# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=636 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 637 --- ## [Large Hadron Collider nearing completion](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-hadron-collider-nearing-completion/448215)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 140\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2008, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/large-hadron-collider-nearing-completion/448215 "2008-05-08T17:07:17Z")
The Large Hadron Collider which some say will destroy the world and possibly the entire universe via the creation of black holes or “strangelets” is almost complete. The first collisions begin in August. Excited? Scared… --- ## [Running for president](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-for-president/448533)
**Author:** [@copperwindow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/copperwindow)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/running-for-president/448533 "2008-05-08T13:24:15Z")
How are Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama able to maintain their responsibilities of senators of a state (whatever they even are) while running a full fledged campaign for presidency of the United States Of America? If … --- ## [Doesn't the white/black learning difference theory...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-the-white-black-learning-difference-theory/447989)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2008, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-the-white-black-learning-difference-theory/447989 "2008-05-08T07:51:15Z")
give some aid & comfort to the idea of Educational Segregation or at least Non-Integration? That if white kids & black kids learn differently, maybe it’s a mistake to try to integrate classes & instead we should go to cl… --- ## [Socialism and Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialism-and-obama/448028)
**Author:** [@cosmosdan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cosmosdan)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/socialism-and-obama/448028 "2008-05-07T23:31:18Z")
I have a conservative friend whom I talk politics with every few months. We were talking Friday night and he says he likes none of the candidates because they all are talking socialist programs such as health care. The … --- ## [Isn't it time to end the "sport" of horse racing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-to-end-the-sport-of-horse-racing/448256)
**Author:** [@DaveRaver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveRaver)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2008, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/isnt-it-time-to-end-the-sport-of-horse-racing/448256 "2008-05-07T22:29:06Z")
I made a point of not watching the Kentucky Derby this year to protest the needless death of Barbaro. You can imagine my outrage when I learned that another horse has been been killed because of this so-called “sport of … --- ## [What are working-class Americans so afraid of?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-working-class-americans-so-afraid-of/448125)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-working-class-americans-so-afraid-of/448125 "2008-05-07T15:38:25Z")
There are many reasons to vote in a democratic society. We have been hearing that Barack Obama has had a difficult time with securing the white working class vote - the blue collar folks. A quick trip into the blogosphe… --- ## [Please help me explain this to an anti-evolutionist](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-explain-this-to-an-anti-evolutionist/448026)
**Author:** [@NajaNivea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NajaNivea)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2008, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-me-explain-this-to-an-anti-evolutionist/448026 "2008-05-07T13:03:26Z")
There’s a kid at work who I’ve just discovered is a vehement creationist (or maybe just anti-evolutionist–he’s all the fuck over the place in his discussion of the topic, so that I haven’t yet been able to ascertain what… --- ## [NASA manipulated Global Warming data (The Register article)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-manipulated-global-warming-data-the-register-article/447760)
**Author:** [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nasa-manipulated-global-warming-data-the-register-article/447760 "2008-05-07T01:19:12Z")
A Tale of Two Thermometers The Register, a popular online daily newspaper that specializes in ordinary tech news with a dash of extraordinary investigative reporting, ran an article today about how NASA’s current data o… --- ## [Is Malthus being proven Right?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-malthus-being-proven-right/446859)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [May 7, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-malthus-being-proven-right/446859 "2008-05-07T00:19:27Z")
Rice is up 200% in price…food riots in haiti, Indonesia, India. Wheat triples in price. So, is tjis a validation of malthus? Is the earth exceeding its capacity for people? I am wondering if we are seeing the first si… --- ## [Drudge: Exit polls show easy Obama win in NC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drudge-exit-polls-show-easy-obama-win-in-nc/448352)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drudge-exit-polls-show-easy-obama-win-in-nc/448352 "2008-05-06T23:50:11Z")
