# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=93 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 94 --- ## [SCOTUS just restored us to Yellow Dog contract days!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-just-restored-us-to-yellow-dog-contract-days/814561)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2018, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-just-restored-us-to-yellow-dog-contract-days/814561 "2018-06-06T23:39:55Z")
I’ll be glad to be shown otherwise, but I’m pretty sure the recent SCOTUS decision just invalidated the Norris-LaGuardia Act and restored us to the 1920s norm of allowing employers to dictate when people can and cannot e… --- ## [How can a President of the United States obstruct justice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-president-of-the-united-states-obstruct-justice/815368)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 131\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-a-president-of-the-united-states-obstruct-justice/815368 "2018-06-06T18:38:40Z")
Notably Nixon was ultimately forced to resign because he “obstructed justice” and there are claims that Trump has obstructed justice. It is not my intention to debate the merits of these accusations, but I’m sure that w… --- ## [... and Mexico will pay for the wall.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-mexico-will-pay-for-the-wall/815124)
**Author:** [@bizerta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bizerta)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-mexico-will-pay-for-the-wall/815124 "2018-06-06T17:45:58Z")
It’s a laudable comment, but what is Mexico’s motivation for paying for a fence that does not benefit them? Has anyone asked POTUS what authority he has to make a fence to his own specifications and then send the bill t… --- ## [Would it be ethical to create an AI capable of feeling suffering?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-ethical-to-create-an-ai-capable-of-feeling-suffering/814023)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-ethical-to-create-an-ai-capable-of-feeling-suffering/814023 "2018-06-06T16:34:44Z")
This is a pure thought experiment, but let’s say that at some point in the future scientists are able to create AIs capable of feeling all the negative states that human beings can: pain, suffering, fear, sadness, depri… --- ## [Which of these time periods do you think the world changed the most dramatically?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-time-periods-do-you-think-the-world-changed-the-most-dramatically/815365)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-these-time-periods-do-you-think-the-world-changed-the-most-dramatically/815365 "2018-06-06T16:22:14Z")
Out of curiosity, I broke down human history into 100 billion person-year chunks: 2001 - 2015 1983 - 2000 1956 - 1982 1910 - 1955 1840 - 1910 1740 - 1840 1570 - 1740 1350 - 1570 1100 - 1350 700 - 1100 250 - 70… --- ## [Raise the Gas Tax. A Lot.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raise-the-gas-tax-a-lot/711335)
**Author:** [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Replies:** 176\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2015, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raise-the-gas-tax-a-lot/711335 "2015-02-22T13:03:07Z")
In a recent column in the Washington Post, Krauthammer argues that this is the perfect time to raise the gas tax. His idea is to take advantage of the lower gas prices right now to raise taxes on gas by $1 and then give… --- ## [Equal Rights Amendment: How do you think this is going to play out now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equal-rights-amendment-how-do-you-think-this-is-going-to-play-out-now/815239)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [June 5, 2018, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/equal-rights-amendment-how-do-you-think-this-is-going-to-play-out-now/815239 "2018-06-05T03:05:52Z")
Illinois just ratified the ERA, which puts it at 37 states, only one short of the 38 required (but then again five states also rescinded their ratification, so the ERA is either at 32 or 37, depending on whether one cons… --- ## [Greatest Roman Emperor](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-roman-emperor/815379)
**Author:** [@Stringbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stringbean)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-roman-emperor/815379 "2018-06-04T22:21:32Z")
I’m on a big Roman history binge lately so I thought I’d throw up the classic big question for debate: Who was the greatest Roman emperor, and why? --- ## [Do China and Japan still hate each other ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-china-and-japan-still-hate-each-other/815369)
**Author:** [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-china-and-japan-still-hate-each-other/815369 "2018-06-04T22:17:18Z")
I know hate is an emotional way to describe the attitudes of people collectively, and the degree to which you can generaliZe is limited. But I get the impression China and Japan have hated each other for a long time. Or … --- ## [What are society's \*real\* points of disagreement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-societys-real-points-of-disagreement/814409)
**Author:** [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-societys-real-points-of-disagreement/814409 "2018-06-04T13:29:54Z")
IMHO, with most political disputes, there is a stated, \*official \*reason for something - which is often just window-dressing - and underneath that, there is the un-stated, \*real \*motive or point of friction that causes t… --- ## [Will foreign intelligence agencies publish anti-Trump information?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-foreign-intelligence-agencies-publish-anti-trump-information/815337)
