# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=626 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 627 --- ## [Say technology stagnates- at what level?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-technology-stagnates-at-what-level/452642)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/say-technology-stagnates-at-what-level/452642 "2008-06-19T23:04:56Z")
Inspired by the “Could We Go Back to the 1930s?” thread. Let’s assume a couple of things for the sake of discussion: \[ul\]\[\]The end of cheap plentiful petroleum hits the world hard enough that the progress of technology i… --- ## [Why I am voting Republican](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-am-voting-republican/453285)
**Author:** [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Replies:** 110\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-am-voting-republican/453285 "2008-06-19T22:54:18Z")
Check out this video, then tell us why you are voting Republican. I’ll go first… I’m voting Republican because the government should be able to look into my personal business if they suspect I am up to something. Afte… --- ## [Karl Rove says McCain electoral support is weakening](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-rove-says-mccain-electoral-support-is-weakening/453003)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/karl-rove-says-mccain-electoral-support-is-weakening/453003 "2008-06-19T22:39:16Z")
After one or two rather ridiculous implications that some of us can talk about nothing but Obama, I’ve decided to start this second thread that concentrates on McCain. I do think it’s only fair that McCain supporters hav… --- ## [Why morality can't be judged solely by consequences](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-morality-cant-be-judged-solely-by-consequences/453239)
**Author:** [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-morality-cant-be-judged-solely-by-consequences/453239 "2008-06-19T16:33:30Z")
In another thread (the one on buying a ticket for one movie and deliberately seeing another), Priceguy made the comment, “I’m a pure consequentalist.” To which I replied, “I’m not. I think there are serious philosophical… --- ## [McCain's Health care plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-health-care-plan/452849)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccains-health-care-plan/452849 "2008-06-19T16:07:38Z")
In another thread Sam Stone brought forward Obama’s health care proposals for critical review promising to do the same for McCain’s proposals. I am sure he intends to do so, but impatient as I am, let’s not wait for him … --- ## [Paul, Pelosi, and Iran](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-pelosi-and-iran/453434)
**Author:** [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-pelosi-and-iran/453434 "2008-06-19T14:40:06Z")
Ron Paul, recently, claimed that Nancy Pelosi ‘in the night, stripped out language that would prevent the US from attacking Iran without express congressional approval’. Or something like that. It appears the Paul blog… --- ## [A silver lining to an Obama presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-silver-lining-to-an-obama-presidency/453006)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 44\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-silver-lining-to-an-obama-presidency/453006 "2008-06-19T12:33:47Z")
It should be no surprise that I think an Obama presidency would be, overall, the lesser of the two alternatives. I’m imagining a couple of positives though… Race relations will be improved. Some ignorant folks on th… --- ## [How close will the election be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-will-the-election-be/452836)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-close-will-the-election-be/452836 "2008-06-19T04:59:07Z")
I don’t know if this is a debate properly speaking, I’m just really not up on this kind of thing and am curious to see what people think. I suspect it might be a debate, and it’s about politics, so I brought it to GD. T… --- ## [Isn't it time to start calling BS at some of the Libertarian arguments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-to-start-calling-bs-at-some-of-the-libertarian-arguments/452057)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 219\ **Last updated:** [June 19, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-to-start-calling-bs-at-some-of-the-libertarian-arguments/452057 "2008-06-19T02:36:32Z")
Liberal, I hope you aren’t offended, since you have at some points been the defender of Libertarianism, but weirddave’s argument in the McCain thread really has me annoyed, and it has annoyed the hell out of me when I ar… --- ## [Obama sets up office to counter rumors; will this work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-sets-up-office-to-counter-rumors-will-this-work/452801)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 106\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-sets-up-office-to-counter-rumors-will-this-work/452801 "2008-06-18T21:13:56Z")
At least since the effective Swiftboating of John Kerry, RW’s have been using a tactic – a grassroots tactic, apparently, involvement in which Pub candidates and campaign organizations can plausibly (and in some cases ho… --- ## [Spittin' On A Cop? That's 35 Years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spittin-on-a-cop-thats-35-years/452860)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spittin-on-a-cop-thats-35-years/452860 "2008-06-18T19:28:54Z")
