# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=654 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 655 --- ## [slightly more realistic moral hypotheticals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slightly-more-realistic-moral-hypotheticals/439875)
**Author:** [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/slightly-more-realistic-moral-hypotheticals/439875 "2008-03-02T23:22:48Z")
Asking someone whether they’d sacrifice a small continent’s worth of people or strangle a five-year-old to protect their own children doesn’t actually tell you much about the person’s values, since these situations are e… --- ## [Does Bloomberg matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-bloomberg-matter/439743 "2008-03-02T16:48:01Z")
Now that Bloomberg is officially out, some are wondering if he’ll endorse anyone in the general. The thought is that his endorsement could matter, especially in Florida. Would it make any differnce? And if it would what… --- ## [Outside of Money..](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outside-of-money/439768)
**Author:** [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/outside-of-money/439768 "2008-03-02T10:49:47Z")
What’s the difference between sitting down and talking with people that imprison their citizens like Russia and China and not talking with countries because they imprison their people like Cuba and Iran? Sitting down wi… --- ## [Don't Ask , Don't tell](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-dont-tell/439711)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-ask-dont-tell/439711 "2008-03-02T08:25:50Z")
What are the candidates positions on this issue that was so controversial during the Clinton administration ? --- ## [What is racially hateful about "pressing oil" hair product? What's it used for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-racially-hateful-about-pressing-oil-hair-product-whats-it-used-for/438982)
**Author:** [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-racially-hateful-about-pressing-oil-hair-product-whats-it-used-for/438982 "2008-03-02T03:06:49Z")
I was looking at the “Hateful Things” traveling exhibit of the Jim Crow Museum Of Racist Memorability (http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/traveling/grid/) and this one was not obvious to me: http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/tr… --- ## [Temperature Record of the Last 1000 Years](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-record-of-the-last-1000-years/425935)
**Author:** [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Replies:** 344\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/temperature-record-of-the-last-1000-years/425935 "2008-03-02T02:18:49Z")
We’ve all heard of the infamous “hockey stick” graph that showed little temperature change from years 1000 to 1900; followed by a sharp rise between 1900 and 2000. I had been under the impression that the “hockey stick”… --- ## [100 years in Iraq? Not with an all volunteer army.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-years-in-iraq-not-with-an-all-volunteer-army/439432)
**Author:** [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/100-years-in-iraq-not-with-an-all-volunteer-army/439432 "2008-03-02T01:26:23Z")
I thought there would be a thread about this here already and I could read it and learn. But there isn’t. So. . . Pentagon says it needs more troops for the anticipated increase in violence in Afghanistan and the Army C… --- ## [NYT to air McCains affair with Lobbyist tomorrow.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-to-air-mccains-affair-with-lobbyist-tomorrow/438513)
**Author:** [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nyt-to-air-mccains-affair-with-lobbyist-tomorrow/438513 "2008-03-02T00:45:16Z")
I have run into this story in a couple sites browsing tonight. Boy will that throw a monkey wrench into politics for the next week or so. Huffington shows her picture…cute. McCain has already denied it. --- ## [What Is Ralph Nader Doing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ralph-nader-doing/439062)
**Author:** [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-ralph-nader-doing/439062 "2008-03-01T23:59:39Z")
What is this man’s hidden agenda for joining the race now? (When is the cut-off date for throwing your hat into the ring, anyhow?) I guess our founding fathers foresaw enough to put the Electoral College in place, but … --- ## [Cairns-Smith and the crystalline origin of life](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cairns-smith-and-the-crystalline-origin-of-life/439755)
**Author:** [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cairns-smith-and-the-crystalline-origin-of-life/439755 "2008-03-01T18:14:52Z")
or, my great grandpappy was a lump o’ clay. Has anyone read the theories of Graham Cairns-Smith? He is a Scottish chemist who proposed that ‘life’ on earth did not in fact begin with carbon-based molecules, it began wit… --- ## [Cubs owner wants to sell Wrigley Field name. Should he?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cubs-owner-wants-to-sell-wrigley-field-name-should-he/439536)
