# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=84 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 85 --- ## [A new (to me) view of the bible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-to-me-view-of-the-bible/822959)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 19, 2018, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-to-me-view-of-the-bible/822959 "2018-10-19T02:47:39Z")
The following is distilled by me from conversations I had with my sister during my last visit. I may have gotten some details wrong but I believe this is the gist. Notes: I am an atheist, my sister is born-again Christi… --- ## [Koko the Gorilla and Animal Rights.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/koko-the-gorilla-and-animal-rights/822867)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/koko-the-gorilla-and-animal-rights/822867 "2018-10-18T21:43:47Z")
As many of you probably already know, Koko, the signing gorilla, recently died. Actually though, for some time now I have wondered about this particular case. Koko never “spoke” of deep philosophical or scientific matte… --- ## [Do Democrats suppress Republican votes anywhere?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-democrats-suppress-republican-votes-anywhere/822898)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [October 18, 2018, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-democrats-suppress-republican-votes-anywhere/822898 "2018-10-18T12:05:10Z")
I was considering posting this in General Questions, but settled on Great Debates because I think it will inevitably turn into a political argument. It seems to be there is a genuine asymmetry between the two parties on… --- ## [WV Supreme Court rules that Legislature has exceeded its power to impeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wv-supreme-court-rules-that-legislature-has-exceeded-its-power-to-impeach/822823)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wv-supreme-court-rules-that-legislature-has-exceeded-its-power-to-impeach/822823 "2018-10-17T21:58:03Z")
This is a serious constitutional crisis for the State of West Virginia. I know all of these judges and I cannot help but hang my head. Didn’t we learn in civics class that the Legislature has an absolute and unreview… --- ## [What was Feinstein expecting before releasing Ford's letter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-feinstein-expecting-before-releasing-fords-letter/822661)
**Author:** [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [October 17, 2018, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-was-feinstein-expecting-before-releasing-fords-letter/822661 "2018-10-17T14:00:06Z")
This is probably open only to speculation, so maybe this is more of an IMHO than a Great Debate, but one thing that I have not seen addressed about the Kavanaugh debacle is: We know that Diane Feinstein had been sitting… --- ## [Is hatred the glue that unites Trump with his supporters?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hatred-the-glue-that-unites-trump-with-his-supporters/822684)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 174\ **Last updated:** [October 16, 2018, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hatred-the-glue-that-unites-trump-with-his-supporters/822684 "2018-10-16T11:14:56Z")
Liberals often say, even right here at SDMB, that right-wingers enjoy causing liberals to suffer; that lower-class white racists maintain life satisfaction by feeling that blacks are even worse off, and thus may even vie… --- ## [I Feel Like I'm Walking A Fine Line Between Conscientiousness And Bigotry - Your Thoughts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-im-walking-a-fine-line-between-conscientiousness-and-bigotry-your-thoughts/822698)
**Author:** [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2018, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-feel-like-im-walking-a-fine-line-between-conscientiousness-and-bigotry-your-thoughts/822698 "2018-10-15T18:51:18Z")
Where is the line between being a conscientious consumer and being a bigot? Here’s what prompted this discussion: one of the YouTube channels I watch is that of a scientist who does cool and thought-provoking experiment… --- ## [A Pagan Rome?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pagan-rome/822657)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [October 15, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-pagan-rome/822657 "2018-10-15T14:38:38Z")
Something that struck me about the rise and spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and later on the Western World was how much it differed from the predominant religions in the region. The Roman religion, lik… --- ## [Paid-For ID's and Poll Taxes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-for-ids-and-poll-taxes/822504)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 14, 2018, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paid-for-ids-and-poll-taxes/822504 "2018-10-14T03:43:31Z")
In case you don’t know, the 24th Amendment to the US constitution forbids poll taxes. In other words, the federal government and states cannot make you pay to vote. Then more recently in Michigan where I live, I heard a… --- ## [Validity of "You can be anything you want to be" as advice](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/validity-of-you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be-as-advice/822420)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/validity-of-you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be-as-advice/822420 "2018-10-13T19:02:58Z")
