# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=589 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 590 --- ## [Animal-Human Embryo Hybrids](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-human-embryo-hybrids/469266)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [October 25, 2008, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/animal-human-embryo-hybrids/469266 "2008-10-25T13:44:37Z")
The lower house of Parliment(UK) has approved the creation of human animal hybrid embryos for scientific stem cell research. Of course, the usual suspects, religious groups, are in an uproar about it. The process invol… --- ## [Where's the debate about what Biden said re Obama being tested?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-debate-about-what-biden-said-re-obama-being-tested/469194)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2008, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wheres-the-debate-about-what-biden-said-re-obama-being-tested/469194 "2008-10-24T20:22:10Z")
No cite… I heard it with my own ears on the radio. Surely you’ve heard it by now… unless you get your news from NBC because apparently they won’t play it. Biden, in his blustering way, said to “mark his words” Obama wi… --- ## [Obama temporarily leaving the campaign trail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834)
**Author:** [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834 "2008-10-24T17:37:36Z")
…to be with his seriously ill grandmother. At least he’s doing it for a very good reason, and not for political grandstanding. I think this will help him (at least among grandmothers). The more people learn about his … --- ## [The holocaust is a hoax .....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holocaust-is-a-hoax/469339)
**Author:** [@Allan\_Gurfinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allan_Gurfinkle)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holocaust-is-a-hoax/469339 "2008-10-24T13:16:04Z")
This is a continuation of the thread I started yesterday … It was locked by the moderator, who wrote … “As I told the OP five or so pages ago, this is supposed to be Great Debates, not a place to throw down urls and ru… --- ## [Have any noted "free market, deregulation" advocates changed their tune?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-noted-free-market-deregulation-advocates-changed-their-tune/467252)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2008, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-any-noted-free-market-deregulation-advocates-changed-their-tune/467252 "2008-10-24T08:07:53Z")
Since the Reagan years we have heard a lot from the free market advocates. They want deregulation and “government off their backs”. “Let the market set the rules.” Since the financial meltdown, which I attribute a lot t… --- ## [Obamamania – Does Obama knowingly hypnotize his followers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamamania-does-obama-knowingly-hypnotize-his-followers/469179)
**Author:** [@Aquila\_Be](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquila_Be)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2008, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamamania-does-obama-knowingly-hypnotize-his-followers/469179 "2008-10-24T04:56:06Z")
Warning – 67 page PDF. As someone from afar who hasn’t seen Obama for more than a few seconds on TV, or paid much attention to the US election, I’ve been a bit baffled at how someone with such a limited number of actual… --- ## [The holocaust is a hoax ....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holocaust-is-a-hoax/469204)
**Author:** [@Allan\_Gurfinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Allan_Gurfinkle)\ **Replies:** 318\ **Last updated:** [October 24, 2008, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-holocaust-is-a-hoax/469204 "2008-10-24T04:28:15Z")
A short proof that the holocaust , that is, that millions were killed in gas chambers, is a hoax, follows. For the crime of murder we need a body and a weapon. The US sent teams of forensic pathologists into the camps … --- ## [Sarah Palin and Alaska Separatists.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-and-alaska-separatists/469130)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-and-alaska-separatists/469130 "2008-10-23T23:53:28Z")
\I know this is not GD. But I just have to say the so-called “liberal” media has been beating on Barack Obama something fierce. But almost nothing negative has been said about John McCain or Sarah Palin. And don’… --- ## [McCain loses. Who's next?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-loses-whos-next/467934)
**Author:** [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-loses-whos-next/467934 "2008-10-23T22:31:15Z")
It seems McCain is headed for a loss in a few weeks. Now I know it’s way early, but I’m given to wondering who the Republican contenders will be in 2012. Palin: Hugely popular with super-conservatives, but thought of as… --- ## [Can somebody explain this McCain ad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-this-mccain-ad/469243)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-somebody-explain-this-mccain-ad/469243 "2008-10-23T19:19:47Z")
