# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=658 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 659 --- ## [Why is Reagan so loved by so many Republicans (and some Democrats)?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-reagan-so-loved-by-so-many-republicans-and-some-democrats/437666)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2008, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-reagan-so-loved-by-so-many-republicans-and-some-democrats/437666 "2008-02-16T00:17:53Z")
The question pretty much says it all, but… He’s continually lauded as a god who walked among men in the Republican debates. People proudly say they’re “Republicans in the Reagan sense of the word” and go out of their w… --- ## [Rip-crt?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-crt/436097)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-crt/436097 "2008-02-15T23:04:26Z")
Is it my impression that nobody will be usung CRT displays anymore? I don’t see any wide screen TV sets with CRTs-they are too bulky and heavy. Now that the Koreans have mastered the art of turning out large area LCDs (… --- ## [Fixing the candidate selection process](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-candidate-selection-process/437632)
**Author:** [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fixing-the-candidate-selection-process/437632 "2008-02-15T16:39:02Z")
I was going to post in the superdelegate thread but figured it would probably be a hijack, so I started a new one. It’s obvious the system is broken. To me, the solution seems pretty obvious. Please explain to me why thi… --- ## [Danish Newspapers Reprint Cartoon?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danish-newspapers-reprint-cartoon/437575)
**Author:** [@kitemaker\_chuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitemaker_chuck)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2008, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/danish-newspapers-reprint-cartoon/437575 "2008-02-15T11:26:10Z")
Have any Dopers heard anything about the Danish newspapers reprinting the Prophet Muhammad cartoon again??? Is this going to set things off again amongst the world’s Muslims?? --- ## [Obama Wins Popular Vote; Superdelegates Pick HRC - What Do You Do?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-popular-vote-superdelegates-pick-hrc-what-do-you-do/437534)
**Author:** [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Replies:** 81\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2008, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-wins-popular-vote-superdelegates-pick-hrc-what-do-you-do/437534 "2008-02-15T08:57:39Z")
In another thread, askeptic said: \[QUOTE=askeptic\] I think that if Obama wins the popular vote but HRC is put forward as the Democratic candidate it would mean the end of the Democratic party. They have to realize that… --- ## [In choosing the military techs who can fire nukes are the very devout screened out?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-choosing-the-military-techs-who-can-fire-nukes-are-the-very-devout-screened-out/437397)
**Author:** [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [February 15, 2008, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-choosing-the-military-techs-who-can-fire-nukes-are-the-very-devout-screened-out/437397 "2008-02-15T01:23:38Z")
In recalling some documentary on nuclear weapons from years ago, I remember the statement that the US military techs who (once ordered by the relevant authority) actually arm and fire the atomic weapons, are very thoroug… --- ## [Will Hillary's negative campaigning further divide the democratic party?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-hillarys-negative-campaigning-further-divide-the-democratic-party/437590)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-hillarys-negative-campaigning-further-divide-the-democratic-party/437590 "2008-02-14T23:51:11Z")
Hillary’s negative campaigning is becoming pernicious to the party. Yesterday when Obama was campaigning in WI, he gave a speech to the Auto workers in Janesville, a substantive speech outlining specific economic initiat… --- ## [The Greatest Generation](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-generation/436996)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-greatest-generation/436996 "2008-02-14T23:05:14Z")
Right… I think this so-called greatest generation has some real flaws too… Anyone else notice they have a tendency to live in denial or just try to not deal with stuff? Or they tend to be a bit racist? Or is this just… --- ## [Why is Congress involved in sports scandals?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-congress-involved-in-sports-scandals/437648)
**Author:** [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-congress-involved-in-sports-scandals/437648 "2008-02-14T22:33:04Z")
Why should our hardworking public servants be spending valuable time and taxpayer dollars investigating whether Roger Clemens doped up or if the Patriots cheated? It seems to be minor issues in a time where there are sli… --- ## [Why such success for McCain?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-success-for-mccain/437315)