After reading this thread"The TV Trope of Girls Beating Boys in Sports", there was some discussion about the validity of suggesting that anyone can be what they want to be, because of fundamental limitations related to p… --- ## [Reasonable member of the electorate, or idiotic, entitled college student?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-member-of-the-electorate-or-idiotic-entitled-college-student/822287)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reasonable-member-of-the-electorate-or-idiotic-entitled-college-student/822287 "2018-10-12T18:49:31Z")
So as best I can tell, the author of the article has two reasons he doesn’t vote His state (Texas) is traditionally Republican, and he feels that his vote doesn’t count. Being informed about who to vote for is wo… --- ## [Living Nihilistically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-nihilistically/822741)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/living-nihilistically/822741 "2018-10-12T18:01:18Z")
I haven’t fully studied the site, I must tell you. But I have been getting a lot of articles from them in my email box. And I have to tell you, Quora.com apparently has a lot of moral nihilists, in it. I mean, I have a… --- ## [Giant social media platforms should not have the right to ban people they don't like.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-social-media-platforms-should-not-have-the-right-to-ban-people-they-dont-like/822689)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/giant-social-media-platforms-should-not-have-the-right-to-ban-people-they-dont-like/822689 "2018-10-12T01:00:25Z")
With the trend of giant social media platforms banning Alex Jones, the issue of freedom of speech on the internet specifically on social media platforms has became a growing issue. So first of all, the private sector whi… --- ## [The Cynical Model of Humanity](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cynical-model-of-humanity/822025)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2018, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-cynical-model-of-humanity/822025 "2018-10-11T14:37:49Z")
The philosophy of humanism begins with the idea that - as one famous statement of the philosophy is known to say - all men are created equal. We all have equal right to life, liberty, and happiness since we are all funda… --- ## [St. Januarius, Miracles, and the Proof of God.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-januarius-miracles-and-the-proof-of-god/821639)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 728\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-januarius-miracles-and-the-proof-of-god/821639 "2018-10-10T23:21:59Z")
I have to tell you all. I was planning on posting this yesterday. I’ll tell you why. Yesterday was the feast of St. Januarius in the Roman Catholic Church. Allow me to explain. Every year, on the feast of St. Januarius,… --- ## [Why is education always the first thing cut in government budget?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-education-always-the-first-thing-cut-in-government-budget/746439)
**Author:** [@boffking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boffking)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2016, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-education-always-the-first-thing-cut-in-government-budget/746439 "2016-02-19T14:37:25Z")
When a town or state government wants to save money, or lower taxes, they always take that money from the schools. You want to save taxpayer money, then lower your own salary before cutting anyone else’s. There is a pro… --- ## [Does "the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada deal make all three countries stronger"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-new-u-s-mexico-canada-deal-make-all-three-countries-stronger/822383)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2018, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-new-u-s-mexico-canada-deal-make-all-three-countries-stronger/822383 "2018-10-09T21:32:02Z")
I’ve always been a free-trade advocate in principle, though admittedly not a student of the minutiae. As such, I agree with most of the criticism of Trump’s tariffs – that they simply raise prices for American consumers … --- ## [A Solution to Colombia's Cocaine Problem: Why Wouldn't This Work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-solution-to-colombias-cocaine-problem-why-wouldnt-this-work/822201)
**Author:** [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-solution-to-colombias-cocaine-problem-why-wouldnt-this-work/822201 "2018-10-09T00:14:08Z")
I was watching the recent Vice episode on the Colombian cocaine production, and the situation surrounding it throughout the country. I had an idea for a possible solution – now, I realize, this solution would never ACTUA… --- ## [Were Nazis always SOB's even to each other?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-nazis-always-sobs-even-to-each-other/822354)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2018, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-nazis-always-sobs-even-to-each-other/822354 "2018-10-08T06:02:06Z")
Inspired by this thread. Every movie ever made showing Nazis, even in everyday life, to be the meanest, cruelest, most angry and suspicious fuckers ever. Not just to Jews or the enemy, but even to each other. Were they… --- ## [The hyperloop](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hyperloop/780098)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2018, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hyperloop/780098 "2018-10-07T02:46:00Z")
I saw a thing on TV and few years back on how the hyperloop was going to change the way people got around. It seemed very implausible to me and I haven’t heard anything about it since. My questions are 1; was this a re… --- ## [Episode #404, in which the DoJ (on behalf of the FCC) sues CA for imposing net neutrality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/episode-404-in-which-the-doj-on-behalf-of-the-fcc-sues-ca-for-imposing-net-neutrality/822307)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2018, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/episode-404-in-which-the-doj-on-behalf-of-the-fcc-sues-ca-for-imposing-net-neutrality/822307 "2018-10-04T21:06:30Z")
