# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=92 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 93 --- ## [What If Trump Doesn't Leave?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-trump-doesnt-leave/816172 "2018-06-19T16:10:29Z")
A lot of Americans are woefully uninformed. It’s not their fault. It’s just the truth. Anyway, I heard something interesting on Real Time with Bill Maher (I get some of my best information that way;)). 52% of Republican… --- ## [Mars, colonialism, and property ownership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-colonialism-and-property-ownership/816340)
**Author:** [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mars-colonialism-and-property-ownership/816340 "2018-06-19T14:46:25Z")
SpaceX is working on the early stages of developing their Mars-capable BFR and Blue Origin is starting work on the building blocks necessary for a similarly-sized rocket. There’s also NASA’s SLS. It looks like we’re faci… --- ## [The FBI may have failed to thoroughly investigate Clinton - Tracking Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbi-may-have-failed-to-thoroughly-investigate-clinton-tracking-thread/807844)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2018, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fbi-may-have-failed-to-thoroughly-investigate-clinton-tracking-thread/807844 "2018-06-19T13:37:39Z")
This has popped up a bit in the Russian Investigation threads, but really isn’t related unless the charge is purely a bit of slander to delegitimize the FBI/Mueller investigation. To date, the only evidence of there bei… --- ## [California Judge Rules Making a Cake is "Artistic Expression" - Denies LGBT Discrimination Claim](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-judge-rules-making-a-cake-is-artistic-expression-denies-lgbt-discrimination-claim/808372)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 1195\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2018, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-judge-rules-making-a-cake-is-artistic-expression-denies-lgbt-discrimination-claim/808372 "2018-06-18T15:32:29Z")
In the news today is a decision from a judge in Bakersfield, CA, denying a preliminary injunction against a wedding cake baker who refused a request from a gay couple to make them a wedding cake. The California Departme… --- ## ["It's a common courtesy when a military official from another government salutes, that you return"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-common-courtesy-when-a-military-official-from-another-government-salutes-that-you-return/816121)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2018, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-common-courtesy-when-a-military-official-from-another-government-salutes-that-you-return/816121 "2018-06-18T09:27:22Z")
I had to cut the quote short; it wouldn’t fit in the allotted character limit. Cite. Is it? According to whom? Since when? --- ## [What is in the "unspecified document" that Trump and Kim signed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-in-the-unspecified-document-that-trump-and-kim-signed/815949)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2018, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-in-the-unspecified-document-that-trump-and-kim-signed/815949 "2018-06-17T08:30:17Z")
AP story here. Personally, I don’t even know where to begin speculating. --- ## [Jared Taylor v. Twitter (1st Amendment case)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-taylor-v-twitter-1st-amendment-case/816179)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jared-taylor-v-twitter-1st-amendment-case/816179 "2018-06-16T23:29:00Z")
Today San Francisco Superior Court Judge Harold Kahn ruled in Jared Taylor’s favor during a hearing Thursday on Twitter’s request to dismiss. Dismiss what, many are asking? :confused: I know, I was too. Keep reading… --- ## [Does China want a united Korea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-china-want-a-united-korea/815785)
**Author:** [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-china-want-a-united-korea/815785 "2018-06-16T14:47:39Z")
I think their has been some discussion in the upcoming Kim-Trump talks that the Chinese might try to spy or else get involved in the talks. This brings up the question - would China WANT a united and Korea on its border… --- ## [Are US trade relationships with it’s allies unfair to the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-trade-relationships-with-it-s-allies-unfair-to-the-us/815869)
**Author:** [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-us-trade-relationships-with-it-s-allies-unfair-to-the-us/815869 "2018-06-16T11:39:51Z")
In what ways can the US be said to be treated unfairly by it’s trading partners? The recent debacle of Trump at the G7 and his treatment of Trudeau in particular have me wondering about the underlying facts regarding wh… --- ## [Should trans women be allowed to compete with women in sports.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trans-women-be-allowed-to-compete-with-women-in-sports/815696)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trans-women-be-allowed-to-compete-with-women-in-sports/815696 "2018-06-16T01:26:52Z")
In sports where men traditionally do not compete with women (tennis, running, etc.), should trans women be allowed to compete against women? I don’t think so. I think there are physiological differences that persist no… --- ## [How much would Universal MEDICARE cost?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-universal-medicare-cost/815823)
