# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=602 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 603 --- ## [Celebrity or not - who cares?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-or-not-who-cares/464896)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/celebrity-or-not-who-cares/464896 "2008-09-24T18:22:01Z")
Recently, the republicans have been enjoying and even promoting Sarah Palin’s newfound celebrity: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/09/23/2008-09-23\_sarah\_palin\_meeting\_world\_leaders\_passin.html However,in… --- ## [What does the economic mess mean for a grad school student?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-economic-mess-mean-for-a-grad-school-student/464962)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-economic-mess-mean-for-a-grad-school-student/464962 "2008-09-24T18:13:12Z")
So, my wife and I will be moving back to the US from Taiwan, hopefully, in December. I intend to start my graduate studies in International Relations in the Fall 2009. Here’s what I want to know: What does the economic… --- ## [Brigade homeland tour: Does it mean anything?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brigade-homeland-tour-does-it-mean-anything/464918)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brigade-homeland-tour-does-it-mean-anything/464918 "2008-09-24T17:58:02Z")
Picked up from a libertarian blogger who’s scared that this is a feeler to skirt posse comitatus or something of that nature. Can anyone fill me in on what, if anything, this really means? --- ## [Why does bailout bill say "may not be reviewed by any court of law"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-bailout-bill-say-may-not-be-reviewed-by-any-court-of-law/464976)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-bailout-bill-say-may-not-be-reviewed-by-any-court-of-law/464976 "2008-09-24T17:49:52Z")
Story here: In short, the so-called “mother of all bailouts,” which will transfer $700 billion taxpayer dollars to purchase the distressed assets of several failed financial institutions, will be conducted in a manner … --- ## [Constitutional Right to Privacy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-right-to-privacy/464986)
**Author:** [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/constitutional-right-to-privacy/464986 "2008-09-24T17:30:05Z")
There is no Constitutional Right to Privacy in the United States. There’s really no guaranteed right to privacy at all. I don’t even know if there could be such a thing, but I long for it. This thread isn’t to debate wh… --- ## [Will bigots cost Obama the presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bigots-cost-obama-the-presidency/464503)
**Author:** [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Replies:** 149\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-bigots-cost-obama-the-presidency/464503 "2008-09-24T13:34:37Z")
That’s the question posed by an AP-Yahoo poll. For myself, I don’t think anti-black sentiment will factor significantly in the election. I realize that there are a number of Clinton supporters who won’t vote for Obama … --- ## [Proposal: An aptitude test for the Presidency](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-an-aptitude-test-for-the-presidency/464890)
**Author:** [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposal-an-aptitude-test-for-the-presidency/464890 "2008-09-24T11:44:34Z")
I realize the Constitution’s only requirement for Presidency is to be a citizen 35 years of age or older, but I think it’d be possible to create enough public pressure to make it a de facto requirement without having to … --- ## [Should loosing your wallet be punishable with house arrest?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-loosing-your-wallet-be-punishable-with-house-arrest/464682)
**Author:** [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-loosing-your-wallet-be-punishable-with-house-arrest/464682 "2008-09-24T05:16:29Z")
In Michigan the local cops have decided anyone not being able to show an ID when they demand it is an arrestable offense. Interfering in an investigation is the charge I’m told. However due to the federal regulations ge… --- ## [Tax and Spend Liberals: An unfair label?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-and-spend-liberals-an-unfair-label/463900)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-and-spend-liberals-an-unfair-label/463900 "2008-09-24T03:21:19Z")
I have seen it numerous times on this forum as well as elsewhere. There seems to be a political meme that Republicans are more fiscally responsible and loathe to drop new taxes on people in a Robin Hood like fashion (ta… --- ## [Market bail-out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/market-bail-out/464333)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 78\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/market-bail-out/464333 "2008-09-24T02:49:22Z")
