# Great Debates **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=665 [Latest](https://boards.straightdope.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://boards.straightdope.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://boards.straightdope.com/tags.md) **Page:** 666 --- ## [Will the current primary/caucus system survive?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-current-primary-caucus-system-survive/434314)
**Author:** [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 23, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-the-current-primary-caucus-system-survive/434314 "2008-01-23T01:01:14Z")
I don’t want to have a debate about the actual outcome of this year’s primary/caucus system. There’s plenty of other threads about that. But how will this year’s election affect the system itself? I think everyone would… --- ## [If Ron Paul doesn't win the Pub nomination, would he run as a Libertarian?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ron-paul-doesnt-win-the-pub-nomination-would-he-run-as-a-libertarian/430974)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 33\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-ron-paul-doesnt-win-the-pub-nomination-would-he-run-as-a-libertarian/430974 "2008-01-22T23:03:00Z")
If Ron Paul does not win the Republican nomination for POTUS – and I don’t see how he can, even with the grassroots surge he’s getting – might he switch over and run as the Libertarian Party candidate? According to the … --- ## [SCOTUS hearing challenge to Indiana voter-ID law](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-hearing-challenge-to-indiana-voter-id-law/433312)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scotus-hearing-challenge-to-indiana-voter-id-law/433312 "2008-01-22T21:52:42Z")
In 2005 Indiana (a red state) passed a law requiring voters to present a government-issued ID – nothing else will do – before casting a ballot. This week the Supreme Court is hearing a court challenge, Crawford v. Mario… --- ## [Why do some states have open primaries?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-states-have-open-primaries/433669)
**Author:** [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Replies:** 57\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-states-have-open-primaries/433669 "2008-01-22T20:34:46Z")
It makes no sense at all to me. Today in Michigan, with the DEMS pretty much a non-issue, the GOP can have its primary affected by voters who don’t affiliate with them at all. If I’m an Obama supporter, for example, I… --- ## [Question for Bush voters in 2000 (a trip down memory lane)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-bush-voters-in-2000-a-trip-down-memory-lane/434362)
**Author:** [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Replies:** 35\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-for-bush-voters-in-2000-a-trip-down-memory-lane/434362 "2008-01-22T19:24:58Z")
I’m curious how many dopers supported Bush back in 2000. I know this board skews left, but nearly half the voters chose Bush, so there’s probably more than a few around here. (But how many will admit to it?) What were… --- ## [Super Tuesday ends it?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-tuesday-ends-it/434400)
**Author:** [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/super-tuesday-ends-it/434400 "2008-01-22T17:16:16Z")
I notice a whole bunch of big states are having their primaries on Feb 5. Is it safe to say on Feb 6, we’ll know mathmatically who the Democrat and Republican presidential finalists will be? --- ## [How does one rig a presidential election?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-rig-a-presidential-election/434207)
**Author:** [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-rig-a-presidential-election/434207 "2008-01-22T15:48:47Z")
Just curious really, but can a presidential election be rigged? If so how? I remember some controvercial things being said about Ohio and Florida when the current goofball got into office, but for the upcoming election n… --- ## [Conservative-liberal convergence on healthcare?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-liberal-convergence-on-healthcare/433782)
**Author:** [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Replies:** 66\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/conservative-liberal-convergence-on-healthcare/433782 "2008-01-22T15:33:25Z")
I’m drafting off this thread, which, though it discussed healthcare only tangentially, offered some conservative perspectives that sort of surprised me – namely, the (seeming) acceptance of the need for both universal co… --- ## [What are the candidates' views on science?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-candidates-views-on-science/434254)
**Author:** [@vertizontal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vertizontal)\ **Replies:** 20\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-candidates-views-on-science/434254 "2008-01-22T12:25:22Z")
Can we summarize the presidential candidates’ opinions regarding science? Are there any that will champion ongoing research, that will have a meaningful relationship with a Science Advisor, and have long term vision? I… --- ## [Israel to go EV?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-to-go-ev/434481)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/israel-to-go-ev/434481 "2008-01-22T08:15:39Z")
In a coordinated effort with the Israeli government offering significant tax incentives, Renault providing the EVs, and Shai Agassi’s Project Better Place providing the battery lease and recharge structure, Israel plans … --- ## [Behold a pale horse:and his name that sat on him was Diebold,and Hell followed with h](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/behold-a-pale-horse-and-his-name-that-sat-on-him-was-diebold-and-hell-followed-with-h/433367)
