# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=603 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 604 --- ## [Is it correct to call Obama "biracial" or say he is not "African-American"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-correct-to-call-obama-biracial-or-say-he-is-not-african-american/464647)
**Author:** [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-correct-to-call-obama-biracial-or-say-he-is-not-african-american/464647 "2008-09-22T15:10:34Z")
There have been arguments here and there about whether Obama is really “black” or “African-American,” based on 1) the fact that he has one ostensibly white parent and 2) the fact that his father was Kenyan and not the de… --- ## [Any real political advantage for the Democrats re the current economic turmoil?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-real-political-advantage-for-the-democrats-re-the-current-economic-turmoil/464645)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-real-political-advantage-for-the-democrats-re-the-current-economic-turmoil/464645 "2008-09-22T06:09:34Z")
The roots of this mess are so convoluted and bi-partisan going back decades across both Democratic and Republican administrations, can either side really claim the high ground or score any substantive political points f… --- ## [McCain & Clinton talk straight; Obama spins the truth](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-clinton-talk-straight-obama-spins-the-truth/464443)
**Author:** [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-clinton-talk-straight-obama-spins-the-truth/464443 "2008-09-22T03:47:26Z")
Interesting New Scientist article. Software algorythms used “to determine when a person 'presents themselves or their content in a way that does not necessarily reflect what they know to be true,” seems to strongly indi… --- ## [Was the trillion dollars just sitting under a mattress?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-trillion-dollars-just-sitting-under-a-mattress/464579)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-the-trillion-dollars-just-sitting-under-a-mattress/464579 "2008-09-22T03:35:35Z")
I am no economist. So can someone help me out. Apparently the US Govt will inject a trillion dollars into the economy. Where did this money come from? More importently what would have happened to this money if it was … --- ## [Critique and destroy the Squeaky Wheels IDEOLOGY essay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-and-destroy-the-squeaky-wheels-ideology-essay/464559)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-and-destroy-the-squeaky-wheels-ideology-essay/464559 "2008-09-22T02:56:30Z")
I wrote the following essay close to 15 years ago. I badly needs to be rewritten, but I’m not sure where to begin. For one thing I’m not even sure I still believe everything I wrote back then, and it’ tremendously inc… --- ## [Housing crisis started with Clinton?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/housing-crisis-started-with-clinton/464189)
**Author:** [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/housing-crisis-started-with-clinton/464189 "2008-09-22T02:44:33Z")
Interesting article: http://ibdeditorial.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=306370789279709 What’s the story on IBD? Insightful or conservative-leaning publication? Additionally, McCain seems to have realized in 2006 that Fann… --- ## [Hillary for VP in 2012?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-for-vp-in-2012/464507)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 22, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-for-vp-in-2012/464507 "2008-09-22T00:39:14Z")
OK, I can’t be the first person to consider this scenario. Obama picks Biden to win in 2008. Biden steps down in 2012 and Hillary runs as Obama’s VP in 2012. This gives her one last shot in 2016 for president. Anyone th… --- ## [Hillary Clinton supporters switching to McCain/Palin -- why?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-supporters-switching-to-mccain-palin-why/464335)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clinton-supporters-switching-to-mccain-palin-why/464335 "2008-09-21T23:46:55Z")
Followup to this thread. As reported in Newsweek: Still, that the number is greater than zero is significant. Why would someone who backed Clinton in the primaries now prefer McCain to Obama? Possible reasons: Th… --- ## [Is the Obama Administration Forked Yet? Downstream Effects of the Big Bailout](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-obama-administration-forked-yet-downstream-effects-of-the-big-bailout/464589)
**Author:** [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-obama-administration-forked-yet-downstream-effects-of-the-big-bailout/464589 "2008-09-21T23:37:37Z")
It’s my contention that we ought to think of the battle over the bailout as the first major battle of the Obama Administration. For that matter, Barack Obama should think of this as the first major battle of the Obama A… --- ## [Olmert to resign; Livni likely new prime minister.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olmert-to-resign-livni-likely-new-prime-minister/464599)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olmert-to-resign-livni-likely-new-prime-minister/464599 "2008-09-21T23:34:40Z")
Livni will likely be able to put together a fragile coalition but can she accomplish anything under such a circumstance. Bibi seems like Israel’s McCain to me, but will he win the next general election and when will that… --- ## [You are the President. The Chinese lend you $1 trillion as long as you spend it. . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-the-president-the-chinese-lend-you-1-trillion-as-long-as-you-spend-it/463364)
