# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=656 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 657 --- ## [Alternate History -- Clinton Without Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-clinton-without-obama/438592)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2008, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-history-clinton-without-obama/438592 "2008-02-22T14:36:33Z")
So it’s 1992, and in this alternate timeline Jack Ryan bumps into his terminally ill old parish priest before leaving on a trip. Chastened by the encounter, he permanently shelves plans to ask his wife Jeri to accompany… --- ## [Pakistan election Monday 2/18/08](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistan-election-monday-2-18-08/438054)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2008, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pakistan-election-monday-2-18-08/438054 "2008-02-22T12:48:23Z")
Story here. Amid a climate of extreme political unrest and occasional deadly violence. (They were postponed from January 8 because of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination.) Bhutto’s party is unlikely to win a majority, but … --- ## ["RJ's Law" and other ways for government to invade our lives](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rjs-law-and-other-ways-for-government-to-invade-our-lives/438628)
**Author:** [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Replies:** 23\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2008, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rjs-law-and-other-ways-for-government-to-invade-our-lives/438628 "2008-02-22T06:18:33Z")
On another messageboard, some are going on about RJ’s Law and what a great idea this is. It’s the proposal that all of those on government assistance should have to submit to random drug testing in order to keep their b… --- ## [How Will Obama Bring About Change?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-obama-bring-about-change/438511)
**Author:** [@Gestalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gestalt)\ **Replies:** 17\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2008, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-will-obama-bring-about-change/438511 "2008-02-22T05:55:42Z")
When people discuss why they are going to vote for Obama, it’s usually something along the lines of the fact that he is inspiring, a fresh face, that he has an honest past and has run a clean campaign. Also, many people … --- ## [Handicap the VP slots](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-vp-slots/438655)
**Author:** [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-the-vp-slots/438655 "2008-02-22T05:42:35Z")
It’s looking pretty likely that Barack Obama and John McCain will be the two major candidates this year. Who are their likely VP picks? I could see Obama going for Bill Richardson. He’s a good pick among hispanics/lat… --- ## [What tactics will Democrats use against McCain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-democrats-use-against-mccain/438642)
**Author:** [@ArizonaTeach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArizonaTeach)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2008, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-tactics-will-democrats-use-against-mccain/438642 "2008-02-22T03:19:02Z")
So far they are testing out: “He’s had an affair.” “He doesn’t know condoms prevent AIDS.” “He’s too beholden to lobbyists.” “He wants a hundred years of war in Iraq” I am sure they’ll trot out the POW horse again t… --- ## [Obama's accomplishments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-accomplishments/438462)
**Author:** [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 22, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obamas-accomplishments/438462 "2008-02-22T01:55:59Z")
So there’s some discussion in certain circles on how Texas state Senator Kirk Watson, an Obama supporter being interviewed on MSNBC, couldn’t name any accomplishments of his chosen candidate as a senator. While he “reca… --- ## [A Chance for Progress in the God Debate](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chance-for-progress-in-the-god-debate/431109)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 59\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-chance-for-progress-in-the-god-debate/431109 "2008-02-21T23:05:36Z")
Many recent threads about religious topics have been high on vitriol and, in my opinion, low on content. I wish to attempt to bring the board back to its stated purpose of increasing wisdom and understanding. A few wee… --- ## [Kosovo delares independence from Serbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kosovo-delares-independence-from-serbia/438007)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 26\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kosovo-delares-independence-from-serbia/438007 "2008-02-21T22:52:16Z")
Story here and here. Serbia and Russia are against the move, the U.S. endorses it. The UNSC is having a special session this afternoon. I can’t see a war breaking out over this, but what else might happen? --- ## [Anon's war on scientology: good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anons-war-on-scientology-good-or-bad/436193)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anons-war-on-scientology-good-or-bad/436193 "2008-02-21T21:17:22Z")
