# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=634 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 635 --- ## [The Bush Family is a Cancer on America](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-family-is-a-cancer-on-america/449521)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 75\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2008, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bush-family-is-a-cancer-on-america/449521 "2008-05-19T15:28:01Z")
Now, I have for a long time believe that the Bushes have been working to insinuate themselves into a sort of American Aristocracy/Oligarchy since Prescott Bush. For the past three generations they have made their plays … --- ## [Obama Might Pick Republican As VP?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580)
**Author:** [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-might-pick-republican-as-vp/449580 "2008-05-19T14:47:25Z")
Maybe this is old news to some, but news to me - according to this MSNBC article, Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Republican from Nebraska, is considered by many Washington insiders to be in the running as a VP candidate for Obama. … --- ## [Is Operation Chaos really effective? (Rush Limbaugh thread)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-operation-chaos-really-effective-rush-limbaugh-thread/449727)
**Author:** [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-operation-chaos-really-effective-rush-limbaugh-thread/449727 "2008-05-19T13:34:40Z")
Rather than hijack this thread about Rush and Ted Kennedy, I wanted to start a new one. Have you heard about Operation Chaos? Of course you have. Every news team has covered it, but does it really do more than get vo… --- ## [California Marriage Cases - Speculation and Discussion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-marriage-cases-speculation-and-discussion/449343)
**Author:** [@HoldenCaulfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoldenCaulfield)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-marriage-cases-speculation-and-discussion/449343 "2008-05-19T04:54:01Z")
Turns out the California Supreme Court will be releasing its decision tomorrow in the same-sex marriage cases: Watching the oral arguments in March, I definitely got the impression that they were at least close to a m… --- ## [Clinton's Secretary of State choice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-secretary-of-state-choice/449739)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2008, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clintons-secretary-of-state-choice/449739 "2008-05-19T03:12:41Z")
Given that Madeleine Albright endorsed Hillary Clinton for President and that Madeleine Albright was the 64th Secretary of State under Bill Clinton, do you think that Albright should reprise her role in a Clinton adminis… --- ## [President Chavez Insults Angela Merkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-insults-angela-merkle/449104)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [May 19, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/president-chavez-insults-angela-merkle/449104 "2008-05-19T00:08:56Z")
Have any fellow Dopers heard anything about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez insulting German Chancellor Angela Merkle? (My apologies if I spelled her last name wrong.) Supposedly, (according to a report from AP), he i… --- ## [Can Kirkorian Pull This One off? \[ed. title: Buy Ford Mtr Co and turn it around?\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-kirkorian-pull-this-one-off-ed-title-buy-ford-mtr-co-and-turn-it-around/449684)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2008, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-kirkorian-pull-this-one-off-ed-title-buy-ford-mtr-co-and-turn-it-around/449684 "2008-05-18T22:34:01Z")
Just got my tender offer-Tracinda Corp. will pay $8.5/share, for up to 20,000,000 shares of Ford! God bless Kirk-he’s still making deals! Apparently, Alan Mullaley (FORD CEO) approves-guess this means that Tracinda plans… --- ## [EMI's lawsuit agains MP3TUNES.com (a storage and time-shifting service, not P2P)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emis-lawsuit-agains-mp3tunes-com-a-storage-and-time-shifting-service-not-p2p/449507)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emis-lawsuit-agains-mp3tunes-com-a-storage-and-time-shifting-service-not-p2p/449507 "2008-05-18T19:59:36Z")
EMI is suing mp3tunes.com, a service that allows one to store their mp3 files online, and stream them via a web page. There is no sharing of files with other users (short of sharing your username and password). Here’s … --- ## [Poverty and equality](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poverty-and-equality/448941)
**Author:** [@oz\_W](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oz_W)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2008, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poverty-and-equality/448941 "2008-05-18T18:27:35Z")
Every enlightened, educated guy with some sense in his brain will say the world is a tough place and that there’s a need to fix it. I see myself as one of those guys, but everytime I start to think about a solution more … --- ## [Would the NRA accept a licensing requirement requiring high levels of gun expertise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-nra-accept-a-licensing-requirement-requiring-high-levels-of-gun-expertise/448526)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 86\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2008, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-the-nra-accept-a-licensing-requirement-requiring-high-levels-of-gun-expertise/448526 "2008-05-18T15:10:09Z")