**Author:** [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2018, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-would-universal-medicare-cost/815823 "2018-06-15T22:25:09Z")
Estimates for the cost for a full-blown Single Payer health care system range from $1.38 trillion to $2.8 trillion. (Source: PolitiFact | How expensive would a single-payer system be? ) But what I’m interested in is the… --- ## [Why is Trump's anti-ally protectionism so popular?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-trumps-anti-ally-protectionism-so-popular/815889)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 83\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-trumps-anti-ally-protectionism-so-popular/815889 "2018-06-14T23:47:08Z")
This post is prompted by my own FB feed, where my libertarian and moderate “reluctant Trumper” acquaintances now seem to be fully on board the Trump “Eff the G7” train. This being GD, I wish I had better cites, but Trum… --- ## [What if: Nazi Germany invaded Great Britain.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-nazi-germany-invaded-great-britain/630044)
**Author:** [@Namkcalb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namkcalb)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-nazi-germany-invaded-great-britain/630044 "2018-06-14T21:51:57Z")
We all know that Operation Sealion was unlikely to succeed, but hypothetically speaking, what would happen if the German forces managed to get their armiesacross the channel. Lets say the entire Royal Navy was touring b… --- ## [What is the relationship between income and productivity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-relationship-between-income-and-productivity/718547)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 189\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-relationship-between-income-and-productivity/718547 "2018-06-14T20:25:25Z")
There’s sort of an unstated belief among many that those who make more money contribute more than those who make less. Is this always true, sometimes true, or something else? In the interest of full disclosure, I’d arg… --- ## [Post-Trump reforms you'd like to see](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-trump-reforms-youd-like-to-see/814703)
**Author:** [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [June 14, 2018, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/post-trump-reforms-youd-like-to-see/814703 "2018-06-14T14:12:25Z")
Let’s envision a time in the not-too-distant future. Trump is gone, and Congress is in the hands of a reasonable and bi-partisan group of legislators whose primary concern is the national welfare (it’s my fantasy, just … --- ## [Are We Ready for First Contact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-ready-for-first-contact/815324)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [June 13, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-ready-for-first-contact/815324 "2018-06-13T13:06:40Z")
There actually is a theory in answer to Fermi’s Paradox that says we haven’t been visited by advanced ET’s, because we’re not ready yet. This is known as the Zoo Hypothesis, in scientific circles, at least. (Non-scienti… --- ## [Water is older than the Sun--agreeing with Genesis Chapter One](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-is-older-than-the-sun-agreeing-with-genesis-chapter-one/813482)
**Author:** [@ned12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ned12)\ **Replies:** 260\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2018, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/water-is-older-than-the-sun-agreeing-with-genesis-chapter-one/813482 "2018-06-12T18:17:31Z")
I am new here. But the big news I am bring can be discovered in the first chapter of the Old Testament or Discover Magazine Sep. 2014. For years it baffled humanity how there was possibly water before there was a sun and… --- ## [How much property should churches be allowed to own?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-property-should-churches-be-allowed-to-own/814885)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2018, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-property-should-churches-be-allowed-to-own/814885 "2018-06-12T08:21:43Z")
Ran across another delightful story about “Jesus” v. Gays. An event hosting business leased a building from Holy Rosary Church, which came with a “morals clause” in the contract forbidding any LGBT-type events in the ve… --- ## [Is the US Government actively violating the 14th amendment?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-government-actively-violating-the-14th-amendment/815579)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-government-actively-violating-the-14th-amendment/815579 "2018-06-11T23:14:25Z")
Can the gov actually question peoples citizenship status on the census form? Is a lawsuit required to keep the government from violating the constitution? Which iirc no state or government official can question a person … --- ## [Obama: bad for business?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-bad-for-business/815538)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-bad-for-business/815538 "2018-06-11T22:22:41Z")
I was talking with one of my conservative friends (I still have a few!) the other day and the conversation briefly turned to President Obama. He stated that our former president’s policies were extremely bad for busines… --- ## [Researchers say they have a way to pull CO2 from the atmosphere cheaply](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/researchers-say-they-have-a-way-to-pull-co2-from-the-atmosphere-cheaply/815637)
