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Forum: The Crucible

The serious stuff. Debates and discussions on politics, religion, etc.

  1. Sticky thread Sticky: About the Crucible

    These are just general guidelines and may be added to or changed if and when the need arises. The forum is a place for serious debate, discussion of news and current events, and also witnessing, if you must. Whether it's the deep discussion on...

    Started by Zuul‎, 15 Nov 2009 07:38 PM
    • Replies: 0
    • Views: 32,526
    15 Nov 2009 07:38 PM Go to last post
  1. Has Julian Assange lost all credibility?

    From leading the Wikileaks revolution to hiding in a consol. A few weeks ago, Julian Assange lost his case for extradition to Sweden to answer to charges of rape. He has always claimed that if he was to be sent there, he would be extradited to...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 02 Jul 2012 10:02 AM
    • Replies: 34
    • Views: 97,403
    18 Jun 2022 12:03 AM Go to last post
  2. Speaking ill of the dead

    Its a topic that has come up quite frequently over the last few days with the death of Margaret Thatcher. She was a divisive character and has loomed large on not just the national but international stage. However, there is a section of people...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 10 Apr 2013 09:36 AM
    • Replies: 8
    • Views: 11,161
    10 Sep 2021 01:43 PM Go to last post
  3. How/Why do scientifically-educated people fall for woo?

    I've been thinking a ton about this issue lately, as I've a bit of a hobby of reading woo-debunking blogs such as Respectful Insolence. Of course, most of the bad science spread around on the web is by laypeople, but nowhere near all of it. There...

    Started by Sarahfeena‎, 15 Jan 2012 05:29 PM
    • Replies: 8
    • Views: 46,020
    06 Sep 2021 03:54 PM Go to last post
  4. Smile Military/Political counterfactual from the 00's

    Reading a 2020 Dems candidate thread at the Dope made me think of this: Gore wins in 2000, therefore 9/11 doesn't happen. Therefore we don't invade Iraq, does Saddam stay in power, only to be overthrown during the Arab Spring?

    Started by Erictelevision‎, 26 Feb 2018 07:49 PM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 16,699
    27 Feb 2018 07:35 PM Go to last post
  5. If South won Civil War, diplomatic relations with CSA?

    If the South had won the Civil War, do you think the North would had recognized the CSA, and had/have diplomatic relations?

    Started by Erictelevision‎, 10 Dec 2017 02:52 PM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 29,858
    11 Dec 2017 09:23 AM Go to last post
  6. How reliant is Apple on Steve Jobs?

    As I'm sure the world is aware by now, Steve Jobs has resigned from his position as chief guru and visionary for Apple. He was responsible for iTunes, iPods, iPads, iPhones etc. etc. Most would say his return to the company prevented it from...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 26 Aug 2011 10:24 AM
    • Replies: 8
    • Views: 37,175
    12 Sep 2017 12:15 PM Go to last post
  7. Wink Similarity of European political parties

    You have 2 hypothetical American politicians Barbara a Democrat/Green and Brian a Republican/Constitution. How would they be perceived in these (mostly) European countries, and covered in the U.S.? Barbara Sinn Fein (Ire) Green (Aus) LEF...

    Started by Erictelevision‎, 29 May 2017 07:31 PM
    • Replies: 0
    • Views: 18,196
    29 May 2017 07:31 PM Go to last post
  8. Well...

    Between Brexit and Trump, it's kind of apparent that the smart folks aren't getting what's going on.

    Started by Rube E. Tewesday‎, 09 Nov 2016 11:10 AM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 15,976
    25 Nov 2016 07:11 PM Go to last post
  9. CSA soldiers running for POTUS

    Were rank-and-file soldiers forbidden from running for office? If not, could the CSA have produced a plausible candidate?

    Started by Erictelevision‎, 16 Apr 2016 01:30 PM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 20,800
    17 Apr 2016 01:55 PM Go to last post
  10. Horrible Historical losses of the recent past. Or Bureaucratic Blunders.

    These are open to debate so thus my choice of forums. I will start with two big ones to me. The Big E CV-6 & The Original Penn Station. The most decorated ship in US history was CV-6 The USS Enterprise, The Big E. She was the only bastion...

    Started by What Exit?‎, 17 Oct 2010 10:51 AM
    • Replies: 15
    • Views: 15,017
    26 Nov 2015 12:19 PM Go to last post
  11. Question Anchor babies

    Watching a series on the Constitution, with one episode focusing on the 14th amendment. One issue they briefly allude to is "anchor babies". I wonder how widespread the phenomenon is?