**Author:** [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Replies:** 40\ **Last updated:** [January 22, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/behold-a-pale-horse-and-his-name-that-sat-on-him-was-diebold-and-hell-followed-with-h/433367 "2008-01-22T00:58:18Z")
And so it begins If you read the story, it’s a link to a left leaning blog that suggests that Hillary stole the New Hampshire primary from Obama by defrauding the Diebold machines. Let me get this out of the way right u… --- ## [Did Bush pardon himself for war crimes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-pardon-himself-for-war-crimes/434388)
**Author:** [@gitfiddle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gitfiddle)\ **Replies:** 28\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-bush-pardon-himself-for-war-crimes/434388 "2008-01-21T23:30:11Z")
I just saw this video. I did some searches to actually find the legislation, but since no title of the actual legislation is given nor are there any direct quotes, I can’t find it. Most of the things I find are quotin… --- ## [U.S.-Iranian confrontation in the Gulf of Hormuz](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-iranian-confrontation-in-the-gulf-of-hormuz/432683)
**Author:** [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Replies:** 46\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-iranian-confrontation-in-the-gulf-of-hormuz/432683 "2008-01-21T22:21:18Z")
Story here. The Iranians call it an “ordinary occurrence”; Condi Rice calls it “provocative and dangerous.” I’ve pretty much stopped worrying Bush will attack Iran in his time remaining – he’s shot his bolt; and this i… --- ## [If Obama wins convincingly in November...](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-wins-convincingly-in-november/434202)
**Author:** [@Stan\_Shmenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Shmenge)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-obama-wins-convincingly-in-november/434202 "2008-01-21T21:56:13Z")
Would Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton be forced to seek gainful employment? Perhaps Jesse could go back to spitting in the white folk’s hamburgers. Seriously, it would be worth it to elect him just so those two could stf… --- ## [Bill Clinton gives heated response on voter disenfranchisement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-gives-heated-response-on-voter-disenfranchisement/433946)
**Author:** [@ManiacMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ManiacMan)\ **Replies:** 45\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-clinton-gives-heated-response-on-voter-disenfranchisement/433946 "2008-01-21T21:45:00Z")
Can anyone comment on this…sounds like a pretty sneak thing to do? --- ## [The U.S. Supreme Court and Hate Crimes.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-supreme-court-and-hate-crimes/434170)
**Author:** [@Jim\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_B)\ **Replies:** 56\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-u-s-supreme-court-and-hate-crimes/434170 "2008-01-21T21:41:36Z")
It is a complex subject, not easy for everyone to understand. But apparently some people think hate crimes are tantamount to legislating thoughts, and so should be unconstitutional. My question is simply this: How will t… --- ## [Eating out is cheaper than buying groceries.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-out-is-cheaper-than-buying-groceries/432705)
**Author:** [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Replies:** 165\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eating-out-is-cheaper-than-buying-groceries/432705 "2008-01-21T11:24:06Z")
“You’d save so much money if you buy groceries instead of eating out so much.” - This is one of those truisms that I’ve come to disbelieve over the past few years - in fact, I think that the opposite is true, with some c… --- ## [Media presentation of delegate counts.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-presentation-of-delegate-counts/434289)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/media-presentation-of-delegate-counts/434289 "2008-01-21T06:31:55Z")
I’m not sure what to make of this. Media presentations go from the seems to be straightforward - like wikipedia’s which clearly shows that Obama currently has 38 , HRC 36, and Edwards 18 elected, pledged delegates an… --- ## [The Hispanic vote](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hispanic-vote/434019)
**Author:** [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-hispanic-vote/434019 "2008-01-21T04:58:35Z")
This article references the potential role of the Hispanic vote in several upcoming primaries. The Clintons have established national relationships with several Hispanic blocs. Obama has had good Hispanic support in his … --- ## [Humans did not domesticate the dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-did-not-domesticate-the-dog/433547)
**Author:** [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 21, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/humans-did-not-domesticate-the-dog/433547 "2008-01-21T02:53:06Z")
I just saw a nature program last night on PBS. Part 2 I think is next Sunday. What a fascinating program. In short, biologist Raymond Coppinger says that wolves( with lower flight distance) hanging around dumps in Chin… --- ## [Is Genocide worse than Mass Murder?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-genocide-worse-than-mass-murder/433713)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 11\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-genocide-worse-than-mass-murder/433713 "2008-01-20T22:45:34Z")