www.drudgereport.com That’s surprising. I thought Hillary would make a run at him in NC… --- ## [Supreme Court upholds Indiana Voter ID law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-upholds-indiana-voter-id-law/447227)
**Author:** [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Replies:** 150\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2008, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-upholds-indiana-voter-id-law/447227 "2008-05-06T21:03:27Z")
Report on Supreme Court opinion on Voter ID law. Have fun. :slight\_smile: --- ## [Are we going to see tighter restrictions on guns under an Obama presidency?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-see-tighter-restrictions-on-guns-under-an-obama-presidency/447825)
**Author:** [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Replies:** 111\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-we-going-to-see-tighter-restrictions-on-guns-under-an-obama-presidency/447825 "2008-05-06T17:17:23Z")
I have been a passionate believer in the second amendment even before I ever fired a gun for the first time. I am a fan of most of Obama’s politics. However, I do fear that if he is elected president, he will curb our se… --- ## [What does the average American think of OPEC?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-average-american-think-of-opec/448206)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-average-american-think-of-opec/448206 "2008-05-06T14:47:55Z")
So Hillary today has said that OPEC can no longer be a cartel and that she’d go and do something about it. Now, this really got me to wonder. Hillary is obviously making these stupid promises because she feels that this… --- ## [Is America the best place for the pursuit of happiness?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-the-best-place-for-the-pursuit-of-happiness/447154)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 54\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-america-the-best-place-for-the-pursuit-of-happiness/447154 "2008-05-06T14:21:23Z")
Shouldn’t we, as a nation, find out which country has the most happy citizens, provided we think they are free and have access to a better health plan\* on population average than americans,\* and strive to be more like th… --- ## [Bush most unpopular in modern History](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-most-unpopular-in-modern-history/447649)
**Author:** [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2008, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-most-unpopular-in-modern-history/447649 "2008-05-06T12:52:18Z")
A CNN/Opinion Research Survey just released shows that GW Bush has the highest disapproval rating of any president ever measured. Is this disapproval rating deserved? Will it make any difference to his opinion of himse… --- ## [WW2: Jews to Madagascar?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-jews-to-madagascar/447750)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ww2-jews-to-madagascar/447750 "2008-05-06T00:05:48Z")
I’ve just read this article in the Guardian. It suggests that the Jews could have been moved to Madagascar. I find this somewhat incredible, and at variance (if not contrary) to my recent personal connection to WW2. I… --- ## [Has Obama lost his message?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-obama-lost-his-message/447509)
**Author:** [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Replies:** 129\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-obama-lost-his-message/447509 "2008-05-05T19:59:05Z")
Barack Obama became a Christian after hearing a 1988 sermon by Jeremiah Wright called “The Audacity to Hope”. Obama gave the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, which I attended, called “The Audac… --- ## ["I don't believe in God" versus "I beleive God doesn't exist"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-believe-in-god-versus-i-beleive-god-doesnt-exist/443996)
**Author:** [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Replies:** 180\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-believe-in-god-versus-i-beleive-god-doesnt-exist/443996 "2008-05-05T19:31:18Z")
“I don’t believe in God” versus “I beleive God doesn’t exist” To my mind those two statements have slightly different fundemental meanings. The former implies that this is your chosen way of thinking. The latter impli… --- ## [Sign-Up Impossible](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sign-up-impossible/448171)
**Author:** [@Flipbustle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flipbustle)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sign-up-impossible/448171 "2008-05-05T19:24:21Z")
I have been trying to sign up on U-Tube. They deny my existance- - -I KNOW I am here! What th–ll do they want? I was watching Celentano and singing along and tried to get into the"thing". Around the block and around… --- ## [A damn interesting chart. \[ed. Interactive gas price chart by location\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-damn-interesting-chart-ed-interactive-gas-price-chart-by-location/447558)