A Dallas homeless man who spit at a police officer was recently sentenced to 35 years. Obviously, there’s more to the story. He was a repeat offender, and he is HIV-positive; he spit into the officer’s eyes and mouth an… --- ## [Did Tiger pave the way for Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-tiger-pave-the-way-for-obama/453100)
**Author:** [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-tiger-pave-the-way-for-obama/453100 "2008-06-18T18:06:16Z")
Watching the US Open over the weekend, I had a funny thought. Over the past decade or so Tiger Woods, a multi-racial young male has enjoyed unprecedented success in a traditionally white arena of professional golf. He … --- ## [Should lawn care be banned?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lawn-care-be-banned/453151)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-lawn-care-be-banned/453151 "2008-06-18T15:27:32Z")
It seems like an environmental nightmare and an inefficient use of resources that could be cut without a major disruption. Lawn care uses a lot of water and petroleum for aesthetics. If we are going to take environmenta… --- ## [Does Free Will Necessitate a Divine Creator?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-free-will-necessitate-a-divine-creator/452991)
**Author:** [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-free-will-necessitate-a-divine-creator/452991 "2008-06-18T10:47:36Z")
(aka “Poke Holes in My Logic,” “Sometimes Shaky Knowledge of Physics is a Very, Very Bad Thing,” and “Is Free Will Consistent with Atheism?”) So some 62 tetracontillion\[sup\]1\[/sup\] particles were set into motion after t… --- ## [What is the political climate going to look like after this election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-political-climate-going-to-look-like-after-this-election/453058)
**Author:** [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-political-climate-going-to-look-like-after-this-election/453058 "2008-06-18T04:47:51Z")
It looks like conservatism has died as a mainstream governing philosophy. I’m talking about William F. Buckley’s and Goldwater’ s conservatism, not the “conservatism” of the vacant shells you see on TV today. After Rega… --- ## [Make that $45 trillion to fight AGW.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-that-45-trillion-to-fight-agw/452058)
**Author:** [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/make-that-45-trillion-to-fight-agw/452058 "2008-06-18T01:13:29Z")
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080606/ap\_on\_bi\_ge/japan\_iea\_climate\_change It says that “most” of the money would be in the commercialization of energy technologies developed by governments and the private sector. I just… --- ## [Russert's role in the lead up to the war](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russerts-role-in-the-lead-up-to-the-war/453209)
**Author:** [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [June 18, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/russerts-role-in-the-lead-up-to-the-war/453209 "2008-06-18T01:05:02Z")
I was never into MtP, I only caught it a few times, so I have no opinion of Russert as a journalist. My impression from the last few years is that he asked tough questions with little follow up, played devil’s advocate,… --- ## [So, ARE The saudis Tapped Out? (Oil Production)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-the-saudis-tapped-out-oil-production/453137)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-are-the-saudis-tapped-out-oil-production/453137 "2008-06-17T19:19:54Z")
saudi Arabia has responded to GWB’s please to increase crude oil production-by a paltry 200,000 barrels/day. The saudis have long maintained that they could double production-if they wished to, yet modern analysis (see “… --- ## [\*National Anesthetic Law?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-anesthetic-law/452662)
**Author:** [@republic15](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/republic15)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/national-anesthetic-law/452662 "2008-06-17T14:40:42Z")
Should there be a national law that require anesthesia (topical anesthetic cream/ ring block/ dorsal penile nerve block) during neonatal circumcision? Over 1/4 of neonatal circumcisions are done without anesthesia so I … --- ## [Nuclear terrorism in the offing? Or fear-based "terrorism"?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-terrorism-in-the-offing-or-fear-based-terrorism/453060)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2008, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nuclear-terrorism-in-the-offing-or-fear-based-terrorism/453060 "2008-06-17T08:46:39Z")
The Washington Post shares a story of a smuggling group sharing both nuclear bomb parts and possibly blueprints to hostile powers. Of course, the usual suspects are already using this to point to Democrats and the Supre… --- ## [Pew Research: Obama inspires the world](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pew-research-obama-inspires-the-world/452808)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 80\ **Last updated:** [June 17, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pew-research-obama-inspires-the-world/452808 "2008-06-17T02:06:41Z")
