# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=596 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 597 --- ## [Young Obama supporters = Hitler Youth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-obama-supporters-hitler-youth/466669)
**Author:** [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/young-obama-supporters-hitler-youth/466669 "2008-10-08T16:01:34Z")
This is the second video I’ve seen on Drudge in a short while that is ostensibly meant to scare/give vapors to voters through the suggestion that Obama isn’t just a demagogue with a Messiah complex, he’s actively buildin… --- ## [Why so little infiormation about Sarah Palin's childhood and teen years?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-little-infiormation-about-sarah-palins-childhood-and-teen-years/466920)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-little-infiormation-about-sarah-palins-childhood-and-teen-years/466920 "2008-10-08T15:01:34Z")
I’ve seen extensive coverage in the press and on television about Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s childhood, teen years and early adult life. I’ve seen a bit about Joe Biden’s early years as well. As for Sarah Palin, … --- ## [Is Racism the ast Refuge of a Scoundrel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-racism-the-ast-refuge-of-a-scoundrel/466755)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-racism-the-ast-refuge-of-a-scoundrel/466755 "2008-10-08T14:15:22Z")
Read about it here:http://bostonherald.com/business/general/view/2008\_10\_06\_Barney\_Frank:\_Conservatives\_trying\_to\_blame\_economic\_woes\_on\_blacks/srvc=home&position=also So, is Barney Frank claiming that racism s behind t… --- ## [McCain Campaign pulls out of Michigan: Have they entered the dealth throes yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-campaign-pulls-out-of-michigan-have-they-entered-the-dealth-throes-yet/466218)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-campaign-pulls-out-of-michigan-have-they-entered-the-dealth-throes-yet/466218 "2008-10-08T13:46:22Z")
The McCain Campaign is preparing to pull out of Michiganto concentrate efforts elsewhere. The last 10 days have not been the best for the republican campaign…Big questions about Palin’s credibility and her ability to l… --- ## [Iran forces US jet to land in Tehran; war imminent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-forces-us-jet-to-land-in-tehran-war-imminent/466832)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/iran-forces-us-jet-to-land-in-tehran-war-imminent/466832 "2008-10-08T06:18:22Z")
CNN is reporting that Iran has forced a US jet to land in Tehran after it violated Iranian airspace (no online link yet). Will the Bush administration use this as a reason to attack Iran and open a third front in the th… --- ## [Electric car problems](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-car-problems/466863)
**Author:** [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/electric-car-problems/466863 "2008-10-08T05:35:28Z")
I’ve been thinking about this for a while and it seems to me the biggest problem with viability of electric cars is the battery charging time vs. the potential distance per charge. If one can only drive 200 miles and th… --- ## [The one excellent reason to choose a Democratic president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-excellent-reason-to-choose-a-democratic-president/466463)
**Author:** [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-one-excellent-reason-to-choose-a-democratic-president/466463 "2008-10-08T04:45:55Z")
After 8 years of Republicans in the white house and appointing the attorneys general of the United States, we now have this: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/04/MN5V13B9GP.DTL&tsp=1 (emphasis m… --- ## [What's going well?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-well/466935)
**Author:** [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-going-well/466935 "2008-10-08T03:32:19Z")
Among the critical issues facing our nation that need our immediate attention are healthcare, the environment, education, foreign relations, and energy… not to mention the OMG WTF BBQ of the credit crisis. So is there an… --- ## [The Grail](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grail/463922)
**Author:** [@maatorc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maatorc)\ **Replies:** 405\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-grail/463922 "2008-10-08T01:17:10Z")
Am new here. Sent an email to Cecil who is likely very busy, on the ‘grail’ article on the home page. What is most odd to me about it all is that in totally non-secret and often quite readily available literature on the… --- ## [Is McCain forked yet?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 1088\ **Last updated:** [October 8, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mccain-forked-yet/450604 "2008-10-08T00:51:02Z")
Apparently he isn’t yet, since nobody has thought fit to say so here. So perhaps a rephrasing will help: When will the forking of McCain happen? What else can McCain do to make sure he loses this election? Does Obama… --- ## [Why haven't the candidates really talked about any social issues in the debates?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-the-candidates-really-talked-about-any-social-issues-in-the-debates/466293)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-havent-the-candidates-really-talked-about-any-social-issues-in-the-debates/466293 "2008-10-07T23:40:16Z")