"The U.S. government is moving to enact a broad-based plan to rescue the struggling financial system that Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says will cost “hundreds of billions of dollars.” The multipart plan includes r… --- ## [Ad portrays McCain as a computer illiterate...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ad-portrays-mccain-as-a-computer-illiterate/464889)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ad-portrays-mccain-as-a-computer-illiterate/464889 "2008-09-24T01:37:22Z")
…and Joe Biden says it’s terrible. If this is it… …give it a look and tell us if you think it’s in poor taste or is “terrinble” in some way. PLEASE NOTE: THE QUALITY OF THE VIDEO IS POOR BUT I ATTRIBUT… --- ## [Rumor Mill: Biden to resign from the race](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-mill-biden-to-resign-from-the-race/464901)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rumor-mill-biden-to-resign-from-the-race/464901 "2008-09-24T00:09:11Z")
I have heard by a few following the election that Joe Biden will leave the race due to a related problem with his aneurysm. Has anyone else heard this? If Biden leaves for “medical reasons”, do you think that he is lea… --- ## [President Chavez a Maoist???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-a-maoist/464911)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 24, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-a-maoist/464911 "2008-09-24T00:06:26Z")
I saw an online news item from AP concerning President Hugo Chavez’s world tour, specifically his visit to China. The news article said that upon his arrival, he publicly proclaimed that he was a “Maoist”. By “Maoist”,… --- ## [Russia insecure yet again.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-insecure-yet-again/464636)
**Author:** [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russia-insecure-yet-again/464636 "2008-09-23T23:42:08Z")
Why does Russia feel the need to bluster about old cold war stuff? This is a serious question. They have the second largest landmass and feel fear from attack, by who? What are they going on about? If anyone believes th… --- ## [Political Candidates - Don't use your children as props](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-candidates-dont-use-your-children-as-props/464891)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/political-candidates-dont-use-your-children-as-props/464891 "2008-09-23T22:03:51Z")
This is aimed a bit at Palin and a bit at Obama, although Palin seems to be the more egregious of the two. Rule for candidates: don’t trot your kids out on stage at every turn, for photo ops and then complain if the pr… --- ## [SNL's political skits](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snls-political-skits/464598)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/snls-political-skits/464598 "2008-09-23T20:48:24Z")
SNL is getting some heat for their digs at the GOP side. But there is no mention of the long skit that parodied the media’s treatment of Palin - portraying them as treating her very unfairly and being out of touch with a… --- ## [Will there be riots if Obama loses?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750)
**Author:** [@poker\_in\_the\_rear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poker_in_the_rear)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-there-be-riots-if-obama-loses/464750 "2008-09-23T20:43:17Z")
I’m thinking along the lines of Rodney King only on a national level. Also are the big cities (LA, Detroit, NYC) preparing for such an outcome? I wasn’t sure if this belongs in GQ but the way the political threads go I… --- ## [Should Michelle Obama be silenced?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-obama-be-silenced/464439)
**Author:** [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-michelle-obama-be-silenced/464439 "2008-09-23T19:54:36Z")
I will be voting for Barrack Obama in November. But every time I hear Michelle Obama speak, I find myself cringing and worrying that she will cost him the election. For some reason, she strikes me as very polarizing…kind… --- ## [People who are easily scared vote conservative (new study)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-easily-scared-vote-conservative-new-study/464453)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-easily-scared-vote-conservative-new-study/464453 "2008-09-23T19:50:29Z")
This according to a new study http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/18/AR2008091802265.html?hpid=topnews Any thoughts about this? --- ## [How will Obama and McCain do in the first presidential debate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-obama-and-mccain-do-in-the-first-presidential-debate/464431)
**Author:** [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-obama-and-mccain-do-in-the-first-presidential-debate/464431 "2008-09-23T19:41:27Z")
I’ve been wondering about it because McCain attributes his incessant attacks on his opponent to the fact that Obama wouldn’t do several rounds of Town Meeting affairs in which McCain is comfortable. And McCain is (I unde… --- ## [When can we call the economic stimulus package a failure?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-we-call-the-economic-stimulus-package-a-failure/464838)
