# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=594 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 595 --- ## [Panel Finds Palin Abused Power (Troopergate)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 145\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2008, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/panel-finds-palin-abused-power-troopergate/467397 "2008-10-13T07:32:10Z")
Sorry for yet another Palin thread, but this is a long time coming, and serious potatoes. The McCain campaign already released a report exonerating her – are they going to acknowledge this or just sling more mud at the … --- ## [Republicans for Obama: Can Obama win them/McCain lose them?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-for-obama-can-obama-win-them-mccain-lose-them/467346)
**Author:** [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2008, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-for-obama-can-obama-win-them-mccain-lose-them/467346 "2008-10-13T05:20:07Z")
A few noteworthy Republicans have publicly announced their support for Obama – or withdrawn their support from McCain, which is not quite the same thing: Lincoln Chafee, former Senator from Rhode Island: Same article … --- ## [is McCain really missing the boat ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-really-missing-the-boat/467369)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 13, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-really-missing-the-boat/467369 "2008-10-13T00:11:39Z")
So I’m sitting here these days while the economy is tanking, thinking to myself that McCain has really lost the plot in his bid for the White House. All I want to say (a la SNL yesterday) is “Really?.. Really Senator Mc… --- ## [Is 51% really enough anymore?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-51-really-enough-anymore/467310)
**Author:** [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2008, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-51-really-enough-anymore/467310 "2008-10-12T23:14:45Z")
Honest question. Elections have been won and lost by margins of less than 10 % before. While a pure democracy works fine in small groups, is it really fair to basically disenfranchise nearly half the population of a coun… --- ## [What will/can a President Obama and Congress do about the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-can-a-president-obama-and-congress-do-about-the-economy/467536)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-can-a-president-obama-and-congress-do-about-the-economy/467536 "2008-10-12T20:26:00Z")
To those who are conservative, and believe in the economic policies that conservatives generally do, the idea of Obama being elected sends chills down their spines. They believe that it’ll be the mistakes of the 30’s an… --- ## [The Invisible Palin Meltdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-palin-meltdown/466281)
**Author:** [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Replies:** 210\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2008, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-invisible-palin-meltdown/466281 "2008-10-12T13:30:13Z")
The group I was with started laughing so hard at her response to the Cheney question that we had to rewind the DVR to hear her entire response. Biden himself couldn’t keep a straight face through her schpiel. But no re… --- ## [Things Bush Has Not Screwed Up](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-bush-has-not-screwed-up/467352)
**Author:** [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2008, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-bush-has-not-screwed-up/467352 "2008-10-12T12:39:00Z")
So the military is over stretched, the world hates us, stock market is down, the Republicans are in dis-array, and Bin Laden is still at large. But there must be a few things Bush has not fucked up. I think that professi… --- ## [Alternate History: Obama vs Powell 08](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-obama-vs-powell-08/467551)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2008, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-obama-vs-powell-08/467551 "2008-10-12T05:06:58Z")
From this thread on things Bush has not screwed up I wonder if in an alternate history, we would see a Obama vs Powell presidential race. I think there are several factors which make it both plausible and implausible. … --- ## [The 2nd Presidental Debate October 7, 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2nd-presidental-debate-october-7-2008/466785)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 568\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-2nd-presidental-debate-october-7-2008/466785 "2008-10-12T01:06:12Z")
So let’s watch along and discuss the second presidential debate. So far, there haven’t been any knock down punches, and the wins haven’t been huge. Although Obama/Biden have ‘won’ the first 2, according to most poles. … --- ## [After the election will Republicans be moving to Alaska](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-the-election-will-republicans-be-moving-to-alaska/467305)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-the-election-will-republicans-be-moving-to-alaska/467305 "2008-10-11T17:44:29Z")
