# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=607 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 608 --- ## [Under what circumstances is lying morally acceptable?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-lying-morally-acceptable/463170)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/under-what-circumstances-is-lying-morally-acceptable/463170 "2008-09-12T00:24:42Z")
I’m pretty much a situational ethicist, though I prefer the tem contextual morality. It’s not so much that I believe that the ends DO justify the means; it’s that I believe the ends SHOULD justify the means. That is, no … --- ## [Madeleine Albright and North Korea](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madeleine-albright-and-north-korea/463135)
**Author:** [@Pazu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pazu)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/madeleine-albright-and-north-korea/463135 "2008-09-11T22:07:23Z")
Recently I was confronted by the assertion that “Madam Albright basically handed nuclear technology to North Korea”. Now, I admit I wasn’t paying that much attention to politics during this era, so I only have some vagu… --- ## [Palin Collected Travel Per Diems While At Home](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-collected-travel-per-diems-while-at-home/462778)
**Author:** [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Replies:** 120\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-collected-travel-per-diems-while-at-home/462778 "2008-09-11T19:47:53Z")
Palin Billed State for Nights Spent at Home Our “maverick reformer”, ladies and gentlemen… --- ## [Democrat character attacks on republicans....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrat-character-attacks-on-republicans/462915)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrat-character-attacks-on-republicans/462915 "2008-09-11T16:37:01Z")
Ever since McCain brought that self-described bull-dog on the ticket, I’ve been astounded by the full-on character attacks coming from the republicans. They have been outright lying on issues from national security to t… --- ## [Putting the abortion genie back in its bottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-the-abortion-genie-back-in-its-bottle/462644)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-the-abortion-genie-back-in-its-bottle/462644 "2008-09-11T16:00:35Z")
A couple of years ago, I started thinking that the rise of RU486 would eventually mean that outlawing abortion would be as effective as outlawing speeding. Right now, there are hazards and difficulties in getting a surg… --- ## [USA the Most Successful Nation in Human History?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-the-most-successful-nation-in-human-history/462484)
**Author:** [@Petrobey\_Mavromihalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petrobey_Mavromihalis)\ **Replies:** 88\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usa-the-most-successful-nation-in-human-history/462484 "2008-09-11T14:21:38Z")
I’ve had a think and this is probably the best forum for this. Sorry if I’m wrong. So, there’s a IMHO thread about the 3 most important issues in the US elections. It’s been fairly interesting. However in one aside Cisc… --- ## [Gov't conservatorship of Freddie Mac & Fannie Mae!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govt-conservatorship-of-freddie-mac-fannie-mae/462279)
**Author:** [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/govt-conservatorship-of-freddie-mac-fannie-mae/462279 "2008-09-11T12:26:40Z")
From the New York Times. Well, ladies and gentlemen, the shit is well and truly hitting the fan now. I’ll grant you both Freddie and Fannie were in pretty bad shape, but between the two of them they either hold or bac… --- ## [Is the Political Glass Ceiling Broken, Cracked, or Intact?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-political-glass-ceiling-broken-cracked-or-intact/461920)
**Author:** [@Invisible\_Chimp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Invisible_Chimp)\ **Replies:** 87\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-political-glass-ceiling-broken-cracked-or-intact/461920 "2008-09-11T11:42:10Z")
Hillary Clinton made remarks about “18 million cracks in the glass ceiling.” Potential VPILF Palin referenced Hillary’s remarks in her acceptance speech and also mentioned Ferraro’s nom 20 years ago. I ask is the ceil… --- ## [Should political literacy be required in order to vote?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-political-literacy-be-required-in-order-to-vote/462724)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [September 11, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-political-literacy-be-required-in-order-to-vote/462724 "2008-09-11T01:51:44Z")
During the 2000 Election, Matt Stone and Trey Parker were asked to make a South Park style cartoon advertisement for MTV as part of their Rock-the-Vote/Choose-or-Lose/etc. voter registration drive- basically “let’s make … --- ## [Responding to McCain: Good! Let the anger flow through you! Come to the dark side!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/responding-to-mccain-good-let-the-anger-flow-through-you-come-to-the-dark-side/462904)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/responding-to-mccain-good-let-the-anger-flow-through-you-come-to-the-dark-side/462904 "2008-09-10T23:22:53Z")