Is there something worse about Hitler’s intentional killing of the Jews worse than the others he intentionally killed such as communists? Is the 1994 Rwanda slaughter worse because the killers intentionally tried to kill… --- ## [Is "colorblindness" good, or even possible?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-colorblindness-good-or-even-possible/431937)
**Author:** [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Replies:** 90\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-colorblindness-good-or-even-possible/431937 "2008-01-20T21:47:17Z")
To stop taking another GD thread completely astray, I’ll move my part of the discussion over here. In the PC thread, a few of us are talking about people being “colorblind”–not seeing or ignoring a person’s racial chara… --- ## [Which candidate has the most detailed policy positions?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-has-the-most-detailed-policy-positions/433972)
**Author:** [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Replies:** 10\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-candidate-has-the-most-detailed-policy-positions/433972 "2008-01-20T15:11:39Z")
Simple question: which major candidate for the US Presidency has the most detailed policy positions on key issues? I’m defining major candidates as plausible winners of their party’s nomination, which in my book include… --- ## [California wants to control household thermostats](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-wants-to-control-household-thermostats/433349)
**Author:** [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Replies:** 92\ **Last updated:** [January 20, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/california-wants-to-control-household-thermostats/433349 "2008-01-20T01:32:22Z")
California legislature is thinking about taking control of your thermostat. I started laughing when I read that. Is this a joke? --- ## [US National ID to be required - good idea or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-national-id-to-be-required-good-idea-or-bad/433295)
**Author:** [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Replies:** 105\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2008, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-national-id-to-be-required-good-idea-or-bad/433295 "2008-01-19T21:05:16Z")
So the US Gummit has finally decided everyone needs a US-approved ID, and it will prevent things like 9/11 as well as make everyone deleriously happy. WSJ Link Washington Post link So what do you think? Is it the end… --- ## [Is there a gay culture? Why should there be?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-gay-culture-why-should-there-be/433426)
**Author:** [@Two\_and\_a\_Half\_Inches\_of\_Fun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_and_a_Half_Inches_of_Fun)\ **Replies:** 77\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2008, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-gay-culture-why-should-there-be/433426 "2008-01-19T21:01:46Z")
The University of Michigan has a new course on how to be gay. Are certain types of movies, music, and books that gay men enjoy? I could see how gay men would prefer movies or books that feature gay characters, but why … --- ## [Let children be children.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-children-be-children/433293)
**Author:** [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Replies:** 63\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-children-be-children/433293 "2008-01-19T19:08:36Z")
I was cycling home from work yesterday in the early evening after dark. I passed three girls aged about eleven years old dressed in the sort of clothes that young women wear when out on the “Pull”,they were wearing make… --- ## [What Ended Holland as a World Power?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ended-holland-as-a-world-power/433064)
**Author:** [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Replies:** 39\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-ended-holland-as-a-world-power/433064 "2008-01-19T17:52:25Z")
Starting with the defeat of the Spanish, around 1600, Holland advanced to be a major european power. The Dutch had clonies in the New World (New Amsterdam, Surinam, Curacao), in the Far East (Indonesia), Africa (South Af… --- ## [Is it wrong to be entertained by the misfortune of others?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-be-entertained-by-the-misfortune-of-others/433834)
**Author:** [@Windwalker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Windwalker)\ **Replies:** 27\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-wrong-to-be-entertained-by-the-misfortune-of-others/433834 "2008-01-19T16:38:46Z")
It seems that everyone, to some extent, is entertained by bad things happening to others. Even here in SDMB, we are quite gleeful about the trainwreck of Britney Spears, and we even have a Celebrity Death Pool that seems… --- ## [Alberta so-called Human Rights Commission suppresses human rights](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-so-called-human-rights-commission-suppresses-human-rights/433364)
**Author:** [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Replies:** 68\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alberta-so-called-human-rights-commission-suppresses-human-rights/433364 "2008-01-19T16:19:20Z")
I just watched three video clips from the interrogation of Ezra Levant, who published the Danish cartoons which some Muslims found to be offensive. I thought, as did other web commentators, that Levant was brilliant in … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=664) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/c/great-debates/13.md?page=666)