we-replace-columbus-day-with-a-day-off-for-election-day/824821 "2018-11-21T14:23:37Z")
As proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. I would have no problems with this, knowing what I know about both Columbus, and all the efforts out there to stifle voting. More than fair to trade one for the other. --- ## ["we're here to back her up in pushing for 100 percent renewable energy." \[translation request\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-here-to-back-her-up-in-pushing-for-100-percent-renewable-energy-translation-request/824561)
**Author:** [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-here-to-back-her-up-in-pushing-for-100-percent-renewable-energy-translation-request/824561 "2018-11-21T14:02:48Z")
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/1987514002 Congressperson-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is quoted as saying: “But this is about uplifting the voice and the message of the fact that we need a Green Ne… --- ## [Is Hillary Clinton being criminally investigated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-clinton-being-criminally-investigated/756984)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [November 21, 2018, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-clinton-being-criminally-investigated/756984 "2018-11-21T04:20:52Z")
I browsed some of the threads and can’t find a factual answer to this question: Is Hillary Clinton being criminally investigated by the FBI for anything - Benghazi, Whitewater, Email Server, or The Clinton Foundation? --- ## [Automated Scammer Responses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automated-scammer-responses/824369)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/automated-scammer-responses/824369 "2018-11-17T21:26:50Z")
I read this OP, about wasting an email scammer’s time by responding to them and playing through the scenario. And it made me think of this RAND report about how to fight Russian propaganda, in essence, to match kind with… --- ## [Is Zoo Hypothesis Plausible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-zoo-hypothesis-plausible/823944)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-zoo-hypothesis-plausible/823944 "2018-11-16T14:30:16Z")
I guess there are many responses to Fermi’s Paradox. And admittedly some are more likely than others. Alien conspiracy theories are one response. Most scientists reject it. But it’s admittedly still there. Then there i… --- ## [Police Courtesy Cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-courtesy-cards/823620)
**Author:** [@bardos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bardos)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2018, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/police-courtesy-cards/823620 "2018-11-16T00:41:45Z")
What’s the straight dope about these. Just learnt they exist, Are they really get out of jail free cards? Sounds so unfair. --- ## [Let's compare Operation Barbarossa to the Migrant Caravan.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-compare-operation-barbarossa-to-the-migrant-caravan/823770)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 158\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-compare-operation-barbarossa-to-the-migrant-caravan/823770 "2018-11-15T19:48:39Z")
Trump has characterized the migrant caravan as an ‘invasion’. If Operation Barbarossa wasn’t an invasion, there never was one. Do I have to do much more than define my terms? Is there any way to justify labeling the ca… --- ## [What is the legal difference between a Migrant and Illegal alien in the USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-legal-difference-between-a-migrant-and-illegal-alien-in-the-usa/824397)
**Author:** [@szabrocki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/szabrocki)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-legal-difference-between-a-migrant-and-illegal-alien-in-the-usa/824397 "2018-11-15T07:12:29Z")
Are these legal terms? --- ## [Undocumented immigrants crossing border - what \*should\* be the response?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undocumented-immigrants-crossing-border-what-should-be-the-response/824213)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undocumented-immigrants-crossing-border-what-should-be-the-response/824213 "2018-11-15T03:16:50Z")
(Not necessarily related to the migrant caravan in Mexico) Many Trump opponents are very vocal about opposing the building of a border wall, and about opposing the use of forces to stop migrants from entering. But - wh… --- ## [Have Demographers misidentified the "Religious Right"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-demographers-misidentified-the-religious-right/823858)
**Author:** [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [November 13, 2018, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-demographers-misidentified-the-religious-right/823858 "2018-11-13T18:03:09Z")
Over the past 30 years, much attention has been paid to the 'Religious Right", defined as Evangelical Christians whose faith has led the to support the Republican party wing due it its opposition to abortions and homosex… --- ## [US Federal control of interstate commerce.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-federal-control-of-interstate-commerce/824168)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2018, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-federal-control-of-interstate-commerce/824168 "2018-11-12T13:47:47Z")
A number of US states have legalized cannabis and others will likely follow. As I understand it, the federal government currently prohibits any interstate commerce with respect to cannabis. Even if it comes to pass that… --- ## [Cyber Mutual Assured Destruction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-mutual-assured-destruction/824365)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cyber-mutual-assured-destruction/824365 "2018-11-12T05:47:38Z")
Is there anything like MAD for cyber warfare between nations? (Non-governmental cyber-criminality is a different matter and does not, currently, seem to admit MAD outcomes (with the emphasis on the M)). Should nations d… --- ## [Democrats who don't support Bernie Sanders as the frontrunner are the people who put Trump in office](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-who-dont-support-bernie-sanders-as-the-frontrunner-are-the-people-who-put-trump-in-office/824159)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-who-dont-support-bernie-sanders-as-the-frontrunner-are-the-people-who-put-trump-in-office/824159 "2018-11-11T17:34:25Z")
So I recently had something interesting occur. I said Bernie Sanders was the strongest person democrats could run for the 2020 election. I was met with a few responses that I didn’t expect. So I pushed them, why don’t yo… --- ## [Ruth Bader Ginsburg's replacement nomination fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruth-bader-ginsburgs-replacement-nomination-fight/783020)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 248\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2018, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ruth-bader-ginsburgs-replacement-nomination-fight/783020 "2018-11-10T12:55:32Z")
