# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=662 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 663 --- ## [Is Mitt Romeny lying about crying in the car?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mitt-romeny-lying-about-crying-in-the-car/434581)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-mitt-romeny-lying-about-crying-in-the-car/434581 "2008-01-31T22:20:25Z")
Mitt Romney on the LDS Church changing its racist policy. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22273924/page/2/ Here is the problem. The policy was changed in 1978: Romney graduated from Harvard in 1975: Did it take him … --- ## [Key points in the State of the Union](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-points-in-the-state-of-the-union/435417)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 117\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/key-points-in-the-state-of-the-union/435417 "2008-01-31T21:29:11Z")
Issues that are important - how could anyone deny poor children of better educational opportunity? If this does not pass, there is something seriously wrong with the democratic party: A new $300 million “Pell Grants fo… --- ## [Bipartisanship is alive, if not well, in DC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bipartisanship-is-alive-if-not-well-in-dc/435592)
**Author:** [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Replies:** 30\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bipartisanship-is-alive-if-not-well-in-dc/435592 "2008-01-31T19:37:16Z")
Despite claims from many, including some current candidates for president, gridlock and antagonism are not currently problematic in DC. Rather, bipartisanship typifies how our present government works. Oftentimes these… --- ## [Is the RCC trying to scapegoat gays for its priests' child molesting?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-rcc-trying-to-scapegoat-gays-for-its-priests-child-molesting/435482)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 73\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-rcc-trying-to-scapegoat-gays-for-its-priests-child-molesting/435482 "2008-01-31T18:41:14Z")
When the seemingly endless series of child molesting incidents by priests began to be exposed a number of years ago, a friend of mine predicted that the Roman Catholic Church, ever the expert on strategy and survival, wo… --- ## [Are 401ks for suckers?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-401ks-for-suckers/435588)
**Author:** [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-401ks-for-suckers/435588 "2008-01-31T17:50:34Z")
I was reading this article in Time Out New York where the 26 year old author is pontificating on her philosophy that 401k plans are for suckers and she would rather have her cash now. Even going so far as to endorse her… --- ## [The (US) economy: What should be done?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-economy-what-should-be-done/434027)
**Author:** [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Replies:** 329\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-economy-what-should-be-done/434027 "2008-01-31T16:09:35Z")
So…what should be done about the Economy? We’ve all been bombarded lately with increasingly frantic news story about the economy headed either for ‘slowing’, recession or…it’s Armageddon! Depending on who you believe t… --- ## [Reconciling belief with Biblical scholarship and history](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconciling-belief-with-biblical-scholarship-and-history/435674)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 9\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reconciling-belief-with-biblical-scholarship-and-history/435674 "2008-01-31T12:27:46Z")
I recently read James Kugel’s How To Read the Bible where he gives an account of modern biblical scholarship and traditional Jewish and Christian understandings of the Bible. Here is an email and response between an ort… --- ## [Who will get the superdelegates in the Democratic Convention?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-get-the-superdelegates-in-the-democratic-convention/435672)
**Author:** [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-will-get-the-superdelegates-in-the-democratic-convention/435672 "2008-01-31T06:09:13Z")
So we all know that the Democratic primary isn’t purely a democracy: the Democratic Party allows one delegate apiece to major Democratic party members like state governors and party officials. These “superdelegates”, wh… --- ## [Light Bulbs - Why should we switch to lights nobody likes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-bulbs-why-should-we-switch-to-lights-nobody-likes/433256)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 126\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/light-bulbs-why-should-we-switch-to-lights-nobody-likes/433256 "2008-01-31T04:25:40Z")
Here is an article from the New York Times review the new lights bulbs that will be our only choice in a few years. Results - they suck. So why should we switch to these new light bulbs? The energy savings are practic… --- ## [Supreme Court / Right to Keep & Bear Arms](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-right-to-keep-bear-arms/434367)
**Author:** [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Replies:** 239\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supreme-court-right-to-keep-bear-arms/434367 "2008-01-31T02:28:45Z")
Apparently the Supreme Court has agreed to hear and decide a case that squarely addresses the Second Amendment. http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=9389828#post9389828 Predictions about how the Court w… --- ## [After SC, should Edwards pack it in?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-sc-should-edwards-pack-it-in/435153)
