# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=583 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 584 --- ## [Drudge: Exit polls show big Obama Win](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drudge-exit-polls-show-big-obama-win/471163)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2008, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drudge-exit-polls-show-big-obama-win/471163 "2008-11-05T00:27:09Z")
www.drudgereport.com The exit polls also show Obama +15 in PA, and the Dems with 58 Senate seats… --- ## [Obama and the Art of War? is he following Sun Tzu?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-the-art-of-war-is-he-following-sun-tzu/470815)
**Author:** [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-the-art-of-war-is-he-following-sun-tzu/470815 "2008-11-04T23:33:52Z")
I am rereading the art of war and couldnt help but notice that Obama seems to be following quite a bit of the ideas contained therein. anyone else? --- ## [Third Party Candidates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-party-candidates/468905)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-party-candidates/468905 "2008-11-04T23:17:22Z")
I got my sample ballot today and will vote tomorrow. Here are all of the Presidential and Vice Presidential choices on my ballot: John McCain REP Sarah Palin Barack Obama DEM Joe Biden Gloria La Riva PSL Euge… --- ## [Is Joe Lieberman a Democrat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-lieberman-a-democrat/470442)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-joe-lieberman-a-democrat/470442 "2008-11-04T23:07:20Z")
This has come up a few times, so I thought it might make for a debate. To my thinking, Joe Lieberman is a Democrat. He calls himself a Democrat. He caucuses with the Democrats. He votes (generally) like a Democrat. … --- ## [Could you be friends with a slave-owner?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-friends-with-a-slave-owner/470918)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-you-be-friends-with-a-slave-owner/470918 "2008-11-04T22:55:03Z")
How would you react if you learned that one of your friends owned a slave or slaves? Inspired, in the very loosest sense of the word, by the Master’s latest column. Here’s some scenarios. You may, of course, add your … --- ## [Official Voting Day Irregularities Thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-voting-day-irregularities-thread/471138)
**Author:** [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-voting-day-irregularities-thread/471138 "2008-11-04T22:45:59Z")
Inspired by the It’s Officially Election Day thread, there a few few posts in it claiming voting irregularities. Rather than hijack that thread and get lost in the posts, lets put them here. There is only one rule - If… --- ## [Is there a problem with this method of electronic ballot?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-problem-with-this-method-of-electronic-ballot/471047)
**Author:** [@Punintentional](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punintentional)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-problem-with-this-method-of-electronic-ballot/471047 "2008-11-04T22:44:24Z")
Everyone casts their vote on a computer Everyone gets a slip of paper printed off from his voting machine saying “You voted \_\_\_\_(the specific details of his vote, involing all the local votes etc)” 3)Once the “print of… --- ## [McCain not as forked as the McCain Forked thread, but still forked](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951)
**Author:** [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Replies:** 1196\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-not-as-forked-as-the-mccain-forked-thread-but-still-forked/466951 "2008-11-04T22:16:26Z")
After the Second Presidential Debate earlier tonight, and looking at the electoral maps (let’s just say www.electoral-vote.com and www.fivethirtyeight.com as two that had Obama at over 340 EVs and moving up today) and cu… --- ## [New NIST Report On WTC 7 - Change Anybody's Mind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-nist-report-on-wtc-7-change-anybodys-mind/460897)
**Author:** [@Valgard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valgard)\ **Replies:** 171\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-nist-report-on-wtc-7-change-anybodys-mind/460897 "2008-11-04T22:10:42Z")
(Inspired by the Flight 800 thread) After a three year study, here’s links to NIST’s report: http://www.nist.gov/public\_affairs/releases/wtc082108.html Executive summary: Fires weakened structural members which coll… --- ## [Scenarios under which McCain may win](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenarios-under-which-mccain-may-win/470932)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scenarios-under-which-mccain-may-win/470932 "2008-11-04T21:45:25Z")
Given the latest polls, it is highly unlikely for McCain to win. But not impossible. I’m trying to enumerate all the scenarios which might lead to a McCain victory, and try to assign the likelihood of each The polls a… --- ## [100th Anniversary of Roe v Wade](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100th-anniversary-of-roe-v-wade/471104)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100th-anniversary-of-roe-v-wade/471104 "2008-11-04T21:19:32Z")