This is a jumping off point for a debate with the following hypothetical predicates: (1) Democrats filibuster Gorsuch; (2) Republicans remove the filibuster rule for Supreme Court nominees; (3) Gorsuch is confirmed to… --- ## [If a Democrat wins in 2020, but the senate remains Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-democrat-wins-in-2020-but-the-senate-remains-republican/824262)
**Author:** [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2018, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-democrat-wins-in-2020-but-the-senate-remains-republican/824262 "2018-11-10T12:54:16Z")
Suppose that happens. There is an op-ed piece in the Times today that argues that the appointment of Whittaker as acting AG is utterly unconstitutional on the grounds that a principle officer must be approved by the sen… --- ## [Whit Sessions gone, what will become of the Mueller probe and its findings to date?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whit-sessions-gone-what-will-become-of-the-mueller-probe-and-its-findings-to-date/824160)
**Author:** [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2018, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whit-sessions-gone-what-will-become-of-the-mueller-probe-and-its-findings-to-date/824160 "2018-11-10T08:23:01Z")
So Keebler Elf, racist pig, and U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has just been fired by Dear Leader. Naturally, this brings up the question of the Mueller probe. I think it’s safe to assume that Mueller will be fired… --- ## [Constitutional Convention - limits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-convention-limits/824221)
**Author:** [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2018, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-convention-limits/824221 "2018-11-09T23:03:42Z")
The huge inter-state disparity in Senate representation - with citizens of Wyoming having an almost 70-fold larger representation per person than those of California - is prompting some to advocate amending the constitut… --- ## [Should candidates and elected officials be able to lie with impunity? Could this be fairly enforced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-candidates-and-elected-officials-be-able-to-lie-with-impunity-could-this-be-fairly-enforced/824013)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2018, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-candidates-and-elected-officials-be-able-to-lie-with-impunity-could-this-be-fairly-enforced/824013 "2018-11-09T07:15:47Z")
So this isn’t a new problem, but it looks like democracy has a few little flaws… One flaw is that voters do not have the time or resources to personally determine truth. They can’t find out if clearly objective facts … --- ## [Why upcoming US elections are so important for the World](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-upcoming-us-elections-are-so-important-for-the-world/824002)
**Author:** [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-upcoming-us-elections-are-so-important-for-the-world/824002 "2018-11-08T12:31:24Z")
I realise that Dopers have discussed this (and know their stuff), but I still wanted to make a plea from abroad. It’s vital to vote in the mid-term elections because of the effect it will have. Firstly Trump is a terri… --- ## [The Yalta Accord.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yalta-accord/824122)
**Author:** [@mrka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrka)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2018, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-yalta-accord/824122 "2018-11-07T20:17:05Z")
I have a burning question. Is the Yalta Accord a coverup of some kind? Is it still binding? Or is it just psychologically binding in retrospect for all the Anti-Polonists out there. In terms of what Anti-Polonism sta… --- ## [What are the arguments against Medicare for all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-arguments-against-medicare-for-all/816997)
**Author:** [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Replies:** 520\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-arguments-against-medicare-for-all/816997 "2018-11-07T17:48:25Z")
Please PLEASE don’t jump in with rantings. I’m not going to read rantings. I’d like to know, preferably from liberals, even, what the strongest arguments against it are. What do I need to consider before I say I’m for it… --- ## [Suicide](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide/823613)
**Author:** [@UCBearcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UCBearcats)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2018, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suicide/823613 "2018-11-07T15:43:43Z")
When should someone be able to end it? --- ## [Predictions for the future: are we headed for a calamity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-for-the-future-are-we-headed-for-a-calamity/824029)
**Author:** [@Saffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saffer)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2018, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/predictions-for-the-future-are-we-headed-for-a-calamity/824029 "2018-11-07T01:51:33Z")
Lately it seems pretty easy for me to convince myself that we have a global disaster on the horizon, as a result of population growth and climate change. The thought stream usually goes along the lines of: The populatio… --- ## [Record job openings, but how many are real?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/record-job-openings-but-how-many-are-real/824070)
**Author:** [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/record-job-openings-but-how-many-are-real/824070 "2018-11-07T01:46:48Z")
I’ll sometimes reference the number of job openings when discussing the state of the economy. But I caught a snippet on the radio\* this morning about how many of the posted jobs aren’t real. Companies may just be colle… --- ## [Can a President over rule the Constitution with an Executive Order](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-over-rule-the-constitution-with-an-executive-order/823725)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 240\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-president-over-rule-the-constitution-with-an-executive-order/823725 "2018-11-06T22:34:24Z")
Donald Trump says he will overrule the 14th with an Executive order. --- ## [Is ANYONE just a jerk?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-just-a-jerk/823404)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 6, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-just-a-jerk/823404 "2018-11-06T00:34:17Z")
Or lazy? Or selfish? Or any number of personality traits and behaviors that - while undesirable, fall short of a diagnosable, treatable, and potentially compensable pathology? Let me acknowledge off the bat that I DO … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=81) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=83)