# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=606 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 607 --- ## [Would you vote in favor of a national lottery?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-vote-in-favor-of-a-national-lottery/463378)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-vote-in-favor-of-a-national-lottery/463378 "2008-09-14T01:55:10Z")
It will never happen- I’ve no delusions- but 1- Would you vote in favor of it if you were a rep/senator or it was a referendum? 2- To what would you dedicate the government’s share of the profits? I would, and I’d ded… --- ## [We can't have a trial, state secrets would be compromised](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-have-a-trial-state-secrets-would-be-compromised/463464)
**Author:** [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [September 14, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/we-cant-have-a-trial-state-secrets-would-be-compromised/463464 "2008-09-14T00:20:47Z")
Here in the US, when it comes to things like trying suspected terrorists, or trying to determine the legality of a government program, government officials will ask that the case be thrown out because of state secrets. O… --- ## [Greenspan: Country can't afford McCain tax cuts](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenspan-country-cant-afford-mccain-tax-cuts/463494)
**Author:** [@Camus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Camus)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greenspan-country-cant-afford-mccain-tax-cuts/463494 "2008-09-13T22:48:02Z")
From the AP. The linked story indicates that McCain has pledged to end pork-barrel spending, “unnecessary” government programs, and overhauling Social Security and Medicare. Isn’t this extremely wishful thinking, thou… --- ## [Estimating the probability of winning the presidential election](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/estimating-the-probability-of-winning-the-presidential-election/463340)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/estimating-the-probability-of-winning-the-presidential-election/463340 "2008-09-13T21:32:32Z")
The electoral vote results on many websites, such as electoral-vote.com, are informative, but don’t provide a handy way to combine all the results in a single number. Sure, they have things like “Strong Dem”, “Weak dem”… --- ## [Polls show McCain winning the electoral college](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-show-mccain-winning-the-electoral-college/463303)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 84\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/polls-show-mccain-winning-the-electoral-college/463303 "2008-09-13T19:07:33Z")
This election is starting to make me feel physically ill. --- ## [Please explain media bias - Election '08](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-media-bias-election-08/463465)
**Author:** [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-media-bias-election-08/463465 "2008-09-13T18:23:16Z")
I don’t get this “media bias” thing. The issue has come up in the various election threads on both sides, but it’s not explored beyond a couple of posts. Obama’s minister Wright was in the press for weeks and people we… --- ## [Proof that Palin wanted to teach "creation science" in Alaska schools](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-that-palin-wanted-to-teach-creation-science-in-alaska-schools/463232 "2008-09-13T17:56:56Z")
This is from an interview that palin gave in the 2002 Gubernatorial race: Let there be no more doubt. Let it also be note that she thinks “Creation Science” is a scientific theory, that evolution is “only a theory,” t… --- ## [Do you believe most Americans are stupid?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-most-americans-are-stupid/462717)
**Author:** [@Birdmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Birdmonster)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-believe-most-americans-are-stupid/462717 "2008-09-13T16:08:48Z")
I was having what I thought was a reasonable debate with a roommate the other night after John McCain’s RNC speech. I remarked that I thought he did a decent job (besides the smarmy smiling at strange and incongruous mom… --- ## [Would you mind eating cloned meat?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-mind-eating-cloned-meat/462816)
**Author:** [@unspun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unspun)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-mind-eating-cloned-meat/462816 "2008-09-13T11:54:06Z")
Don’t know if maybe this has already been covered here after the initial FDA decision, but I came across this article: I find it strange that given the U.S. government’s take on human cloning, that the FDA gives the gr… --- ## [Barack Obama vs John McCain on Health Care](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-vs-john-mccain-on-health-care/463334)
**Author:** [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-vs-john-mccain-on-health-care/463334 "2008-09-13T11:44:01Z")
In this thread, JXJohns is trying to understand Barack Obama’s healt care plan, and how he intends to pay for it. I said I’d start a new thread for debate, so here it is. However, I’ve got to leave for a while, so this… --- ## [Under an Obama administration, will U.S. citizens take more action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-an-obama-administration-will-u-s-citizens-take-more-action/463393)
