# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=646 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 647 --- ## [Cheering of Reverend Jeremiah Wright's Obvious Lie - No discussion of Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheering-of-reverend-jeremiah-wrights-obvious-lie-no-discussion-of-obama/443201)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cheering-of-reverend-jeremiah-wrights-obvious-lie-no-discussion-of-obama/443201 "2008-03-31T14:27:44Z")
I would like to keep this discussion limited to Reverend Wright and the Trinity United Church of Christ membership as a whole. There have been a few threads discussing Wright’s comments, but these threads have focused ma… --- ## [The Clinton/Obama FEHBP Proposal: Would it work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-clinton-obama-fehbp-proposal-would-it-work/443355)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-clinton-obama-fehbp-proposal-would-it-work/443355 "2008-03-31T11:24:19Z")
I’ll state upfront I’m quite ignorant on the subject and I’m asking for my own benefit; this is really more for GQ or IMHO given the subject matter and election tie-in if it gets much notice it’ll end up here anyway, so- … --- ## [Is letting the economy crash a good thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-letting-the-economy-crash-a-good-thing/443249)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-letting-the-economy-crash-a-good-thing/443249 "2008-03-31T04:34:09Z")
A lot of folks seem to think so, for fear of the alternative. I’ve read quite a bit of talk online that the government is bailing out both firms and the average taxpayer. One libertarian-leaning blog commenter, talking… --- ## [Can a sitting U.S. vice president run against his/her sitting president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sitting-u-s-vice-president-run-against-his-her-sitting-president/443271)
**Author:** [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 31, 2008, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-sitting-u-s-vice-president-run-against-his-her-sitting-president/443271 "2008-03-31T03:01:01Z")
Given the current buzz about pre-declaring a “dream team” pairing the two currently leading Democratic candidates no matter which one wins the lead place on the ticket, say the “dream team” is declared and they win the p… --- ## [How much in common do the US and the UK have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-in-common-do-the-us-and-the-uk-have/443059)
**Author:** [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-in-common-do-the-us-and-the-uk-have/443059 "2008-03-30T21:07:31Z")
I was reading a pretty interesting article in the economist subtitled \[Not so special friends\](http://www.economist.com/world/britain/displaystory.cfm? story\_id=10927596) where they commissioned a poll regarding American… --- ## [Thoughts on Fitna?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-fitna/442975)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2008, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thoughts-on-fitna/442975 "2008-03-30T15:16:00Z")
Has anyone been following Geert Wilders FITNA? Thoughts? --- ## [Hillary gov of NY?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-gov-of-ny/443165)
**Author:** [@zoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoo)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2008, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-gov-of-ny/443165 "2008-03-30T11:49:25Z")
This may be a way for Hillary to bow out gracefully and still advance her political career. If she can be an effective governor and Obama has a successful two terms she will have a marvelous chance in the 2016 race. --- ## [Pre-agricultural sexual roles were equal?!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-agricultural-sexual-roles-were-equal/441877)
**Author:** [@Danimal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Danimal)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [March 30, 2008, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pre-agricultural-sexual-roles-were-equal/441877 "2008-03-30T00:57:13Z")
Resolved: insofar as it claims that the rise of agriculture resulted in the initial creation of markedly different sex roles in human society in general, and particularly of cultural mechanisms to control women’s bodies… --- ## [Flight crew with guns; still a good idea?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-crew-with-guns-still-a-good-idea/442594)
**Author:** [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Replies:** 72\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flight-crew-with-guns-still-a-good-idea/442594 "2008-03-29T23:54:07Z")
I know we had some lively debates about this when it was first proposed, and now (with search disabled) we have an incident. How many accidental discharges in the cockpit are tolerable, considering we as yet have zero i… --- ## [A new way to structure corporate settlements?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-way-to-structure-corporate-settlements/442844)
