# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=85 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 86 --- ## [Are lots of Catholics going to migrate to the Orthodox Church?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-lots-of-catholics-going-to-migrate-to-the-orthodox-church/821503)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 28, 2018, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-lots-of-catholics-going-to-migrate-to-the-orthodox-church/821503 "2018-09-28T03:24:09Z")
I was thinking recently, regarding the scandals that have plagued the Catholic Church: One one hand, American Catholics have these sexual abuse scandals horribly tarnishing the image of their church. On the other hand, … --- ## [Mighty magnet, the soul-eraser](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mighty-magnet-the-soul-eraser/821358)
**Author:** [@Moris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moris)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mighty-magnet-the-soul-eraser/821358 "2018-09-25T22:02:44Z")
There’s a scene in Stanislaw Lem’s novel “Invincible” where an electromagnetic surge “of at least billion Gauss” render an exposed astronaut into a new-born baby, mentally, effectively “formatting” all the memories from … --- ## [3D Printing Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3d-printing-guns/648818)
**Author:** [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/3d-printing-guns/648818 "2018-09-25T17:36:24Z")
NYTimes article - behind a pay wall: Notable quotes: I rarely hang out in GD,but assume this OP would belong here. I’m not even sure where a debate on this should head - I am just trying to envision some rebel base… --- ## [Could Trump's Scandals Be Fake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-trumps-scandals-be-fake/821723)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-trumps-scandals-be-fake/821723 "2018-09-24T16:41:14Z")
Almost every day, Trump comes out with another embarrassment. His Tweets. The porn star scandal. Need I go on? And then there are those “leaks”. They are even more embarrassing. Bob Woodward of Woodward and Bernstein fa… --- ## [What makes a condition a disability vs just a characteristic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-condition-a-disability-vs-just-a-characteristic/821463)
**Author:** [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2018, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-makes-a-condition-a-disability-vs-just-a-characteristic/821463 "2018-09-24T04:46:19Z")
Given the recent debates that have surfaced in a few different threads re whether conditions such as autism and deafness truly pose enough of an obstacle to functionality and happiness to be considered disabilities, or w… --- ## [What does Paul manafort get out of cooperating with mueller](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-paul-manafort-get-out-of-cooperating-with-mueller/821612)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2018, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-paul-manafort-get-out-of-cooperating-with-mueller/821612 "2018-09-23T01:32:13Z")
It sounds like he will probably die in prison anyway. He is 69, any sentence longer than 10 years is a death sentence. Even a ten year sentence could be. But he agrees to give the government something like 46 million in… --- ## [17 years since ... Pearl Harbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-years-since-pearl-harbor/821176)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-years-since-pearl-harbor/821176 "2018-09-22T20:09:31Z")
Not sure if this is a debate or just a MPSIMS. Today’s commemoration of the anniversary of 9/11 got me to thinking about the other event, to which 9/11 is most often compared: Pearl Harbor, Dec 7 1941. Which then led t… --- ## [What motivation caused Cyrus The Great to establish the first known laws regarding to human rights?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivation-caused-cyrus-the-great-to-establish-the-first-known-laws-regarding-to-human-rights/821707)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-motivation-caused-cyrus-the-great-to-establish-the-first-known-laws-regarding-to-human-rights/821707 "2018-09-22T18:47:38Z")
So I’m just wondering how this came about. I know a few key things about this, first being that the Cyrus Cylinder or whatever is the first documented laws relating to human rights. Second, he apparently freed jewish sla… --- ## [Shooting for Sweden, Hitting Venezuela](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-for-sweden-hitting-venezuela/820952)
**Author:** [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Replies:** 200\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shooting-for-sweden-hitting-venezuela/820952 "2018-09-22T11:11:58Z")
Socialists in America says they want they US to be more like Scandinavia and not like Venezuela despite the fact that both are nominally socialist or social democracies. However, having a goal does not mean you can meet… --- ## [UnitedHealth warns it may exit Obamacare plans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealth-warns-it-may-exit-obamacare-plans/738013)
**Author:** [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unitedhealth-warns-it-may-exit-obamacare-plans/738013 "2018-09-22T00:31:03Z")
UnitedHealth warns it may exit Obamacare plans Per the article, UHC is not a major player on the ACA exchanges, but they are one of the 4 big national health insurers (the others being Cigna, Aetna, and the Blues). … --- ## ["Revisionist History"-Not just a lefty thing....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisionist-history-not-just-a-lefty-thing/821406)