For the few of you who haven’t heard about this story, there is a brief, but accurate article in the economist that explains the whole thing. I think it’s fascinating concept, all told. I’ve vaguely heard about stupid “… --- ## [What's wrong with women's taste in men? (Darwinian Edition)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-womens-taste-in-men-darwinian-edition/437768)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 93\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-womens-taste-in-men-darwinian-edition/437768 "2008-02-21T20:29:19Z")
As I often do, I’ve been thinking about life, consciousness, happiness and the other usual suspects when, suddenly, it occurred to me, in what I can only call a totally original thought that I promptly recognized as tha… --- ## [Terrorist Tactics vs. Military Tactics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-tactics-vs-military-tactics/438139)
**Author:** [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/terrorist-tactics-vs-military-tactics/438139 "2008-02-21T18:40:28Z")
It’s tough to pin down a specific definition of terrorism, but our society seems to have general agreement that there is a definite division between terrorist tactics and legitimate military tactics. Further, the widesp… --- ## [Next up: Wisconsin and Hawaii](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-up-wisconsin-and-hawaii/437382)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 138\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-up-wisconsin-and-hawaii/437382 "2008-02-21T17:51:13Z")
Hawaii is easy. I doubt HRC will even get past the 15% mark there. Wisconsin … I suspect that Obama will win there and win well, despite the fact that he has not consistently polled well there to date … it’s an open pr… --- ## [Let's list Obama's accomplishments](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-obamas-accomplishments/438497)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-list-obamas-accomplishments/438497 "2008-02-21T13:29:55Z")
I can only think of two. elected senator in Illinois. provided the most exciting presidential election campaign in US history Hi Opal --- ## [Oh, Blissful Ignorance - Fundi Christians and their View of Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-blissful-ignorance-fundi-christians-and-their-view-of-obama/438307)
**Author:** [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Replies:** 79\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oh-blissful-ignorance-fundi-christians-and-their-view-of-obama/438307 "2008-02-21T11:04:19Z")
Looking to Obama’s prospects in November, this is the kind of stuff that scares me. These folks are seemingly not interested in getting the facts on where Obama stands on the issues, and latch on to re-re-re-gurgitated p… --- ## [What are McCain's legislative accomplishments?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-mccains-legislative-accomplishments/438525)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-mccains-legislative-accomplishments/438525 "2008-02-21T07:22:22Z")
Does McCain have any major legislative accomplishments aside from McCain-Feingold? I’m looking through his THOMAS record, and his campaign website, and I’m not seeing much. Am I missing some big things? --- ## [The historical contigency of the Argument from Design](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-historical-contigency-of-the-argument-from-design/437675)
**Author:** [@Omoikane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omoikane)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-historical-contigency-of-the-argument-from-design/437675 "2008-02-21T06:05:45Z")
In Dawkin’s God Alister McGrath says that the Paley-style “Argument From Design” for God’s existence is a “local historical contingency” linked “with the specific historical circumstances of eighteenth-century England” … --- ## [Pro-Hillary 527 set up to put major ding in Obama's Campaign - yeah right.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-hillary-527-set-up-to-put-major-ding-in-obamas-campaign-yeah-right/438386)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pro-hillary-527-set-up-to-put-major-ding-in-obamas-campaign-yeah-right/438386 "2008-02-21T01:55:18Z")
Who does Hillary Clinton think she is? Jake Tapper of ABC reports a new Pro-Hillary 527 has been set up to try and slander Obama’s Campaign. Are you kidding me? Any respect I had for Hillary is gone. She would rather go… --- ## [Paul Krugman: Poverty is poison](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-krugman-poverty-is-poison/438088)
**Author:** [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paul-krugman-poverty-is-poison/438088 "2008-02-21T01:50:02Z")
In this column, Paul Krugman refers to a study showing that children growing up in poverty experience a high level of stress hormones, which can prevent their brains from developing along a normal course. He suggests th… --- ## [Is any group apt to "sit out" the November US election for any reason?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-any-group-apt-to-sit-out-the-november-us-election-for-any-reason/438463)
**Author:** [@arborist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arborist)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 21, 2008, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-any-group-apt-to-sit-out-the-november-us-election-for-any-reason/438463 "2008-02-21T00:36:10Z")
We hear perhaps the far right. Or Nader supporters in states he won’t qualify for. Or . . . ? --- ## [Obama pledge to accept federal funding](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-pledge-to-accept-federal-funding/438435)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-pledge-to-accept-federal-funding/438435 "2008-02-20T23:23:49Z")
