# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=599 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 600 --- ## [Undecided, So-Called Independent Voters: What The Hell Are You Waiting For?l](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undecided-so-called-independent-voters-what-the-hell-are-you-waiting-for-l/465689)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/undecided-so-called-independent-voters-what-the-hell-are-you-waiting-for-l/465689 "2008-10-01T04:33:22Z")
Are you waiting for some crash and burn moment? I mean, seriously, have you not read the policies of both McCain and Obama? Is it still somehow unclear to you what their differences are at this point in time? To have b… --- ## [Terrorist Attack on US Soil yesterday and no one cares.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-us-soil-yesterday-and-no-one-cares/465872)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2008, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-attack-on-us-soil-yesterday-and-no-one-cares/465872 "2008-10-01T03:45:09Z")
http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/09/29/ddn092908mosquefoloweb.html It seems like this is just being swept under the rug. What do you think? Actually terrorist attack or a bunch of smok… --- ## [The economy - should anyone feel guilty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economy-should-anyone-feel-guilty/465143)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economy-should-anyone-feel-guilty/465143 "2008-10-01T03:22:27Z")
I’m not saying any single individual or one eaily identifiable group is responsible for the current economic difficulties, but I’m wondering if anyone feels like they did anything wrong and contribiuted to the mess - at … --- ## [If the economy collapses...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-economy-collapses/464796)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2008, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-economy-collapses/464796 "2008-10-01T02:11:21Z")
This phrase ‘economic collapse’ has been thrown about a lot in the last week to conjure up what might happen if the mortgage mess isn’t fixed. But please tell me, what does that mean? What could really happen? Not a w… --- ## [Given sub-prime mortgage default rate, was financial meltdown unavoidable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-sub-prime-mortgage-default-rate-was-financial-meltdown-unavoidable/465784)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [October 1, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/given-sub-prime-mortgage-default-rate-was-financial-meltdown-unavoidable/465784 "2008-10-01T02:05:47Z")
If all the loans were given the old-fashioned way, from the bank to the borrower, with no further bundling and reselling, and if the same number of people defaulted on their mortgages as have today, would the effect on t… --- ## [Bleh. Here's my summary of the 110 page bailout bill.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleh-heres-my-summary-of-the-110-page-bailout-bill/465845)
**Author:** [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bleh-heres-my-summary-of-the-110-page-bailout-bill/465845 "2008-09-30T23:59:13Z")
Okay, kids, this may seem long, but it’s about 107 pages less than the real bill. The bill is at: http://www.latimes.com/media/acrobat/2008-09/42631254.pdf (PDF). There have been some wild-ass numbers thrown around in … --- ## [What's the deal with Alabama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-alabama/465911)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-alabama/465911 "2008-09-30T23:44:50Z")
Without Alabama the widest margin of victory for either candidate is about 17 points. Obama has Connecticut and Illinois. McCain has Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky. However, McCain is winning in Alabama by 26 points. … --- ## [Will the national/world economy completely collapse?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-national-world-economy-completely-collapse/464415)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-national-world-economy-completely-collapse/464415 "2008-09-30T22:59:43Z")
Okay, I thought I’d round up all the major questions that I know is on everyone’s minds about this past week into a single thread. We’re all wondering how much we should be fearing for ourselves, our families, and the i… --- ## [Kid giving you a hard time? Dump 'em!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kid-giving-you-a-hard-time-dump-em/464874)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kid-giving-you-a-hard-time-dump-em/464874 "2008-09-30T22:57:24Z")
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/23/earlyshow/living/parenting/main4470911.shtml Lots of states let parent drop off unwanted newborns at hospital, fire stations and the like. But here’s a twist: "Nebraska’s new … --- ## [James Howard Kunstler: mainstream tattoos = social dysfunction](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-howard-kunstler-mainstream-tattoos-social-dysfunction/465549)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/james-howard-kunstler-mainstream-tattoos-social-dysfunction/465549 "2008-09-30T22:46:28Z")
