# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=580 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 581 --- ## [Who will replace Obama & Biden in the Senate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-replace-obama-biden-in-the-senate/471731)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-replace-obama-biden-in-the-senate/471731 "2008-11-10T16:28:00Z")
Just wondering. Every state seems to have different procedures for mid-term replacement of a U.S. Senator. --- ## [Historical game changers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-game-changers/471740)
**Author:** [@New\_Beginning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/New_Beginning)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/historical-game-changers/471740 "2008-11-10T15:49:03Z")
What were the big historical game changers? By this I’m talking about things like the discovery of America, the abolition of slavery, freedom of religion… Inventions count too: certainly the invention of the automobile … --- ## [Seriously...how close did we come to Financial Armageddon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-how-close-did-we-come-to-financial-armageddon/471816)
**Author:** [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/seriously-how-close-did-we-come-to-financial-armageddon/471816 "2008-11-10T15:23:56Z")
Everyone knows that we are currently in the midst of the worst financial crisis since The Great Depression, and people are still very concerned about their IRA funds and whatnot. I’m in a position where I have no saving… --- ## [Is Satanism too bland?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-satanism-too-bland/471251)
**Author:** [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-satanism-too-bland/471251 "2008-11-10T14:26:31Z")
Satanists used to be the boogieman but I’m not sure they deserve that reputation. Sure, when Christianity was the norm, rejecting that gave you some street cred. But nowadays your average Christian only makes it to churc… --- ## [How hard should a constitution be to amend?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-should-a-constitution-be-to-amend/471758)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-hard-should-a-constitution-be-to-amend/471758 "2008-11-10T10:47:27Z")
How hard should a constitution be to amend? A written constitution isn’t just a law, it’s the fundamental law which determines how all other laws are to be enacted. Changing the fundamental law is usually a much mo… --- ## [Will there be massive public celebrations worldwide if Obama wins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027)
**Author:** [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-massive-public-celebrations-worldwide-if-obama-wins/470027 "2008-11-10T10:39:52Z")
Given how much Bush is hated across the world, do you think there will be dancing in the streets all over the world if his fellow Republican is defeated? --- ## [If McCain Had Chosen Anyone Reasonable for VP, he'd be President McCain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mccain-had-chosen-anyone-reasonable-for-vp-hed-be-president-mccain/471212)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 137\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-mccain-had-chosen-anyone-reasonable-for-vp-hed-be-president-mccain/471212 "2008-11-10T07:25:20Z")
I honestly believe that, for all the hype Lord Obama got, the presidential election was McCain’s to lose this summer. I am so glad that Obama won, I wanted him to win, I’m still all goose pimply and pinching myself that… --- ## [Would Hillary have won?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-hillary-have-won/471512)
**Author:** [@audient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audient)\ **Replies:** 49\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-hillary-have-won/471512 "2008-11-10T05:30:50Z")
My short answer - Yes. I don’t think she would have had as great a margin of victory. Obama carried 9(?) states over what Kerry did in 04. I think that a major part of that strong margin was anti-republican as opposed… --- ## [You did it. Congratulations.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-did-it-congratulations/471199)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [November 10, 2008, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-did-it-congratulations/471199 "2008-11-10T05:17:18Z")
God bless President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden. --- ## [Nader outpolls Barr -- why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nader-outpolls-barr-why/471807)
**Author:** [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nader-outpolls-barr-why/471807 "2008-11-09T23:05:03Z")
I meant to do this last week, but something about the Presidential election is still puzzling me: how did Ralph Nader get so many more votes than Bob Barr? Despite the fact that he was on fewer state ballots, Nader got 6… --- ## [Obama's race is mostly irrelevant, which makes his race a BFD.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-race-is-mostly-irrelevant-which-makes-his-race-a-bfd/471811)