**Author:** [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Replies:** 34\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-such-success-for-mccain/437315 "2008-02-14T20:33:32Z")
So the way it appears to me (correct me if I’m wrong) is that the country is nearly split 50-50 of people who would label themselves either Democrat or Republican. On the democrat side we have Obama and Clinton duking i… --- ## [Recent support for Obama from Democratic bigwigs](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-support-for-obama-from-democratic-bigwigs/437503)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recent-support-for-obama-from-democratic-bigwigs/437503 "2008-02-14T19:30:01Z")
What if the recent surge in support for Obama from powerful democrats is due to these bigwigs’ being happy to have the weaker person in the position of power? Is that possible? What evidence could be adduced for or agai… --- ## [Crossing the line \[Republicans thinking of voting for Obama\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-the-line-republicans-thinking-of-voting-for-obama/437240)
**Author:** [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Replies:** 123\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crossing-the-line-republicans-thinking-of-voting-for-obama/437240 "2008-02-14T16:11:36Z")
I think I’ll vote for Obama. Mccain is so “mehhhh.” He’s ok, I guess. I agree with about 65% of what he talks about. Obama I agree with about 60% That’s pretty good for me and a Democrat. He’s black, a Democrat, ha… --- ## [An Experiment in Government](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-experiment-in-government/437296)
**Author:** [@phi2dao](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phi2dao)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-experiment-in-government/437296 "2008-02-14T16:09:15Z")
Many people here on the Dope seem really interested in government. One of the debates about the constitution of the United States, I think it was titled “Constitution 2.0”, inspired me to post this. “What if,” I though… --- ## [A hypothetical torture scenario](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-hypothetical-torture-scenario/437089)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 67\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-hypothetical-torture-scenario/437089 "2008-02-14T05:58:43Z")
A random innocent American citizen is being murdered every minute. The only way to stop this is to get a piece of information, which once obtained, stops the murders instantly and completely (without further consequence… --- ## [Icelandic and linguistic purism: Good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-and-linguistic-purism-good-or-bad/437185)
**Author:** [@Gozu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu)\ **Replies:** 21\ **Last updated:** [February 14, 2008, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/icelandic-and-linguistic-purism-good-or-bad/437185 "2008-02-14T02:08:01Z")
For those of you not familiar with icelandic, the language changed very little from what the vikings spoke nearly a millenium ago. This wikipedia article is more informative. Is the importance of being able to read old … --- ## [Another Top Clinton Campaign Manager Resigns: Is this the beginning of the end?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-top-clinton-campaign-manager-resigns-is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end/437387)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/another-top-clinton-campaign-manager-resigns-is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end/437387 "2008-02-13T21:30:21Z")
From NBC and Washington Post: With the Potomac Primaries dissolving in front of her eyes, is her viability slowly slipping away? If Obama really slams home tonight and WI and HI does Hillary really have a chance? Addi… --- ## [If the other 97 Senators elected the President . . .](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-other-97-senators-elected-the-president/437449)
**Author:** [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-the-other-97-senators-elected-the-president/437449 "2008-02-13T20:42:29Z")
and the only issue was “Who would you rather work with?” who would win? --- ## [Can the EPA \_demand\_ the government stop global warming for the polar bears' sake?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-epa-_demand_-the-government-stop-global-warming-for-the-polar-bears-sake/437090)
**Author:** [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-the-epa-_demand_-the-government-stop-global-warming-for-the-polar-bears-sake/437090 "2008-02-13T18:14:56Z")
I’m not disputing (1). The Environmental Protection Agency has been given a broad mandate to protect endangered species, (2). If sea ice disappears from the Arctic, polar bears will be in grave danger of extinction, and … --- ## [Why Do Liberals Support Affirmative Action?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-liberals-support-affirmative-action/435958)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 256\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-liberals-support-affirmative-action/435958 "2008-02-13T06:17:05Z")
(I actually think this might belong in General Questions. But seeing as how it might set off a big debate, I will put it here.) This is something that I have wondered for some time now. Why do liberals in the USA typica… --- ## [Handicap next Tuesday's "Potomac Primary" (VA, DC, MD)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-next-tuesdays-potomac-primary-va-dc-md/436725)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 108\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/handicap-next-tuesdays-potomac-primary-va-dc-md/436725 "2008-02-13T05:28:11Z")
