# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=97 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 98 --- ## [What are the benefits(if any) of privatizing the prison system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-if-any-of-privatizing-the-prison-system/811728)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-benefits-if-any-of-privatizing-the-prison-system/811728 "2018-04-06T20:26:30Z")
I ask this because of this story from The News York Times concern the problems in the private prison system in general, and East Mississippi Correctional Facility in particular. Lest you think that this story might be b… --- ## [Free speech on campuses (with polling data!)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-speech-on-campuses-with-polling-data/810427)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [April 6, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-speech-on-campuses-with-polling-data/810427 "2018-04-06T18:33:31Z")
This is the article that sparked my interest in this: In short, the author (Matt Yglesias) argues that the claimed rising tide of illiberalism that’s not allowing speech on campus is much less significant than portray… --- ## [So what actually 'does' work to get things done in government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-actually-does-work-to-get-things-done-in-government/811491)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-actually-does-work-to-get-things-done-in-government/811491 "2018-04-05T20:56:56Z")
In another thread people are debating if mass demonstrations actually get anything done in politics. So what do people feel actually works to get results in politics (assuming the nation is a democracy)? Off the top of … --- ## [Proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129)
**Author:** [@A\_Odom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Odom)\ **Replies:** 639\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2018, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129 "2018-04-05T20:06:58Z")
Are there historical documents with personal accounts, reports, or other data to support the resurrection of Jesus Christ? If so, would this not be strong evidence of who he says that he is? --- ## [Trump invites his Russian handler to the White House.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-invites-his-russian-handler-to-the-white-house/811729)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [April 5, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-invites-his-russian-handler-to-the-white-house/811729 "2018-04-05T01:15:25Z")
That Vlad must have been one helluva field agent. The US has ostensibly joined its allies in condemning the Russian poisoning in the U.K. But, Trump not only congratulated Putin on his “election”, he invited Putin to t… --- ## [Where does the obsession about the US nuclear stockpile and it's current state come from?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-obsession-about-the-us-nuclear-stockpile-and-its-current-state-come-from/811645)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2018, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-does-the-obsession-about-the-us-nuclear-stockpile-and-its-current-state-come-from/811645 "2018-04-04T22:13:19Z")
I was having a long conversation with friends and family this weekend. I noticed a trend from the more (modern I suppose) conservative people during this conversation It hinged around our nuclear arsenal in the US. Ba… --- ## [What tensions will lopsided American democracy cause in the future, what solutions will come if any](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tensions-will-lopsided-american-democracy-cause-in-the-future-what-solutions-will-come-if-any/811286)
**Author:** [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tensions-will-lopsided-american-democracy-cause-in-the-future-what-solutions-will-come-if-any/811286 "2018-04-04T16:30:21Z")
The executive branch, the house and the senate are all set up to reward the conservative party even when they get fewer votes. Very interesting and depressing read. \[ul\] \[li\]Blue state senators represent more Ameri… --- ## [Killing People is Easy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-people-is-easy/811136)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [April 4, 2018, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-people-is-easy/811136 "2018-04-04T08:23:58Z")
Large vehicles have existed for nearly a hundred years, but only in about the last ten has someone figured out that you can effectively weaponize them against a crowd and rack up a death count in line with that of a gun. … --- ## [Who gets tariff money?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-tariff-money/811649)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2018, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-gets-tariff-money/811649 "2018-04-03T17:21:35Z")
So Trump imposes tariffs on imported steel, and China imposes tariffs on US veggies. Assuming the importers, or someone along the chain from producer to consumer, pays the tariff, who gets it? The government? If so, d… --- ## ["nigger" vs "the n-word" in discussions of the word itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigger-vs-the-n-word-in-discussions-of-the-word-itself/550312)
**Author:** [@Xenocrates](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xenocrates)\ **Replies:** 119\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2018, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nigger-vs-the-n-word-in-discussions-of-the-word-itself/550312 "2018-04-03T04:22:19Z")
First of all, I am obviously new here and while I read the registration agreement, I am not 100% certain that the title of this thread is permissible. If it isn’t, I’m sorry and I won’t make the mistake again. Also, I im… --- ## [Moral / Ethical Dilemma Question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moral-ethical-dilemma-question/811005)