**Author:** [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2008, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cubs-owner-wants-to-sell-wrigley-field-name-should-he/439536 "2008-03-01T07:17:26Z")
I almost wanted to make this a rant for the Pit but I figure it is better discussed here. For those who may be unaware Sam Zell, the new owner of the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Cubs, wants to sell the Wrigley Field nam… --- ## [Did Obama formulate a life plan?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-formulate-a-life-plan/438989)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [March 1, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-obama-formulate-a-life-plan/438989 "2008-03-01T02:55:57Z")
Obama’s history is quite rightly being scrutinised. We’re hearing how he eschewed the immediate money of corporate and trial law. So I’m wondering if he emulated Michael Heseltine? For those who don’t know, MH was a U.… --- ## [Bernanke hints at more interest rate cuts: Is this wise?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernanke-hints-at-more-interest-rate-cuts-is-this-wise/439389)
**Author:** [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bernanke-hints-at-more-interest-rate-cuts-is-this-wise/439389 "2008-02-29T20:16:02Z")
I am no economist. So I invite and hope for contributions to this thread from those better-versed than I in such matters. Ben Bernanke is hinting that more interest rate cuts may be on the way. Is this wise? It seems to… --- ## [Who has a better chance to beat McCain ?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-a-better-chance-to-beat-mccain/439385)
**Author:** [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-has-a-better-chance-to-beat-mccain/439385 "2008-02-29T18:03:35Z")
There’s a lot of Hillary bashing on this board. But the real question is Who has a better chance to beat McCain ? I’m a democrat and I want the dems to win. I think Clinton is the one to beat McCain. Obama will meet more… --- ## [Hillary Clinton's Oil Company Windfall Profits Plan](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clintons-oil-company-windfall-profits-plan/438789)
**Author:** [@LonghornDave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LonghornDave)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2008, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hillary-clintons-oil-company-windfall-profits-plan/438789 "2008-02-29T15:43:03Z")
Full Disclosure: I am probably biased on this topic as I finance oil and natural gas companies for a living. I have heard Clinton make references about enacting a windfall profits tax on oil companies. I have tried to l… --- ## [Obama's Patriot Employer Act](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-patriot-employer-act/439550)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2008, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-patriot-employer-act/439550 "2008-02-29T08:18:37Z")
Patriot Employer Act Can those with more economic sense than I have please explain this to me? --- ## [What will be the biggest issues for the next President to deal with?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-the-biggest-issues-for-the-next-president-to-deal-with/438528)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2008, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-will-be-the-biggest-issues-for-the-next-president-to-deal-with/438528 "2008-02-29T06:07:38Z")
And how would Obama and McCain deal with them differently? The economy is unlikely to have recovered by next year and place of America in the world’s economic order is flux. I do not see any President have any great ide… --- ## [Most Iraqis support attacking American troops](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iraqis-support-attacking-american-troops/439506)
**Author:** [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2008, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-iraqis-support-attacking-american-troops/439506 "2008-02-29T05:37:38Z")
I didn’t know there was even still a debate going on about this - I thought five years of opinion polls had pretty much settled the issue. In this thread, Der Trihs with his usual aplomb, stated the following regarding … --- ## [Solar Energy could...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-energy-could/439242)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/solar-energy-could/439242 "2008-02-28T21:11:23Z")
I was reading this article about the (possible) potential of solar energy so I thought I’d start a debate here on the subject and see what 'Dopers think. According to the article something similar to Moore’s Law is at … --- ## [Will Ralph Nader run for president in 2008? Will it matter?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ralph-nader-run-for-president-in-2008-will-it-matter/391530)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-ralph-nader-run-for-president-in-2008-will-it-matter/391530 "2008-02-28T19:49:58Z")
He keeps saying he hasn’t decided yet but won’t rule it out – especially if Hillary Clinton gets the Dem nomination. Here’s a recent interview with Nader and with Henriette Mantel, director of An Unreasonable Man, a doc… --- ## [Chances of a 3rd (heck, 4th) party candidate this year?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chances-of-a-3rd-heck-4th-party-candidate-this-year/437747)
**Author:** [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chances-of-a-3rd-heck-4th-party-candidate-this-year/437747 "2008-02-28T19:41:41Z")
Other than the Socialists and other minor parties who always run and get miniscule numbers of votes of course. First of all, someone mentioned that Obama might win the overall popular vote but that Hillary might do that… --- ## [Is it ethical to give class credit for donating blood?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-give-class-credit-for-donating-blood/439394)