So I’m watching TV last night, awaiting the dramatic conclusion of a Simpsons rerun, when a commercial starts. The scene is in a shoddy replica of the Oval Office, with the camera focusing on the President’s desk. Narr… --- ## [Let's hear no more about the liberal media](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-hear-no-more-about-the-liberal-media/468953)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-hear-no-more-about-the-liberal-media/468953 "2008-10-23T19:03:05Z")
First, let me state flatly that this is not intended to be the 347,865,292,857th thread about whether or not the media has a liberal bias. It is, rather, an attempt to expose what the Republicans are really saying when … --- ## [The LW deserves to win the "Culture War" all the way, once and for all](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lw-deserves-to-win-the-culture-war-all-the-way-once-and-for-all/468265)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 139\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-lw-deserves-to-win-the-culture-war-all-the-way-once-and-for-all/468265 "2008-10-23T18:57:38Z")
Three years ago I posted this thread arguing that, for purely strategic reasons, the Dems should downplay cultural liberalism and embrace economic populism. And the Obama campaign seems to be doing that with some succes… --- ## [Canada looks to Europe in anticipation of Obama protectionism](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-looks-to-europe-in-anticipation-of-obama-protectionism/468800)
**Author:** [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/canada-looks-to-europe-in-anticipation-of-obama-protectionism/468800 "2008-10-23T18:45:19Z")
or so says WSJ. What is Obama’s plans with NAFTA? He has previously threatened to withdraw the USA as a way to force Canada and Mexico to make concessions. Is this merely bluster? Do the SDMB Obama voters agree that N… --- ## [Is it OK to cheat on your expense account (and I mean big time). Her initials are SP.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-cheat-on-your-expense-account-and-i-mean-big-time-her-initials-are-sp/468949)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ok-to-cheat-on-your-expense-account-and-i-mean-big-time-her-initials-are-sp/468949 "2008-10-23T18:44:22Z")
This story from the AP: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081021/ap\_on\_el\_pr/palin\_family\_travel I guess this is what counts as “executive experience”. When Wal-Mart found out that their ex-CEO did stuff like that they pres… --- ## [Is the US in for a spanking at the G20 Financial Summit in November?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-in-for-a-spanking-at-the-g20-financial-summit-in-november/469176)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-us-in-for-a-spanking-at-the-g20-financial-summit-in-november/469176 "2008-10-23T18:35:00Z")
Story here. G20 nations to meet and discuss how the US screwed us all, and how to prevent this from happening again (paraphrasing). --- ## [Where is the conservative outrage on McCain/Palin's geographic warfare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-conservative-outrage-on-mccain-palins-geographic-warfare/468922)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-is-the-conservative-outrage-on-mccain-palins-geographic-warfare/468922 "2008-10-23T18:25:55Z")
Link This is a snippet of one of Palin and other McCain surrogates favorite themes. I’m happy to provide more links, upon request. I didn’t see any of the big conservative names on the Virginia-specific Pit thread on… --- ## [Colin Powell endorses Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama/468636)
**Author:** [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Replies:** 192\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama/468636 "2008-10-23T14:24:24Z")
On Meet the Press right now Colin Powell just endorsed Obama in a terrific speech outlining the failures of the McCain campaign and the successes of the Obama campaign. To those supporting McCain, does this change your … --- ## [The Comprehensive Argument Against Barack Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-comprehensive-argument-against-barack-obama/469005)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-comprehensive-argument-against-barack-obama/469005 "2008-10-23T13:54:03Z")
It’s an opinion piece that’s being lauded in conservative pundit circles. I thought it’d be interesting, given the attention it’s gotten among those who agree with it, to give it an airing in a forum built on debate tha… --- ## [Conservatives...what will/should the Republicans do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-what-will-should-the-republicans-do/468451)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-what-will-should-the-republicans-do/468451 "2008-10-23T13:16:56Z")
Not sure if this question has been asked of the boards small remaining conservative types, but what do you think the Republican’s will do assuming McCain loses in November AND assuming Republican numbers continue to dwin… --- ## [Resolved: American Coins are Pig-Ugly](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-american-coins-are-pig-ugly/468873)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resolved-american-coins-are-pig-ugly/468873 "2008-10-23T11:27:43Z")
I wish I had enough talent to design a set of alternative coins for the United States. But being talentless, all I can do is rant. Does any nation\* have coins as ugly and poorly-made as the US? Has there been any Ameri… --- ## [Mother 3: When is Piracy Justified?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-3-when-is-piracy-justified/468667)
