# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=624 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 625 --- ## [Remove Nancy Pelosi](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remove-nancy-pelosi/453731)
**Author:** [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/remove-nancy-pelosi/453731 "2008-06-28T04:16:42Z")
Am I wrong, or is the chief impediment to impeachment Nancy Pelosi? The Bush administration as such has repeatedly misinterpreted the law & been called on it. “High crimes & misdemeanors” can reasonably refer to cirimes… --- ## [Buying a ticket for one movie, deliberately seeing another - how wrong?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-ticket-for-one-movie-deliberately-seeing-another-how-wrong/452597)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [June 28, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-ticket-for-one-movie-deliberately-seeing-another-how-wrong/452597 "2008-06-28T00:05:58Z")
In this thread discussing Ben Stein’s movie extolling the brilliance of “Intelligent Design,” at least two posters proudly announce that they’ve seen the movie, but that they paid for tickets to other shows at the theat… --- ## [Far fetched US election hypothetical.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-fetched-us-election-hypothetical/454452)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/far-fetched-us-election-hypothetical/454452 "2008-06-27T22:41:32Z")
What would happen if both candidates died\* on the same day or close together sometime between now and the election? Would the next most popular candidate for both parties then have to contest? What if they died on the sa… --- ## [Another Climate Change question: Temperatures at the tropics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-climate-change-question-temperatures-at-the-tropics/454303)
**Author:** [@wolfstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfstu)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-climate-change-question-temperatures-at-the-tropics/454303 "2008-06-27T21:34:14Z")
One of the main political parties in Canada is proposing taxing carbon emissions, as a lead-up to a later cap-and-trade scheme. The national public broadcaster hosted a public question-and-answer forum about it on their… --- ## [There's no crying in the courtroom! He's crying, sir.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-no-crying-in-the-courtroom-hes-crying-sir/454163)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/theres-no-crying-in-the-courtroom-hes-crying-sir/454163 "2008-06-27T17:45:51Z")
From this story about prosecutors that want their opponent instructed not to cry while fighting for his client’s life during a death penalty case. Sorry. I agree that the death penalty is constitutional, but it ought to… --- ## [Deadlines for Society](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadlines-for-society/454187)
**Author:** [@focusonz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/focusonz)\ **Replies:** 18\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deadlines-for-society/454187 "2008-06-27T16:35:36Z")
The mod said I should be less polemic in my OP’s. It has been very hard to do because I am of the opinion that so many people are just fucking crazy! Here is my effort to satisfy the MOD. The earth will end in 2012, no… --- ## [Thank you James Dobson](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-james-dobson/454132)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-james-dobson/454132 "2008-06-27T15:54:29Z")
Evangelical screeds are just what Obama ordered! The battle now is for the middle and the farther Right the anti-Obama forces seem (and they will be lumped together - McCain cannot escape his allies, right or wrong, an… --- ## [On October 1, Bush announces . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-october-1-bush-announces/453772)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-october-1-bush-announces/453772 "2008-06-27T14:51:24Z")
That the war in Iraq has been successful and starts to pull troops out and turning over security to Iraqi nation forces. How would this affect the election? --- ## [Oil companies returning to Iraq. or No war for oil ~ redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-companies-returning-to-iraq-or-no-war-for-oil-redux/453795)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oil-companies-returning-to-iraq-or-no-war-for-oil-redux/453795 "2008-06-27T08:46:50Z")
I’m posting from my phone. so please excuse some of my syntax. Also, it is very difficult to post a link, but if you go to google news you can easily find the various articles. So the oil companies are buying favor wit… --- ## [Is drink spiking a myth?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-drink-spiking-a-myth/454352)
**Author:** [@blinkingblinking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blinkingblinking)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-drink-spiking-a-myth/454352 "2008-06-27T03:53:30Z")
I think it is. According to all the things I have read, there are people who do not realise how alcohol works on the body. I have only ever heard anecdotes about drink spiking happening. Never any real evidence. SMH I… --- ## [McCain - "The Lexington Project"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-the-lexington-project/454279)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [June 27, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-the-lexington-project/454279 "2008-06-27T02:55:06Z")