**Author:** [@Bic\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bic_D)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2018, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/moral-ethical-dilemma-question/811005 "2018-04-03T00:34:26Z")
Moral / Ethical Question # 1 You are a male/ female who is struggling to make ends meet. You have 2 kids and are trying very hard to provide for them and your family. You are a Police recruit about to graduate from th… --- ## [Should the public be protected from their own misuse of products?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-public-be-protected-from-their-own-misuse-of-products/811604)
**Author:** [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-public-be-protected-from-their-own-misuse-of-products/811604 "2018-04-02T19:45:11Z")
Just saw a piece on CBS News about people trying to ban the sell of methylene chloride because it can kill you: “I can walk into local stores and purchase this,” Hartley said. “It shouldn’t be that way. A caustic chemic… --- ## [On the Governing of Externalities](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-governing-of-externalities/811354)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [April 2, 2018, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-the-governing-of-externalities/811354 "2018-04-02T00:15:37Z")
So, over in this thread, Bone is making the argument - originally concerning the soft drink ban but later expanded - that Michael Bloomberg is authoritarian in his political operations. Well and good. I’m not sure I’d … --- ## [Are There benefits to a Declining Population?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-benefits-to-a-declining-population/536473)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-benefits-to-a-declining-population/536473 "2018-04-01T17:11:29Z")
Countries like Japan and Germany are in demographic decline. They have a rising average age, and a declining birthrate. This is (supposedly) bad-older people are less productive, and are not a market for houses, cars, du… --- ## [can human drivers "backup" AI drivers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-human-drivers-backup-ai-drivers/811033)
**Author:** [@Jim\_Peebles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_Peebles)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 1, 2018, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-human-drivers-backup-ai-drivers/811033 "2018-04-01T03:50:27Z")
In the news recently, a self driving car, with a backup driver, struck and killed a pedestrian. The backup driver was supposed to be ready to take control at any moment to prevent such a thing. But is it even possible fo… --- ## [Trump administration proposed to meet Kim Jong Un](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-administration-proposed-to-meet-kim-jong-un/811352)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2018, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-administration-proposed-to-meet-kim-jong-un/811352 "2018-03-31T15:33:54Z")
I was reading that 2/3rds of American’s polled think this is a good idea. Honestly, I am not seeing it, but what say you 'dopers? Think it’s a good idea? Think anything will come out of it? Recently, Kim, in anticipa… --- ## [How close to a universal influenza vaccine?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-to-a-universal-influenza-vaccine/811478)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2018, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-to-a-universal-influenza-vaccine/811478 "2018-03-31T03:43:59Z")
I was watching a show (well, series of shows) on the Science Channel last night about various virus’s and their effects on humanity. They talked about small pox, ebola and, of course, influenza. I was un-surprised to s… --- ## [What lesson did you learn from the Iraq war?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-lesson-did-you-learn-from-the-iraq-war/810877)
**Author:** [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-lesson-did-you-learn-from-the-iraq-war/810877 "2018-03-30T22:48:49Z")
Question inspired by this opinion article: I learned that the Middle East is inherently unpredictable, and it’s impossible to know in advance what the short term and long term impact of US military involvement will be… --- ## [Demonstrations as a tactic for large-scale change](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demonstrations-as-a-tactic-for-large-scale-change/811138)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/demonstrations-as-a-tactic-for-large-scale-change/811138 "2018-03-30T20:57:07Z")
In my living memory, demonstrations worked to help get Lyndon Johnson out of office and to end the Vietnam war, but it took a long time. In recent years, we have seen major demonstrations occur but with much less effect… --- ## [Are Merit Systems in Academia and Work a Method of Enforcing White Dominance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merit-systems-in-academia-and-work-a-method-of-enforcing-white-dominance/810468)
**Author:** [@JBGUSA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBGUSA)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-merit-systems-in-academia-and-work-a-method-of-enforcing-white-dominance/810468 "2018-03-30T20:07:05Z")
Angela Putnam, a Pennsylvania State University-Brandywine professor thinks college faculty need to do more to undermine their students’ belief in “meritocracy” and the value of “hard work” (link). Her view is that merito… --- ## [You owe $21 trillion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-owe-21-trillion/810711)
