# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=637 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 638 --- ## [GOP crossing over to vote in Democratic contests: Will it help Obama in Nov?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-crossing-over-to-vote-in-democratic-contests-will-it-help-obama-in-nov/447886)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gop-crossing-over-to-vote-in-democratic-contests-will-it-help-obama-in-nov/447886 "2008-05-04T16:21:24Z")
This NY-Times article highlights how some seasoned GOP voters are crossing over to vote for the dems. There are several scenerios that they are crossing over for, one is they are alligning with Obama and voting for him. … --- ## [Doesn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesn/447988)
**Author:** [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesn/447988 "2008-05-04T08:25:38Z")
Jumping off the Rev. Wright quote in RachelW’s post- http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=9743089&postcount=229 --- ## [China's claims to Tibet are stronger than the US' to California?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-claims-to-tibet-are-stronger-than-the-us-to-california/447718)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chinas-claims-to-tibet-are-stronger-than-the-us-to-california/447718 "2008-05-04T06:05:07Z")
First of all, there are so many ways for this to cause people to get off topic. Both Tibet and lands in the US that many believe were stolen can be cause for emotional disputes. I want to stick to the facts as much as … --- ## [Ethical to buy rice?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-buy-rice/446668)
**Author:** [@Osakadelica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Osakadelica)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ethical-to-buy-rice/446668 "2008-05-04T04:48:16Z")
My previous thread is obfustucated by the way I structured it. So I’ll start a new one. When a food is priced so that the very poor cannot afford to buy it - and you can do without - is it ethical to buy it? And if the… --- ## [Did Diana really steal Mother Teresa's headlines?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diana-really-steal-mother-teresas-headlines/447415)
**Author:** [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [May 4, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-diana-really-steal-mother-teresas-headlines/447415 "2008-05-04T04:43:28Z")
I’m putting this in GD because I’m not positive of what I’m about to say, just inclined to think this way, and I’m curious to know what others think. But it’s a bit touchy for MPSIMS or IMHO, so here I am. I never felt,… --- ## [Admit guilt or no parole?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/admit-guilt-or-no-parole/447487)
**Author:** [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/admit-guilt-or-no-parole/447487 "2008-05-03T14:08:04Z")
As I understand it, in order for a convict to be eligible for parole they generally have to admit that they were guilty of the crime for which they were convicted. (Please correct me if I’m wrong about this.) This requi… --- ## [Obama says . . . what?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-says-what/447829)
**Author:** [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2008, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-says-what/447829 "2008-05-03T03:43:56Z")
In this thread, Liberal refers to a statement by Barack Obama wherein he, says Liberal, denounces statements previously made by the now notorious Reverend Wright. There is no need, says Liberal, to link to this statemen… --- ## [Are Biofuels contributing to World Hunger?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-biofuels-contributing-to-world-hunger/447003)
**Author:** [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [May 3, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-biofuels-contributing-to-world-hunger/447003 "2008-05-03T01:18:45Z")
And if so, to what extent? I need to do some research on this for work reasons, and am pulling up a lot of information, but wanted to hear what Dopers have to say on this subject. As a little background, the World Food… --- ## [Obama forcefully denounces Wright](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-forcefully-denounces-wright/447403)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 222\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-forcefully-denounces-wright/447403 "2008-05-02T20:26:03Z")
It’s all over the news and YouTube, so no links are necessary. Obama was lucid and livid as he unequivocally repudiated Rev Wright, divorcing himself completely from this nut case. At the press conference, he was eloquen… --- ## [Do you think the primary is actually good for the Dems?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-the-primary-is-actually-good-for-the-dems/447766)
**Author:** [@a\_bee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a_bee)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-the-primary-is-actually-good-for-the-dems/447766 "2008-05-02T18:25:48Z")
I do. The Demiocrats raise money and spread their messages of which health care package is better and why, and which way out of Iraq is better and why, McCain is having trouble getting donations. Givers want to wait “u… --- ## [Will we get a Democrat Presidential Candidate Before the Convention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-get-a-democrat-presidential-candidate-before-the-convention/447566)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 60\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-we-get-a-democrat-presidential-candidate-before-the-convention/447566 "2008-05-02T17:10:48Z")
