# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=585 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 586 --- ## [McCain/Palin schwag: union bugs?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-palin-schwag-union-bugs/470623)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-palin-schwag-union-bugs/470623 "2008-11-02T10:03:44Z")
I haven’t seen any McCain/Palin campaign materials close-up. However, most if not all official Obama printed materials, bumper stickers, signs, and other goodies have union bugs on them. Same thing with McCain material… --- ## [The case of Hamelin v. Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-hamelin-v-piper/470502)
**Author:** [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-case-of-hamelin-v-piper/470502 "2008-11-02T06:30:58Z")
WHEREAS the plaintiff, hereafter known as the Mayor of Hamelin, declares that the defendant, one P. Piper, has absconded with one or more non-adult inhabitants of said town of Hamelin; AND, whereas the defendant declare… --- ## [Maxwell's Demon and cosmology](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maxwells-demon-and-cosmology/470659)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/maxwells-demon-and-cosmology/470659 "2008-11-02T06:29:22Z")
Maxwell’s Demon is a concept originally introduced in the study of thermodynamics, to determine if the 2nd law of thermodynamics could in principle be broken. It posited an intelligent agency that could interact with mat… --- ## [Obama will give a bigger tax cut to most taxpayers than McCain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-will-give-a-bigger-tax-cut-to-most-taxpayers-than-mccain/470547)
**Author:** [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-will-give-a-bigger-tax-cut-to-most-taxpayers-than-mccain/470547 "2008-11-02T05:44:06Z")
This article has a nice chart and for households making less than 111,000, you will get a bigger tax cut from Obama. So although McCain has a bigger overall tax cut, it’s so concentrated on the wealthy that a large maj… --- ## [Is crime a necessity for society to grew and evolve for the better?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crime-a-necessity-for-society-to-grew-and-evolve-for-the-better/470477)
**Author:** [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-crime-a-necessity-for-society-to-grew-and-evolve-for-the-better/470477 "2008-11-02T02:56:36Z")
Is crime a good thing? I guess our dream world would be a Utopia but when i think about crime I think about things like say Rosa Parks, Rodney King, Mandela. Does that make crime a good thing? Even a lot of modern scienc… --- ## [Have tribal casinos helped tribe members overall?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-tribal-casinos-helped-tribe-members-overall/470078)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-tribal-casinos-helped-tribe-members-overall/470078 "2008-11-02T02:09:03Z")
Native Americans have, I’ve read, higher-than-average rates of alcoholism and unemployment. Have the tribal casinos, and all the money sloshing through them, done anything to actually alleviate the social ills of reserv… --- ## [Holy Water](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-water/470639)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/holy-water/470639 "2008-11-02T00:47:36Z")
What is holy water? Does it have magic powers? Once made holy is it always holy, even if pissed or shit out? What percentage of the Earth’s water is holy? Does it lose holiness as it mixes with the moisture in the air? A… --- ## [Are McCain’s campaign/volunteer offices relatively empty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-mccain-s-campaign-volunteer-offices-relatively-empty/470616)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-mccain-s-campaign-volunteer-offices-relatively-empty/470616 "2008-11-02T00:38:57Z")
A lot of posters have been quoting 538’s reports that talk of virtually deserted McCain offices, especially in comparison to the bustle of Obama’s. Are there other (reputable) sources besides 538 that have noticed this?… --- ## [Is present U.S. immigration pressure any different from earlier waves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-present-u-s-immigration-pressure-any-different-from-earlier-waves/469381)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [November 2, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-present-u-s-immigration-pressure-any-different-from-earlier-waves/469381 "2008-11-02T00:34:35Z")
Inspired by this post by LonesomePolecat, who contends it is, at least in scale and numbers, and therefore threatens to strain our economic and public infrastructure and “swamp the boat.” (In the same thread LP also war… --- ## [Obama....is the well too poisoned for an October Surprise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-the-well-too-poisoned-for-an-october-surprise/470507)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-is-the-well-too-poisoned-for-an-october-surprise/470507 "2008-11-01T22:21:29Z")
