# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=579 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 580 --- ## [Is Oklahoma the most racist state in USA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-oklahoma-the-most-racist-state-in-usa/471530)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-oklahoma-the-most-racist-state-in-usa/471530 "2008-11-12T19:15:24Z")
According to this TV special report a lot of democrat there refused to vote on him because he’s black: http://www.france24.com/en/20081020-democrats-seek-sell-obama-heartland-audiences-usa-vote-2008 This article is also… --- ## [What, if anything, will the Senate Pubs filibuster in the next two years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-will-the-senate-pubs-filibuster-in-the-next-two-years/472269)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-will-the-senate-pubs-filibuster-in-the-next-two-years/472269 "2008-11-12T19:01:33Z")
No matter how the undecided races in Alaska and Minnesota (any others?) come out, the Dems are not going to get the 60 Senate seats needed for a filibuster-proof majority. So will the Pubs try to use the power to block … --- ## [Boston Legal/ Abortion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-legal-abortion/472205)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boston-legal-abortion/472205 "2008-11-12T18:18:56Z")
I was kind of blown away by Candice Bergen last night on Boston Legal. I’ve long regarded her as an uber liberal yet her character last night questioned some of the aspects of pro-choice, and I’ve no doubt she wouldn’t h… --- ## [1st Amendment question regarding gay marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-amendment-question-regarding-gay-marriage/472373)
**Author:** [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1st-amendment-question-regarding-gay-marriage/472373 "2008-11-12T17:28:44Z")
I was looking for local folk concerts and one of the nearby venues is a Friends (Quakers) church. They had a link on their front page from 1986 which stated: Which got me thinking, there are some states which say that … --- ## [Newt Gingrich pushing hard to to be new RNC Chairman - Inspired choice or insane?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-gingrich-pushing-hard-to-to-be-new-rnc-chairman-inspired-choice-or-insane/472195)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/newt-gingrich-pushing-hard-to-to-be-new-rnc-chairman-inspired-choice-or-insane/472195 "2008-11-12T16:45:01Z")
Re this story Gingrich, Steele duel privately for RNC job Gingrich may be an intellectual firebrand but he’s also got more baggage than Mariah Carey jetting away for a 3 day weekend. I just don’t see it. What do other … --- ## [Why isn't a placenta human life?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-a-placenta-human-life/472163)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-a-placenta-human-life/472163 "2008-11-12T16:29:44Z")
If a fetus is to be considered a human life at conception (an actual life, not potential life), why isn’t a placenta a human life? They are both human and alive with the same DNA and capable of the same thoughts and emo… --- ## [US military dominance](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-dominance/471863)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-military-dominance/471863 "2008-11-12T15:25:28Z")
Can the US continue its military dominance? The US military budget in nearly half of world’s total. Its more than double the EU. Over 11X that of France (number 2). Can this be maintained? Should it be maintained? What… --- ## [Have we ever had a free market?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-ever-had-a-free-market/471953)
**Author:** [@Snag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snag)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-we-ever-had-a-free-market/471953 "2008-11-12T07:35:54Z")
Governments always redistribute wealth, or more exactly they redistribute financial leverage; that is a function of all governments. How they redistribute it is the only difference between one political persuasion in pow… --- ## [President Obama, meeting expectations, and reelection...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-meeting-expectations-and-reelection/471426)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-obama-meeting-expectations-and-reelection/471426 "2008-11-12T03:10:16Z")
I brought this up in a thread before, but now that we have a President, I’d like to ask it again (with some new stuff). There’s a lot of enthusiasm about Obama. And with it a lot of hope and expectation. Judging from … --- ## [Presidential Term: One Six Year Term Instead Of One (Or Two) Four Year Terms?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-term-one-six-year-term-instead-of-one-or-two-four-year-terms/472011)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/presidential-term-one-six-year-term-instead-of-one-or-two-four-year-terms/472011 "2008-11-12T02:27:45Z")