**Author:** [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Replies:** 36\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-damn-interesting-chart-ed-interactive-gas-price-chart-by-location/447558 "2008-05-05T16:30:38Z")
Every November gas prices go down. Are the politicians colluding with the oil companies? --- ## [Hagee v. Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hagee-v-wright/447960)
**Author:** [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hagee-v-wright/447960 "2008-05-05T15:07:34Z")
Is Frank Rich an idiot? Doesn’t he understand that their is a big dif between your self-selected pastor of 20 years and some yahoo who endorses your campaign. How does Rich get away with this crap in a paper like the N… --- ## [Re GTA4 as video games get ever more real & immersive is there a real danger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-gta4-as-video-games-get-ever-more-real-immersive-is-there-a-real-danger/448010)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-gta4-as-video-games-get-ever-more-real-immersive-is-there-a-real-danger/448010 "2008-05-05T14:36:49Z")
In thinking about the recent release of GTA 4 and it’s underpinning moral philosophy & fairly sociopathic worldview, it does give me a bit of a pause and possibly a bit of an old geek “get off my lawn” moment. Over the… --- ## [Obama must stop stalling MI/FL revotes for the good of the party](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-must-stop-stalling-mi-fl-revotes-for-the-good-of-the-party/446961)
**Author:** [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Replies:** 164\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-must-stop-stalling-mi-fl-revotes-for-the-good-of-the-party/446961 "2008-05-05T14:26:43Z")
We’ve been treated to a hefty load here from the Obama camp about how he has no obligation to do anything to try to fix the Michigan and Florida messes, too bad, the rules are the rules - which is \*technically \* true, bu… --- ## [McCain says Iraq war is to secure Mideast oil](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-says-iraq-war-is-to-secure-mideast-oil/447806)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-says-iraq-war-is-to-secure-mideast-oil/447806 "2008-05-05T14:12:43Z")
At a Denver town hall meeting this morning, John McCain admitted we are fighting in Iraq to secure Mideast oil for America: Now that it is out in the open, is going to war for oil justified by our own energy needs? --- ## [Scalia on Discrimination](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-on-discrimination/448053)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scalia-on-discrimination/448053 "2008-05-05T13:20:21Z")
In Justice Scalia’s interview on NPR, the interviewer brings up how some people believe that Justice Scalia is inconsistent in his approach to originalism. The interviewer discusses how Justice Scalia has voted to strike… --- ## [Five days before the Republican National Convention (hypothetical)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-before-the-republican-national-convention-hypothetical/447520)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-days-before-the-republican-national-convention-hypothetical/447520 "2008-05-05T02:58:47Z")
It’s August 26th, five days before the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul and a few days before John McCain’s 72nd birthday. McCain and his family have taken some vacation time to unwind. A health emergency o… --- ## [This is what I love about Obama:](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-what-i-love-about-obama/447689)
**Author:** [@cainxinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cainxinth)\ **Replies:** 62\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-what-i-love-about-obama/447689 "2008-05-04T21:51:17Z")
--- ## [What if Bush Gave This press conference?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bush-gave-this-press-conference/447459)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-bush-gave-this-press-conference/447459 "2008-05-04T21:30:50Z")
To the Press: “Gentlemen: I today announce a NEW “Manhattan Project”-which will free us from the world petroleum market. We can no longer rely upon the importation of a vital component of our economy. First: The he… --- ## [I oppose having special school bond elections](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-oppose-having-special-school-bond-elections/447927)
**Author:** [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-oppose-having-special-school-bond-elections/447927 "2008-05-04T17:58:54Z")
I’ve always hated having “special” school district elections, especially for bond issues. Over the past year, we’ve had quite a few elections here in Dallas, TX. We’ve had a Mayoral election, Mayoral run off, then we had… --- ## [Is alcohol contributing to world hunger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alcohol-contributing-to-world-hunger/447786)
**Author:** [@Eben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eben)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alcohol-contributing-to-world-hunger/447786 "2008-05-04T16:45:22Z")
I had the thought recently that turning food products into alcohol, and using agricultural land to make things that go into alcohol production, is contributing to world hunger. Any thoughts on this? Also, because I hav… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=635) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=637)