**Author:** [@onions\_without\_tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onions_without_tears)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-way-to-structure-corporate-settlements/442844 "2008-03-29T23:12:27Z")
(I’m pretty sure this is a new ide, but if not let me know) Background: I’m looking at two completely different news items. One is the long awaited payment for the Exxon Valdez tanker spill. The other is the Bear Stearn… --- ## [Has the financial system been running on a Martingale strategy?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-financial-system-been-running-on-a-martingale-strategy/443107)
**Author:** [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-the-financial-system-been-running-on-a-martingale-strategy/443107 "2008-03-29T21:10:19Z")
The Martingale Betting System is a strategy of doubling your bet every time you lose. Eventually, you get a win and make all your money back plus a tiny bit more. The unfortunate downside of the Martingale strategy is th… --- ## [Condi Rice for VP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condi-rice-for-vp/442852)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/condi-rice-for-vp/442852 "2008-03-29T18:55:10Z")
According to this article: there is some possibility of Condi Rice running for VP. Does this help or hurt McCain? I don’t know for sure, which is why I’m starting this thread. On the one hand this might be one of t… --- ## [Frontline: "Bush's War"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontline-bushs-war/442810)
**Author:** [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/frontline-bushs-war/442810 "2008-03-29T16:34:40Z")
Not sure whether to post this here or in Cafe Society. Please move it if appropriate. PBS’ Frontline had a very interesting two part series called “Bush’s War” that can be viewed online at I have not seen the first p… --- ## [Vile, Filthy RACIST Remarks-by Obama's PASTOR?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 404\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421 "2008-03-29T08:03:35Z")
Read for yourself:Barack Obama's pastor's words echo through campaign I Obama really a friend of such a man? The guy endorses Louis Farrakan-a racist anti-semite, who repeatedly lis and distorts his message. How can an… --- ## [Live and let live in ignorance?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-and-let-live-in-ignorance/442429)
**Author:** [@Mojo\_Pin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo_Pin)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/live-and-let-live-in-ignorance/442429 "2008-03-29T04:24:56Z")
I want this to be a discussion about where to draw the line in our fight against ignorance. I’m hoping this will help me collect my thoughts. I apologize in advance if I sound arrogant when I equate belief in religion wi… --- ## [Injustice and Jason Yaeger](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injustice-and-jason-yaeger/442821)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/injustice-and-jason-yaeger/442821 "2008-03-29T03:37:52Z")
I couldn’t decide between the pit and GD, I decided on GD because some folks might want to defend the position of the warden. Backstory here. In a nutshell: Jason Yaeger is in the final year of a 5 year sentence for me… --- ## [Thanks a lot, Republican party.....](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-a-lot-republican-party/442744)
**Author:** [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thanks-a-lot-republican-party/442744 "2008-03-29T02:43:18Z")
Thanks a lot, Dubya and Cheney, for thoroughly dragging the Republican paty through the mud and crap, demeaning and maligning the party to the point that I’m ashamed to admit that I’m a Republican (old-school Pubbie, not… --- ## [Cain, Able, and Seth mates](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-able-and-seth-mates/442794)
**Author:** [@flakeyfoont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flakeyfoont)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 29, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cain-able-and-seth-mates/442794 "2008-03-29T02:24:16Z")
Who did Cain, Able and Seth mate with if Adam and Eve only had those three sons? --- ## [Is this mortgage crisis a good thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-mortgage-crisis-a-good-thing/442809)
**Author:** [@onions\_without\_tears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/onions_without_tears)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-mortgage-crisis-a-good-thing/442809 "2008-03-28T20:16:35Z")
Right now, the main problem cited in news reports is that all mortgage lenders are requiring bigger down payments and better proof of income. Isn’t that a good thing? Keeping speculators and “overoptimistic” from overex… --- ## [Homeschooling in California](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeschooling-in-california/442759)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/homeschooling-in-california/442759 "2008-03-27T17:42:26Z")
A California appellate court recently reached a decision that will, if upheld, severely eviscerate the ability of California parents to home-school their children. The decision says that every school-age child must eithe… --- ## [Calling someone 'chicken little' to dismiss their doom-related argument...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-chicken-little-to-dismiss-their-doom-related-argument/442806)