**Author:** [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-race-is-mostly-irrelevant-which-makes-his-race-a-bfd/471811 "2008-11-09T22:37:05Z")
Maybe this will end up in the pit, but that’s not my hope. I’ve erupted into sobbing many times in the past several weeks. The paradox is that the greatest symbol of the success of the civil rights movement is manifest… --- ## [Women, revealing clothes, rape](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-revealing-clothes-rape/470670)
**Author:** [@Ted\_Y](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ted_Y)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/women-revealing-clothes-rape/470670 "2008-11-09T22:11:14Z")
I’m making this topic in hopes for a healthy debate on the relationship between the three things listed in the title and anything that might branch off from it. Comparisons with men would inevitably be included if people… --- ## [Scotus, Quo Vadis?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-quo-vadis/471253)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-quo-vadis/471253 "2008-11-09T21:52:37Z")
Who will be the first Supreme Court justice to resign? When? How many justices will Obama be able to appoint in the next few years, minimum? What’s a reasonable maximum for that number (IOW, what’s the total number of J… --- ## [Why did Truman's stature as President improve?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-trumans-stature-as-president-improve/471687)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [November 9, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-trumans-stature-as-president-improve/471687 "2008-11-09T00:49:08Z")
Some of those who say Bush will be viewed favorably in the future use Truman as example, because he also had low approval ratings while President but now is viewed as one of the better ones. Why is that? And could those… --- ## [Why not a "public works" bailout?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-a-public-works-bailout/471819)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-a-public-works-bailout/471819 "2008-11-08T22:42:48Z")
I’ve clearly shown my economic ignorance in the past. But I’m wondering why so much talk of responding to the current economic situation is aimed at bailing out financial institutions and the markets? It seems as tho d… --- ## [Am I turning into a fair taxer?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-turning-into-a-fair-taxer/471453)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-turning-into-a-fair-taxer/471453 "2008-11-08T22:11:03Z")
Having just filed my income taxes (after extension), I’m sort of resenting how the whole thing is set up, and thinking maybe there’s a better way. This year I made a lot more income than I need, and I’ll have to pay wa… --- ## [What major Western nation is next in line for a first minority prez/PM?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-major-western-nation-is-next-in-line-for-a-first-minority-prez-pm/471412)
**Author:** [@Crocodiles\_And\_Boulevards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crocodiles_And_Boulevards)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-major-western-nation-is-next-in-line-for-a-first-minority-prez-pm/471412 "2008-11-08T21:35:30Z")
Note that I’m taking a pretty broad definition of “major” here, but the kinds of countries I’m thinking about are the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, etc. Basically, countries with a strong legac… --- ## [How long's the honeymoon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-longs-the-honeymoon/471396)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-longs-the-honeymoon/471396 "2008-11-08T21:29:47Z")
When’s the earliest that Obama’s sincere (possibly naive) idealism is going to be tempered a little when he’s faced with his first lesser-of-2-evils compromise? I see this as inevitable, and so I don’t blame him for it; … --- ## [Palin 2012: Why a bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222)
**Author:** [@anamnesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anamnesis)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-2012-why-a-bad-thing/471222 "2008-11-08T21:28:22Z")
What’s the big deal with Palin '08? I know it’s mostly a stump piece for Pubbiegandists to amuse themselves with, but I say bring it on and let her run. If the Republican party could still possibly be so deluded as to … --- ## [The Church of LDS's Role in CA Prop 8: Endangering their tax-exempt status?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-church-of-ldss-role-in-ca-prop-8-endangering-their-tax-exempt-status/471747)
**Author:** [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-church-of-ldss-role-in-ca-prop-8-endangering-their-tax-exempt-status/471747 "2008-11-08T19:35:54Z")
I’ve always been unclear on the limits of official church activity with respect to political causes and maintaining their tax-exempt status, so this is as much a request for information as discussion. This is a proposed… --- ## [The Fate of the Republican Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fate-of-the-republican-party/471768)