When I was watching the debates, I was expecting to hear some discussion about: The second amendment Marijuana and other drug policy Religion and the teaching of “intelligent” design Education Censorship and book ba… --- ## [Constitutional amendment - single subject clause](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-amendment-single-subject-clause/466876)
**Author:** [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-amendment-single-subject-clause/466876 "2008-10-07T21:41:48Z")
Reading about the bailout bill today, the article mentioned that all the added “deal sweeteners” could ultimately raise the cost of the bailout another $150 billion. Being against the bailout in the first place, the pos… --- ## [When are Fallacies false?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-fallacies-false/466737)
**Author:** [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-are-fallacies-false/466737 "2008-10-07T21:29:30Z")
One thing I’ve noted about logical fallacies… they ain’t. At least not all of them all the time. Oh sure, they’re an intellectual and emotional shorthand and often do mess things up, but contained within them is an awful… --- ## [Sweaty, desperate and losing, McCain camp decides to go negative. Will it work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweaty-desperate-and-losing-mccain-camp-decides-to-go-negative-will-it-work/466710)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweaty-desperate-and-losing-mccain-camp-decides-to-go-negative-will-it-work/466710 "2008-10-07T21:02:33Z")
As most people here are probably aware, The McCain campaign has now decided that with Obama’s lead ballooning ever more in the polls and McCain, getting no traction from either his fake campaign supension or from Palin a… --- ## [The Pro-Life Slippery Slope](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-life-slippery-slope/466390)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-pro-life-slippery-slope/466390 "2008-10-07T20:49:34Z")
Let’s say Roe v. Wade gets overturned and the majority of states decide to ban abortion. The conservatives, of course, feel righteous and victorious about their successful effort in preserving Innocent Life. Bouyed by … --- ## [Indiana in McCain column in polls - why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indiana-in-mccain-column-in-polls-why/466741)
**Author:** [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/indiana-in-mccain-column-in-polls-why/466741 "2008-10-07T20:04:35Z")
I don’t have that much problem with most of the alignment of states and whom they seem to be getting in line with according to the polls. Well, I have a little with Nevada leaning towards Obama, Florida leaning toward Ob… --- ## [32 Ohio undecidedes hate "Maverick"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/32-ohio-undecidedes-hate-maverick/466456)
**Author:** [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/32-ohio-undecidedes-hate-maverick/466456 "2008-10-07T19:34:55Z")
Watching the Vice Presidential debate on CNN, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the “little squiggly lines” (side note, every time Wolf said “little squiggly lines” I wanted to punch him in the throat. There has to be a bette… --- ## [Why Credit Crisis is Worldwide?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-credit-crisis-is-worldwide/466699)
**Author:** [@deanc2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deanc2000)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-credit-crisis-is-worldwide/466699 "2008-10-07T19:19:47Z")
Now the credit crisis was caused in large part by a US policy of banks lending to individuals who couldn’t keep up with a mortgage, hence causing the bank to foreclose and a subsequent “toxic” debt. My question is why a… --- ## [Sarah Palin - safe with finger on the Nuclear Trigger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-safe-with-finger-on-the-nuclear-trigger/466825)
**Author:** [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-safe-with-finger-on-the-nuclear-trigger/466825 "2008-10-07T18:57:26Z")
Sarah Palin supposedly knows a lot about guns. I don’t know all that much about guns, my only experience being a fun few hours at a California firing range this past summer. However, the guy who instructed me on safe ha… --- ## [Republican presidential candidate ever win CA, NY, MA in the foreseeable future?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-presidential-candidate-ever-win-ca-ny-ma-in-the-foreseeable-future/466338)
**Author:** [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-presidential-candidate-ever-win-ca-ny-ma-in-the-foreseeable-future/466338 "2008-10-07T13:51:28Z")
(Not sure if this belongs in GQ or GD … but since there probably can’t be a hard answer and the parameters can be debated, I’ll drop it here.) In the 1984 election, Ronald Reagan won 49 states, with Walter Mondale winni… --- ## [Is Banking and Finance Real or Just a Game?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-banking-and-finance-real-or-just-a-game/466362)