The hypothetical year is 2073. On January 22, Dr. I. N. Stein calls a press conference to make an announcement that causes a firestorm of contraversy across the United States. Dr. Stein has been running an OB/GYN clin… --- ## [Dirty Election Tricks from Democrats?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-election-tricks-from-democrats/470773)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dirty-election-tricks-from-democrats/470773 "2008-11-04T21:04:44Z")
Here is a story about various tricks trying to discourage people from voting. Unless I misread something, every single trick in the story was orchestrated by republicans. I am curious to know what similar kinds of thin… --- ## [Sarah Palin Pranked; Thinks She's Talking to the President of France](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-pranked-thinks-shes-talking-to-the-president-of-france/470876)
**Author:** [@Catchy\_Wins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catchy_Wins)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-pranked-thinks-shes-talking-to-the-president-of-france/470876 "2008-11-04T20:52:57Z")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV\_IphAIGPg This is hilarious… Here’s the debate… does her sounding like an idiot at this point have any effect on the election? I would assume that everyone already knows she’s an idiot … --- ## [France set to cut off Internet access for file sharing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-set-to-cut-off-internet-access-for-file-sharing/470895)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/france-set-to-cut-off-internet-access-for-file-sharing/470895 "2008-11-04T20:47:36Z")
Per the BBC: Is this a better approach to suing individuals and trying to scare the populace away from sharing? Is it overkill (akin to suspending the driving licenses of anyone who drove to/from a crime)? The article … --- ## [What's the future of American politics without the Soviet boogy man?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-future-of-american-politics-without-the-soviet-boogy-man/470930)
**Author:** [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-future-of-american-politics-without-the-soviet-boogy-man/470930 "2008-11-04T20:46:19Z")
Okay here’s my thoughts: Okay so our newest generation of voters have no living memory of before the Berlin wall. To whom “Better dead then Red” sounds more like commentary of the red and blue state map then the threat … --- ## [Will Choosing Palin Negatively Effect Future GOP Female Candidates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-choosing-palin-negatively-effect-future-gop-female-candidates/470732)
**Author:** [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-choosing-palin-negatively-effect-future-gop-female-candidates/470732 "2008-11-04T20:42:51Z")
IOW, will the choice of her, in all her glory, make the GOP hesitant to pick other women for VP etc in future? There are many qualified and able Republican female office holders (I’m much too lazy today to make a list).… --- ## [Canadians: Liberal Party Leadership](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadians-liberal-party-leadership/468084)
**Author:** [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canadians-liberal-party-leadership/468084 "2008-11-04T20:32:01Z")
No doubt the knives will come out in the Liberal Party, following the dismal showing in the election. Dion’s days are numbered, he is widely blamed for a lackluster campaign. Who will replace him? I know the frontrunner… --- ## [On human cloning](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-human-cloning/470769)
**Author:** [@Ted\_Y](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ted_Y)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-human-cloning/470769 "2008-11-04T18:05:27Z")
Under current (publicized) technology, I know that human cloning may have many risks and flaws including genetic damage. It’d also be sure that the clone would be a separate individual with identical DNA, the same as ide… --- ## [Interesting theory: "heavy turnout favors McCain"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-theory-heavy-turnout-favors-mccain/471071)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesting-theory-heavy-turnout-favors-mccain/471071 "2008-11-04T16:56:54Z")
… Because the higher the general turnout, the more it negates the enthusiasm and energy advantage Obama supporters have. I hadn’t seen this theory espoused before (though I could be mistaken). Thoughts? --- ## [The bright side of Hell: your candidate loses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bright-side-of-hell-your-candidate-loses/470970)
**Author:** [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bright-side-of-hell-your-candidate-loses/470970 "2008-11-04T15:55:18Z")
Prolly should have started this thread two weeks ago. Oh well. After spending six months more-or-less missing out on the whole political thing, it’s been a bit jarring to come back to the stretch run. Talking with fre… --- ## [At its root, is homophobia sexism?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-its-root-is-homophobia-sexism/470475)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-its-root-is-homophobia-sexism/470475 "2008-11-04T15:31:21Z")