**Author:** [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/revisionist-history-not-just-a-lefty-thing/821406 "2018-09-21T17:43:20Z")
I thought this story worthy of discussion especially after all the accusations of “trying to erase history” that came in the wake of the Confederate statues controversy. --- ## [They're coming for us ... what will you do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-coming-for-us-what-will-you-do/817507)
**Author:** [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2018, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theyre-coming-for-us-what-will-you-do/817507 "2018-09-21T08:20:39Z")
First they came for the travelers and would-be immigrants from suspect countries … Immediately after assuming the presidency, Trump issued an order that he often characterized as a “Muslim ban” to restrict travel to the… --- ## [The President and the Economy.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-and-the-economy/821382)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-president-and-the-economy/821382 "2018-09-20T19:24:47Z")
It often gets presidents elected. In 1992, then-candidate Bill Clinton said “It’s the economy, stupid”. Jimmy Carter also reportedly lost on the issue of the economy, in 1980. While four years later, again just reportedl… --- ## [The world is going to end anyway, so why care about the environment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-is-going-to-end-anyway-so-why-care-about-the-environment/821181)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-world-is-going-to-end-anyway-so-why-care-about-the-environment/821181 "2018-09-20T03:25:43Z")
The question in the title is a common way of thinking among evangelical Christians. Can someone explain this view better in a way that makes sense? This thread isn’t about bashing anyone or any group, but I’m trying to… --- ## [The Fourteenth Amendment: What about Section 2?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fourteenth-amendment-what-about-section-2/820977)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2018, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fourteenth-amendment-what-about-section-2/820977 "2018-09-18T19:13:05Z")
I was watching the exchange yesterday between Sen. Hirono and Judge Kavanaugh about a case from Hawaii which struck down a vote which was to be conducted by only native Hawaiians. Kavanaugh stated that both the 14th and… --- ## [Bret Kavanaugh and Natural Law Theory.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bret-kavanaugh-and-natural-law-theory/820899)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 18, 2018, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bret-kavanaugh-and-natural-law-theory/820899 "2018-09-18T05:16:34Z")
I recall reading somewhere, sorry I forget exactly where, that SCOTUS nominee Bret Kavanaugh believes in natural law theory. (FWIW, here and here are the relevant Wikipedia articles.) I am a little confused, and I will … --- ## [What businesses would see major innovation if a new competitor entered the market](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-businesses-would-see-major-innovation-if-a-new-competitor-entered-the-market/821201)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-businesses-would-see-major-innovation-if-a-new-competitor-entered-the-market/821201 "2018-09-17T22:21:17Z")
I’m basing this question off two examples. Tesla entering the car market created pressure among auto makers to create electric cars. Now a dozen companies offer electric car options. Google fiber made broadband com… --- ## [California to end cash bail system: good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-to-end-cash-bail-system-good-or-bad/820468)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-to-end-cash-bail-system-good-or-bad/820468 "2018-09-17T19:08:13Z")
In short, people arrested for non violent misdemeanors will be released on their own recognizance. Everyone else will have a pre-trial risk assessment performed and be released without any money, but upon the terms an… --- ## [Why does saying something sucks mean it's bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-saying-something-sucks-mean-its-bad/821111)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-saying-something-sucks-mean-its-bad/821111 "2018-09-17T18:18:33Z")
Inspired by a recent thread where somebody essentially said their local weather sucks. And a warning that this post (and undoubtedly the resulting thread) will contain some crude language. There are obviously exceptions… --- ## [The Iranian hostage crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iranian-hostage-crisis/821324)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 17, 2018, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-iranian-hostage-crisis/821324 "2018-09-17T03:25:57Z")
Been reading newspapers from the time and I got questions that were answered by wikipedia: Why did it take so long to get to a solution when the solution was pretty obvious? Iran had four key demands: US not interfere… --- ## [Commonality of the Political Spectrum?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonality-of-the-political-spectrum/821334)