This debate used to be fairly common, but haven’t seen it pop up recently. Some have said that it would be better for American Presidents to really get the job done if they knew they had only one six year term, with no … --- ## [Conventional political wisdom, post-election: What's changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conventional-political-wisdom-post-election-whats-changed/472196)
**Author:** [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [November 12, 2008, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conventional-political-wisdom-post-election-whats-changed/472196 "2008-11-12T00:35:48Z")
Just what the title says. This election appears to have upended a lot of the stuff “everybody knows” about presidential races, and I wanted to discuss whether this conventional wisdom is dead, if Obama is an outlier, or… --- ## [How Long Should A Soldier Be Held To His Signed Word?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-should-a-soldier-be-held-to-his-signed-word/472206)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-should-a-soldier-be-held-to-his-signed-word/472206 "2008-11-11T21:57:06Z")
First of all, the Flamin’ Disclaimer: I read the cited article and am composing this O.P. with nothing but admiration and respect for Mr. Acevedo. There may well be a factual answer as to how long a soldier can legally … --- ## [Obama is already starting to keep his campaign promises...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032)
**Author:** [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-already-starting-to-keep-his-campaign-promises/472032 "2008-11-11T20:39:14Z")
…by closing Guantànamo Bay. --- ## [Is human life really worthy of being considered 'sacred'?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-life-really-worthy-of-being-considered-sacred/471878)
**Author:** [@5DollaPolaroid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5DollaPolaroid)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-human-life-really-worthy-of-being-considered-sacred/471878 "2008-11-11T17:17:02Z")
I ask this question because I have a moral dilemma that was raised by the abortion issue thread. Understandably, humans are known for their self-absorption, their vanity and their conceit, but really, besides our intelli… --- ## [The 2012 GOP Presidential Candidate is Forked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-gop-presidential-candidate-is-forked/471800)
**Author:** [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2012-gop-presidential-candidate-is-forked/471800 "2008-11-11T16:31:29Z")
Well, we don’t know how well Obama will do as president, and since he’s inherited a total mess and people have short memories, he may be blamed for a prolonged recession that the electorate will have forgotten was well u… --- ## [Are there any black Dopers who think Obama's not "black enough"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-black-dopers-who-think-obamas-not-black-enough/471674)
**Author:** [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-any-black-dopers-who-think-obamas-not-black-enough/471674 "2008-11-11T15:33:35Z")
A friend of mine was telling me about being in a part of town that is made up primarily of black families, and how when mention of Obama was made (prior to his winning, but not very long ago), there was a kind of collect… --- ## [Advice for the RNC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-the-rnc/471524)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advice-for-the-rnc/471524 "2008-11-11T14:38:13Z")
I invite people to argue against me or offer ideas of their own. Participate in any appropriate way, but I’d like it if people were analytical and studious about it with a minimum of drama and hyperbole. If I were the R… --- ## [How is the Religious Right dealing with the election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-religious-right-dealing-with-the-election/471671 "2008-11-11T13:22:39Z")
During the election, I saw one (and heard of others) example of the Religious Right basically saying the election was between God and godlessness. How is this godlessness win being explained by those who were so certain … --- ## [Did Obama really say he'll "spread the wealth"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-really-say-hell-spread-the-wealth/471748)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-really-say-hell-spread-the-wealth/471748 "2008-11-11T11:49:04Z")
I hear this A LOT. Usually from friends and other folks. Especially my sister-in-law who believes that Obama will force her USAF husband out of a job because Democrats hate the military (but that’s another story). :rolle… --- ## [who else thinks 9/11 is Bill Clintons fault](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-thinks-9-11-is-bill-clintons-fault/472079)
**Author:** [@grego\_the\_desert\_rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grego_the_desert_rat)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-else-thinks-9-11-is-bill-clintons-fault/472079 "2008-11-11T03:51:38Z")
Since 9/11 and the preceeding war in Afghan, everything has become President Bushes fault. I mean the terror attacks, the falling economy, the detainees, u.s.a.'s growing hatred around the world etc. etc. etc. correc… --- ## [LDS / CA Prop 8 / Tax exempt status](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lds-ca-prop-8-tax-exempt-status/472124)