Today’s story about Obama / lipstick / pig makes me think the best tactic for Obama now would be to make the McCain camp angry. McCain is volatile enough that he might make himself look unstable. Cindy has already show … --- ## [Would it be fair to ask Palin a Kitty Dukakis question about her daughter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-fair-to-ask-palin-a-kitty-dukakis-question-about-her-daughter/462657)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 85\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-fair-to-ask-palin-a-kitty-dukakis-question-about-her-daughter/462657 "2008-09-10T23:07:06Z")
In the 1988 Presidential debate, Mike Dukakis was asked if he would support the death penalty if a person raped and killed his wife. Dukakis gave one of the worst answers of all time and rambled on about how crime was do… --- ## [How does society punish someone like Albert Fish?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-society-punish-someone-like-albert-fish/462519)
**Author:** [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-society-punish-someone-like-albert-fish/462519 "2008-09-10T22:59:49Z")
Albert Fish. That fellow was quite a piece of work. In addition to killing and eating children, he tortured and mutilated himself. He looked forward with excitement to his date with the chair. If we posit a justice s… --- ## [Olbermann & Matthews NOT chairing debates or election night on MSNBC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olbermann-matthews-not-chairing-debates-or-election-night-on-msnbc/462633)
**Author:** [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Replies:** 104\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/olbermann-matthews-not-chairing-debates-or-election-night-on-msnbc/462633 "2008-09-10T22:49:05Z")
Maybe this should go into Cafe Society, but it’s more to do with issues we’ve been discussing here. Yesterday, according to the New York Times: \[QUOTE=NY Times\] After months of accusations of political bias and simmer… --- ## [Fuzzy math or better math?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuzzy-math-or-better-math/462557)
**Author:** [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuzzy-math-or-better-math/462557 "2008-09-10T21:43:49Z")
It started in here MS Works, MS Office, Open Office, what gives??? - Factual Questions - Straight Dope Message Board and it got me thinking, are the kids in my school district getting cheated? Watching the videos Illino… --- ## [Why the silence on McCain's height?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-silence-on-mccains-height/462639)
**Author:** [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-silence-on-mccains-height/462639 "2008-09-10T21:29:18Z")
If you had asked me a week or two ago to estimate John McCain’s height, I would have said around 5’11"-6’0". He never struck me as being shorter than average for a Republican politician from a western state. But seeing… --- ## [Legitimacy of assassination as a military/political tactic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legitimacy-of-assassination-as-a-military-political-tactic/462875)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/legitimacy-of-assassination-as-a-military-political-tactic/462875 "2008-09-10T21:26:29Z")
Bob Woodward claims that the drop in violence in Iraq following the “Surge” can largely be credited to a secret program to target and assassinate certain leaders/terrorists. He does not have a problem with this. Do an… --- ## [Would you immigrate to the US if Obama wins?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-immigrate-to-the-us-if-obama-wins/462856)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-immigrate-to-the-us-if-obama-wins/462856 "2008-09-10T21:20:56Z")
A sort of complement to this thread. In my case, even if he were to win (as I expect), I wouldn’t immigrate. Maybe after he’s implemented some of his policies, and implemented some form of universal health care. --- ## [Conrad Dobler, disabled ex-players and the NFL players' union](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conrad-dobler-disabled-ex-players-and-the-nfl-players-union/462870)
**Author:** [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conrad-dobler-disabled-ex-players-and-the-nfl-players-union/462870 "2008-09-10T21:17:34Z")
Is the players’ union not living up to its obligations to ex-players? Are there lots of former players living in chronic pain, dying too soon of treatable illnesses, or struggling to put food on the table? Or is this… --- ## [What constitutes "Intelligence"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-intelligence/462831)
**Author:** [@Frustrated\_Wonderer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frustrated_Wonderer)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-constitutes-intelligence/462831 "2008-09-10T16:31:34Z")
Intelligence, I believe, is a complex topic that is often “narrowed” down by many people to signify that the person either: a) Gets good grades b) Gets a high IQ score c) Can perform subjects like math or physics with… --- ## [Why has McCain's infidelity been restructured into something else?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-mccains-infidelity-been-restructured-into-something-else/462857)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-has-mccains-infidelity-been-restructured-into-something-else/462857 "2008-09-10T16:31:08Z")
This is just a passing observation that may or may not spark a little debate. But It’s my recollection that McCain cheated on his first wife with Cindy \[and others\] and yet when the press talks about John and Cindy they … --- ## [Sarah Palin Rumor fighting websites](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rumor-fighting-websites/462910)