Obama is now waffling on his pledge to accept federal financing for the general election. This could be a dealbreaker for me. Does this bother anyone else that Obama made a pledge to run on a federally provided $85 mil… --- ## [why is it that Darwin's "survival of the fittest" seam to be more present in USA ...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-darwins-survival-of-the-fittest-seam-to-be-more-present-in-usa/438397)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-it-that-darwins-survival-of-the-fittest-seam-to-be-more-present-in-usa/438397 "2008-02-20T22:12:43Z")
why is it that Darwin’s “survival of the fittest” seam to be more present in religious nations like USA than more secular nations like those in Europe? “Survival of the fittest” also seams to be more present among the r… --- ## [When do the supers make their move?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-the-supers-make-their-move/438407)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-the-supers-make-their-move/438407 "2008-02-20T20:48:12Z")
For the sake of this thread it is considered a fait accompli that Hillary is done. The question is when the superdelegates begin to acknowlwdge that by endorsing Obama en masse. Will they wait until she fails to perform… --- ## [Whatif: McCain as POTUS vs former VC torturer](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatif-mccain-as-potus-vs-former-vc-torturer/438309)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whatif-mccain-as-potus-vs-former-vc-torturer/438309 "2008-02-20T20:14:42Z")
Just imagine if McCain, as POTUS, is visiting Vietnam (or one of their embassies) and sees or meets one of his former torturers? I imagine it would be exceedingly unsettling for him to even have one just standing there i… --- ## [A poor campaign strategy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poor-campaign-strategy/438379)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-poor-campaign-strategy/438379 "2008-02-20T19:59:56Z")
There’s a google ad being run by the Huckabee campaign with the tagline “Who can beat Hillary Clinton?” Leaving aside the issue of whether or not Clinton will be nominated, it’s a terrible strategy for the Huckabee campa… --- ## [The Democratic party: Caught between Barack and a hard place](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-party-caught-between-barack-and-a-hard-place/437941)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 112\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-democratic-party-caught-between-barack-and-a-hard-place/437941 "2008-02-20T19:58:29Z")
I had this thought the other day while listening to a bunch of Democrats argue amongst themselves on talk radio: IMO, if Obama does not win the nomination, the Democratic Party is fucked, completely and totally fucked. M… --- ## [Morality of Intentional Foreclosure](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-intentional-foreclosure/437430)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 74\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/morality-of-intentional-foreclosure/437430 "2008-02-20T16:09:05Z")
I don’t have a specific cite since I am refering to a TV news clip I saw this morning, but a Google search will provide enough references to what I’m referring to. Basically, a number of homeowners are electing to walk … --- ## [Torture Hypothetical (Logic Not Adqeuate For Real Life Situations).](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-hypothetical-logic-not-adqeuate-for-real-life-situations/437388)
**Author:** [@George\_Kaplin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/George_Kaplin)\ **Replies:** 101\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/torture-hypothetical-logic-not-adqeuate-for-real-life-situations/437388 "2008-02-20T11:44:57Z")
This board has played host to several debates on torture. Typically, the OP presents a situation and asks “Would you torture in this scenario?” Respondents fall on a spectrum. Some answer resoundingly “Yes!” Others g… --- ## [Psychiatric Ethics](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychiatric-ethics/437934)
**Author:** [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Replies:** 15\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/psychiatric-ethics/437934 "2008-02-20T02:03:26Z")
I am watching the show ‘In Treatment’ on HBO. It follows a Therapist with his many clients. One of his clients professes a deep love for him and carries on with it. Should a Therapist continue treatment in that scenar… --- ## [Is a CounterJihad forming in the West?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-counterjihad-forming-in-the-west/438000)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 82\ **Last updated:** [February 20, 2008, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-a-counterjihad-forming-in-the-west/438000 "2008-02-20T00:30:28Z")
Surfing around the web, it would seem that more and more people in the West are beginning to wake up to the fact that Islam is engaged in a world-wide jihad to bring abiout the world domination of their religion. Intere… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=655) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=657)