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1500 questions
32
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5 answers
What's the difference between paying someone to kill another country's soldiers, and arming that someone to kill another country's soldiers?
This question is inspired by this New York Times article. The crux of the article is that some Russians think if the GRU are paying the Taliban bounties to kill US soldiers (something denied by both the Taliban & Russia), then the US deserved it,…
Allure
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32
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8 answers
Is the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact constitutional?
I read recently that Colorado will have a version of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact on their ballot in November. Considering that this bill functionally eliminates the Electoral College, and thus changes the system of elections laid…
Yehuda
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32
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10 answers
Why did Berlin freeze the rent prices as opposed to letting the market set the price?
This EuroNews article tells us about the Berlin freezing of rent prices:
Berlin is freezing the rents of 1.5 million apartments for the next
five years starting this Sunday in a controversial move to control the
exploding costs that have forced…
Alexei
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10 answers
What is the historical basis of Israeli and Palestinian claims to the land that is now under Israeli control?
I know there is a conflict between Israel and Palestine over the land which is now recognized as Israel.
Palestinians and their supporters claim the land has been the residence of Palestinians and has been occupied by Israelis who moved to the…
Ahmad
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4 answers
Why is it important for Israel that Palestine not be connected by land with Jordan?
Israel has endorsed Trump's map which gives the entire Jordan River valley to Israel - presumably to not have any landmass connecting Jordan and Palestine.
Why is this so important for Israel? For feeling safer?
NonPartisanObservor
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2 answers
What is meant by "the Russian Government Resigned"?
There have been a number of headlines about the Russian government resignation. This American ABC News article is one example. The reason I ask is that, I don't know the mechanism of the Russian political processes, and what government means in this…
user1605665
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3 answers
Are there examples of democratic states peacefully changing their constitution without abiding by the rules spelled out in the former constitution?
As an example, changing the US Constitution is extremely difficult as it requires the consent of 3/4 of all States according to the text of the existing Constitution. But in practice any law including the constitution is just a piece of paper and…
JonathanReez
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Do any other countries aside from the US have a pledge of allegiance?
As far as I understand it, the pledge of allegiance is an oath or expression of allegiance to the United States, and is made by students in many (most?) schools throughout the USA, as well as at the start of Congressional sessions.
Do any other…
CDJB
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3 answers
What is the difference between democracy and ochlocracy?
The Wikipedia definition of democracy states:
Democracy (Greek: δημοκρατία dēmokratía, literally "rule by people") is a form of government in which the people have the authority to choose their governing legislature.
Similarly, the Wikipedia…
Evil Dog Pie
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Have the US and Russia (or USSR before it) co-vetoed a UN resolution before today?
In an interesting development today regarding the latest Turkish operation in northern Syria.
The U.N. Security Council failed to agree on a statement on Turkey's counterterrorism operation in Syria at a closed meeting to discuss the action…
the gods from engineering
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4 answers
What checks exist against overuse of presidential pardons in the USA?
In some countries, the head of state can pardon anyone for alleged crimes. For example, in Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler pardoned murderers of communists and Soviet prisoners of war, in those cases in which those crimes were actually prosecuted and…
gerrit
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32
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7 answers
How easy is it to get a gun illegally in the United States?
One argument against gun control is:
Gun control only hurts law-abiding citizens. A person intent on doing harm will simply just acquire it illegally.
And so my question is, how good is this argument? That is to say, how easy is it to acquire…
firearms
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What does a black-and-white Puerto Rican flag signify?
In the following NY Times article I noticed that the photo of a large number of people protesting included a fair number of black-and-white Puerto Rican flags as well as a larger number of red, white & blue…
StayOnTarget
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5 answers
Why did people still chant "Lock her up" at Trump rallies in 2019?
When elected, Trump made a big point that his opponent should be investigated and "locked up" over the email controversy. Almost immediately after winning the election, he made tacitly clear he was dropping that as a serious proposal, and to the…
Stilez
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3 answers
Can Congress end the government shutdown without the President's agreement?
Negotiations over the current US government shutdown have, as far as I've heard, mainly been between the President and Congressional Democrats. So far, Republicans in Congress seem to be siding with the President in refusing any agreement not…
Nate Eldredge
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