Working on the theory that the current trends remain solid through the election and Obama wins, will “the base” or maybe more than the base decide that Alaskie is the place to be and thus cause a major influx in populati… --- ## [Where would we be if GWB got his wish and Social Security was privatized?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-we-be-if-gwb-got-his-wish-and-social-security-was-privatized/467400)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-would-we-be-if-gwb-got-his-wish-and-social-security-was-privatized/467400 "2008-10-11T16:53:07Z")
Yes, a lot more money would have flowed into the stock market which would have done more to artificially inflate stock prices. I guess the operative word is “artificial”. With the huge downturn (the DJIA is far below wh… --- ## [Religion, technology, and the future](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-technology-and-the-future/467217)
**Author:** [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religion-technology-and-the-future/467217 "2008-10-11T15:53:35Z")
There are no right answers here, and I’m not looking for any. I’m asking for the Dope to do what it does best: wild-assed speculation. :slight\_smile: Five hundred years in the future, we’ll have the ability to create… --- ## ["Atheism is a non-prophet organization"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-is-a-non-prophet-organization/467031)
**Author:** [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheism-is-a-non-prophet-organization/467031 "2008-10-11T14:10:32Z")
A local church currently has posted on their sign: Huh? Any clue what they mean to get across by stating this? By definition, atheism is: the doctrine or belief that there is no God. disbelief in the existence of a … --- ## ["He's not one of us" - McCain/Palin are playing the race card](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-not-one-of-us-mccain-palin-are-playing-the-race-card/467269)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hes-not-one-of-us-mccain-palin-are-playing-the-race-card/467269 "2008-10-11T07:28:35Z")
It wasn’t until today that I finally got clear on what the McCain/Palin plan to win the Presidency is. A co-worker in an argument with another about who to vote for asked; “Why would you want to vote for a terrorist and … --- ## [The Race is on! Canadians go to the polls October 14.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-race-is-on-canadians-go-to-the-polls-october-14/462481)
**Author:** [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Replies:** 349\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-race-is-on-canadians-go-to-the-polls-october-14/462481 "2008-10-11T05:24:31Z")
I thought I’d start a new thread to replace the MPSIMS since it’s now official, not just a rumour - Canada goes to the polls on October 14 in a general federal election. Prime Minister Harper drove across the street thi… --- ## [Connecticut Supreme Court Grants Same-Sex Marriage](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecticut-supreme-court-grants-same-sex-marriage/467340)
**Author:** [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/connecticut-supreme-court-grants-same-sex-marriage/467340 "2008-10-11T04:46:43Z")
The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in the same-sex marriage case before it today. Since this ruling was based on the state constitution, it’s likely a final ruling as the US Supreme Court ap… --- ## [Kondratieff vindicated? ((Stock Market crash)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kondratieff-vindicated-stock-market-crash/467362)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kondratieff-vindicated-stock-market-crash/467362 "2008-10-11T02:06:16Z")
So far, the DOW is down, everybody is saying it is 1929 all over again. I note that it has been about 79 years, which is about the period of he 'long wave" business cycle, predicted by Kondratieff. So, assuming this lon… --- ## [Obama Donor Scandal!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-donor-scandal/467328)
**Author:** [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-donor-scandal/467328 "2008-10-11T00:31:01Z")
As mentioned in the stately New York Times… a number of clearly fictitious names (e.g., “Jgtj Jfggjjfgj”) have been discovered in the rolls of Obama campaign donors. Questions raised: Evidence of coordinated misbehavior… --- ## [Pay equity for women](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-equity-for-women/467348)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 11, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pay-equity-for-women/467348 "2008-10-11T00:25:00Z")
Interestingly enough, I found this as a banner ad here. http://www.johnmccain.com/involving/petition3.aspx?guid=855a55ae-6e50-4877-98e6-7e35761c1f26&s=google&t=equalpay&r=obama Comparing Obama’s and McCain’s legislativ… --- ## [Obama grabs shovel, starts slinging mud](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-grabs-shovel-starts-slinging-mud/466734)
**Author:** [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Replies:** 170\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-grabs-shovel-starts-slinging-mud/466734 "2008-10-10T22:11:09Z")
Starting here: First, I think this is surprising. Although people like refer to it in a rather insuating manner, the fact is that McCain really did nothing wrong. Keating was his consituent. He got dragged through the… --- ## [EU on the financial crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-on-the-financial-crisis/466556)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eu-on-the-financial-crisis/466556 "2008-10-10T21:20:19Z")