**Author:** [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 4, 2018, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-foreign-intelligence-agencies-publish-anti-trump-information/815337 "2018-06-04T09:30:27Z")
Okay, there are several hypotheticals in this post, but they are not too far-fetched, I hope. I expect that there is quite a lot of information out there that could hurt Trump. Whether it is the Steele Dossier or financ… --- ## [Commute Blagojevich's sentence? What is Trump thinking?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commute-blagojevichs-sentence-what-is-trump-thinking/815275)
**Author:** [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commute-blagojevichs-sentence-what-is-trump-thinking/815275 "2018-06-03T12:28:43Z")
Why on earth would Trump be talking about commuting Blagojevich’s sentence, when Blagojevich is a Democrat and there is no obvious constituency of Trump supporters yearning to see the man go free? I can think of a few po… --- ## [Excessive use of presidential pardon](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excessive-use-of-presidential-pardon/815284)
**Author:** [@DavidwithanR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidwithanR)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excessive-use-of-presidential-pardon/815284 "2018-06-03T07:46:56Z")
If this belongs in GQ, please move it - I hope for a short thread with a quick factual answer but I don’t know whether such an answer exists. Can a US president be impeached for overusing his power to pardon? Let’s say … --- ## [At The Demonstartion Against The NRA.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-the-demonstartion-against-the-nra/812805)
**Author:** [@Mister\_Mills](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Mills)\ **Replies:** 378\ **Last updated:** [June 3, 2018, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-the-demonstartion-against-the-nra/812805 "2018-06-03T01:55:43Z")
I was on 5th Ave N, and the demonstrators from Saint Petersburg High School happened by. They were chanting, “Hey, hey, ho, ho–The NRA has got to go!”, as they walked down the sidewalk. So, I started yelling out,“Benefa… --- ## [What would be the point to pardoning Martha Stewart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-point-to-pardoning-martha-stewart/815266)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-be-the-point-to-pardoning-martha-stewart/815266 "2018-06-02T23:36:47Z")
She served her time, it’s done, and nobody really gives a shit anymore. A pardon would have no effect that I can see. --- ## [What do we think about Trump meddling in the energy markets?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-think-about-trump-meddling-in-the-energy-markets/815280)
**Author:** [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-we-think-about-trump-meddling-in-the-energy-markets/815280 "2018-06-02T14:52:54Z")
I’m kind of shocked to read about this: Good idea? Bad idea? Illegal idea? I mean, can the federal government even implement this? What would be their enforcement mechanism for transgressors? --- ## [Some dumb Bible question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-dumb-bible-question/814318)
**Author:** [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-dumb-bible-question/814318 "2018-06-02T10:39:53Z")
So, to be fair, this is sort of a joke question, but I’m interested in hearing serious answers to it from believers and/or Bible scholars and/or comparative religion majors. So I was reading Genesis 1 earlier today (as … --- ## [It should be illegal for parent to kick their children out of their homes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-should-be-illegal-for-parent-to-kick-their-children-out-of-their-homes/814637)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 163\ **Last updated:** [June 2, 2018, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/it-should-be-illegal-for-parent-to-kick-their-children-out-of-their-homes/814637 "2018-06-02T03:16:34Z")
The other day I was reading about a 30 yo man being taken to the supreme court by his parents to have him evicted from their home (recent developments on this matter \[here\](1517 Chelsea Ave) ) This shouldn’t be legal. T… --- ## [When it comes to abortion, how much restriction is excessive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-it-comes-to-abortion-how-much-restriction-is-excessive/815077)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-it-comes-to-abortion-how-much-restriction-is-excessive/815077 "2018-06-01T15:02:35Z")
SCOTUS decided not to take up the challange to Arkansa’s very restrictive abortion law, which outlaws morning-after pills and effective closes two of the last three clinics left in the state. In what possible way does th… --- ## [How are agreements using pseudonyms legally binding?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-agreements-using-pseudonyms-legally-binding/814759)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-are-agreements-using-pseudonyms-legally-binding/814759 "2018-06-01T04:32:56Z")
Yep, I’m thinking about the NDA agreement between Stormy Daniels/Peggy Peterson/Stephanie Clifford and David Dennison/Donald Trump. How is a contract between two made up names enforceable? (I’m not getting into the part… --- ## [Do "hardened schools" prevent mass shootings?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hardened-schools-prevent-mass-shootings/814617)
