# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=611 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 612 --- ## [Bill Clinton's speech](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clintons-speech/461443)
**Author:** [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2008, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clintons-speech/461443 "2008-08-29T01:49:00Z")
Bill Clinton’s a great speechifier, if not a bit long-winded. He’s sure capable of giving a fire-up-the-troops-type speech. I just wonder if he will tonight. Will he give the conventions’s first highly-watched “red-meat… --- ## [Is Hillary/her supporters about to go on a rampage?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-her-supporters-about-to-go-on-a-rampage/461064)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-hillary-her-supporters-about-to-go-on-a-rampage/461064 "2008-08-29T01:36:33Z")
This CNN blog entry certainly raises the possibility, which has conservatives salivating, of course. I mentioned this in another thread, but thought it deserved its own, since there are a lot of questions that could be … --- ## [Would you vote for Biden?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-vote-for-biden/461548)
**Author:** [@Slypork](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slypork)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2008, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-vote-for-biden/461548 "2008-08-29T01:25:33Z")
In this thread about what would happen if Obama was assassinated before the election, it was mentioned that Biden could be chosen by the party as his replacement on the ticket (I know there is a greater chance of Hillar… --- ## [Afghanistan = Vietnam, ca. 1973?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-vietnam-ca-1973/461398)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [August 29, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/afghanistan-vietnam-ca-1973/461398 "2008-08-29T00:36:06Z")
The parallels are ominous-the Taliban is back, and US forces are doing most of the fighting. The corrupt government of Hamid Karzai hides out in the cites, the afghan army is falling apart. Meanwhile, guns and weapons po… --- ## [Do you think that this movie will be effective](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-this-movie-will-be-effective/461467)
**Author:** [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-this-movie-will-be-effective/461467 "2008-08-28T23:52:58Z")
in changing anyone’s mind about the war in Iraq? Preview link here. --- ## [Which is the Greener Burial?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-the-greener-burial/461593)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 16\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-is-the-greener-burial/461593 "2008-08-28T23:44:33Z")
Cremation or Burial in the ground? I sustect cremation is very bad-it uses energy, and produces lots of CO2. Earth burial is nicer-your carbon 9and the coffin wood) gets “sequestered’ for 80-300 years! Do any undertake… --- ## [What should the penalty be for serial rapists/pedophiles?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-penalty-be-for-serial-rapists-pedophiles/460924)
**Author:** [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Replies:** 97\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-the-penalty-be-for-serial-rapists-pedophiles/460924 "2008-08-28T20:37:29Z")
This thread has people voting for “life without parole” instead of the death penalty for killers. Now let’s say a serial rapist and/or pedophile is sentenced for his 45 sexual assaults. None of his victims were killed. … --- ## [Hillary Supporters: did she convince you to back Barack?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-supporters-did-she-convince-you-to-back-barack/461403)
**Author:** [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2008, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-supporters-did-she-convince-you-to-back-barack/461403 "2008-08-28T14:57:39Z")
For any of you who were holding out for a Clinton nod on the vice presidency, I’m sure the announcement of Sen Joe Biden stung a little bit, but she did get a headliner’s slot at the convention. Last night she asked you… --- ## [Do aides really need to resign when they screw up?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-aides-really-need-to-resign-when-they-screw-up/461524)
**Author:** [@rikc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rikc)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2008, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-aides-really-need-to-resign-when-they-screw-up/461524 "2008-08-28T14:06:23Z")
There has been all sorts of drama with presidential campaign aides this year. Phil Gramm and his “nation of whiners” comment, Mark Penn and his lobbying for free trade, Geraldine Ferraro and her supposedly racist remark… --- ## [Now this is a reasonable constraint on gun rights. Or is it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-this-is-a-reasonable-constraint-on-gun-rights-or-is-it/461267)
**Author:** [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-this-is-a-reasonable-constraint-on-gun-rights-or-is-it/461267 "2008-08-28T13:07:11Z")
Gun Rights vs. Freedom? How “take your guns to work” laws violate property rights While I understand the desire to be allowed to carry a weapon to work, or at least have it within your vehicle, this guy is substantive… --- ## [Good pro-Obama links/articles](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-pro-obama-links-articles/461474)