Have you seen this? McCain’s energy plan - The Lexington Project. So, it sounds like he thinks he’s got a coherent plan good enough to give it a name and make it a centerpiece of his campaign. In short, this is the p… --- ## [Raising Taxes For Fairness](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-taxes-for-fairness/452775)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/raising-taxes-for-fairness/452775 "2008-06-26T23:52:07Z")
Obama stated in the 4/26 democratic debate that he was in favor of increasing the capital gains tax from its current level of 15% to essentially 28%. Now when asked why he would increase this tax despite some evidence … --- ## [SCOTUS on 8th Amendment](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-on-8th-amendment/454206)
**Author:** [@Furious\_Marmot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Furious_Marmot)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-on-8th-amendment/454206 "2008-06-26T17:12:36Z")
The Supreme Court of the US just struck down a Louisiana law which allowed capital punishment for child rape. It’s not my intention to debate the Louisiana law nor capital punishment in general, but rather the court’s r… --- ## [What "Arms" Would the Framers Believe we should Bear?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-arms-would-the-framers-believe-we-should-bear/454233)
**Author:** [@Scupper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scupper)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2008, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-arms-would-the-framers-believe-we-should-bear/454233 "2008-06-26T12:38:41Z")
Assuming that the framers of the Bill of Rights intended the Second Amendment to apply in the manner that gun ownership advocates believe (individual vs. some kind of “collective” right), what sort of weapons would they … --- ## [How does Scientology still survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-scientology-still-survive/453716)
**Author:** [@scrambledeggs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scrambledeggs)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-scientology-still-survive/453716 "2008-06-26T03:11:23Z")
Saw that South Park episode where they viciously satirize Scientology – My question is why all of the 'expose’s of Scientology, the beliefs based on bizarre science fiction and not normal religion, the heavy fees, etc.,… --- ## [Will increased transport prices lead to a revival of local manufacturing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-increased-transport-prices-lead-to-a-revival-of-local-manufacturing/454055)
**Author:** [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-increased-transport-prices-lead-to-a-revival-of-local-manufacturing/454055 "2008-06-25T20:27:32Z")
This could be a GQ but I imagine there is some debate as to the ramifications of high fuel costs. Do higher transport costs give “local” business the edge or do the increased prices for raw material transportation mitiga… --- ## [Obama on gas prices](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-gas-prices/453905)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-on-gas-prices/453905 "2008-06-25T19:52:59Z")
No cite…can’t find one at the moment. It’s been quite a few days so it’s should be public knowledge. Basically Obama said that the high gas prices weren’t so bad but the shock of such a swift increase was what was bad. … --- ## [John McCain solves energy crisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-solves-energy-crisis/453908)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/john-mccain-solves-energy-crisis/453908 "2008-06-25T17:03:03Z")
In a bold and stunning move, Republican presidential candidate John McCain is offering a $300 million dollar reward to whoever comes up with a damn good car battery. According to the Associated Press, McCain will reveal … --- ## [The Oil Drilling Lie](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oil-drilling-lie/453611)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-oil-drilling-lie/453611 "2008-06-25T16:23:08Z")
So McCain has flip-flopped on off-shore oil drilling, and unsurprisingly Bush also wants to allow off-shore oil-drilling. Then of course there is the need to drill for oil in ANWR, according to them. But what they don’… --- ## [Did Obama just sell his soul?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-just-sell-his-soul/454046)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-just-sell-his-soul/454046 "2008-06-25T13:33:42Z")
He has recently expressed support for this new bill, which will give amnesty to the telecom companies which may have been involved in wiretapping, and, apparently, expand presidential surveillance powers. The liberal bl… --- ## [Global Warming - How much do plants matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-how-much-do-plants-matter/451850)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-how-much-do-plants-matter/451850 "2008-06-25T06:40:10Z")