here we go again \*… the California rules would go into force as scheduled on January 1. Like the former federal law, the new state law applies to home Internet providers and mobile carriers and prohibits blocking, throt… --- ## [Why do people confuse the original offense with non-compliance follow on penalties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-confuse-the-original-offense-with-non-compliance-follow-on-penalties/820737)
**Author:** [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Replies:** 199\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-confuse-the-original-offense-with-non-compliance-follow-on-penalties/820737 "2018-10-04T19:44:40Z")
After keeping up with the news recently, it seems that a huge chunk of the population has some kind of fundamental logical disconnect between people who commit an original offense of some sort, and any follow-on penaltie… --- ## [Don't Hold Juvenile Activity Against People - Minorities and Professionals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-hold-juvenile-activity-against-people-minorities-and-professionals/822226)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 4, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-hold-juvenile-activity-against-people-minorities-and-professionals/822226 "2018-10-04T19:38:45Z")
The Ban the Box Campaign is an effort to ensure the inclusion of people who had earlier, youthful offenses in society. Below is the “Fair Chance Pledge” that supporters take: This is unabashedly liberal and salutary. W… --- ## [You've served your time-Now pay your bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-served-your-time-now-pay-your-bill/821446)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-served-your-time-now-pay-your-bill/821446 "2018-10-03T12:28:31Z")
This is the title of a recently released article concerning the debt prisoners can acquire while being prisoner-a debt that cannot be paid while in prison because, well and The article further states that inmates are… --- ## [Gender Abolition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-abolition/821345)
**Author:** [@Mumberthax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumberthax)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [October 3, 2018, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gender-abolition/821345 "2018-10-03T02:42:40Z")
I’ve read some opinion pieces from the radfem community regarding gender abolition. All gender roles abolished. Unisex everything. The whole ‘good girls’ and ‘real men’ crapola goes into the dustbin of history, never … --- ## [Consequences for Colin Kaepernick](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consequences-for-colin-kaepernick/782422)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/consequences-for-colin-kaepernick/782422 "2018-10-01T17:29:06Z")
Colin Kaepernick Sentenced to NFL Limbo for the Crime of Speaking His Mind Based on the headline, this writer (or whoever wrote the headline) seems to disagree with the NFL execs. I myself am pleased with this result, … --- ## [Is private car ownership about to disappear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-private-car-ownership-about-to-disappear/821705)
**Author:** [@SamuelA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SamuelA)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-private-car-ownership-about-to-disappear/821705 "2018-10-01T01:29:44Z")
One thing I realized. It’s been talked about for a while, and most car companies working on autonomy have discussed this “shift”. Simply put, the economics mean that manufacturers have no reason to sell you autonomous … --- ## [Have blue states and big cities done anything to reduce income inequality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-blue-states-and-big-cities-done-anything-to-reduce-income-inequality/821740)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2018, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-blue-states-and-big-cities-done-anything-to-reduce-income-inequality/821740 "2018-09-30T07:01:42Z")
In states or cities with a one sided political spectrum that endorses the left, is anything done to address the issue of income inequality? I know that the minimum wage is higher in some blue states and blue cities. Are… --- ## [Is Tesla about to go bankrupt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tesla-about-to-go-bankrupt/811549)
**Author:** [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2018, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-tesla-about-to-go-bankrupt/811549 "2018-09-29T03:20:32Z")
This Marketwatch link isn’t particularly special – there are many covering this story. It’s as good as the next one, I reckon. Anyway, it seems like some big shot investors are beginning to have doubts that Tesla is t… --- ## [The new political dichotomy? Globalism vs Patriotism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-political-dichotomy-globalism-vs-patriotism/821961)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2018, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-new-political-dichotomy-globalism-vs-patriotism/821961 "2018-09-28T04:03:47Z")
Actually read Trump’s speech to the UN yesterday: He says: "We reject the ideology of globalism and accept the doctrine of patriotism.” Is this what the midterms are about? Is voting for Republicans a vote for “patri… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=83) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=85)