Help me understand the purpose of the EU. I thought they coordinated all financial things, but it looks like the individual member countries are going to have to decide to help or not help. Wouldn’t that be almost like … --- ## [McCain seems to be choosing the "nuclear option"...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-seems-to-be-choosing-the-nuclear-option/467366)
**Author:** [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-seems-to-be-choosing-the-nuclear-option/467366 "2008-10-10T20:44:22Z")
Will it work? http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/new-mccain-ad-slams-obama-on-ayers-economy/?hp --- ## [Realistic reaction if McCain wins EVERY state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/realistic-reaction-if-mccain-wins-every-state/466995)
**Author:** [@Punintentional](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punintentional)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/realistic-reaction-if-mccain-wins-every-state/466995 "2008-10-10T20:35:08Z")
I’d like to ask you all what you think would happen if on November 4th, it appears as if McCain wins in EVERY state. (Please don’t post with “McCain would become President” as it’s obvious and not funny) --- ## [McCain targets Bill Daley, loses Republican endorsement and support](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-targets-bill-daley-loses-republican-endorsement-and-support/467361)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-targets-bill-daley-loses-republican-endorsement-and-support/467361 "2008-10-10T20:14:54Z")
In one of the latest smear ads from the McCain Campain, former Secretary of Commerce, William Daley, is displayed with an unflatering mug shot, and is called “heir to the Chicago political machine”. He is then tied to Ob… --- ## [A Cunning Stunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cunning-stunt/466320)
**Author:** [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-cunning-stunt/466320 "2008-10-10T20:11:15Z")
I read the Washington Post and the New York Times this morning. In one or the other was a report of an amusing and (literally) provocative stunt pulled by some group of right-wing people somewhere. It seems this is Bann… --- ## [Cook County (Chicago) Sheriff refuses to evict people from foreclosed homes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cook-county-chicago-sheriff-refuses-to-evict-people-from-foreclosed-homes/467360)
**Author:** [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cook-county-chicago-sheriff-refuses-to-evict-people-from-foreclosed-homes/467360 "2008-10-10T18:59:12Z")
Thought this might make an interesting topic for debate in the current political and economic climate. The Sheriff of Cook County, a county which encompasses the city of Chicago and has over 5 million people, has announ… --- ## [Suspend stock market trading indefinitely?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspend-stock-market-trading-indefinitely/467300)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suspend-stock-market-trading-indefinitely/467300 "2008-10-10T18:27:36Z")
There is a global panic in stock markets around the world FTSE 100 4034.49 -279.31 -6.47% Dax 4487.83 -399.17 -8.17% Cac 40 3173.85 -268.85 -7.81% Dow Jones 8579.19 -678.91… --- ## [How do Athiests Stack Up? (Morally)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-athiests-stack-up-morally/465774)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 175\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-athiests-stack-up-morally/465774 "2008-10-10T17:52:34Z")
I suspect that most athiests are very intelligent people, who have a highly developed moral sense. So, probably, most people who are athiestd probably have a very low rate of criminal activity. How do they compare with r… --- ## [US Supreme Court: should a 5-4 decision be a precedent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-supreme-court-should-a-5-4-decision-be-a-precedent/467229)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-supreme-court-should-a-5-4-decision-be-a-precedent/467229 "2008-10-10T17:29:25Z")
Over the years, I’ve read many threads about the US Supreme Court and the politicisation thereof, and the voting of SC judges along party political lines. So it occurs to me that maybe the US would benefit if decisions n… --- ## [So we know how to fix SOCIAL SECURITY and "it's easy?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-we-know-how-to-fix-social-security-and-its-easy/466944)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [October 10, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-we-know-how-to-fix-social-security-and-its-easy/466944 "2008-10-10T16:04:07Z")
Senator McCain surprised the heck out of me when he answered to a question regarding Social Security entitlements by saying that he knew how to do it and that it was “easy.” \*\*\*\*EASY!! \*\*\*\*:dubious: So I listened and w… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=593) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=595)