**Author:** [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [August 28, 2008, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-pro-obama-links-articles/461474 "2008-08-28T02:21:46Z")
(Putting this in great debates as it’s likely that debating will occur). A friend of mine currently plans to vote for McCain, but is willing to be convinced otherwise. However, she (reasonably) points out that when she … --- ## [Feds to strengthen protection for Doctors who refuse to be involved with Abortions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-to-strengthen-protection-for-doctors-who-refuse-to-be-involved-with-abortions/460929)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 134\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/feds-to-strengthen-protection-for-doctors-who-refuse-to-be-involved-with-abortions/460929 "2008-08-27T22:32:08Z")
On NPR this morning they were talking about how the Bush Administration wants to strengthen the protection of health care professionals who refuse to perform abortions based on moral objections. To me this seems like t… --- ## [Barack Obama: the accidental candidate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-the-accidental-candidate/460985)
**Author:** [@Oy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oy)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2008, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/barack-obama-the-accidental-candidate/460985 "2008-08-27T16:31:06Z")
When Barack Obama entered this campaign back in 2007, most people firmly believed that Hillary Clinton would be the Democratic nominee in 2008. Some people didn’t like that because they didn’t like her, others of us did… --- ## [Do death penalty supporters care if they execute an innocent person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-death-penalty-supporters-care-if-they-execute-an-innocent-person/459973)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 296\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2008, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-death-penalty-supporters-care-if-they-execute-an-innocent-person/459973 "2008-08-27T05:26:55Z")
I oppose the death penalty in all circumstances. The state should never execute a person. I’m convinced that we have executed innocent people. Do people who support the death penalty really care that innocent people hav… --- ## [(What I think may be) the root cause to gay marriage opposition... how to fight it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-think-may-be-the-root-cause-to-gay-marriage-opposition-how-to-fight-it/460191)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2008, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-i-think-may-be-the-root-cause-to-gay-marriage-opposition-how-to-fight-it/460191 "2008-08-27T05:20:10Z")
Yes, I certainly and freely grant that this thought is probably not at all original, and yes, I realize much of the opposition is religiously-based, but I wanted to muse over something I thought of when reading Otto’s Pi… --- ## [Chipping Illegals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chipping-illegals/461109)
**Author:** [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chipping-illegals/461109 "2008-08-27T04:02:22Z")
Idea spurred by this thread in GQ. If GPS tracking units became small enough to implant irremovably into, for instance, the brain, would chipping illegal aliens as they are caught be a method for significantly reducing … --- ## ["I.O.U.S.A.": $53 trillion debt to destroy us all?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-o-u-s-a-53-trillion-debt-to-destroy-us-all/459556)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [August 27, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-o-u-s-a-53-trillion-debt-to-destroy-us-all/459556 "2008-08-27T01:26:10Z")
This Washington Post article deals much with the warnings of David Walker, whom I’ve started a thread about before. The article says that their upcoming film on the subject, I.O.U.S.A., is an “Inconvenient Truth for the… --- ## [Kennedy promises to still be in the Senate next January?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kennedy-promises-to-still-be-in-the-senate-next-january/461311 "2008-08-26T23:54:09Z")
That’s what he said at the DNC last night. I’m sure he can do it, but in his condition, isn’t that kind of, well, irresponsible? He should be promising to resign, in time for an election for the seat in November. --- ## [The humanity of a Turing machine](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humanity-of-a-turing-machine/460107)
**Author:** [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-humanity-of-a-turing-machine/460107 "2008-08-26T22:50:30Z")
Over in this train wreck of a thread, I said something that I think could break out into its own discussion. Der Trihs states outright that free will is an illusion, “the concept is incoherent”. If all behavior is dete… --- ## [Was Prime Minister Gladstone a Perv? \[corrected title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-prime-minister-gladstone-a-perv-corrected-title/461268)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-prime-minister-gladstone-a-perv-corrected-title/461268 "2008-08-26T22:32:53Z")