**Author:** [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [June 11, 2018, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/researchers-say-they-have-a-way-to-pull-co2-from-the-atmosphere-cheaply/815637 "2018-06-11T01:05:11Z")
From The Atlantic: This sounds fascinating, but it’s way over my head. The researchers say they can do this cheaply enough to produce fuel at industrial scale at prices competitive with existing fossil fuels. If it w… --- ## [MMT Economics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmt-economics/595246)
**Author:** [@LinusK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LinusK)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 16, 2011, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mmt-economics/595246 "2011-09-16T11:16:56Z")
MMT stands for a few basic propositions. Savings (or monetary savings) = debt. Money is always the liability of a bank; either a commercial bank (bank deposits) or the central bank/government (Federal reserves, curren… --- ## [Preventing Pearl Harbor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preventing-pearl-harbor/814981)
**Author:** [@TheZenPaperboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheZenPaperboy)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2018, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preventing-pearl-harbor/814981 "2018-06-10T05:38:01Z")
It is late November in 1941. The United States has complete information about how and when the Japanese will attack Pearl Harbor and the Philippines. How do you stop the attack. Go out and meet the ships. Tell the world … --- ## [Who Says There's No Such Thing As Moral Progress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-says-theres-no-such-thing-as-moral-progress/815706)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 9, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-says-theres-no-such-thing-as-moral-progress/815706 "2018-06-09T20:06:14Z")
I have to tell you first, I have a very open mind. I am open to almost any scientific and philosophical theory, especially if it is nontheistic. (Presently, I think I still believe in God, and consider myself a nominal … --- ## [Did Osama bin Laden deliberately help re-elect G.W. Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-osama-bin-laden-deliberately-help-re-elect-g-w-bush/815363)
**Author:** [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2018, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-osama-bin-laden-deliberately-help-re-elect-g-w-bush/815363 "2018-06-08T10:00:25Z")
This article makes a number of interesting points about “the curious symbiosis” between the Bush and Bin Laden families. To encourage others to read the article I won’t quote or summarize it. It is interesting that Bin… --- ## [Why did Japan think attacking Pearl Harbor was a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-japan-think-attacking-pearl-harbor-was-a-good-idea/815089)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 155\ **Last updated:** [June 8, 2018, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-japan-think-attacking-pearl-harbor-was-a-good-idea/815089 "2018-06-08T06:43:30Z")
Inspired by this thread, what did the Japanese think would happen after Pearl Harbor? Yamamato feared “they had awoken a sleeping giant”. While I know the quote isn’t real, it implies most other Japanese leaders did not … --- ## [How many people in this world actually believe that the Devil is a real being with powers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-in-this-world-actually-believe-that-the-devil-is-a-real-being-with-powers/815237)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-people-in-this-world-actually-believe-that-the-devil-is-a-real-being-with-powers/815237 "2018-06-07T19:11:43Z")
The title basically says it all. Among all of humankind who follow a religion whose literature includes some kind of Devil character, how many of them currently alive today actually believe that this creature is a real … --- ## [Samantha Bee's "Feckless Cunt" comment.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samantha-bees-feckless-cunt-comment/815214)
**Author:** [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Replies:** 201\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2018, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/samantha-bees-feckless-cunt-comment/815214 "2018-06-07T15:45:31Z")
Story here. Short story: Bee called Ivanka a “Feckless cunt”. So, are Liberals hypocrites for not getting out raged like they did with Rosanne? I’m sure this will seem like weak sauce to conservatives, but personally,… --- ## [What % of the human race could be wiped out before civilization collapses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-the-human-race-could-be-wiped-out-before-civilization-collapses/815196)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-of-the-human-race-could-be-wiped-out-before-civilization-collapses/815196 "2018-06-07T13:44:59Z")
This scenario has come up before. But even if 99% of humans die, that still leaves 76 million people. But after a while technological infrastructure would break down because there isn’t enough human capital to work the … --- ## [Have U.S. armed forces really preserved our freedoms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-u-s-armed-forces-really-preserved-our-freedoms/815068)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2018, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-u-s-armed-forces-really-preserved-our-freedoms/815068 "2018-06-07T10:13:43Z")
I have the greatest respect for the men and women in the U.S. armed forces. I am not questioning their actions or sacrifices. But there is a glurgy theme that keeps coming up that they have sacrificed to preserve our fr… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=93)