**Author:** [@Billdo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billdo)\ **Replies:** 51\ **Last updated:** [January 31, 2008, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/after-sc-should-edwards-pack-it-in/435153 "2008-01-31T00:20:51Z")
CNN is now reporting that with 98% of the precincts in the South Carolina Democratic primary reporting, Obama has 55%, Clinton 27% and Edwards 18%. South Carolina is the state of Edwards’ birth, the neighbor of Edwards… --- ## [Caroline Kennedy - "A President like my Father"](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caroline-kennedy-a-president-like-my-father/435240)
**Author:** [@JohnnieEnigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnieEnigma)\ **Replies:** 99\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/caroline-kennedy-a-president-like-my-father/435240 "2008-01-30T23:06:19Z")
Caroline wrote an op-ed piece in the NY Times today endorsing Obama. I wonder how Hillary will react. “OVER the years, I’ve been deeply moved by the people who’ve told me they wished they could feel inspired and hope… --- ## [Will Clinton's "paint him black" strategy work?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-clintons-paint-him-black-strategy-work/435150)
**Author:** [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Replies:** 65\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-clintons-paint-him-black-strategy-work/435150 "2008-01-30T22:57:52Z")
Watching the primary news on MSNBC this evening, there was much talk about what appears to be Bill Clinton’s attempt to blackify Obama in order to make him an undesirable choice among white voters. Particularly, in respo… --- ## [Michael Bloomberg/Barack Obama](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-bloomberg-barack-obama/435023)
**Author:** [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/michael-bloomberg-barack-obama/435023 "2008-01-30T19:18:27Z")
I know Obama, a Democrat is going all out for president and Bloomberg, an Independent, isn’t even in the race, but I was wondering, on paper, how this pairing would do? What are the positives or negatives in terms of el… --- ## [Economics: How much influence does the U.S. administration really have?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-how-much-influence-does-the-u-s-administration-really-have/435608)
**Author:** [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/economics-how-much-influence-does-the-u-s-administration-really-have/435608 "2008-01-30T18:32:44Z")
When the economy is strong, the President takes credit. When it’s poor, everyone blames the President. Are either of these justifiable? I am not an economics scholar but I have studied it at the graduate level (albeit… --- ## [The Clintons and the possible death of their strongest rival??](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-clintons-and-the-possible-death-of-their-strongest-rival/435423)
**Author:** [@Wildfire\_MM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wildfire_MM)\ **Replies:** 58\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-clintons-and-the-possible-death-of-their-strongest-rival/435423 "2008-01-30T18:06:18Z")
Don’t sure how to put this, but I just read that a lot of mysterious deaths surrounded the Clintons in the 90’s and that many suspect that they hade something to do with their deaths. I read this on the rebublican debat… --- ## [Should Florida have a state income tax?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-florida-have-a-state-income-tax/425209)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 89\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-florida-have-a-state-income-tax/425209 "2008-01-30T15:54:37Z")
Even if you don’t live here, you might have heard that Florida local government is facing a financial crisis. State government has the sales tax, local government relies almost entirely on property tax. But property ow… --- ## [Who is more electable in November -- McCain, Romney or Huckabee?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-electable-in-november-mccain-romney-or-huckabee/435339)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-more-electable-in-november-mccain-romney-or-huckabee/435339 "2008-01-30T15:48:02Z")
A counterpart to this thread. (I think we can pretty much count Giuliani out at this point, and Paul’s chances at the nom hardly bear discussion.) Romney is a flip-flopper who will never really get away from his social… --- ## [The SDMB mock election Debate #3: Global Warming, Energy Policy, Green Issues & Tech.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-3-global-warming-energy-policy-green-issues-tech/434760)
**Author:** [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-sdmb-mock-election-debate-3-global-warming-energy-policy-green-issues-tech/434760 "2008-01-30T14:18:40Z")
Welcome to the third SMDB multiparty 2008 campaign debate. Today we will debate and discuss your policies concerning some environmental & energy issues with technology as a rider. This would be the thread concerning Nuc… --- ## [Congress finally get it right - Economic Stimulus Package](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-finally-get-it-right-economic-stimulus-package/434952)