Re the concern about the high levels of gun proliferation and misuse in the US I’m wondering if a lawmaker proposed a bill that said that people could only have a permit to own (and use) a gun if they were able to demons… --- ## [Suppressing The Story For The Good Of The Country](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppressing-the-story-for-the-good-of-the-country/447437)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [May 18, 2008, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suppressing-the-story-for-the-good-of-the-country/447437 "2008-05-18T06:41:19Z")
You’re a reporter for the Daily Bugle. Doing a bit of routine research in the university library, you come across pretty solid evidence that the Democratic candidate for president was guilty of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ back in coll… --- ## [Missouri considers requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-considers-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-to-register-to-vote/449030)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/missouri-considers-requiring-proof-of-citizenship-to-register-to-vote/449030 "2008-05-17T18:03:05Z")
Following the recent SCOTUS decision upholding Indiana’s voter-ID law, Missouri is ready to up the ante. Story here. When I’ve registered to vote I’ve never had to prove my citizenship beyond swearing to it. I suppos… --- ## [California Supreme Court overturns gay-marriage ban](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-supreme-court-overturns-gay-marriage-ban/449491)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-supreme-court-overturns-gay-marriage-ban/449491 "2008-05-17T15:08:45Z")
Story here. Issues for debate: Will this go to the SCOTUS? I can’t see any federal issues present. Yet. But does that mean other states, under the “full faith and credit” clause of the Constitution, must recogni… --- ## [The Unfortunate Effect of the Negative Stereotype \[ed. title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unfortunate-effect-of-the-negative-stereotype-ed-title/448998)
**Author:** [@focusonz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/focusonz)\ **Replies:** 142\ **Last updated:** [May 17, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-unfortunate-effect-of-the-negative-stereotype-ed-title/448998 "2008-05-17T01:56:03Z")
I must be the oldest and wisest poster on the SDMB for me to see the dilemma of all political thread posters. I started this new thread because my point(s) seem to just get lost in all the noise in the political debates… --- ## [POW's like Stockdale and McCain caused themselves harm for no good reason](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pows-like-stockdale-and-mccain-caused-themselves-harm-for-no-good-reason/449464)
**Author:** [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Replies:** 151\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pows-like-stockdale-and-mccain-caused-themselves-harm-for-no-good-reason/449464 "2008-05-16T22:39:53Z")
I just got through reading the Wikipedia bios of Stockdale and McCain and while most think “what brave heroes”, my reaction is “what odd people”. You have a choice between complying with the requests of your captors and … --- ## [Who is a person?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-a-person/446904)
**Author:** [@rwjefferson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rwjefferson)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-a-person/446904 "2008-05-16T21:53:43Z")
This question has recently surfaced in the media. Who is a person? A woman or non-white has not always been recognized as a ‘person’. They have been denied equal right of liberty and justice by Constitution and law. … --- ## [Why I now support Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-now-support-obama/449586)
**Author:** [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-now-support-obama/449586 "2008-05-16T19:37:59Z")
I will preface this by saying that I still believe Clinton is the best one for the job and if she does pull out a miracle and wins I will be extatic. With that said, the CA supreme court ruling on same-sex marriage and … --- ## [When did the US become a world power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-us-become-a-world-power/449296)
**Author:** [@MichaelQReilly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelQReilly)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-did-the-us-become-a-world-power/449296 "2008-05-16T19:13:03Z")
What this thread is NOT asking: I know when the US emerged on the stage as a world power; to be imprecise, lets say between 1900 and 1915. What I am asking: At what time was the U.S. capable of being a world power? M… --- ## [Einstein's atheism - help me parse some of his letter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/einsteins-atheism-help-me-parse-some-of-his-letter/449164)
**Author:** [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/einsteins-atheism-help-me-parse-some-of-his-letter/449164 "2008-05-16T17:37:27Z")
My brother has pointed me to a letter from Einstein published today in the Guardian that lays out the great man’s atheism once and for all. No more “God does not play dice” misinterpretations allowed. However, there’s o… --- ## [Should people from other countries be allowed to play our lotto?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-from-other-countries-be-allowed-to-play-our-lotto/449516)