Title kind of says it all and I find myself unable to settle on a decision on how the Democratic nomination will play out so figured you lot could help. We have two possibilities in early June. Clinton or Obama will be… --- ## [lekatt's recent hijacks (removed from original threads)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lekatts-recent-hijacks-removed-from-original-threads/444686)
**Author:** [@lekatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lekatt)\ **Replies:** 644\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2008, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lekatts-recent-hijacks-removed-from-original-threads/444686 "2008-05-02T13:09:30Z")
Not wanting to get into the fray, but if the OP is real, then research has already shown consciousness can live after the death of the brain and body. This does point to an afterlife. Turn your search engines in that dir… --- ## [Will high Gasoline prices KILL Power Boating?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-high-gasoline-prices-kill-power-boating/447233)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2008, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-high-gasoline-prices-kill-power-boating/447233 "2008-05-02T11:32:32Z")
I ask because prices for boat fuel were always $1.50-$2.00 MORE pergallon, at the gas dock. So, that means the boaters will be paying close to $6.00/gallon. Is this the point of resistance? Another ominous clue-for year… --- ## [It's because she's not white.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-because-shes-not-white/446647)
**Author:** [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2008, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-because-shes-not-white/446647 "2008-05-02T01:59:35Z")
This is a sort of response to this thread and, specifically (in a roundabout way), this post. There’s a big-ass disclaimer at the end if you want to fast-forward, but you’ll miss me vainly attempting to make a point. L… --- ## [the Republican Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-obama/447596)
**Author:** [@Mark\_Ryle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Ryle)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [May 2, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-republican-obama/447596 "2008-05-02T00:18:23Z")
A year ago it seemed Republicans had absolutely no chance at the presidency in 2008. Well, well. For quite some time things have been looking up. We should be really really depressed right now but we’re not. Out of nowhe… --- ## [Obama, Rev. Wright & the cynic in me...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-rev-wright-the-cynic-in-me/447400)
**Author:** [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-rev-wright-the-cynic-in-me/447400 "2008-05-01T21:54:54Z")
First, I am an Obama supporter, through and through. But I am not starry eyed…mostly, I’m a cynic. I believe the process and the system is broken - possibly irretrievably so - and my first instinct is that all politici… --- ## [Third party...Hillary](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-party-hillary/447539)
**Author:** [@Myself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myself)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2008, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/third-party-hillary/447539 "2008-05-01T17:28:05Z")
Presumably with the Energizer Bunny as a mascot. What if? --- ## [Boris Johnson quote - was this racist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-quote-was-this-racist/447589)
**Author:** [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boris-johnson-quote-was-this-racist/447589 "2008-05-01T14:38:26Z")
As you may or may not know, the London mayoral elections take places today. The two main candidates are Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson. (Asking Londoners to choose between these two is rather like asking a veal calf t… --- ## [Looks like Hillary will have some spiritual splainin to do](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looks-like-hillary-will-have-some-spiritual-splainin-to-do/447480)
**Author:** [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looks-like-hillary-will-have-some-spiritual-splainin-to-do/447480 "2008-05-01T14:04:24Z")
In the Nation’s article, Hillary’s Nasty Pastorate, it is revealed that one reason she has been so docile about Obama’s pastor is that her own is something of a bottom feeding worm who courts the wealthy and powerful usi… --- ## [Global Warming = Record snow?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-record-snow/444726)
**Author:** [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Replies:** 98\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2008, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-warming-record-snow/444726 "2008-05-01T08:21:26Z")
Rather than hijack the other Global Warming thread… Can someone explain what people mean when they claim that global warming is responsible for both the slightly colder-than-normal weather and record snows we’ve been ex… --- ## [Florida "I Believe" license plate proposed](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-i-believe-license-plate-proposed/446734)