**Author:** [@MindWanderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindWanderer)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [October 7, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-banking-and-finance-real-or-just-a-game/466362 "2008-10-07T03:15:33Z")
The current economic crisis, regarding mortgages, CDOs, tranches, derivatives and other exotic games on wall street has got me thinking alot about money and finance and what our modern system of money really is. I never … --- ## [Obama's Endgame strategy: What will he do to maximize his chances of victory?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-endgame-strategy-what-will-he-do-to-maximize-his-chances-of-victory/466333)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-endgame-strategy-what-will-he-do-to-maximize-his-chances-of-victory/466333 "2008-10-06T22:50:11Z")
Since the primaries Obama has proved to be a formidable politican. His organization and planning have really proven that he knows what he is doing. He’s surrounded himself with the right campaign team, he’s remained rel… --- ## [A moderate Republican quits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-moderate-republican-quits/466514)
**Author:** [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-moderate-republican-quits/466514 "2008-10-06T18:32:59Z")
The NY Times Magazine has an article this week about Tom Davis, a moderate Republican congressman from Virginia who has decided not to run for re-election. His opinion is that the more extremist Republicans have poisoned… --- ## [When McCain/Obama loses, who/what will their supporters blame?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mccain-obama-loses-who-what-will-their-supporters-blame/466619)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-mccain-obama-loses-who-what-will-their-supporters-blame/466619 "2008-10-06T18:14:00Z")
This might be better for IMHO, but this question struck me just now: who or what will be blamed when either candidate loses the election? Will Obama supporters blame racism? Dirty Republican politicking? Bill Clinton’… --- ## [Most telling statistic from the debate.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-telling-statistic-from-the-debate/466292)
**Author:** [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-telling-statistic-from-the-debate/466292 "2008-10-06T17:59:08Z")
From CNN: “Another troubling number for Palin is that only 46 percent of the debate watchers said she was qualified to be president, compared to the 87 percent who picked Biden after the debate.” Despite the fact that p… --- ## [October surprise 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-surprise-2008/466465)
**Author:** [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/october-surprise-2008/466465 "2008-10-06T17:11:32Z")
Any theories on what could be this years October Surprise? A major story about one of the candidates? Gasoline below $2.50 a gallon? Bin Laden found? My own opinion is it would have to huge, huge, HUGELY in favor of the… --- ## [Could McCain succesfully attack the "media"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-mccain-succesfully-attack-the-media/466016)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-mccain-succesfully-attack-the-media/466016 "2008-10-06T16:48:50Z")
Let’s say your McCain and you are convinced that the vast majority of those in the media who claim to be fair are actually doing everything in their power to get Obama elected. That’s the premise. Could he conceivably … --- ## [House and Senate pass bailout bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-and-senate-pass-bailout-bill/466352)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/house-and-senate-pass-bailout-bill/466352 "2008-10-06T16:31:41Z")
Well the House and Senate finally voted to pass the abilout bill. Is this version better than previous ones? How soon will it take effect? Will history see this as a good idea or a disaster? --- ## [Could Extraordinarily Long-Lived Humans Conceal Themselves?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-extraordinarily-long-lived-humans-conceal-themselves/466097)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/could-extraordinarily-long-lived-humans-conceal-themselves/466097 "2008-10-06T14:32:42Z")
Suppose some genetic mutation resulted in a group of humans living to 400-500 years. Could such people conceal their gift of near-immortality? And, would ordinary humans be jealous of these people? Would someone living… --- ## [National prayer day](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-prayer-day/466555)
**Author:** [@Tikster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikster)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [October 6, 2008, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-prayer-day/466555 "2008-10-06T12:55:14Z")
It seems Bush has snuck a national prayer day in. - see the link: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jx\_1ONlKrjl6772IYzxULImuf1\_AD93JCE6O4 What do you think? Does the United States need a national prayer day? Why/Why n… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=595) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=597)