**Author:** [@Kearsen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kearsen)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commonality-of-the-political-spectrum/821334 "2018-09-16T17:30:47Z")
I am very curious about what is or isn’t a common ground cause (Centrist), politically, that may result in a greater population of people joining together to actually make this country better? Are there too many polariz… --- ## [Reforming American Defined-Contribution Retirement Plans](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reforming-american-defined-contribution-retirement-plans/821366)
**Author:** [@Bassman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bassman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reforming-american-defined-contribution-retirement-plans/821366 "2018-09-15T19:51:41Z")
I’d like to sketch a plan to promote American retirement income security and ways to prevent poverty-stricken old age. I believe Australia’s superannuation system can serve as a lodestar for defined-contribution systems … --- ## [What do you think of 8-7 decision in House v. Bell ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-8-7-decision-in-house-v-bell/526210)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-8-7-decision-in-house-v-bell/526210 "2018-09-15T14:53:33Z")
There was a court decision 5 years ago I’ve never been able to forget. I’m curious if other Dopers were aware of the decision at the time, and what thoughts they have about it. A reason I’m astounded is the way the judg… --- ## [Building peace between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-peace-between-the-jordan-river-and-mediterranean-sea/821280)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2018, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/building-peace-between-the-jordan-river-and-mediterranean-sea/821280 "2018-09-15T07:28:23Z")
Seventy years since the expiration of the British Mandate, we still have only wars and preparations for war. No one seems to be building peace. Neither Jews, nor Muslims, nor Christians, nor states within or without the … --- ## [Twitter bans Alex Jones and infowars](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twitter-bans-alex-jones-and-infowars/820911)
**Author:** [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2018, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twitter-bans-alex-jones-and-infowars/820911 "2018-09-14T18:48:44Z")
after Youtube and Apple and Facebook banned him last month --- ## [A philosophical thought experiment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-philosophical-thought-experiment/820982)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-philosophical-thought-experiment/820982 "2018-09-13T18:14:04Z")
There’s an uninhabited planet, and you have a button that when pushed, will start a very similar process of life on that planet as the one on this planet; so you’ll get the chocolate ice cream, you get the sex, you get t… --- ## [Can child rape victims be forced to mother their children?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-child-rape-victims-be-forced-to-mother-their-children/820283)
**Author:** [@Contemplation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contemplation)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2018, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-child-rape-victims-be-forced-to-mother-their-children/820283 "2018-09-13T15:17:54Z")
For example, if a 12-year-old girl were to be impregnated, and her family wanted to keep new child, would she be forced into motherhood? The victim, in this case, would be too young to put her baby up for adoption or sa… --- ## [Trump vs. Google. Can anyone possibly defend this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-google-can-anyone-possibly-defend-this/820535)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2018, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-google-can-anyone-possibly-defend-this/820535 "2018-09-13T01:19:20Z")
Now Trump thinks Google hates him and wants to regulate it. I can’t even get my head around the multiple layers of stupidity here, but maybe I’m missing something. Can anyone defend this idea with a straight face? --- ## [What's keeping China from being a major target for terrorism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-keeping-china-from-being-a-major-target-for-terrorism/821091)
**Author:** [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2018, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-keeping-china-from-being-a-major-target-for-terrorism/821091 "2018-09-12T18:53:32Z")
you’d be hard pressed to find any other country that oppresses Muslims worse: Is the problem that China is totalitarian and thus a terror campaign is hard to pull off? It’s not like Arabs and Chechens and Iranians can… --- ## [Should a court compel a Governor to follow his constitutional duties?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-court-compel-a-governor-to-follow-his-constitutional-duties/820378)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2018, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-a-court-compel-a-governor-to-follow-his-constitutional-duties/820378 "2018-09-11T17:55:36Z")
Short version. The West Virginia Constitution requires that the Governor, along with certain other elected officials, “reside” in Charleston during their terms in office. Gov. Justice is indisputably not doing that. … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=84) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=86)