**Author:** [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-can-we-call-the-economic-stimulus-package-a-failure/464838 "2008-09-23T18:01:10Z")
Economics isn’t my strong point, but considering the state of the economy right now and word of $700 billion bailouts, is it safe to say that Bush’s “free money for everyone” strategy didn’t work? I’m sure apologists wi… --- ## [What would a Palin administration be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-palin-administration-be-like/464648)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-a-palin-administration-be-like/464648 "2008-09-23T15:48:39Z")
If McCain gets elected and croaks Palin’s in the saddle. What is a Palin administration going to be like? I predict like GWB in drag and on steroids. She is populist through and through. It will all be politics straigh… --- ## [Republicans and Democrats both want to take your money.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-democrats-both-want-to-take-your-money/464655)
**Author:** [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-democrats-both-want-to-take-your-money/464655 "2008-09-23T13:40:47Z")
Democrats want to tax you higher, to fund the government, pay down some of the debt, and hopefully get out of deficit spending. Republicans want to relieve some of your taxes, because they figure the government has its … --- ## [Why blame Gramm Leach Bliley?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-blame-gramm-leach-bliley/464720)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-blame-gramm-leach-bliley/464720 "2008-09-23T12:25:35Z")
So GLBA essentially repeals the Glass Steagall Act, which basically allowed commercial banks, investment banks, insurance companies, brokerage firms, and other financial services firms to own each other. I’m now seeing q… --- ## [Was John Connelly The Most corrupt FBI Agent?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-john-connelly-the-most-corrupt-fbi-agent/464739)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-john-connelly-the-most-corrupt-fbi-agent/464739 "2008-09-23T03:19:53Z")
The revelations from the trial of ex-FBI agent John Connelly are disgusting. The members of the Bulger gang (multiple murderer Steven Flemmi) have offered testimony that is shocking. Not only did (then Agent) Connelly ac… --- ## [Why aren't people having sex in public?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-having-sex-in-public/464181)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-arent-people-having-sex-in-public/464181 "2008-09-23T03:12:40Z")
Is there any good reason the prevailing customs restrict sexual activities to private or secluded places? Why not have sex in public at the park, say, or on a street bench, or on the beach (ok, sand might be a factor he… --- ## [If the housing crisis doesn't destroy us all, the entitlements crash will.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-housing-crisis-doesnt-destroy-us-all-the-entitlements-crash-will/464714)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 23, 2008, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-housing-crisis-doesnt-destroy-us-all-the-entitlements-crash-will/464714 "2008-09-23T01:04:05Z")
It’s a good time to scare people economically. And I do mean that, because it’s a lot more likely people will at least listen to what you have to say. I have no idea of who this guy is or what interests he serves. But… --- ## [Are we worried about the Large Hadron Collider being turned on?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441)
**Author:** [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Replies:** 374\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-worried-about-the-large-hadron-collider-being-turned-on/462441 "2008-09-22T22:42:06Z")
This BBC article indicates that there is “no conceivable danger” from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), including the danger from any possible mini-black holes that might be formed. But, Dr. Adrian Kent expresses concern … --- ## [McCain's Mental State](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-mental-state/464410)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-mental-state/464410 "2008-09-22T20:33:46Z")
Certainly there is no problem with a 72 year old running for president in general - many older people have been leaders of other countries. However, my father-in-law, who is now 93, is voting for a Democrat for the first… --- ## [McCain And Obama On 60 Minutes: Who "Won"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-and-obama-on-60-minutes-who-won/464650)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-and-obama-on-60-minutes-who-won/464650 "2008-09-22T16:35:07Z")
I just watched CBS’s 60 Minutes show that profiled both McCain and Obama for the entire hour. If there was any doubt in my mind who is going to do well in the debates (and there has been no doubt), this show set my mind… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=601) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=603)