# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=586 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 587 --- ## [Jesus loves bin Laden more than you love your children.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-loves-bin-laden-more-than-you-love-your-children/470305)
**Author:** [@Jesus\_Harold\_Christ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jesus_Harold_Christ)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jesus-loves-bin-laden-more-than-you-love-your-children/470305 "2008-10-31T19:44:48Z")
Would Christians accept the belief that Jesus loves bin Laden more than it is possible for a parent to love his child? --- ## [How would McCain, if elected, bring this country together?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-mccain-if-elected-bring-this-country-together/470283)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-mccain-if-elected-bring-this-country-together/470283 "2008-10-31T16:34:27Z")
In the spirit of this thread… Right now, McCain is on the ropes. It’s not a done deal for Barack, but it is an uphill climb for the GOP candidate. While some speculate that Obama might win it in a bigger fashion than … --- ## [Which of McCain or Obama is better for Israel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391)
**Author:** [@Just](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-of-mccain-or-obama-is-better-for-israel/470391 "2008-10-31T15:52:53Z")
As a non-American supporter of Israel who only gets limited coverage of the presidential race, can anyone tell me what differences lie in McCain’s and Obama’s policies on Israel? I’ve read Obama’s policies on Israel on … --- ## [Is This REAL Science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-real-science/469958)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-real-science/469958 "2008-10-31T14:17:57Z")
Researchers find species extinction in Thoreau’s notes: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/science/earth/28wald.html?pagewanted=2&ref=scienceI read this article, and I was surprised-the “scientists” didn’t balme George B… --- ## [What is the standard atheist response to this "proof" of God's existence?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-standard-atheist-response-to-this-proof-of-gods-existence/468773)
**Author:** [@CalD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalD)\ **Replies:** 260\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-standard-atheist-response-to-this-proof-of-gods-existence/468773 "2008-10-31T13:50:19Z")
Hi, I’m not really after a debate, which is why I am posting this here in GQ. I’m after a factual answer. One argument that I often see for the existence of God rests on an idea that states it’s impossible that an infi… --- ## [Will There Be Riots In The Streets & On the Campuses](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-in-the-streets-on-the-campuses/470055)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-in-the-streets-on-the-campuses/470055 "2008-10-31T13:26:46Z")
It Obama loses ? What a take away. I don’t think the young people would be able to handle it. --- ## [Obama's infomercial](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 230\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-infomercial/470113 "2008-10-31T12:26:57Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081029/pl\_politico/15056;\_ylt=AvUu\_o3ArZxWj9QFwuUqKHkDW7oF Does anybody else feel a bit uncomfortable with this? He’s got most of the broadcast stations, minus ABC on board for a 30 m… --- ## [Atheist Bus Campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-bus-campaign/469270)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-bus-campaign/469270 "2008-10-31T09:51:29Z")
The British Humanist Association has launched a campaign to put the slogan “There probably is no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.” on UK buses. I think this is a great idea. We could launch like-minded camp… --- ## [Local versus Federal Voter Regulations/Management](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-versus-federal-voter-regulations-management/469020)
**Author:** [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/local-versus-federal-voter-regulations-management/469020 "2008-10-31T07:08:56Z")
It’s my understanding that individual States (here in the US) and possibly even Counties/Districts/Cities have nearly complete control over what methods are used to vote, what methods are used to register and maintain vo… --- ## [How would Obama, if elected President, tear this country apart?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-obama-if-elected-president-tear-this-country-apart/467802)
**Author:** [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-obama-if-elected-president-tear-this-country-apart/467802 "2008-10-31T05:52:07Z")
I just finished a conversation with an older relative of mine who made this assertion several times that if elected President, Obama would tear this country apart. How would this work? By what mechanism would he tear it … --- ## [Why do we keep insisting that racists are a tiny, insiginificant minority?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-keep-insisting-that-racists-are-a-tiny-insiginificant-minority/469512)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 152\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-we-keep-insisting-that-racists-are-a-tiny-insiginificant-minority/469512 "2008-10-31T05:21:32Z")
