# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=577 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 578 --- ## [Abolish the Air Force?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolish-the-air-force/472370)
**Author:** [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/abolish-the-air-force/472370 "2008-11-18T01:29:38Z")
There’s been quite a lot of discussion about abolishing the U S AirForce. I see no reason we can’t run the carrier-type stuff (fighters, recon, etc) from the Navy, and the large land based bombers, etc. from the Army. Th… --- ## [You're Being Detained, Sir, For Babysitting Someone of a Different Race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-detained-sir-for-babysitting-someone-of-a-different-race/472348)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 238\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-being-detained-sir-for-babysitting-someone-of-a-different-race/472348 "2008-11-18T00:24:48Z")
One of the criminal justice blogs I read relates a story of a grandfather, who is Race A, taking care of his granddaughter, who is Race B. The “races” in question are white and black, and the blog identifies which is whi… --- ## [Time is not a dimension. There is no time](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-is-not-a-dimension-there-is-no-time/472138)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [November 18, 2008, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-is-not-a-dimension-there-is-no-time/472138 "2008-11-18T00:07:39Z")
Lately, I’ve been trying to use the many worlds interpretation of quantum physics to my advantage by summoning Scyllas from alternate universes to help me out with various tasks, like taking out the garbage, or by single… --- ## [Where do you see GM, Ford and Chrysler in 5 years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-see-gm-ford-and-chrysler-in-5-years/472937)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-see-gm-ford-and-chrysler-in-5-years/472937 "2008-11-17T23:25:50Z")
I’m not trolling, I don’t have an agenda and I would be anguished if forced to make a prediction. So, I’m posting in GD and asking what you think their status will be in 5 years. For most of my life they were 3 of the to… --- ## [It's a good thing to be 'In Touch' with your President.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-good-thing-to-be-in-touch-with-your-president/473122)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-good-thing-to-be-in-touch-with-your-president/473122 "2008-11-17T22:52:20Z")
Last night Obama was on 60 minutes, he was very candidabout some aspects of his former life that he is going to miss, such as: Taking a walk whenever he liked, or being private - he commented how he now has lost his anon… --- ## [The 50 states after the dissolution of the USA.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-50-states-after-the-dissolution-of-the-usa/464592)
**Author:** [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-50-states-after-the-dissolution-of-the-usa/464592 "2008-11-17T01:53:09Z")
Let’s pretend that the 50 states decide at a close future time to dissolve the Union. No fighting as almost everyone agrees that there are irreconcilable differences between them. Let’s pretend that the US turns into a l… --- ## [I smell the smelly smell of desperation: Obama not a citizen.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-smell-the-smelly-smell-of-desperation-obama-not-a-citizen/468002)
**Author:** [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Replies:** 186\ **Last updated:** [November 17, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-smell-the-smelly-smell-of-desperation-obama-not-a-citizen/468002 "2008-11-17T01:16:15Z")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA6\_k3NtXZs# \<-----that’s a video. Someone posted this on a right leaning message board I do some posting on. I don’t have speakers on this computer, so I can’t figure out what it says. So… --- ## [Obama puts McCain in his Cabinet: Brilliant or Foolish? \[What if?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-puts-mccain-in-his-cabinet-brilliant-or-foolish-what-if/472807)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-puts-mccain-in-his-cabinet-brilliant-or-foolish-what-if/472807 "2008-11-16T22:28:06Z")
What if Barack Obama should do something really mavericky and appoint John McCain to his Cabinet? I’m thinking that it would be pretty cool to make him Secretary of Homeland Security or something. Though he lost the elec… --- ## [Chinese economic crisis - What do you make of this?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-economic-crisis-what-do-you-make-of-this/472670)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinese-economic-crisis-what-do-you-make-of-this/472670 "2008-11-16T20:36:53Z")
Reading this NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/14/world/asia/14china.html?exprod=myyahoo Including this quote: 67,000 factories? This is China. Supposedly they have all of the money. Is the financial … --- ## [OPEC...why play games?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opec-why-play-games/472765)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/opec-why-play-games/472765 "2008-11-16T19:03:29Z")