**Author:** [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/congress-finally-get-it-right-economic-stimulus-package/434952 "2008-01-30T03:27:02Z")
I posit that Congress finally did something correctly. Economically speaking, perhaps it’s a bit dumb, but they actually worked together, compromised, targeted the correct part of their constituencies for this tax reba… --- ## [Is it possible for one beer to be worth $400](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-one-beer-to-be-worth-400/435300)
**Author:** [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Replies:** 25\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-for-one-beer-to-be-worth-400/435300 "2008-01-30T03:04:14Z")
You gotta be dry humping me, like we need to debate this: Carlsberg A/S ads say it’s \`\`probably the best beer in the world.‘’ At $400 a bottle, it’s now the most expensive. That’s right, Carlsberg introduced a beer tod… --- ## [Where are the Muslims on SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-muslims-on-sdmb/435401)
**Author:** [@Valteron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valteron)\ **Replies:** 100\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-the-muslims-on-sdmb/435401 "2008-01-30T02:51:19Z")
Let me say right off that since I am not a daily reader of SDMB I stand to be corrected on this point. But why are there few if any Muslims posting in the Islam-related debates on this site? The threads are too numerous… --- ## ["Hate Crime" Laws-Are They Constitutional?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-crime-laws-are-they-constitutional/435470)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hate-crime-laws-are-they-constitutional/435470 "2008-01-30T00:53:07Z")
I was surprised to find that Massachusetts recognizes “hate crimes’-by special statute! I have a big problem with this: -why is a crime carried out with “hate” any worse than one carried out without? -how can anyone de… --- ## [What the heck happened to Giuliani's campaign?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-happened-to-giulianis-campaign/435270)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 30, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-the-heck-happened-to-giulianis-campaign/435270 "2008-01-30T00:01:10Z")
Considering it wasn’t that long ago that he was a frontrunner, I’ve never seen someone disappear so thoroughly, so quickly. I thought it was a huge mistake for him to abandon Iowa and I’d love nothing more than to claim… --- ## [By what criteria should we base our decision for president?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-what-criteria-should-we-base-our-decision-for-president/435280)
**Author:** [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/by-what-criteria-should-we-base-our-decision-for-president/435280 "2008-01-29T21:29:37Z")
It seems like the whole “whether-you-feel-like-you-could-sit-down-and-have-a-beer-with-the-fella” thing didn’t turn out to be such a great idea. I don’t know that the election coverage helps all that much either. I real… --- ## [Twin Minds?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-minds/434898)
**Author:** [@TheVioletCreep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheVioletCreep)\ **Replies:** 13\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-minds/434898 "2008-01-29T16:43:37Z")
I pose to you a question (whether it has been posted before, I haven’t the slightest, if so I apologise) Here it is. A woman has twins, each of these twins, from birth are a part of an experiment. Each twin will have d… --- ## [The State of The Union](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-the-union/435421)
**Author:** [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-state-of-the-union/435421 "2008-01-29T15:14:02Z")
So now that the earmarks are going to Democratic districts instead of Republican districts, Bush has suddenly gotten religion on earmarks and balanced budgets. We need to impose fiscal discipline but the sentiment I hea… --- ## [Buying votes: turning vice into virtue?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-votes-turning-vice-into-virtue/435445)
**Author:** [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-votes-turning-vice-into-virtue/435445 "2008-01-29T11:09:17Z")
I think I’ve asked this before, perhaps elsewhere, but I’d appreciate new thoughts. Corruption has always been a problem in democracies, and vote-buying is one part. But I wonder if it’s possible to turn this into a virt… --- ## [Patents discourage innovation - eh?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patents-discourage-innovation-eh/434054)
**Author:** [@RiverRunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RiverRunner)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/patents-discourage-innovation-eh/434054 "2008-01-29T06:46:19Z")
OK, first of all, I’m not sure whether this even qualifies as a GQ or should go into Great Debates, but here goes. I was reading some comments on an online column wherein a commenter asserted that there was “fairly stro… --- ## [Why no uproar over plastic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-uproar-over-plastic/435266)
**Author:** [@deanc2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deanc2000)\ **Replies:** 47\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2008, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-no-uproar-over-plastic/435266 "2008-01-29T06:41:37Z")
I didn’t know this before, but I just found out that plastic does NOT degrade. I found out via a History channel news article. It stays around for thousands if not millions of years. How can we in good conscience keep… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=661) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=663)