According to this story, Obama has been expected to sweep this region with a high African-Amerian population, but Clinton is pulling out all the stops to reach the suburban and rural Dems. Place your bets! (figure of s… --- ## [Potomac Primaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potomac-primaries/437375)
**Author:** [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Replies:** 24\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/potomac-primaries/437375 "2008-02-13T03:38:03Z")
McCain and Huckabee too close to call. Obama wiping the floor with Hillary. Developing… --- ## [If I were Mike Duncan/Vote Hillary !!!!](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-were-mike-duncan-vote-hillary/437392)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-i-were-mike-duncan-vote-hillary/437392 "2008-02-13T03:03:02Z")
I would get my state party leaders together to get the word out. Stop Obama instead of duking it out for the futile effort to challenge McCain or influence the conservative agenda. Republicans know they would prefer to r… --- ## [Tim Kaine as Obama VP?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tim-kaine-as-obama-vp/437250)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tim-kaine-as-obama-vp/437250 "2008-02-13T01:31:39Z")
Gov. Tim Kaine (D-Va) is on the shortlist for Obama’s VP. He strikes me as a decent choice. He doesn’t add to Obama’s national security credentials, but I think he does basically everything else Obama needs. He could … --- ## [What's behind Obama?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-behind-obama/436363)
**Author:** [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-behind-obama/436363 "2008-02-13T01:19:32Z")
It seemed to me that, as far as the public was concerned, Obama pretty much came out of nowhere in 2004. He appeared on the public stage at exactly the same time that talk of his being a future president appeared on the … --- ## [Is Barack Obama actually an idealist?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-actually-an-idealist/437032)
**Author:** [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-barack-obama-actually-an-idealist/437032 "2008-02-13T00:41:52Z")
I don’t trust myself in terms of judging public figures. Hillary and McCain seem like cynical political animals to me (for reasons I won’t get into here), but Obama comes across as honest and sincere. The thing is, a tru… --- ## [Global Cooling?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-cooling/436851)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 19\ **Last updated:** [February 13, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/global-cooling/436851 "2008-02-13T00:38:34Z")
Maybe Prof. Abdumusatov has been vindicated:http://ibdeditorial.co m/IBDArticles.aspx?id=287279412587175 If solar activity accounts for most of the global warming we’ve seen, then should be re-assess our efforts to red… --- ## [What happens after HRC or Obama win?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-after-hrc-or-obama-win/436704)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 29\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happens-after-hrc-or-obama-win/436704 "2008-02-12T19:19:08Z")
Hypothetically assume that one or the other win the general. What happens next? I tend to agree with this from The Economist with mild exceptions. (I see HRC as more of a hawk and that the partisan politics to transcen… --- ## [The blame for the economic downturn](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blame-for-the-economic-downturn/436655)
**Author:** [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Replies:** 71\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-blame-for-the-economic-downturn/436655 "2008-02-12T17:47:38Z")
This isn’t a debate about whether we’re in a recession or not, but nobody rational can deny that we’re in an economic downturn. What factors or people or legislation do you most blame for this (assuming you don’t think … --- ## [Official apology to Australian Aboriginals](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-apology-to-australian-aboriginals/437262)
**Author:** [@DellieM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DellieM)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/official-apology-to-australian-aboriginals/437262 "2008-02-12T17:39:14Z")
(I think this belongs here - please move mods if not) (This is a bit long) To say sorry or not - that’s the question. Bit of a moot point as the Australian Federal Government will tomorrow at 9.00am in the Parliament m… --- ## [The year of the senators](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-year-of-the-senators/437165)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [February 12, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-year-of-the-senators/437165 "2008-02-12T14:11:38Z")
Usually the best way to get yourself taken seriously as a presidential candidate is to hold or have held some executive office – governor, big-city mayor, even VPOTUS. But this year, all three front-runners are U.S. sen… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=657) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=659)