Yeah, I know. Yet another thread about race and racism. One of our favorite subjects. I promise this isn’t just about Republicans. My question is genuine, though. Throughout this campaign season the media (including… --- ## [Resolved: Obama is a capitalist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-obama-is-a-capitalist/470298)
**Author:** [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-obama-is-a-capitalist/470298 "2008-10-31T04:07:47Z")
McCain and Obama both support free enterprise. They also both clearly support a progressive tax system, but argue about where to draw certain lines: a progressive tax system meaning wealthy people expected to contribute … --- ## [Illuminatiprimus—What's with that weird link in your signature?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illuminatiprimus-whats-with-that-weird-link-in-your-signature/468855)
**Author:** [@Vox\_Imperatoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vox_Imperatoris)\ **Replies:** 135\ **Last updated:** [October 31, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/illuminatiprimus-whats-with-that-weird-link-in-your-signature/468855 "2008-10-31T03:11:47Z")
What is the deal with that link you have to some organization called the “Vampire Temple” that appears to be a huge scam to get people to give them lots of money to learn “valuable secrets”? Is it some kind of joke? Fro… --- ## [Armed raid into Syria](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-raid-into-syria/469755)
**Author:** [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/armed-raid-into-syria/469755 "2008-10-30T22:51:23Z")
By what right do we mount armed raids into Syria? Are we at war with Syria? Did I miss the memo? Or is it simply the assumption by the current administration that we can do any damned thing we choose because what can the… --- ## [Why don't voting Machine count properly?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-voting-machine-count-properly/470104)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-voting-machine-count-properly/470104 "2008-10-30T20:10:51Z")
I just want the machines to count for whoever the voter intended. is that asking too damn much? This video shows the machines do not work properly. That is inexcusable . --- ## [John McCain and Barack Obama NOT Qualified to Be President?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-and-barack-obama-not-qualified-to-be-president/470044)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-and-barack-obama-not-qualified-to-be-president/470044 "2008-10-30T18:24:16Z")
Just to first clarify what the U.S. Constitution has to say on the matter: U.S. Constitution, Art. 2, Sect. 1 Okay, now why they are both not allegedly qualified to be president. McCain was allegedly born in Panama, B… --- ## [Why no "bias" accusations when newspapers endorse a candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-bias-accusations-when-newspapers-endorse-a-candidate/470157)
**Author:** [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-bias-accusations-when-newspapers-endorse-a-candidate/470157 "2008-10-30T18:22:33Z")
Why can newspapers endorse candidates without seeming biased but if a newschannel were to do the same the other side would inmediately consider anything reported by them invalid? --- ## [The Urban Archhipelago and the future of the two parties](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-urban-archhipelago-and-the-future-of-the-two-parties/469849)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-urban-archhipelago-and-the-future-of-the-two-parties/469849 "2008-10-30T17:20:10Z")
In the McCain Forked thread I had posted a link to a bit about newspaper endorsements and expressed admiration for the observation made there about how (Linked to in my post #566) Cervaise then (in post #567) referred… --- ## [Gimme the moron's translation of this economics paper (voting)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gimme-the-morons-translation-of-this-economics-paper-voting/469957)
**Author:** [@Influential\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Influential_Panda)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gimme-the-morons-translation-of-this-economics-paper-voting/469957 "2008-10-30T14:59:55Z")
http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~gelman/research/published/rational\_final6.pdf I kind of get it, but there’s a lot of loaded terminology that I don’t think I fully understand. Can someone translate this into moron speak? --- ## [Why is it unfair for the poor to be tax exempt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-unfair-for-the-poor-to-be-tax-exempt/469773)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 127\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-unfair-for-the-poor-to-be-tax-exempt/469773 "2008-10-30T14:10:00Z")
Something I’ve seen when discussing the notion of Obama’s tax policy is that it’s ‘unfair’. I don’t understand why it’s unfair when the unequal distribution of wealth is so unfair. Generally I find when people are usin… --- ## [A model of knowledge of the existance of god](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-model-of-knowledge-of-the-existance-of-god/470210)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-model-of-knowledge-of-the-existance-of-god/470210 "2008-10-30T11:46:17Z")