Pew Research has released a poll comparing the confidence people place in McCain versus Obama in 22 different nations across the world. Obama leads in 21 of the 22, with McCain leading by 1 point in Jordan. Among Wester… --- ## [Is biofuel from sugar better than from corn?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biofuel-from-sugar-better-than-from-corn/453002)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-biofuel-from-sugar-better-than-from-corn/453002 "2008-06-16T22:04:23Z")
I seem to recall folks praising places like Brazil for their progressive biofuels program and environmentally-friendly sugar ethanol. But make it from corn and people start complaining about rising food prices and ADM s… --- ## [Rejecting an argument as "denial"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejecting-an-argument-as-denial/452939)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2008, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rejecting-an-argument-as-denial/452939 "2008-06-16T22:00:35Z")
Or in other words, claiming in a debate or argument that the other side’s position is so self-evidently wrong that their ability to recognize truth or logical correctness is manifestly faulty. Or slightly more charitably… --- ## [Improvements to the Democratic Primaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improvements-to-the-democratic-primaries/452480)
**Author:** [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2008, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/improvements-to-the-democratic-primaries/452480 "2008-06-16T11:55:32Z")
Given the crap that has happened this year, the DNC should think about overhauling its Primaries process. Some possible areas of improvement/change \[ol\] \[li\]Eliminate superdelegates (since the system seems undemocrati… --- ## [Eric Smith Denied Parole Again. Thoughts and Reactions.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-smith-denied-parole-again-thoughts-and-reactions/452869)
**Author:** [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2008, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eric-smith-denied-parole-again-thoughts-and-reactions/452869 "2008-06-16T09:37:23Z")
I’m writing this OP more in the mode of a poll, but I think that the issues that it touches, mental health, criminal justice, and juvenile justice are all going to be so polarizing, and frankly interesting, that a simple… --- ## [Why the white hot fury of Clinton supporters toward Obama after the loss?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-white-hot-fury-of-clinton-supporters-toward-obama-after-the-loss/452227)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 259\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2008, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-white-hot-fury-of-clinton-supporters-toward-obama-after-the-loss/452227 "2008-06-16T04:11:52Z")
It’s a horse race & she lost. The level of continuing white hot fury, especially among her female supporters is (to the extent I can recall) unprecedented in modern politics. It’s so over the top that some are talking s… --- ## [Would gas be $4.50 now if we had not gone into Iraq?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-gas-be-4-50-now-if-we-had-not-gone-into-iraq/452772)
**Author:** [@Don\_t\_fight\_the\_hypothetical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_fight_the_hypothetical)\ **Replies:** 41\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-gas-be-4-50-now-if-we-had-not-gone-into-iraq/452772 "2008-06-16T03:19:57Z")
I honestly have no idea. There is a debate raging at work. I’ve seen some chat on the boards about what’s causing the rising prices as well. We claim to have invaded to look for WMDs but it seems to be common knowledge … --- ## [What would McCain do if elected?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-mccain-do-if-elected/452497)
**Author:** [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2008, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-mccain-do-if-elected/452497 "2008-06-15T19:14:48Z")
The 2008 and the 2000 McCain seem to be very different people. One of them was against the Bush tax cuts, one is for them. One found radical evangelicals a problem, one solicits their support. War policy seems to be pret… --- ## [How can corruption be defeated without destroying family?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-corruption-be-defeated-without-destroying-family/452298)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-corruption-be-defeated-without-destroying-family/452298 "2008-06-15T16:18:03Z")
I was reading a sample from Obama’s “Audacity of Hope” and I started thinking about why this world is the way it is. It is the ever-changing painting of God (or ownerless if you’re an atheist). An art piece that is beyo… --- ## [What is "the button?"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-button/452892)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [June 15, 2008, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-button/452892 "2008-06-15T15:17:59Z")
I always hear people talking about some mythical button that the president of the United States supposedly has his finger on. As in, “we can’t have a senile old man with his finger on the button.” I can guess what this … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=625) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=627)