**Author:** [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Replies:** 95\ **Last updated:** [May 1, 2008, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/florida-i-believe-license-plate-proposed/446734 "2008-05-01T02:52:34Z")
As described here. The very last line of the story pisses me off. The plate’s sponsor doesn’t believe other groups should have the right to express their preference! So, um, why should he? It sounds like “special rig… --- ## [Obama voters: will you choose Hillary or McCain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-voters-will-you-choose-hillary-or-mccain/446614)
**Author:** [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Replies:** 162\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-voters-will-you-choose-hillary-or-mccain/446614 "2008-04-30T20:49:40Z")
\[del\]Inspired\[/del\] Necessitated by this thread: There are numerous speculations among the various threads about who will choose Hillary and who will choose McCain if the Presidential race comes down to these two. So, … --- ## [Honor your father or publish an important work? - Nabokov's Final Unpublished Work](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honor-your-father-or-publish-an-important-work-nabokovs-final-unpublished-work/433956)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/honor-your-father-or-publish-an-important-work-nabokovs-final-unpublished-work/433956 "2008-04-30T16:42:54Z")
When Vladimir Nabokov died he left instruction that his final (and unfinished, only about the equivalent 30 typed pages) work should be destroyed. His son, Dmitri, has indicated that he will probably destroy it. The arti… --- ## [Republicans and Tax Cuts: When is enough, enough?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-tax-cuts-when-is-enough-enough/446389)
**Author:** [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republicans-and-tax-cuts-when-is-enough-enough/446389 "2008-04-30T13:54:10Z")
It is an article of faith that all Republicans must campaign for tax cuts. John McCain is, of course, carrying the tax cut banner, saying tax cuts are more important than deficit reduction. Without debating the relativ… --- ## [\*sigh\* Obama is not a "racist" (and neither is Rev. Wright, really)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-obama-is-not-a-racist-and-neither-is-rev-wright-really/443547)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 345\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sigh-obama-is-not-a-racist-and-neither-is-rev-wright-really/443547 "2008-04-30T13:01:23Z")
Inspired by this post by Martin Hyde, particularly this passage: This makes even less sense than calling Hillary Clinton a “socialist.” But, silly as it is, it appears to be an emergent meme that will be around until … --- ## [Heaven now, or Heaven later(Christians Only)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heaven-now-or-heaven-later-christians-only/446681)
**Author:** [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heaven-now-or-heaven-later-christians-only/446681 "2008-04-30T08:01:02Z")
Do people go to Heaven(or ascend, whatever you want to call it) when they die, or are will they be gathered up upon the return of Jesus? --- ## [Koreans, Taiwanese, and Japanese views of each other....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/koreans-taiwanese-and-japanese-views-of-each-other/447331)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/koreans-taiwanese-and-japanese-views-of-each-other/447331 "2008-04-30T04:41:16Z")
This is going to be a complicated thread, so I’m going to try to break it up into several different smaller threads since I know one subject will grab everyone’s attention and the other questions won’t get answered. The… --- ## [Rev Wright's connection to the Clintons!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rev-wrights-connection-to-the-clintons/447407)
**Author:** [@gatorman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gatorman)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rev-wrights-connection-to-the-clintons/447407 "2008-04-30T04:05:08Z")
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/photograph-of-bill-clinton-and-rev-wright-surfaces/ :rolleyes: --- ## [What's Hillary's deal? Finally, a theory that makes sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-hillarys-deal-finally-a-theory-that-makes-sense/447279)
**Author:** [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-hillarys-deal-finally-a-theory-that-makes-sense/447279 "2008-04-30T03:37:17Z")
I have the impresson that Dick Morris has more insight into the the Clintons’ psychology than your run-of-the-mill pundit, and he has a theory about Hillary’s motivations at this stage that makes a lot of sense to me: D… --- ## [Doubts from an Obama supporter](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doubts-from-an-obama-supporter/446426)
**Author:** [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Replies:** 96\ **Last updated:** [April 30, 2008, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doubts-from-an-obama-supporter/446426 "2008-04-30T01:53:31Z")
I’ve been really enthusiastic about Obama, but I’m losing my mojo and increasingly I believe McCain will win. Here’s why: Hillary has to be the most negatively-viewed major candidate in recent times. Polls show people … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=636) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=638)