**Author:** [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fate-of-the-republican-party/471768 "2008-11-08T17:48:49Z")
Disclaimer, right off the top: I’m unlikely to vote for the Republican Prez candidate against Obama’s reelection unless he screws up AND the Republicans offer someone appealing; and the last time I voted for a Republica… --- ## [Is Refusal to testify a Dead Giveaway of Guilt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-refusal-to-testify-a-dead-giveaway-of-guilt/471659)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-refusal-to-testify-a-dead-giveaway-of-guilt/471659 "2008-11-08T17:43:26Z")
Disgraced former FBI agent John Connely just lost -he was convicted by a miami jury of 2nd degree murder. My question: connely did not testify in his own defense. I tend to see this as an admission of guilt-what say yo… --- ## [What Broke the Solid Democratic South?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-broke-the-solid-democratic-south/471406)
**Author:** [@hobscrk777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hobscrk777)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-broke-the-solid-democratic-south/471406 "2008-11-08T15:53:22Z")
I’ve read through the Wikipedia article addressing this, but it didn’t answer the question to my satisfaction. I’m too young to have lived through the Southern shift from Democratic to Republican, so I’d like to appeal t… --- ## [Gun hobbyists: How worried are you post election? (me, not much)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-hobbyists-how-worried-are-you-post-election-me-not-much/471247)
**Author:** [@T\_SQUARE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T_SQUARE)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gun-hobbyists-how-worried-are-you-post-election-me-not-much/471247 "2008-11-08T13:42:12Z")
More from a stand point of direct effect on yourself than the broader issue of the 2nd amendment and the politics. Thought I’d see what the SDMB gun community had to say now that the results are in. On an AK board I vi… --- ## [What's David Plouffe going to do now?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-david-plouffe-going-to-do-now/471275)
**Author:** [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-david-plouffe-going-to-do-now/471275 "2008-11-08T13:11:42Z")
Will he have a position in the Obama administration? Or go back to managing other candidates’ campaigns? Or what? I’ve heard a lot about how brilliantly he managed Obama’s campaign, but not much about what’s next for hi… --- ## [The Mormon church doesn't allow people to visit. This bothers me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mormon-church-doesnt-allow-people-to-visit-this-bothers-me/471776)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mormon-church-doesnt-allow-people-to-visit-this-bothers-me/471776 "2008-11-08T12:59:20Z")
I’ve attended church services of several denominations. Let’s take the past ten years. I’ve attended a Methodist church, a United Church of Christ church, and an Episcopal church. Every single one of them has people at… --- ## [Fascinating Newsweek article (in which Palin goes rogue and Obama says the F-word)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fascinating-newsweek-article-in-which-palin-goes-rogue-and-obama-says-the-f-word/471327)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fascinating-newsweek-article-in-which-palin-goes-rogue-and-obama-says-the-f-word/471327 "2008-11-08T07:46:25Z")
Newsweek has a very intriguing article out today detailing some inside dope on both the McCain and the Obama campaigns that they’d been holding back until after the elction. The bit that’s likely to get the most play is … --- ## [Most absurdly ridiculous bald-faced political lies?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-absurdly-ridiculous-bald-faced-political-lies/471597)
**Author:** [@MightyDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MightyDave)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-absurdly-ridiculous-bald-faced-political-lies/471597 "2008-11-08T06:37:13Z")
As the US political cycle is now coming to an end, I started thinking today about how a politician will sometimes tell a lie that is so obviously false that it’s remarkable he can say it with a straight face. He knows h… --- ## [A Perfect Monetary System - Is it possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfect-monetary-system-is-it-possible/471654)
**Author:** [@EpicNonsense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EpicNonsense)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [November 8, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfect-monetary-system-is-it-possible/471654 "2008-11-08T03:28:44Z")
This question has bothered me for a long, long time. As well as many others. It must be possible but first we’d have to create a system and then figure out how to get it up and running. So, for the sake of a better world… --- ## [Whither John Kerry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-john-kerry/470766)
**Author:** [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 7, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whither-john-kerry/470766 "2008-11-07T22:16:27Z")
I was originally planning a thread about the losers this Wednesday. Either way, two ‘important’ American public figures will have to radically readjust their life-goals. So I started to reflect on earlier losers, and I… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=579) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=581)