I’ve seen it posted in offices all over the country, but why isn’t the “food v oil” battle true? Don’t mess with us on oil and we won’t mess with you on food. Why are there never debates about keeping wheat prices high… --- ## [Future prospects for Republicans regaining Congress.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-prospects-for-republicans-regaining-congress/472588)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/future-prospects-for-republicans-regaining-congress/472588 "2008-11-16T17:46:57Z")
Firstly, I intend this thread for discussion of what the title says, namely the chances of the Republicans regaining Congress in the near future. It is not for Democrats to gloat, so lets keep that to a minimum, please. … --- ## [Obama to push the Saudi Peace initiative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-push-the-saudi-peace-initiative/473004)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-push-the-saudi-peace-initiative/473004 "2008-11-16T17:21:05Z")
Apparently Obama is planning to push the Saudi Peace initiative. Meanwhile Livni has stated that the US really needs to butt out for a while. So is this going to go any where? How do the leaders of Arab countries ass… --- ## [How much are attitudes about Palin influenced by her accent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-attitudes-about-palin-influenced-by-her-accent/472562)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-are-attitudes-about-palin-influenced-by-her-accent/472562 "2008-11-16T12:39:51Z")
I think all of us would admit that accents matter. They can change the way we think about a person’s brains or education, and coupled with specific voices can make things sound goofy or smart or folksy or palatable. Ho… --- ## [Potus](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus/472809)
**Author:** [@catflea12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catflea12)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potus/472809 "2008-11-16T07:27:21Z")
Not sure if this should be here or in GD, but I think we should never, ever have anyone named Bush or Clinton as POTUS again --- ## [CA Proposition 8, Domestic Partnerships, and Safe Votes](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ca-proposition-8-domestic-partnerships-and-safe-votes/472542)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2008, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ca-proposition-8-domestic-partnerships-and-safe-votes/472542 "2008-11-16T05:46:17Z")
I was hoping I could get people’s opinions on this, because it was a question that came to me earlier that may be unanswerable. Undoubtedly, many of the people who voted for Proposition 8 did so because they don’t belie… --- ## [Americans and their guns.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-and-their-guns/472354)
**Author:** [@Punintentional](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punintentional)\ **Replies:** 113\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-and-their-guns/472354 "2008-11-15T23:04:37Z")
Do any of you that think you’re protecting the constitution honestly think that you want your guns in order to fight off the government in case they try to do things to you that you dont want them to? You’re in a real m… --- ## [More election fallout: High-speed rail is coming to California](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-election-fallout-high-speed-rail-is-coming-to-california/471571)
**Author:** [@Airblairxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airblairxxx)\ **Replies:** 157\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-election-fallout-high-speed-rail-is-coming-to-california/471571 "2008-11-15T23:03:46Z")
Proposition 1A has passed, 52.2% to 47.7%. It authorizes a $10 billion down payment on the first high-speed rail network in the US of A. Total cost will be around $45 billion, and the route will go from Orange County t… --- ## [Resolved: there is no principled reasons to punish hate crimes worse...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-there-is-no-principled-reasons-to-punish-hate-crimes-worse/472599)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-there-is-no-principled-reasons-to-punish-hate-crimes-worse/472599 "2008-11-15T21:34:53Z")
… than other similar offenses. Suggested by this Pit thread, which is otherwise irrelevant. I’ll lay out my position thus: I see no reason that an act of assault, murder, vandalism, or mscellaneous mischief should be… --- ## [Summers or Geithner at the Treasury?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summers-or-geithner-at-the-treasury/471656)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/summers-or-geithner-at-the-treasury/471656 "2008-11-15T18:57:10Z")
Hope it’s OK to start a separate thread on this particular appointment since it’s probably going to be the next big one and perhaps the most important early pick of Obama’s administration. So far the consensus appears t… --- ## [Stupid premise, but interesting constitutional question](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-premise-but-interesting-constitutional-question/472834)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-premise-but-interesting-constitutional-question/472834 "2008-11-15T16:35:09Z")
I was using stumbleupon while working t’other day, and I stumbled upon one of those stupid right wing conspiracy theory websites. This one was all excited about supposedly having proof Barack Obama not being a native bor… --- ## [What Is Wrong With GM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-gm/460938)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 64\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-wrong-with-gm/460938 "2008-11-15T15:31:31Z")