(Not sure if this is Great enough for Great Debates; please move to IMHO if it’s better there.) A statement by the famed Peak Oil author that I thought was interesting: Many people, to some extent, agree with Kunstler… --- ## [Sex before Marriage.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-before-marriage/465269)
**Author:** [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sex-before-marriage/465269 "2008-09-30T22:44:04Z")
Here’s a debate about that i’ve seen some Dopers come down on one side or the other. Though I don’t think i’ve really ever seen it as a debate, per se; it tends to crop up as a tangent in the ubiquitous religion debates … --- ## [What is political correctness any more?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-political-correctness-any-more/465844)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-political-correctness-any-more/465844 "2008-09-30T20:48:04Z")
When most people think of things being ‘PC’ they think of companies being forced to hire ethnic minorities or not being allowed to do certain things because it will offend women/racial groups/religous groups - a big stor… --- ## [Is it time to increase FDIC coverage above $100k?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-increase-fdic-coverage-above-100k/465720)
**Author:** [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-time-to-increase-fdic-coverage-above-100k/465720 "2008-09-30T20:34:34Z")
When the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was instituted back in 1933, the $100,000 deposit insurance was a huge sum to the average citizen. In today’s money, that’s worth about $1,600,000. Very few in 1930s had t… --- ## [What would President Obama's/McCain's policy be WRT Cuba?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-president-obamas-mccains-policy-be-wrt-cuba/465895)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-president-obamas-mccains-policy-be-wrt-cuba/465895 "2008-09-30T19:38:52Z")
I haven’t heard either of them mention Cuba so far this campaign (though I may have missed something). Is it possible that Obama, at least, would make some moves towards dropping the embargo and normalizing relations? --- ## [Does limiting Palin's media exposure give her a debate advantage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-limiting-palins-media-exposure-give-her-a-debate-advantage/465902)
**Author:** [@Sanity\_Challenged](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sanity_Challenged)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-limiting-palins-media-exposure-give-her-a-debate-advantage/465902 "2008-09-30T19:30:27Z")
Will Palin’s limited media exposure work out as an advantage in the vice-presidential debate? Is it plausible that the McCain team is limiting her exposure partly in an attempt to gain such an advantage? It seems to me… --- ## [Bolivia and Venezuela to expel U.S. ambassadors.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolivia-and-venezuela-to-expel-u-s-ambassadors/463208)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bolivia-and-venezuela-to-expel-u-s-ambassadors/463208 "2008-09-30T19:22:31Z")
Bolivia because Morales accuses the U.S. of trying to foment a coup against him. Venezuela because Chavez is trying to show solidarity with Morales. Those are the stated reasons, anyway. Story here. I can’t see us ac… --- ## [American Hunters and Shooters Association \>:(](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-hunters-and-shooters-association/464998)
**Author:** [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-hunters-and-shooters-association/464998 "2008-09-30T18:00:31Z")
This supposed pro-gun organization is running radio ads narrated by a former Washington Redskins football player Ray Schoenke, who is their president. They are saying Obama will protect the rights of gun owners. I’ve n… --- ## [Why not just nationalize the mortgage industry?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-just-nationalize-the-mortgage-industry/465760)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-just-nationalize-the-mortgage-industry/465760 "2008-09-30T15:06:05Z")
OK, so the federal government is bailing out all these companies that played fast and loose with the markets, buying up their bad paper. The government is already in the mortgage business with VA loans and Freddie and Fa… --- ## [So What the Hell's the Deal With Ursine DNA?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-the-hells-the-deal-with-ursine-dna/465569)
**Author:** [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 9:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-the-hells-the-deal-with-ursine-dna/465569 "2008-09-30T09:33:08Z")
In the debates, McCain was bitching about $3 million being spent to study bear DNA (and elsewhere people have complained about Palin lobbying to get money to study the mating habits of crabs), as if this wasn’t something… --- ## [Where was Palin on debate night?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-palin-on-debate-night/465557)
**Author:** [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-palin-on-debate-night/465557 "2008-09-30T07:09:26Z")
I put this in GD because I’m sure the replies well send it there eventually: Where was Palin after Friday’s debate? At the end of the debate, we heard from Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden and… Rudy Giuliani? Guh… --- ## [Say that Bill Clinton or Arnie started a massively popular drive to the presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-that-bill-clinton-or-arnie-started-a-massively-popular-drive-to-the-presidency/464999)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-that-bill-clinton-or-arnie-started-a-massively-popular-drive-to-the-presidency/464999 "2008-09-30T04:29:44Z")