Was reading this article on CNN and it got me to thinking about the last paragraph: But really, after all the dippy shit that has been thrown at Obama, isn’t it too late for such a revelation? Would it even be believe… --- ## [PALIN: The Reagan Effect?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-the-reagan-effect/470237)
**Author:** [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-the-reagan-effect/470237 "2008-11-01T20:21:08Z")
Regarding Palin as “the future of The Republican Party,” as the current meme describes her, my first reaction is: “WTG! Hooray!! She’s such a polarizing figure, such an airheaded ideologue, plainly incompetent, almost as… --- ## [Election polls if the media were totally objective and even-handed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-polls-if-the-media-were-totally-objective-and-even-handed/469898)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-polls-if-the-media-were-totally-objective-and-even-handed/469898 "2008-11-01T19:48:53Z")
After hearing and reading the endless complaints about how the media is “in the tank” for Obama, about how they pound and pound on McCain and Palin and treat Obama and Biden with kid gloves, that made me wonder something… --- ## [Is It Time for Bankers to Apologize?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-bankers-to-apologize/468767)
**Author:** [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-for-bankers-to-apologize/468767 "2008-11-01T18:43:25Z")
According to an article I saw today there’s some feeling that despite the risk that an admission of fault might bring in litigation, the investment banking industry could regain trust more quickly if they were to admit c… --- ## [Does Middle America distrust intellectuals and why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-middle-america-distrust-intellectuals-and-why/470478)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-middle-america-distrust-intellectuals-and-why/470478 "2008-11-01T18:27:50Z")
I am more or less defining “Middle America” as your typical white, conservative, middle income, small town or suburban American who tends to vote Republican and is scared by Democrats and Liberals. What I’ve observed is… --- ## [Is anyone expressing excitement over having McCain as president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-expressing-excitement-over-having-mccain-as-president/470483)
**Author:** [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-anyone-expressing-excitement-over-having-mccain-as-president/470483 "2008-11-01T15:29:21Z")
I read about lots of people saying that they are excited over the possibility of Obama being elected president. I read about lots of people saying that they would rather have McCain as president. I don’t remember anyone … --- ## [Obama may have already effectively won CO and NM. Chickens starting to hatch?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-have-already-effectively-won-co-and-nm-chickens-starting-to-hatch/470481)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-may-have-already-effectively-won-co-and-nm-chickens-starting-to-hatch/470481 "2008-11-01T14:46:53Z")
An interesting piece on FiveThirtyEight today. Obama may have effectively already won both Colorado and New Mexico: If these numbers are accurate, then NM and CO are essentially already locked up for Obama, not just in… --- ## [Florida Amendment 2: Gay Marriage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-amendment-2-gay-marriage/468611)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-amendment-2-gay-marriage/468611 "2008-11-01T13:56:13Z")
I’m surprised there isn’t more chatter about this. Amendment Two will be on the ballot Nov. 4 in FL and it will, in effect, amend the state constitution so that same sex marriage, or the equivalent (civil unions), are n… --- ## [Hawaii verifies Obama's Birth Certificate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-verifies-obamas-birth-certificate/470539)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hawaii-verifies-obamas-birth-certificate/470539 "2008-11-01T12:36:21Z")
It’s ridiculous that it had to come to this: Will this finally put an end to the wingnut nonsense about Obama’s citizenship? --- ## [Resolved: European socialism would not have happened without fear of a Red Revolution](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-european-socialism-would-not-have-happened-without-fear-of-a-red-revolution/470178)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-european-socialism-would-not-have-happened-without-fear-of-a-red-revolution/470178 "2008-11-01T10:30:35Z")
Western Europe is, apparently, happily socialist, in a small way: no Total Confiscation, no Ideological State, just heavily Green, well-unionized economies with Socialized Medicine & the like. This is the happy ending. … --- ## [Stealing bread for the family](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stealing-bread-for-the-family/470447)