I saw a quote by openly gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson that intrigued me: “At its root, the hatred of gays is driven by a hatred and second-class status of women.” Upon hearing it, I immediately felt “Oh, that’s so… --- ## [If Obama's tax plan is socialist, then why isn't McCains?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obamas-tax-plan-is-socialist-then-why-isnt-mccains/470286)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obamas-tax-plan-is-socialist-then-why-isnt-mccains/470286 "2008-11-04T14:53:17Z")
On some other forums I frequent with less… intellectual rigor, a lot of McCain supporters have jumped on the “Obama is a socialist” bandwagon. Fueled, specifically, by the “spread the wealth around” comment. He’s going… --- ## [Would McCain have won the election if he'd chosen Tom Ridge as Veep?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mccain-have-won-the-election-if-hed-chosen-tom-ridge-as-veep/470947)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-mccain-have-won-the-election-if-hed-chosen-tom-ridge-as-veep/470947 "2008-11-04T13:54:58Z")
With the way the electoral map has shaken out and the way the Palin selection has been received would a Tom Ridge choice by McCain for VP have been a master stroke that could have delivered the election for McCain?\* Pal… --- ## [what do you think about this philosophical statement?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-about-this-philosophical-statement/470262)
**Author:** [@petew83](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petew83)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-about-this-philosophical-statement/470262 "2008-11-04T13:44:14Z")
“the abyss that separates any conflicting philosophical systems precludes any use of argumentum ad rem; for to appeal to evidence in attacking a position that claims to include all the evidence is to beg the question. Th… --- ## [Are these hostile liberals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-hostile-liberals/470531)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-these-hostile-liberals/470531 "2008-11-04T09:33:35Z")
A reporter went to the Upper West Side of Manhattan to campaign for McCain. After he concluded the report here were some of the reactions: Then I watched the video. What the fuck? First off, these fart monkeys are ab… --- ## [So, how is the McCain 72-hour final effort going?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-is-the-mccain-72-hour-final-effort-going/470832)
**Author:** [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-how-is-the-mccain-72-hour-final-effort-going/470832 "2008-11-04T07:51:08Z")
I’ve donated more than 60 hours to doing office work and data entry at the Kansas City Obama campaign headquarters, witnessed every computer, telephone and desk space occupied so much that three satellite offices have ha… --- ## [Were the Valkyrie conspirators "good guys"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-valkyrie-conspirators-good-guys/471002)
**Author:** [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-the-valkyrie-conspirators-good-guys/471002 "2008-11-04T05:47:15Z")
(Putting this in Great Debates because, well, “good guys” is a debatable term.) I’m not terribly familiar with the Valkyrie plot to kill Hitler. I know it was led by senior Germany Army officers, and that they were unha… --- ## [More cynical Democrats - What's the upshot of an Obama presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-cynical-democrats-whats-the-upshot-of-an-obama-presidency/470738)
**Author:** [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-cynical-democrats-whats-the-upshot-of-an-obama-presidency/470738 "2008-11-04T05:21:59Z")
I rarely venture into GD, so feel free to link to any similar threads. I ask this not as a Republican troll, but as someone who is woefully underinformed about politics, and carries the South Park view that we are choos… --- ## [How long could the Soviet Union have lasted?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-the-soviet-union-have-lasted/460785)
**Author:** [@Buran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buran)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-could-the-soviet-union-have-lasted/460785 "2008-11-04T04:43:05Z")
I realise that this is a very open question but I do recall reading that in the economic sense at least the USSR collapsed just before computers and the rise of the internet made their centrally planned economy a viable … --- ## [Election Day procedures - time to amend the Constitution?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-procedures-time-to-amend-the-constitution/470871)
**Author:** [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [November 4, 2008, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-procedures-time-to-amend-the-constitution/470871 "2008-11-04T04:39:00Z")
In the “McCain is forked” thread, a discussion has broken out about Election Day procedures, which are (a) currently controlled at the state/local level, and (b) pretty nonsensical. The fact that there are people out the… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=582) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=584)