**Author:** [@Dilton\_Doiley\_Philosopher\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dilton_Doiley_Philosopher_King)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-an-obama-administration-will-u-s-citizens-take-more-action/463393 "2008-09-13T03:55:35Z")
While I wasn’t alive in the sixties, I am familiar with JFK’s famous inaugural quote “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country”. Similarly, Barack Obama invokes a similar call to act… --- ## [Would you like the American presidential campaign season to be shorter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-the-american-presidential-campaign-season-to-be-shorter/463029)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-like-the-american-presidential-campaign-season-to-be-shorter/463029 "2008-09-13T02:26:18Z")
Like, no primaries or caucuses until July 1, no exceptions; no party conventions before October 1; only one month of real head-to-head campaigning between the nominees. I think it’s pretty much like that in most democra… --- ## [FactCheck.Org on Sarah Palin](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factcheck-org-on-sarah-palin/462748)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/factcheck-org-on-sarah-palin/462748 "2008-09-13T02:15:36Z")
This is a pretty good summary of the state of the various stories going around about Palin. According to Factcheck.Org: All fully sourced. Can we now stop repeating these myths? --- ## [Independents: Why you should not vote for McCain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independents-why-you-should-not-vote-for-mccain/463185)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [September 13, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independents-why-you-should-not-vote-for-mccain/463185 "2008-09-13T00:39:25Z")
Based solely on what policies they would pursue, and what kind of president they would be, I would be OK with either Obama or McCain winning, as I agree with some of the policies from both of them, and they both seem lik… --- ## [Implications of admitting Iraq invasion was wrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-admitting-iraq-invasion-was-wrong/463270)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/implications-of-admitting-iraq-invasion-was-wrong/463270 "2008-09-12T22:22:03Z")
I (and at least 1 or 2 other nuts) were never convinced that there was a legitimate justification for our invasion of Iraq. And I sense a similar message from the Obama campaign. I wonder, however, whether a succeeding… --- ## [Does Obama need to mount an offensive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-obama-need-to-mount-an-offensive/463193 "2008-09-12T21:29:20Z")
Recently it seems Obama is always on the defensive- the lipstick/pig non-issue most recently and then many things (some of them, granted, legitimate to the campaign) before that. He has yet to launch a major offensive, … --- ## [Independents: What do you think of Palin?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independents-what-do-you-think-of-palin/461951)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 191\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/independents-what-do-you-think-of-palin/461951 "2008-09-12T21:12:07Z")
It’s pretty clear that conservatives are enamored by her and liberals think she is totally unfit for VP, but it’s not so clear what independents here think. So, if you are independent (e.g. have voted for both parties i… --- ## [Anyone seriously considering leaving the U.S. if McCain wins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seriously-considering-leaving-the-u-s-if-mccain-wins/462620)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 133\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-seriously-considering-leaving-the-u-s-if-mccain-wins/462620 "2008-09-12T17:47:11Z")
Usually, I follow elections fairly closely but also disinterestedly. However, this time, my passions have been aroused and I’ve made it really personal: I desperately want Obama to win. The reasons are numerous, but I th… --- ## [Please explain 'Expectation of Privacy'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-expectation-of-privacy/463278)
**Author:** [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-explain-expectation-of-privacy/463278 "2008-09-12T17:27:02Z")
This thread in the pit links to an article about a man who was videotaped committing a crime by the police (having sex with his comatose wife). However, the videotape was ruled inadmissible because the man had an ‘expec… --- ## [What happened to the Spanish Empire?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-spanish-empire/462597)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-the-spanish-empire/462597 "2008-09-12T15:01:37Z")