According to Freeman Dyson, the current climate models are woefully inadequate because they do not account properly for the effect of plants over time: I was a little curious about whether the changes in plant life due… --- ## [Nino is writing for the majority in DC v. Heller](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nino-is-writing-for-the-majority-in-dc-v-heller/454164)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nino-is-writing-for-the-majority-in-dc-v-heller/454164 "2008-06-25T03:57:51Z")
A little bird tells me that Justice Scalia is the author of the majority opinion in the soon-to-be-released DC v. Heller gun rights case. Obviously, nothing’s official until the Court releases it, and my source could be… --- ## [Rep. Kucinich reads articles of impeachment. Is there any point?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-kucinich-reads-articles-of-impeachment-is-there-any-point/452390)
**Author:** [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Replies:** 289\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rep-kucinich-reads-articles-of-impeachment-is-there-any-point/452390 "2008-06-25T02:03:21Z")
Dennis Kucinich is on C-SPAN right now, about halfway through 35 articles against GWB. At this pace it looks like he’ll be talking until midnight. Not much in the way of a link yet. Not that I disagree with the sentime… --- ## [Obama supporters, answer his lack of experience](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-answer-his-lack-of-experience/452661)
**Author:** [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Replies:** 169\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-supporters-answer-his-lack-of-experience/452661 "2008-06-25T01:27:32Z")
A lot of people (not necessarily on SD) seem to equate not supporting Obama as racism. For me, it is simple - he lacks the experience I think someone should have to be President in the 21st Century. His political exper… --- ## [The two Obamas: Dr. Barack and Fast Eddie Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-two-obamas-dr-barack-and-fast-eddie-obama/453802)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 109\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-two-obamas-dr-barack-and-fast-eddie-obama/453802 "2008-06-25T01:00:36Z")
I read a provocative opinion piece yesterday by David Brooks named “The two Obamas” and and I’d like ya’ll to give me your take on it. Here is a link to the article : \[The Salt Lake Tribune - Utah News, Sports, Religion… --- ## [Hooray for the Canadian SC. Now how about the US?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooray-for-the-canadian-sc-now-how-about-the-us/453782)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [June 25, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hooray-for-the-canadian-sc-now-how-about-the-us/453782 "2008-06-25T00:50:33Z")
Although this is an old story (May 22) I say three cheers and a pat on the collective back to the judges in the Supreme Court of Canada who gave another litigious, “whom-do-I-sue” mooch the deep six. You can read about i… --- ## [French Prez Sarkozy calls on Israel to deport Jews from the WB](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-prez-sarkozy-calls-on-israel-to-deport-jews-from-the-wb/453940)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/french-prez-sarkozy-calls-on-israel-to-deport-jews-from-the-wb/453940 "2008-06-24T22:11:30Z")
Not only that, but to give East Jerusalem to the Palestinians for their capital. Story here. I must admit this surprises me – on this side of the pond we think of Sarkozy as a conservative, which we generally equate to… --- ## [How many debates/townhalls should Obama agree to do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-debates-townhalls-should-obama-agree-to-do/453644)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-debates-townhalls-should-obama-agree-to-do/453644 "2008-06-24T21:36:52Z")
A. Not many because he is ahead and it can only hurt him since he’d have to debate his positions and not just read a speech in front of a friendly audience. B. Lots and lots because he’s about change we can believe in… --- ## [Is Section 8 housing causing a crime wave in mid-sized cities?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-section-8-housing-causing-a-crime-wave-in-mid-sized-cities/453794)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-section-8-housing-causing-a-crime-wave-in-mid-sized-cities/453794 "2008-06-24T21:03:57Z")
I’ve always accepted the liberal conventional wisdom that crime does not follow poverty, it follows concentrations of poverty: Crowd poor people into a low-income neighborhood or a Cabrini Green project and they’ll just … --- ## [Judge Kozinski and the Horrible, Terrible, No-good, Very Bad Computer Files](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-kozinski-and-the-horrible-terrible-no-good-very-bad-computer-files/453929)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/judge-kozinski-and-the-horrible-terrible-no-good-very-bad-computer-files/453929 "2008-06-24T19:32:32Z")
If I missed an earlier thread on this, it wasn’t for lack of searching… In a nutshell, Judge Alex Kozinski, the Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, was serving as the trial judge in U… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=623) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=625)