**Author:** [@ReuvenB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReuvenB)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mother-3-when-is-piracy-justified/468667 "2008-10-23T10:14:35Z")
I happen to love a game released about a decade ago for the SNES called “Earthbound”. I’m sure some of you have played it or heard about it. It has something of a strong cult following, and a still-vibrant (and vocal) … --- ## [Oil \<$80/BBL: SO;the big run-Up WAS speculation?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-80-bbl-so-the-big-run-up-was-speculation/468360)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [October 23, 2008, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-80-bbl-so-the-big-run-up-was-speculation/468360 "2008-10-23T06:27:06Z")
Something is very fishy here. We were told that oil was heading for $200/bbl, and consumption was rising, and the oil was running out! Yeah Right! Now, i don’t see any big drop in consumtion, and oil has dropped below $8… --- ## [Osama and the election campaign](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-and-the-election-campaign/468967)
**Author:** [@Mustafa\_Al-Habib](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mustafa_Al-Habib)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/osama-and-the-election-campaign/468967 "2008-10-22T19:49:47Z")
If Osama was captured between now and the election, how much would it help John McCain? Would many people actually buy this as a reason to change their vote back to the Republicans? --- ## [Republican Party heading into the wilderness to re-focus- What needs to happen?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-party-heading-into-the-wilderness-to-re-focus-what-needs-to-happen/467689)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 118\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-party-heading-into-the-wilderness-to-re-focus-what-needs-to-happen/467689 "2008-10-22T19:07:58Z")
Many Republican pundits are saying that the new few years will be “wilderness years” for the Republican Party where they need to re-assess their priorities, and get in touch with what they are all about to heal their ide… --- ## [Why middle class support for Republicans?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-middle-class-support-for-republicans/468531)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-middle-class-support-for-republicans/468531 "2008-10-22T18:24:03Z")
I certainly understand folks who support the Republican platform for ideological reasons. But I’m confounded at why people of modest means support their economic policies. Am I incorrect in my perception that the worki… --- ## [What to do with stupid people?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-stupid-people/468029)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-stupid-people/468029 "2008-10-22T17:33:32Z")
Seriously, what role do you enivision folks in the lower 50, 33, or 25% of “capability” playing in today’s and tomorrow’s society? What should our educational, economic, and social systems do to assist the least-able me… --- ## [Oddly, I trust FiveThirtyEight more after hearing this. Do you?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-i-trust-fivethirtyeight-more-after-hearing-this-do-you/468892)
**Author:** [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oddly-i-trust-fivethirtyeight-more-after-hearing-this-do-you/468892 "2008-10-22T17:08:20Z")
I was just watching ESPN First Take, and they had a guy on from Baseball Prospectus who was apparently the only person in the known universe to predict that the Tampa Bay Rays could win the AL East. That person created … --- ## [Vote Trading Idea - Would this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-trading-idea-would-this-work/468964)
**Author:** [@Soggy\_Biscuit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soggy_Biscuit)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vote-trading-idea-would-this-work/468964 "2008-10-22T14:44:31Z")
I had an idea that would help promote third parties and help people in non-battleground states make sure their vote would count. This is entirely reliant on the honor system, but I think this could work. Let’s say Vote… --- ## [Can we trust Democrats not to be dangerously naive about radical Islam?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-trust-democrats-not-to-be-dangerously-naive-about-radical-islam/468692)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-trust-democrats-not-to-be-dangerously-naive-about-radical-islam/468692 "2008-10-22T14:10:28Z")
Per this Salon article Bernard-Henri Lévy asserts that the the left (worldwide) is in danger of being overly tolerant of, and naive about, radical Islamist movements. I think he has an excellent point and if the Democrat… --- ## [Politics & Religion (A philosophical challenge, not about US politics)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-religion-a-philosophical-challenge-not-about-us-politics/468779)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 22, 2008, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politics-religion-a-philosophical-challenge-not-about-us-politics/468779 "2008-10-22T12:31:22Z")
Consider three laws: (1) Based on an understanding of Jewish doctrine, the government bans the consumption of shellfish. (2) Based on an understanding of Kant’s Categorical Imperative, the government bans useful resear… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=588) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=590)