**Author:** [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-are-the-president-the-chinese-lend-you-1-trillion-as-long-as-you-spend-it/463364 "2008-09-21T22:21:16Z")
. . . on one program/project/objective. What would you do with it? 1.) Secure the Social Security program. 2.) Invade a foreign nation without provocation hoping that it’s natural resources would benefit you. 3.) Reco… --- ## [HIV Prevention in friggin 2008](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-prevention-in-friggin-2008/464349)
**Author:** [@JillGat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JillGat)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hiv-prevention-in-friggin-2008/464349 "2008-09-21T22:00:52Z")
I belong to a listserv for HIV Prevention, which I worked in for a couple of decades. Here is my response to a recent article that was posted (and the article is posted below it). Gawd, I sound like a Libertarian. Fro… --- ## [Decision '08: Could New York turn red?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decision-08-could-new-york-turn-red/463773)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/decision-08-could-new-york-turn-red/463773 "2008-09-21T16:47:15Z")
The Post seems to think so, as does (by interpretation) this poll. What the heck is going on? --- ## [Retirement. Human Right or Luxury?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-human-right-or-luxury/464171)
**Author:** [@Hero\_From\_Sector\_7G](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hero_From_Sector_7G)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/retirement-human-right-or-luxury/464171 "2008-09-21T14:14:27Z")
As a human being, does one have have a natural born right to live the final years of his life not working? This question has been bothering me for a while. All around me I’m seeing hard working people in many fields f… --- ## [Did Obama try to delay US troop withdrawal from Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-try-to-delay-us-troop-withdrawal-from-iraq/463723)
**Author:** [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-try-to-delay-us-troop-withdrawal-from-iraq/463723 "2008-09-21T05:58:20Z")
Granted, this is the New York Post, but I hate having to make excuses for what can be seen as putting politics before the troops’ welfare. link --- ## [How would a McCain presidency compare to Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-mccain-presidency-compare-to-bush/463136)
**Author:** [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-a-mccain-presidency-compare-to-bush/463136 "2008-09-21T03:52:26Z")
For the purposes of this thread, let’s just imagine that McCain wins the upcoming election. How would his presidency compare to that of George W. Bush? A lot of people like to call him McSame, but would his presidency … --- ## [Taking John McCain at his word...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-john-mccain-at-his-word/463959)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [September 21, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-john-mccain-at-his-word/463959 "2008-09-21T00:56:31Z")
I’m sure most SDMB political junkies are well aware of the flap over John McCain’s declaration that “the fundamentals of the ecomomy are strong,” while the Market was taking a giant dump on monday. I’m sure everyone is … --- ## [Explain flip-flopping to me](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-flip-flopping-to-me/464475)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2008, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-flip-flopping-to-me/464475 "2008-09-20T23:33:49Z")
This apparently got John Kerry in trouble. What I don’t get is why it’s a bad thing; can’t a politician say “I have changed my mind and opinions” without it being a mortal sin? I can see doing too much of it, but it seem… --- ## [Little New Hampshire sits in a sea of blue states. Why is NH a battleground state?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-new-hampshire-sits-in-a-sea-of-blue-states-why-is-nh-a-battleground-state/463826)
**Author:** [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/little-new-hampshire-sits-in-a-sea-of-blue-states-why-is-nh-a-battleground-state/463826 "2008-09-20T23:31:20Z")
I wanted to put this in GQ or IMHO, but I noticed that there aren’t any election questions there. I guess they all get posted (or moved) to GD. Oh well, here we go. New Hampshire is, by all accounts, a battleground stat… --- ## [Ought conservatives oppose government bailouts?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ought-conservatives-oppose-government-bailouts/464318)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ought-conservatives-oppose-government-bailouts/464318 "2008-09-20T22:41:21Z")
What justification are fiscal conservatives offering to justify the current bailouts of various players in the financial markets? Isn’t the extent of the government’s actions akin to socialism? I’ve always thought it a… --- ## [Any way to limit profits from economically unsound practices?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-limit-profits-from-economically-unsound-practices/464327)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2008, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-way-to-limit-profits-from-economically-unsound-practices/464327 "2008-09-20T06:56:07Z")