Say I have two urns: One is filled with numbered green balls, all of which lie in the range of 1 to 100. The other is filled with numbered red balls all of which lie in the range of 1 to 500. I draw a sequence of ball… --- ## [Why is the MSM and some in GOP gearing up for a Republican loss already?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-msm-and-some-in-gop-gearing-up-for-a-republican-loss-already/470080)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-the-msm-and-some-in-gop-gearing-up-for-a-republican-loss-already/470080 "2008-10-30T10:54:07Z")
Flipping on NPR this morning I heard, of all people, Rush Limbaugh talking about gearing upfor a republican loss. Further commentary came from California Republican legislature rep Jim Brulte who said he is basically t… --- ## [Is the relative boringness of Democratic candidates the determinative factor?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-relative-boringness-of-democratic-candidates-the-determinative-factor/470095)
**Author:** [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-relative-boringness-of-democratic-candidates-the-determinative-factor/470095 "2008-10-30T09:53:04Z")
Perhaps this works on all candidates, but it is beginning to become clear to me that one factor, if not the determinative factor, of the success of a Democratic candidate appears to be their perceived boringness. The mo… --- ## [European currency collapse, and the economy in general...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-currency-collapse-and-the-economy-in-general/469885)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/european-currency-collapse-and-the-economy-in-general/469885 "2008-10-30T08:04:01Z")
The Telegraph thinks so. What will happen if the fears of the article come true? What sort of ripple effect can we expect here in the States? I’d also like to ask a more general question: for some reason, it seems to … --- ## [At what point do we start penalizing China?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-do-we-start-penalizing-china/469956)
**Author:** [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-do-we-start-penalizing-china/469956 "2008-10-30T05:43:24Z")
More poison for the kids. Sure it’s only Canada, but come on. Is the Chinese government incapable of establishing and enforcing quality control for food products? And is the US so impotent in our trade agreements with… --- ## [Why Won't Any Economist Defend McCain's Economic Policy in a N California debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-any-economist-defend-mccains-economic-policy-in-a-n-california-debate/469668)
**Author:** [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-any-economist-defend-mccains-economic-policy-in-a-n-california-debate/469668 "2008-10-30T04:14:25Z")
…at least against Brad DeLong. Stanford University contains the conservative think tank, the Hoover Institution. Why have 2 conservatives backed out of public debate on economics against Brad DeLong? Kevin Hassett re… --- ## [Palin is a collectivist socialist.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-is-a-collectivist-socialist/469862)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [October 30, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-is-a-collectivist-socialist/469862 "2008-10-30T01:18:08Z")
New Yorker McCain is, unsurprisingly, a “socialist” too, by his own definition. From the same article: Incidentally, the article also points out that (according to McCain/Palin), the difference between capitalism and… --- ## [Iran threatens a "pre-emptive strike" against Israel](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-threatens-a-pre-emptive-strike-against-israel/469100)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-threatens-a-pre-emptive-strike-against-israel/469100 "2008-10-29T23:46:55Z")
Link. Will Israel pre-empt that pre-emption? Should Israel do so? If Israel is hit first what would happen? If Israel hits first, after this statement, what would happen? --- ## [The Mainstream Non-Biased Media](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mainstream-non-biased-media/469695)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 121\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-mainstream-non-biased-media/469695 "2008-10-29T23:11:27Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/14951 Particularly, this quote: "I guarantee you that two weeks from now, you will see this has been a very close race, and I believe that I’m going to win it,” McCain told interim “Mee… --- ## [Cameras and absentee ballots eliminate "secret" ballots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cameras-and-absentee-ballots-eliminate-secret-ballots/470144)
**Author:** [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 29, 2008, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cameras-and-absentee-ballots-eliminate-secret-ballots/470144 "2008-10-29T22:58:15Z")
There have been a lot of voting threads recently ('tis the season), and one of the issues people have brought up is being able to have a receipt of some sort to prove to yourself that your vote was counted correctly. Thi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=585) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=587)