**Author:** [@diggleblop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggleblop)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-people-from-other-countries-be-allowed-to-play-our-lotto/449516 "2008-05-16T12:52:53Z")
I remember back in the late 80’s or early 90’s when there was a jackpot of 140 million or something, a bunch of folks were playing it and it was big news. And let me tell ya, for those who don’t know or remember, back i… --- ## [Can Obama win in November? And one or two other issues...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-obama-win-in-november-and-one-or-two-other-issues/448071)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [May 16, 2008, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-obama-win-in-november-and-one-or-two-other-issues/448071 "2008-05-16T01:17:21Z")
There are quite a few threads on Obama and Hillary, but none, I believe, that really get down to the basic question of whether any political damage done to Obama has rendered him unable (or made it more difficult for him… --- ## [Edwards endorses Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-endorses-obama/449349)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2008, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/edwards-endorses-obama/449349 "2008-05-15T22:11:42Z")
Took him long enough. All that’s left is Gore. --- ## [Operation Pink: Spell-casting protest, violation of rules?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pink-spell-casting-protest-violation-of-rules/448699)
**Author:** [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/operation-pink-spell-casting-protest-violation-of-rules/448699 "2008-05-15T21:41:36Z")
I used to be a Pagan, and did some “spellwork” in my day. I have since moved on. There, now that full disclosure is done, according to Fox News, Code Pink will be bringing in a coven of witches to do some spellwork des… --- ## [The Duggers are at it again! \[Family preparing for 18th child\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-duggers-are-at-it-again-family-preparing-for-18th-child/448706)
**Author:** [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Replies:** 301\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-duggers-are-at-it-again-family-preparing-for-18th-child/448706 "2008-05-15T19:07:26Z")
Michelle Duggar is expecting her 18th child on New Years Day. Hasn’t the she set some king of record for American motherhood by now? Of course Discovery Health is producing another \[del\]sideshow\[/del\] reality show.… --- ## [The role of small donations in shaping Obama's trail?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-role-of-small-donations-in-shaping-obamas-trail/449381)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 15, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-role-of-small-donations-in-shaping-obamas-trail/449381 "2008-05-15T01:36:08Z")
Obama is not the first candidate to make meaningful use of the internet to rally supporters and raise money in the form of small donations. Both Howard Dean and Ron Paul did it before and Hillary is not doing too badly h… --- ## [The Free Market Case for Green](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-free-market-case-for-green/448848)
**Author:** [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2008, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-free-market-case-for-green/448848 "2008-05-14T18:37:56Z")
Peter Robinson of the Brookings Institution hosts a series of video interviews with various public figures. It’s actually very good (it’s hosted on National Review’s web site, but don’t let that turn you off). One seri… --- ## [Will the Myanmar cyclone finally end Rev. Wright's 15 minutes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-myanmar-cyclone-finally-end-rev-wrights-15-minutes/448174)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2008, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-myanmar-cyclone-finally-end-rev-wrights-15-minutes/448174 "2008-05-14T04:14:47Z")
At least 10,000 people are probably dead in the terrible cyclone in Myanmar. Will news coverage of this event finally get Rev. Wright off the front page? The Rev. Wright issue has refused to die for several days now, but… --- ## [The American "Empire"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-empire/449171)
**Author:** [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 14, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-american-empire/449171 "2008-05-14T01:19:02Z")
Never mind, a rather daft question :smack: Mods please close --- ## [Next up: Indiana and North Carolina](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-up-indiana-and-north-carolina/446509)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 441\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-up-indiana-and-north-carolina/446509 "2008-05-13T22:59:31Z")
Once again this primary stumbles on. Predictions: Supers stay quiet for a day or so and then the move to Obama starts back up as the impossibility of her math after this less than a blow-out more than squeaker win sett… --- ## [McCain didn't vote for Bush?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-didnt-vote-for-bush/448780)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-didnt-vote-for-bush/448780 "2008-05-13T03:33:27Z")
This story was first reported by Arianna Huffington and is now being backed up by some actors who were at the party. Basically, they’re saying that John McCain, during a dinner party at Arianna Huffington’s house, adm… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=633) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=635)