**Author:** [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Replies:** 102\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-owe-21-trillion/810711 "2018-03-30T19:12:52Z")
cite It isn’t clear which of our current government leaders are equipped or concerned enough to deal with this issue. Or is it even an issue? Could it merely be a figment of economics? Assuming it is an issue, ISTM we… --- ## [Justifications for legal corruption in America?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justifications-for-legal-corruption-in-america/810989)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/justifications-for-legal-corruption-in-america/810989 "2018-03-29T17:26:11Z")
I’m talking about political bribery. Companies paying organizations to donate to political campaigns to get a favorable person in office who will look out for the interests of those who donated the most to him. What is … --- ## [Are scientists (and others) ever justified in lying for the greater good?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scientists-and-others-ever-justified-in-lying-for-the-greater-good/810722)
**Author:** [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2018, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-scientists-and-others-ever-justified-in-lying-for-the-greater-good/810722 "2018-03-29T01:22:52Z")
My google-fu is failing me but I seem to recall some controversy over the ‘nuclear winter’ warnings of the early to mid 1980’s. Namely that a famous scientist later admitted that he had fudged the figures in order to pre… --- ## [resource management](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resource-management/811223)
**Author:** [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resource-management/811223 "2018-03-28T19:30:49Z")
A timely message: There is a pressing need to address the issue of one of our most important resources, upon which our socio-economic system relies very heavily. One of the most respected thinkers of the twentieth centu… --- ## [Why are conservatives so interested in controlling other people's sexuality?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-so-interested-in-controlling-other-peoples-sexuality/810950)
**Author:** [@El\_DeLuxo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_DeLuxo)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-conservatives-so-interested-in-controlling-other-peoples-sexuality/810950 "2018-03-28T18:01:59Z")
\[N.B. I posed this question in the “Ask A Conservative Asshole” thread several months ago, and it went unanswered and un-noticed; since I really am curious about this issue, I’m floating it as a new topic.\] Why are cons… --- ## [If all the civilian guns in the USA magically disappeared, would death rates rise or lower?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-civilian-guns-in-the-usa-magically-disappeared-would-death-rates-rise-or-lower/810496)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-all-the-civilian-guns-in-the-usa-magically-disappeared-would-death-rates-rise-or-lower/810496 "2018-03-26T17:45:11Z")
We wake up one morning and find that all the guns in America not in the hands of police or military have magically disappeared. Would the murder and suicide rates rise, lower, or remain the same? --- ## [The synthesis of biotech and religion: Are the Raelians the Future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-synthesis-of-biotech-and-religion-are-the-raelians-the-future/228328)
**Author:** [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-synthesis-of-biotech-and-religion-are-the-raelians-the-future/228328 "2004-02-12T17:38:28Z")
My stepmom and I both really liked Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel “Dune”, and a brief mention of it over the phone sparked a thought in my head, which lead to me starting this discussion. Many feel Dune is the best of its… --- ## [Why arming all your citizens is a stupid idea.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arming-all-your-citizens-is-a-stupid-idea/808905)
**Author:** [@Barack\_Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barack_Obama)\ **Replies:** 226\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arming-all-your-citizens-is-a-stupid-idea/808905 "2018-02-22T01:47:29Z")
If I give a kid some money to buy whatever he wants, and we put a gumball machine in his room. How many people honestly think he’s not going to spend his money on a gumball? Now what if we gave that same kid a .44 magnum… --- ## [Killing People is Easy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-people-is-easy/811146)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 25, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/killing-people-is-easy/811146 "2018-03-25T01:48:25Z")
Accidently hit submit. --- ## [The correlation between mass shootings and video games](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-correlation-between-mass-shootings-and-video-games/810221)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [March 24, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-correlation-between-mass-shootings-and-video-games/810221 "2018-03-24T20:50:44Z")
President Trump has summoned video game industry leaders to the White House for meeting to discuss the impact of video game violence on children and it’s relationship to mass shootings. “As we continue to work towards c… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=96) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=98)