Inspired by this ersatz news piece: What would/might happen if some constitutionally ineligible person started a massively popular drive for the Presidency? E.g., if Bill Clinton really had said “screw it, I’m running” … --- ## [Early voting has started in some states--who benefits?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-voting-has-started-in-some-states-who-benefits/465015)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/early-voting-has-started-in-some-states-who-benefits/465015 "2008-09-30T02:55:59Z")
Early voting is going to be a Big Deal this election. This isn’t just about the presidential race, but about all races that are open to early voting. Some states have their polls open now. Does that benefit one side m… --- ## [So is the bailout a good deal?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-the-bailout-a-good-deal/465693)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-is-the-bailout-a-good-deal/465693 "2008-09-30T02:07:26Z")
So let’s assume we need to do it. Is it actually even a good deal for us as a long term investment? Here are some of the basics. (You can download the whole plan there too. I’ll make do with the Cliff Notes.) So the go… --- ## [Is is ethically justifiable to betray a confederate in dishonesty?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-is-ethically-justifiable-to-betray-a-confederate-in-dishonesty/465634)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 30, 2008, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-is-ethically-justifiable-to-betray-a-confederate-in-dishonesty/465634 "2008-09-30T00:55:08Z")
Or should there be honor among thieves? A few days ago I posted this thread on the subject of writing an academic paper for my boss’s son. Before anyone goes nuclear over the notion, let me point you to post 89 of that… --- ## [Who will the senior citizens vote for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-the-senior-citizens-vote-for/465617)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-the-senior-citizens-vote-for/465617 "2008-09-29T23:32:22Z")
In the debate thread, some Dopers pointed out that seniors might be more impressed with Obama’s “nice young man” performance than with McCain’s disdainful won’t-look-him-in-the-eye surliness. Makes me wonder. Who will … --- ## [Cognitive dissonance at Townhall.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cognitive-dissonance-at-townhall-com/465684)
**Author:** [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2008, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cognitive-dissonance-at-townhall-com/465684 "2008-09-29T22:47:47Z")
Never one to let an open wound go unsalted I decided to see how the die hard conservatives at Townhall.com were reacting to all the coverage of Palin’s shaky performance with Katy Couric. This article was posted this we… --- ## [Why is home value deflation a bad thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-home-value-deflation-a-bad-thing/465044)
**Author:** [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-home-value-deflation-a-bad-thing/465044 "2008-09-29T20:24:36Z")
I need some serious convincing on this mortgage bailout thing. Is it not a fact that home prices were becoming ridiculously inflated, particularly in some areas? According to zillow.com the dumpy little house in a terri… --- ## [The debate--were any minds changed?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-debate-were-any-minds-changed/465454)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-debate-were-any-minds-changed/465454 "2008-09-29T15:11:16Z")
I’m looking for comments by previously undecided posters or posters who though the opposing candidate “won”. It seems as if in all of the post-debate commentary, the DEMS said that Obama did GREAT! He made McCain look … --- ## [Obama and race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-race/465493)
**Author:** [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-and-race/465493 "2008-09-29T14:14:10Z")
Last night I was at a function here at the NATO facility where I work. Since the debate was a hot topic for the dya it came up in conversation. Many of my friends from various countries were interested in it. Some of my … --- ## [Was there strong opposition to the UK gun bans? Could the same happen in the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-strong-opposition-to-the-uk-gun-bans-could-the-same-happen-in-the-us/464266)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 403\ **Last updated:** [September 29, 2008, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-there-strong-opposition-to-the-uk-gun-bans-could-the-same-happen-in-the-us/464266 "2008-09-29T13:15:41Z")
I was originally going to make this a GQ but I think the potential for debate makes it more suited to be here. It’s my understanding that after two very brutal gun massacres in the United Kingdom, they basically banned a… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=598) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=600)