**Author:** [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-rumor-fighting-websites/462910 "2008-09-10T14:59:36Z")
This place is all about fighting ignorance, and I’m hoping that includes rumors. I suggest this be made a sticky to perhaps cut down on the wild rumors about Sarah Palin that are circulating on the internet and elsewher… --- ## [Which voter group is going to most largely determine the outcome of this election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-voter-group-is-going-to-most-largely-determine-the-outcome-of-this-election/462844)
**Author:** [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Replies:** 22\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-voter-group-is-going-to-most-largely-determine-the-outcome-of-this-election/462844 "2008-09-10T14:30:45Z")
I mean, I’m sure a case could be made for several (or all) put together, but is there ONE group that’s going to cinch it? I hear all of this about Independents determining the election, but is it the Independents that ar… --- ## [Ron Paul supporters: why are they still at it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-supporters-why-are-they-still-at-it/462868)
**Author:** [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ron-paul-supporters-why-are-they-still-at-it/462868 "2008-09-10T14:00:58Z")
Long after Ron Paul dropped out of the Republican presidential primary race, I still see cars decked out top to bottom in Ron Paul signs. Around my neighborhood and in adjacent communities, I see new Ron Paul signs nail… --- ## [Palin has no idea how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac operate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-has-no-idea-how-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-operate/462665)
**Author:** [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/palin-has-no-idea-how-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-operate/462665 "2008-09-10T04:53:59Z")
At a press conference today Sarah Palin said: “And that’s why John McCain has been calling for years to reform things and cut bureaucracy even at the lending agencies our government supports. The fact is that Fannie Ma… --- ## [Who will the Clinton's vote for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-the-clintons-vote-for/462882)
**Author:** [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-the-clintons-vote-for/462882 "2008-09-10T04:36:44Z")
Yes, I know that they’ve come out wholeheartedly in favor of Obama in the past few months, for which they should be commended. However, both of them will step into the voting booth, with cameras on the outside and no on… --- ## [Why hasn't some tried to assassinate Mugabe?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-some-tried-to-assassinate-mugabe/462885)
**Author:** [@Chasing\_Dreams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chasing_Dreams)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-some-tried-to-assassinate-mugabe/462885 "2008-09-10T04:16:28Z")
I’ve been following the political and economical events of Zimbabwe through the news and it just surprises me that there hasn’t been any assassination attempts on Mugabe. What, with the 30 million percent inflation rate,… --- ## [Conservatives: Explain why Palin has "energized the base"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-explain-why-palin-has-energized-the-base/462649)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservatives-explain-why-palin-has-energized-the-base/462649 "2008-09-10T02:51:16Z")
As many have noted (in the media and here on the SDMB) Palin has energized the Republican party base like no other since Reagan. The question I have is: why? Reagan was running for President; she is not. Some possible… --- ## [How will, or should, Obama-Biden answer the Palin buzz?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-or-should-obama-biden-answer-the-palin-buzz/462555 "2008-09-10T00:37:30Z")
Now I am first to admit that I am duly chagrined. When McCain announced Palin as his VP choice I only saw a far Right extremist unknown to most of America and with no qualifications to be a heartbeat away. I was confiden… --- ## [Where in the world is Sarah Palin? or Responsibilities of Canididates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-sarah-palin-or-responsibilities-of-canididates/462667)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-in-the-world-is-sarah-palin-or-responsibilities-of-canididates/462667 "2008-09-10T00:28:51Z")
I know, I know, another Sarah Palin thread, but I am trying to get at a larger issue here so please, be patient. As those of you who are following closely know, Sarah Palin has not been made available to the media and i… --- ## [Sarah Palin investigated for Abuse of Gubernatorial Power. Some Questions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-investigated-for-abuse-of-gubernatorial-power-some-questions/461804)
**Author:** [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [September 10, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sarah-palin-investigated-for-abuse-of-gubernatorial-power-some-questions/461804 "2008-09-10T00:14:53Z")
Gee. It puts a mind to wonderin’. Sarah Palin Investigated No doubt she will zealously comply with all directives and participate fully with the investigation and (possible) prosecution, and will do so with absolute di… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=606) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=608)