**Author:** [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stealing-bread-for-the-family/470447 "2008-11-01T05:19:08Z")
We’re finally in a position at work now to take on some much needed additional help. We’ve got four (!!!) open positions in the department, and I’ve been tasked with doing the interviewing and making hiring decisions. Th… --- ## [Bucket Shops circa 1929](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bucket-shops-circa-1929/470347)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bucket-shops-circa-1929/470347 "2008-11-01T04:49:08Z")
Not long ago I was watching a news program discussing the outlawed bucket shops of old, their role in the crash of 1929, and comparing their role at that time to the present trading in some financial instruments. The im… --- ## [Why no love for Singapore’s health care system?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-singapore-s-health-care-system/470354)
**Author:** [@History\_Mystery\_and\_the\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/History_Mystery_and_the_Wolf)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-love-for-singapore-s-health-care-system/470354 "2008-11-01T04:40:45Z")
It’s pretty much accepted, from what this poor New Zealander can tell, that the US system of health provision is has problems. Huge amounts of money spent in ways that often result in poor outcomes. It also seems apparen… --- ## [LA Times protecting Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/la-times-protecting-obama/470218 "2008-11-01T04:26:48Z")
Story here About 5 years ago, Obama went to a dinner and praised former PLO spokesman Rashid Khalidi. The LA Times refuse to release the video and they claim it is because they made a promise to the source. If it wer… --- ## ["Joe the Plumber" Investigated](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-investigated/469964)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 114\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/joe-the-plumber-investigated/469964 "2008-11-01T04:10:24Z")
Makes sense to me. Now, it seems to me that some folks on the right are screaming about this invasion of privacy. Which would be fine if they had some kind of history of championing the rights of privacy, but it seems … --- ## ["How McCain Won" - a hypothetical Newsweek article...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-mccain-won-a-hypothetical-newsweek-article/470525)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [November 1, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-mccain-won-a-hypothetical-newsweek-article/470525 "2008-11-01T03:03:55Z")
… by Jonathan Alter. What do you think of his speculation? Could what he discusses be a major factor in what happens on Tuesday? If McCain DOES win, will/would the reasons be anything close to what he thinks? --- ## [Fighting for our Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-for-our-freedom/470039)
**Author:** [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fighting-for-our-freedom/470039 "2008-10-31T21:08:39Z")
Someone posted on a(n extremely) Conservative message board in response to another poster who stated he’s voted for Obama: So… The North Vietnamese were fighting to overthrow America and take away our freedoms? I hear… --- ## [On whom do Holocaust deniers blame the hoax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-whom-do-holocaust-deniers-blame-the-hoax/470269)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-whom-do-holocaust-deniers-blame-the-hoax/470269 "2008-10-31T21:02:59Z")
Now that Allan Gurfinkle has been banned and his thread safely locked and everybody who posted in it has (I hope) calmed down, I thought I’d indulge my curiosity about a question I posed him several times in that thread … --- ## [Western Europe and Socialism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/western-europe-and-socialism/470025)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/western-europe-and-socialism/470025 "2008-10-31T20:52:55Z")
Why do right wing commentators refer to Western Europe as socialistic? And why wouldn’t America want a higher stanard of living like Norway or Sweden? If these countries are embracing socialism it sure isn’t hurting. --- ## [Bin Laden Hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-hypothetical/470106)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bin-laden-hypothetical/470106 "2008-10-31T20:17:37Z")
Imagine we capture Bin Laden. On the plane flight back to the U.S. someone in the military decides on his own to push him out the emergency exit. Clearly this person is a murderer. He’d also very likely be considered a… --- ## [What is the best way to dramatically lessen greenhouse gas emissions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-dramatically-lessen-greenhouse-gas-emissions/470418)
**Author:** [@MindWanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindWanderer)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-best-way-to-dramatically-lessen-greenhouse-gas-emissions/470418 "2008-10-31T20:14:55Z")
One of the main things which has made me, and I’m sure many other people nervous about accepting Anthropogenic Global Warming, is the consequences. It seems like this is an extremist environmentalist’s dream now because … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=584) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=586)