**Author:** [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Replies:** 76\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-ethical-to-give-class-credit-for-donating-blood/439394 "2008-02-28T16:54:46Z")
In my psych class, the teacher has offered five points on the final grade (yes, at least .3333 GPA points on a 4.0 scale) to anyone who comes and donates blood today. Apparently, the different departments at the Univers… --- ## [Beat up on the Squeaky Wheels 'SYMBOLS' essay](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beat-up-on-the-squeaky-wheels-symbols-essay/437088)
**Author:** [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Replies:** 37\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/beat-up-on-the-squeaky-wheels-symbols-essay/437088 "2008-02-28T16:47:57Z")
This essay is about how we shouldn’t make serious issues out of things that are merely symbolic as opposed to things that have a substantive impact (or are, shall we say, reality-based). I just want the Dopers to help c… --- ## [On Identity Theft and Privacy and Transparency and Credit...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-identity-theft-and-privacy-and-transparency-and-credit/439403)
**Author:** [@Merkwurdigliebe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merkwurdigliebe)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/on-identity-theft-and-privacy-and-transparency-and-credit/439403 "2008-02-28T14:59:52Z")
So I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this and I have to say that my ideas are somewhat shaped by having lived in various states in Europe for the past four years. How exactly is it that Freedom and Privacy are so … --- ## [Ohio Democratic Debate 2008: Predictions and Commentary.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-democratic-debate-2008-predictions-and-commentary/439310)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 132\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ohio-democratic-debate-2008-predictions-and-commentary/439310 "2008-02-28T14:40:00Z")
It’s a couple hours now until the final debate happens between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Pundits, News Agencies, and Political folks around the country are calling it the last chance for Clinton to try and gain a… --- ## [Genetics vs. Choice in How Society Treats Homosexual and Transgendered People](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetics-vs-choice-in-how-society-treats-homosexual-and-transgendered-people/438886)
**Author:** [@Ersatz\_Shmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ersatz_Shmoe)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genetics-vs-choice-in-how-society-treats-homosexual-and-transgendered-people/438886 "2008-02-28T14:31:43Z")
I’ve been having this discussion with a friend of mine which was prompted by the recent passing of a local transgender-rights law. Below is the text of his LTE: Leaving aside my own problems with his argument for the m… --- ## [What effect will Alternative fuels have on Oil producing countries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-will-alternative-fuels-have-on-oil-producing-countries/439457)
**Author:** [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-effect-will-alternative-fuels-have-on-oil-producing-countries/439457 "2008-02-28T14:30:04Z")
In this thread here, a number of people express the view that as soon as The West no longer needs oil, various Middle Eastern countries will find themselves up a certain creek with no fuel for the outboard, so to speak. … --- ## [Explain the neocon "Better Hillary Than McCain" thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-neocon-better-hillary-than-mccain-thing/437061)
**Author:** [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Replies:** 94\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-the-neocon-better-hillary-than-mccain-thing/437061 "2008-02-28T07:54:01Z")
Over the past few weeks I’ve heard (or read) various prominent conservative commentators as well as average citizens state that if McCain gets the nomination, they’d campaign for Hillary instead (most notably arch-vile A… --- ## [Am I a Christian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-christian/438993)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 55\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-a-christian/438993 "2008-02-28T04:43:19Z")
I was raised as a Presbyterian. I was baptized and confirmed as a member of the Presbyterian Church USA. I have taken communion. I have not been back to church since my confirmation except for a few ceremonies and one se… --- ## [Arctic Ice Returning?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arctic-ice-returning/439239)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 48\ **Last updated:** [February 28, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arctic-ice-returning/439239 "2008-02-28T00:30:46Z")
Cite:Home | The National Post Home Page | National Post Is it possible for a series of colder winters to restore the arctic ice? Or is the planet on an inevitable warming cycle? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=653) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=655)