**Author:** [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 11, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lds-ca-prop-8-tax-exempt-status/472124 "2008-11-11T00:08:23Z")
I’ll preface this by saying that I’m not particularly well versed in U.S. law. I tried searching for a previous thread, and found none, so here goes. From what I have read, the church of LDS spent tons of money on the Y… --- ## [Why aren't homosexuals a "Suspect Class"? (legal definition)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-homosexuals-a-suspect-class-legal-definition/471672)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-homosexuals-a-suspect-class-legal-definition/471672 "2008-11-10T23:30:07Z")
With all the Prop-8 (and other similar ones) hoo-hah going on there have been a number of threads exploring the legality of the Proposition. Most people arguing against it trot out the Equal Protection clause of the Con… --- ## [Is there any real reason to believe Obama is actually for same sex marriage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-reason-to-believe-obama-is-actually-for-same-sex-marriage/471954)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-any-real-reason-to-believe-obama-is-actually-for-same-sex-marriage/471954 "2008-11-10T22:35:42Z")
I’ve seen some comments to the effect that although Obama says he’s against same sex marriage, some think he’s only saying that for political reasons and is really OK with it. Is there really any reason to believe this … --- ## [Is Bush going to go out with a flurry of Presidential pardons like Clinton did?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bush-going-to-go-out-with-a-flurry-of-presidential-pardons-like-clinton-did/471973)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-bush-going-to-go-out-with-a-flurry-of-presidential-pardons-like-clinton-did/471973 "2008-11-10T22:01:26Z")
If so who’s a likely candidate? --- ## [Does Obama spell the end of The Daily Show and Colbert Report?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-spell-the-end-of-the-daily-show-and-colbert-report/471549)
**Author:** [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-spell-the-end-of-the-daily-show-and-colbert-report/471549 "2008-11-10T21:11:25Z")
\ When Jon Stewart was on Crossfire during the Kerry campaign he was asked by Tucker Carlson if it’s better for him (Stewart) if Kerry loses, meaning The Daily Show’s liberal bias makes… --- ## [What should happen to this boy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-happen-to-this-boy/471980)
**Author:** [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-happen-to-this-boy/471980 "2008-11-10T20:59:05Z")
8-Year-Old Boy Charged in Double Homicide. What should happen to very young children who kill? Should it matter who is killed, or why? Do you think a child this young has the mental capacity for premeditated murder? … --- ## [Prayer doesn't work: Election 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209)
**Author:** [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prayer-doesnt-work-election-2008/471209 "2008-11-10T20:23:31Z")
Okay, so for all those efforts I saw online and on the news for people who were praying for a McCain victory, how do you answer his loss? For me, there are only two conclusions you can come to: a) prayer doesn’t work OR… --- ## [CA/AZ/FL Gay Marriage Balloting Reaction Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ca-az-fl-gay-marriage-balloting-reaction-thread/471073)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ca-az-fl-gay-marriage-balloting-reaction-thread/471073 "2008-11-10T18:57:20Z")
CA has Prop. 8, AZ has Prop. 102, and FL has Amendment 2. We won’t get results for a while, but I thought I’d create a thread for anyone who wants to talk about the issue as well as how the final results pan out. --- ## [Could the federal government ban state and local police forces?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-federal-government-ban-state-and-local-police-forces/471468)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-the-federal-government-ban-state-and-local-police-forces/471468 "2008-11-10T17:42:20Z")
U.S. Constitution, Article 1, Section 10, third clause: “Section 10, Clause 3 (Compact Clause): No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, en… --- ## [Open atheist for Senator](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-atheist-for-senator/471882)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/open-atheist-for-senator/471882 "2008-11-10T16:46:27Z")
Could an open atheist be elected Senator? Which state is most likely/least likely to elect an open atheist? Most: Minnesota Least: Utah [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=578) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=580)