At one point, the Spanish Empire was THE pre-eminent military power in the world, controlling nearly all of Central and South America, large chunks of the Caribbean, as well as the Philippines, Morocco, parts of West Afr… --- ## [How is the Zimbabwe election going to shake out -- end for Mugabe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-zimbabwe-election-going-to-shake-out-end-for-mugabe/443694)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 69\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-the-zimbabwe-election-going-to-shake-out-end-for-mugabe/443694 "2008-09-12T14:59:05Z")
The Zimbabwean Election Commission still has not announced the official results. No protests or riots on the ground – yet. If the results go against Mugabe – will he go quietly? If he doesn’t, can he be ousted withou… --- ## [Obama/Biden '08: The Quickening](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08-the-quickening/461370)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08-the-quickening/461370 "2008-09-12T10:50:14Z")
In memory of the old thread, let’s try not to get sidetracked too badly. Soon, we’ll have heard most of the major players (Hillary, Biden, and Obama) speak at the DNC. That’s probably for the DNC thread. However, I be… --- ## [The National Service Program Last Night](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-national-service-program-last-night/463249)
**Author:** [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-national-service-program-last-night/463249 "2008-09-12T10:16:23Z")
I saw McCain’s half and then I fell asleep. How did Obama do? I thought McCain gave some good answers, even if I don’t think he actually will do anything much as far as national service for the non-military minded. He pr… --- ## [President Chavez Boots Out U.S. Ambassador](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-boots-out-u-s-ambassador/463200)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-boots-out-u-s-ambassador/463200 "2008-09-12T05:10:38Z")
I saw a small news item from AP that says that President Hugo Chavez is giving the U.S. Ambassador 72 hours to leave Venezuela. Is this just business as usual or is this the first act in an escalating series of events? … --- ## [Obama to appear on O'Reilly tonight](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-oreilly-tonight/462056)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 144\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-oreilly-tonight/462056 "2008-09-12T02:06:37Z")
Linkage Obama is going to step into the \[del\]No\[/del\] Spin Zone with Billo tonight. It should be interesting and it might even help him. I think if O’Reilly screams and yells, it will only help Obama. I also think it’s … --- ## [Possible implications of the ruling in the J.K. Rowling copyright case?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-implications-of-the-ruling-in-the-j-k-rowling-copyright-case/462751)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/possible-implications-of-the-ruling-in-the-j-k-rowling-copyright-case/462751 "2008-09-12T01:13:01Z")
A judge in the US has ruled that a “Harry Potter Lexicon” being put together by a fan for publication is in breach of J.K Rowling’s copyright on the Harry Potter universe. Story here. As a writer, historian, and resear… --- ## [Edwards, the media, and the primaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-the-media-and-the-primaries/463106)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-the-media-and-the-primaries/463106 "2008-09-12T01:11:05Z")
If John Edwards had been more of a factor in the primaries, or had been leading at any time, would the media have pursued the affair story more diligently? And if he had ever been in the lead and the story had come out,… --- ## [Is mainstream America mostly conservative?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mainstream-america-mostly-conservative/462901)
**Author:** [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mainstream-america-mostly-conservative/462901 "2008-09-12T00:53:02Z")
Today I was talking with a “conservative” friend of mine about the election. During which he stated that “mainstream America is mostly conservative” and that “liberal ideas miss the mark with most people”. Now this obvi… --- ## [Is Radical Islam in the Minority among Muslims?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-radical-islam-in-the-minority-among-muslims/431938)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-radical-islam-in-the-minority-among-muslims/431938 "2008-09-12T00:52:58Z")
There is a debate in this thread: Pro Giuliani group co-chair says we should get rid of all Muslims about whether or not Radical Islam is a tiny minority. I have taken the position that I doubt it’s an underground phe… --- ## [Track and Bristol Palin promiscuous drug users - relevant?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/track-and-bristol-palin-promiscuous-drug-users-relevant/462984)
**Author:** [@A\_shameful\_cracka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_shameful_cracka)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/track-and-bristol-palin-promiscuous-drug-users-relevant/462984 "2008-09-12T00:36:43Z")
The National Enquirer has recently published a story saying that they have numerous sources claiming that Track Palin is addicted to Oxcycontin, has used drugs intravenously and has been involved in other illegal activit… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=605) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=607)