As the world’s largest corporation faces bankruptcy, the question is: how did such a huge enterprise fail so badly? It employs very bright people, and had access to huge amounts of capital. So, why? take its efforts to c… --- ## [Why is Israel so bothered by this region-of-origin labelling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-so-bothered-by-this-region-of-origin-labelling/472840)
**Author:** [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-israel-so-bothered-by-this-region-of-origin-labelling/472840 "2008-11-15T15:23:42Z")
From Haaretz, “Israel infuriated by U.K. plan to label West Bank produce”: Why does Israel think a substantial portion of the British public will both care enough to look and actively avoid products from the West Bank?… --- ## [I Can't Make Up My Mind (Government Bailouts)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-make-up-my-mind-government-bailouts/472271)
**Author:** [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-make-up-my-mind-government-bailouts/472271 "2008-11-15T11:45:56Z")
Keep in mind while reading this that my knowledge of economics is entirely from AP Economics a few years ago, and what I read on Wikipedia and in the news. On the one hand, letting certain companies like AIG and GM would… --- ## [The Phelps Specifically/Limits of Free Speech in General](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-specifically-limits-of-free-speech-in-general/472673)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-phelps-specifically-limits-of-free-speech-in-general/472673 "2008-11-15T11:40:42Z")
Inspired mostly by the current and the many previous Phelps/Westboro Baptist Church threads. In case there’s anyone here who somehow doesn’t know who the Westboro Baptist Church, it’s a cultlike fellowship in Topeka, Ka… --- ## [Free Market Babies: A Simplistic Analysis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-market-babies-a-simplistic-analysis/471965)
**Author:** [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/free-market-babies-a-simplistic-analysis/471965 "2008-11-15T04:35:01Z")
In another thread about deadbeat dads a startling notion came to me. I promised to create a thread on the idea instead of continuing to hijack that one. This is that thread. I’ve tried to make my most glaring assumption… --- ## [Should the US govt buy up massive amounts of crude oil on the cheap?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-govt-buy-up-massive-amounts-of-crude-oil-on-the-cheap/472621)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-us-govt-buy-up-massive-amounts-of-crude-oil-on-the-cheap/472621 "2008-11-15T04:03:25Z")
The US could refill the strategic petroleum reserve many times over and keep a giant stockpile of crude around. What’s the most the government could buy up on the cheap? If the government later resold it at a profit, w… --- ## [Is the Republican party farther to the right than the Democratic party is to the left](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-republican-party-farther-to-the-right-than-the-democratic-party-is-to-the-left/472524)
**Author:** [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-republican-party-farther-to-the-right-than-the-democratic-party-is-to-the-left/472524 "2008-11-15T03:51:48Z")
Traditionally Western political parties have been put on a continuum ranging from Communist on the far left to Fascists on the far right with centrist parties in the center. The two major American parties occupied posit… --- ## [Multiple universes don't refute intelligent design](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-universes-dont-refute-intelligent-design/472100)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/multiple-universes-dont-refute-intelligent-design/472100 "2008-11-15T03:09:11Z")
Our universe is fine-tuned to allow the existence of ourselves. That is to say, there are many things that have to be just as they are, and we wouldn’t exist otherwise. Citing just one example, the mass ratio of the pr… --- ## [Should the Dems boot Lieberman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-dems-boot-lieberman/471433)
**Author:** [@leander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leander)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [November 15, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-dems-boot-lieberman/471433 "2008-11-15T01:37:24Z")
I’m torn on this one. On the one hand, Lieberman has been pretty consistent over the years in his voting, esp on social issues. On the other hand, many see him as a traitor to the party, not just because he supported M… --- ## ["Will the Republican Party Ever Change?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-republican-party-ever-change/472531)
**Author:** [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 14, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-republican-party-ever-change/472531 "2008-11-14T23:05:21Z")
Interesting piece here. As they say in the subhead: “Transforming modern Republicanism into something less partisan might be like teaching a boa constrictor which fork to use at dinner.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=576) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=578)