The 19th Century British Prime minister was somewhat eccentric-he would troll the back alleys of London, picking up prostitutes. He would then bring them home, and pray for their reform.He would distribute bibles to them… --- ## [Obama/Biden 08'](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 264\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-biden-08/461017 "2008-08-26T22:28:14Z")
Barack Obama chooses Senator Jow Biden, 65, as his running mate for the 2008 presidential election! Quick Blurb Peronsonally, I am very happy with the choice, his. Others? --- ## [Immediate Gratification](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immediate-gratification/460512)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immediate-gratification/460512 "2008-08-26T22:07:02Z")
I was talking to my brother. I have a problem with immediate gratification. I want what I want and I want it now. Lots of us have this problem. It’s a society of bic razors, and quick and dirty solutions. Companies … --- ## [Who will/should Obama pick as running mate?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 661\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-should-obama-pick-as-running-mate/451752 "2008-08-26T17:24:32Z")
I know we’ve had threads on that question before but now his nomination is more or less official, so let’s do it again. I say Kathleen Sebelius – a white woman (to appeal to the Hillary base) with the executive experien… --- ## [The Future of Religion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-religion/459926)
**Author:** [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Replies:** 232\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-future-of-religion/459926 "2008-08-26T15:08:19Z")
Inspired by this thread on persons confronting atheism, I wondered: could organized religion become a thing of the past? I’m not talking about 10 years, or 100 years, but what are the hopes for organized religion say, 1… --- ## [Was Ancient Greek pederasty damaging to the participants?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-ancient-greek-pederasty-damaging-to-the-participants/461127)
**Author:** [@Laudenum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laudenum)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/was-ancient-greek-pederasty-damaging-to-the-participants/461127 "2008-08-26T03:54:14Z")
I was just reading a discussion on another bulletin board about paedophilia, and one of the participants essentially claimed that boys in Ancient Greece suffered no ill effects from pedestry, since culturally, it was ok,… --- ## [Are those presidential "Polls" B.S.?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-presidential-polls-b-s/460695)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-those-presidential-polls-b-s/460695 "2008-08-26T02:42:54Z")
Those polls they like to throw in the headlines every week showing whose ahead are pretty much bullshit aren’t they? Todays shows McCain with a now 7-point lead over Obama from likely voters. I can’t believe people jus… --- ## [Recent shootings in US with political motivations...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-shootings-in-us-with-political-motivations/460111)
**Author:** [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-shootings-in-us-with-political-motivations/460111 "2008-08-26T01:45:33Z")
Anybody see a pattern here? Chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party shot in his office Man shoots up a Unitarian church in Tennessee over their support for “liberalism” “Funny” political T-shirts sold by theri… --- ## [New TWA Flight 800 Documentary -- Change Anyone's Mind?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-twa-flight-800-documentary-change-anyones-mind/460033)
**Author:** [@Huerta88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Huerta88)\ **Replies:** 91\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2008, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-twa-flight-800-documentary-change-anyones-mind/460033 "2008-08-26T01:14:51Z")
I recently saw the “Best Evidence” documentary (eh, it’s a kind of overstatement to call it that – this is a mildly sensationalist one hour television show) on this subject. http://www.cnnexposed.com/story.php?story=32 … --- ## [Will the candidates hint at their cabinet choices as part of the campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-candidates-hint-at-their-cabinet-choices-as-part-of-the-campaign/461148)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-candidates-hint-at-their-cabinet-choices-as-part-of-the-campaign/461148 "2008-08-25T21:52:54Z")
If I recall correctly Bush had pretty much made it clear that Powell was going to be his Secretary of State as part of his campaign push and that was a very reassuring item to many who were uncomfortable with Bush’s lack… --- ## [What should we do about people who abuse antibiotics?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-people-who-abuse-antibiotics/460836)
**Author:** [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [August 25, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-should-we-do-about-people-who-abuse-antibiotics/460836 "2008-08-25T15:31:12Z")
My wife has a friend, “Lindy,” who is, to be frank, an idiot. (Cite.). The latest permutation of Lindy’s idiocy was revealed to Kim this morning, when she was visiting her friend at her house. Kim has a summer cold, you… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=610) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=612)