Perhaps what bothers me most about much of the current economic difficulties is that a great many people seem to have pursued financial activities that they should have known were - um - quite risky, because they were ab… --- ## [The Fourth Way.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fourth-way/463972)
**Author:** [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2008, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-fourth-way/463972 "2008-09-20T05:09:38Z")
The Fourth Way. I did a search, and could find nothing on the works of G.I.Gurdjieff, so I thought I’d ask if any Dopers were familiar with his system of beliefs. In my limited exploration of the man, I have never come … --- ## [McCain doesn't have have a plan for the economy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-doesnt-have-have-a-plan-for-the-economy/464206)
**Author:** [@Lili\_Von\_Shtupp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lili_Von_Shtupp)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [September 20, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-doesnt-have-have-a-plan-for-the-economy/464206 "2008-09-20T02:16:24Z")
Link Can someone please explain to me how McCain can NOT have some sort of plan as to what he intends to do about the economy? I will be the first to admit that I’m not the brightest when it comes to politics, but seri… --- ## [Human Rights Watch Activists Expelled](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-watch-activists-expelled/464368)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2008, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/human-rights-watch-activists-expelled/464368 "2008-09-19T22:37:08Z")
According to an AP news article that I saw online, President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela had two activists from the Human Rights Watch organisation expelled from the country. Will these expulsions hurt his government’s ima… --- ## [Oliphant cartoon lampoons "speaking in tongues" ... out of bounds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049)
**Author:** [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Replies:** 130\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2008, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oliphant-cartoon-lampoons-speaking-in-tongues-out-of-bounds/464049 "2008-09-19T22:19:25Z")
http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctpolitics/2008/09/readers\_say\_was.html The WP Ombudsman wrote: Was this really so far out of bounds? It is certainly, to borrow the word Pat Oliphant’s syndicate uses to describe hi… --- ## [They will try to win it by hook or crook](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-will-try-to-win-it-by-hook-or-crook/464067)
**Author:** [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/they-will-try-to-win-it-by-hook-or-crook/464067 "2008-09-19T20:04:56Z")
The Repubs are aware of the massive number of new voters the Obama Campaign has registered in almost every swing state. Many of the new voters are young citizens, in college, just graduated, and minorities(who for quite … --- ## [Britain adopts sharia law. \[In domestic disputes providing both parties agree.\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britain-adopts-sharia-law-in-domestic-disputes-providing-both-parties-agree/463727)
**Author:** [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Replies:** 107\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britain-adopts-sharia-law-in-domestic-disputes-providing-both-parties-agree/463727 "2008-09-19T19:56:05Z")
Link. Is this a good thing, in that it is just another form of arbitration and keeps cases out of the courts, or is it the first step on the road to ruin for a once-great empire and rule of law? Personally, I think it … --- ## [How real/significant is the "Bradley Effect"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-significant-is-the-bradley-effect/463837)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-significant-is-the-bradley-effect/463837 "2008-09-19T18:56:38Z")
Inspired by this thread, but more narrowly focused. The Bradley Effect is the supposed tendency of white American voters, in a race pitting a white vs. an African-American candidate, to vote against the black candidate … --- ## [Power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe - Mbeki's "quiet diplomacy" vindicated?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-sharing-deal-in-zimbabwe-mbekis-quiet-diplomacy-vindicated/463244)
**Author:** [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/power-sharing-deal-in-zimbabwe-mbekis-quiet-diplomacy-vindicated/463244 "2008-09-19T16:25:22Z")
Thabo Mbeki yesterday announced that a power-sharing deal had been agreed to by all three parties in Zimbabwe. Details have not been released, but opposition sources say that “Tsvangirai will become prime minister at the… --- ## [On Palin, Sexism, and What Women Want.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-palin-sexism-and-what-women-want/464147)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 19, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-palin-sexism-and-what-women-want/464147 "2008-09-19T16:24:33Z")
I’m sure some of us can agree on several issues involving the Republican choice of Palin as their Vice Presidential Nominee: 1) that it has lit the fire under the conservative right voting republicans. 2) It shows McCain… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=602) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=604)