**Author:** [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Replies:** 388\ **Last updated:** [June 1, 2018, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-hardened-schools-prevent-mass-shootings/814617 "2018-06-01T01:09:20Z")
I would like to know if there’s any school shooting statistics on “hardened schools”. For the purpose of the discussion I’m going to include the following measures. Multiple armed LEOs onsite at all times All unlocked… --- ## [What happened to JonBenet Ramsey?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-jonbenet-ramsey/524577)
**Author:** [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Replies:** 548\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2018, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-jonbenet-ramsey/524577 "2018-05-31T19:47:28Z")
I know we’ve had threads on this topic before, but we were going down that route in the “Which ONE Crime Would You Like the True Answer to” thread, and I figured I’d start a new one up rather than hijack. Here are a cou… --- ## [Has this experiment in education ever been done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-experiment-in-education-ever-been-done/815137)
**Author:** [@jebert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jebert)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 31, 2018, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-this-experiment-in-education-ever-been-done/815137 "2018-05-31T05:20:17Z")
Whenever reports come out comparing standardized test scores among school districts within metropolitan areas, there is lots of discussion about the causes of the differences between the high and low-performing schools. … --- ## [Declining population= higher standard of living?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/declining-population-higher-standard-of-living/814923)
**Author:** [@Marcus\_Flavius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marcus_Flavius)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [May 30, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/declining-population-higher-standard-of-living/814923 "2018-05-30T05:04:37Z")
I see a lot of alarmist sentiments about the declining populations in nations such as Japan and South Korea, but I’m struggling to understand why- wont a lower population lead to a higher SOL for everyone? Less people me… --- ## [Can a recording made of a US citizen overseas by foreign police be used in a US court?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-recording-made-of-a-us-citizen-overseas-by-foreign-police-be-used-in-a-us-court/814933)
**Author:** [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-recording-made-of-a-us-citizen-overseas-by-foreign-police-be-used-in-a-us-court/814933 "2018-05-29T19:39:07Z")
So apparently Spanish police have given Mueller recordings of Trump Jnr in conversation with Russian bankers. My question is, given these recordings were made in Spain, by Spanish police how can they be used? Other than… --- ## [Do we have UFO "Disclosure", and if so, what does it portend for humanity?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-ufo-disclosure-and-if-so-what-does-it-portend-for-humanity/815054)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2018, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-have-ufo-disclosure-and-if-so-what-does-it-portend-for-humanity/815054 "2018-05-29T13:30:46Z")
I started a GQ thread and was admonished by a moderator. Of course this question cannot be definitavely answered. So here goes round two! I am referring to this video: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ur… --- ## [Why aren't more Christians universalists?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-more-christians-universalists/813778)
**Author:** [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Replies:** 250\ **Last updated:** [May 29, 2018, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-more-christians-universalists/813778 "2018-05-29T05:18:07Z")
This is mainly aimed at the Christians on the board, but others are free to chime in. Christian universalism is the ancient but minority-held theological doctrine that says, in a nutshell, that through Jesus Christ \*all… --- ## [The 1950's weren't great](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1950s-werent-great/813479)
**Author:** [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Replies:** 141\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2018, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-1950s-werent-great/813479 "2018-05-28T03:12:37Z")
Now, let me preface this with a statement: I am not arguing that the 1950’s were a bad time in American life. Far from it. However, I am railing against the myth in this country that the 1950’s were an especially idyll… --- ## [What to do with Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-obama/814853)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-obama/814853 "2018-05-28T03:02:10Z")
Inspired by this thread, obviously. So Obama’s going into TV. What’s next for him? A game show host like Trump? Granted, I could see him chairing Have I Got News For You. He’s got years before retirement and he has to … --- ## [NASCAR and Conservatives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nascar-and-conservatives/814732)
**Author:** [@Batano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batano)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [May 27, 2018, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nascar-and-conservatives/814732 "2018-05-27T08:13:52Z")
I can’t put my finger on it, but it seems that there is something about NASCAR that explains American conservatives. At one time there were “stock” car races, using off-the-showroom cars that were modified. Now they just… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=92) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=94)