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Recent Discussions
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July 23, 2015
Sailing Beyond the Rule of Law
How can law and order be brought to the high seas, as crime, piracy and pollution are rampant?
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July 22, 2015
Manna or Mammon in Silicon Valley?
Is technological innovation creating a better world, or just making lots of money for a few people?
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July 21, 2015
Are There Too Many G.O.P. Candidates?
Is such a large pool of Republicans entering the race for president good or bad for establishing a record?
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July 20, 2015
Uber’s Fight for New York City
Would temporarily capping the number of Uber and Lyft drivers alleviate congestion in New York City?
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July 16, 2015
Teens Hooked on Screens
Is screen addiction a concern for teenagers?
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July 15, 2015
When a Fictional Hero Falls
How will "To Kill a Mockingbird" be taught in U.S. schools given the revelations about Atticus Finch and his racism?
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July 13, 2015
Birth Control on Demand
Should it be provided by the government to reduce teen pregnancies?
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July 9, 2015
Was Donald Trump Right About Immigrant Sanctuary Laws?
Some say these local ordinances protect immigrants, others say they are a threat to public safety.
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July 8, 2015
Is Hillary Clinton’s Feminism Out of Style?
Her support among feminists, which one would think is a given, still seems to be in question among the younger generation.
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July 6, 2015
Is the Supreme Court Too Powerful?
Is legislation the only way to create lasting change with real influence?
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July 6, 2015
What It Means to Be Single
Is the rise in singles in the U.S. proof that marriage no longer 'embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice …
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July 2, 2015
The Relentless Pursuit of Happiness
Is satisfaction quantifiable? Some say measuring it actually creates anxiety.
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June 30, 2015
Should Greece Abandon the Euro?
A referendum in Greece could sever ties to the currency union.
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June 29, 2015
Red, White and Bluer
Has America become more liberal?
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June 26, 2015
Should Happy Hour Be Banned?
Some states ban happy hour deals for promoting excessive drinking and drunken driving. Should more do so?
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June 24, 2015
Racist Symbols To Reconsider
As momentum builds for South Carolina to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse, what else needs to go?
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June 24, 2015
Homegrown Hate
How should we deal with the threat of domestic extremists, like the kind who inspired Dylann Roof?
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June 22, 2015
The Pope’s Power at the Polls
Will his pleas for political action on climate affect Catholic voters, and Republican candidates who disagree? Is there a 'Catholic Vote'?
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June 19, 2015
Hatred or Heritage?
Some say the Confederate battle flag breeds racism and should not be displayed. Others say it's merely a historical symbol.
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June 18, 2015
A Right Age to Change One’s Sex?
How old should a person be before they have gender reassignment treatment or surgery?
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June 16, 2015
How Fluid Is Race?
The chatter over Rachel Dolezal's identity highlights America's growing racial ambiguity.
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June 16, 2015
Airbnb and the Rising Cost of Rent
How much is Airbnb affecting the housing market in cities where rent is on the rise?
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June 13, 2015
Should Hope Solo’s Actions Keep Her Off the Field?
Everyone is talking about the performance of the U.S. women's World Cup goalie -- and her past behavior.
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June 11, 2015
Sexism in the Lab
Is a resignation over disparagement of female scientists a sign of progress or persistent bias?
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June 11, 2015
Has the Affordable Care Act Proved Its Worth?
A Supreme Court ruling could undermine the health care law after three years of seeing how well it works.
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June 9, 2015
Have Turkish Voters Made Themselves Heard?
An election setback for the president could lead to more democracy, or to greater chaos.
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June 9, 2015
Digital Media Solidarity!
Does Gawker's vote show that there's more hope for labor organization?
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June 8, 2015
Is Overcrowding a Legitimate Threat?
Do we still need to worry about Paul Ehrlich's predictions of an overcrowded planet?
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June 4, 2015
Have Wary Police Brought an End to the Drop in Crime?
Have protests over police tactics led to a crime wave because of officers' reluctance to be aggressive?
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June 3, 2015
Gaffes on the Campaign Trail
What type of mistakes or blunders hurt a candidate's electability? What's the best way to orchestrate a comeback?
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In Room for Debate, The Times invites knowledgeable outside contributors to discuss news events and other timely issues. Reader comments are moderated Monday through Friday.
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