**Author:** [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/calling-someone-chicken-little-to-dismiss-their-doom-related-argument/442806 "2008-03-27T15:37:02Z")
Logically fallacious, isn’t it? Argument by children’s story? I mean, it completely fails to address whether or not the sky really is falling in the case in hand - it just assumes it can’t be. --- ## [All classified information about the Falklands War released in 2082](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-classified-information-about-the-falklands-war-released-in-2082/442870)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-classified-information-about-the-falklands-war-released-in-2082/442870 "2008-03-27T15:26:59Z")
100 years since it ended, why so long ? this according to wikipedia 3rd millennium - Wikipedia Others cases Material from the Cullen Inquiry into the Dunblane school shootings in UK, which was subject to a 100-year cl… --- ## [Picture of God, or a picture of a strawman?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picture-of-god-or-a-picture-of-a-strawman/442307)
**Author:** [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/picture-of-god-or-a-picture-of-a-strawman/442307 "2008-03-27T05:13:12Z")
I would like to examine the following exchange from the Atheist vs Believer thread. In a response to the general thread, I wrote: \[Quote=Triskadecamus\] If your belief in God is based on proof, or logical argument, it … --- ## [Doesn't the 2nd Amendment technically forbid ANY federal gun laws?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-the-2nd-amendment-technically-forbid-any-federal-gun-laws/440402)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 240\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doesnt-the-2nd-amendment-technically-forbid-any-federal-gun-laws/440402 "2008-03-27T03:20:04Z")
Leaving aside the whole issue of whether gun possession is or is not a personal right, or whether states and local jurisdictions can regulate guns to the point of regulating them out of existence, doesn’t the 2nd Amendme… --- ## [Bill Richardson Endorses Barack Obama - Start of the Shift???](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-richardson-endorses-barack-obama-start-of-the-shift/442209)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-richardson-endorses-barack-obama-start-of-the-shift/442209 "2008-03-27T02:34:29Z")
Bill Richardson Endorses Barack Obama. This is a big deal for the Obama Campaign. Coming off a dicey week, Obama picking up a major party endorsement serves to show that the superdelegates, and some party heavy hitters … --- ## [What would an unloving, unjust, unfair God be like?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-unloving-unjust-unfair-god-be-like/439886)
**Author:** [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Replies:** 343\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-an-unloving-unjust-unfair-god-be-like/439886 "2008-03-27T01:15:53Z")
In comparison to what we have now? I asked an ordained minister this question today and her answer was that she couldn’t conceive of such a thing. I wasn’t expecting such a cop-out, but I guess she was tired. Anyone e… --- ## [Your dinner with Obama--what would you ask him?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-dinner-with-obama-what-would-you-ask-him/442714)
**Author:** [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Replies:** 50\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-dinner-with-obama-what-would-you-ask-him/442714 "2008-03-27T00:10:22Z")
So, if you contribute to Obama’s campaign between now and next Monday, you may be one of four lucky people who will sit down and have a private dinner with him. If you were given this opportunity, what would you ask him… --- ## [How would people from the past likely react...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-people-from-the-past-likely-react/442775)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-people-from-the-past-likely-react/442775 "2008-03-27T00:09:22Z")
… If you showed them how wrong most of their predictions were? I’m a big fan of Retro-Futurism (and if you’re even slightly interested in it then you should definitely check out the most excellent Tales of Future Past),… --- ## [Why are Gravel and Paul still running?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-gravel-and-paul-still-running/437278)
**Author:** [@yelimS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yelimS)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-gravel-and-paul-still-running/437278 "2008-03-26T22:24:12Z")
I assume some of the original 16 candidates never even dreamt of winning, and have only ever been in it for the publicity. But these two (and well, Huckabee, too) seems rather like sore losers, now. What’s the deal? --- ## [How would you structure a stimulus package?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-structure-a-stimulus-package/442466)
**Author:** [@Paddy\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paddy_O_Furniture)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [March 26, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-structure-a-stimulus-package/442466 "2008-03-26T21:38:47Z")
The problems I see with the current one are: It’s too slow to start. Waiting until the April taxes are filed and then a couple months for processing. It’s not designed for direct spending. Checks are going to be deposi… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=645) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=647)