    Started by Erictelevision‎, 09 Aug 2015 12:22 AM
    • Replies: 4
    • Views: 8,131
    08 Sep 2015 10:56 PM Go to last post
  12. Pawn shop ethics

    I enjoy watching a show called Pawn Stars, which is a reality show about a large, family-owned pawn shop in Vegas. Basically, the show consists of people bringing in interesting items, and the shop figures out an appraisal of the worth, and then...

    Started by Sarahfeena‎, 01 Feb 2011 11:47 AM
    • Replies: 31
    • Views: 53,938
    01 Jul 2015 11:52 AM Go to last post
  13. Expanding SS tax, resulting rate?

    Political hypothetical conversation: Obama: I want to eliminate the cap on the SS tax. Boehner: Fine, but it must be revenue-neutral. Obama: Fine by me. What would the resulting rate be, approximately?

    Started by Erictelevision‎, 31 May 2015 07:50 PM
    • Replies: 0
    • Views: 26,195
    31 May 2015 07:50 PM Go to last post
  14. Nuclear power after Fukishima

    So how do you feel about nuclear power after the Sendai Earthquake? Given that the Fukishima nuclear reactors survived the fifth largest earthquake and a large tsunami with no major leak of radiaition. That in some parts of Japan, the...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 24 Mar 2011 11:08 AM
    • Replies: 25
    • Views: 24,107
    23 Apr 2015 09:24 AM Go to last post
  15. Did Kevin Carter do anything wrong (taking that famous photo)?

    Kevin Carter became (in)famous having snapped this photo during the Famine in Sudan in 1993: He won a Pulitzer for the photo, but shortly thereafter committed suicide. At the time there was much commentary along the lines that Carter...

    Started by The Original An Gadaí‎, 21 Aug 2010 04:36 PM
    • Replies: 41
    • Views: 70,746
    31 Oct 2013 09:53 AM Go to last post
  16. Should we intervene in Syria?

    According to several reports, chemicals weapons have been used by the ruling regime in Syria to attack the rebels who are fighting them. Chemical weapons are banned by several treaties, and for good reason, so if they have been used it certainly a...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 29 Aug 2013 09:01 AM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 28,538
    06 Sep 2013 08:46 AM Go to last post
  17. Google Glass Privacy?

    It seems that Google are determined to roll out their latest toy, if indeed a $1000 pair of glasses can be called such. Google Glass, with the camera lens, permanent internet connection and general all round spying capabilitiy is about to hit the...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 25 Apr 2013 10:19 AM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 19,399
    20 May 2013 05:30 PM Go to last post
  18. Skin whitening pills for people of color

    Story here. I simply can't believe this. I'm not going to write my own screed here because I'm too heated right now to keep this from being moved to the Pit. I'm just going to quote some of the comments I found the most incredible (there's not...

    Started by Hostile Dialect‎, 04 Mar 2009 05:25 PM
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 37,473
    29 Mar 2013 02:19 AM Go to last post
  19. And off he goes...

    I'm watching the Pope leave Vatican City. Can't say I'll miss him...hope they do a better job picking the next guy.

    Started by Sarah‎, 28 Feb 2013 11:02 AM
    • Replies: 23
    • Views: 32,501
    17 Mar 2013 10:08 PM Go to last post
  20. What's wrong with getting a GED?

    Quite a few times in the past few years, I've seen disparaging references to people who have a GED (General Equivalency Diploma) rather than a regular high school diploma. I just wondered if anybody could shed light on this. My background: In...

    Started by Baldwin‎, 16 Apr 2009 08:54 AM
    • Replies: 45
    • Views: 61,717
    10 Dec 2012 07:17 PM Go to last post
  21. Are most Catholics creationists?

    The Sixty Minutes piece on Bobby Jindal mentioned that he believes in, among other things, creationism. This fits in will with his predictable views on abortion and stem cell research, of course, but I'm wondering if this is a common belief held by...

    Started by Chefguy‎, 02 Mar 2009 09:26 PM
    • Replies: 22
    • Views: 30,469
    12 Nov 2012 02:18 PM Go to last post
  22. Should autism block man from heart transplant?

    http://articles.philly.com/2012-08-15/news/33201606_1_susan-brozena-transplant-evaluation-heart-transplant I saw a bit of debate about this yesterday, and opinions ranged from "This is eugenics" to "the disabled are less deserving of life", which...

    Started by RabbitMage‎, 19 Aug 2012 12:38 PM
    • Replies: 10
    • Views: 17,318
    12 Nov 2012 01:00 PM Go to last post
  23. The Nobel Peace Prize: Trophy or Travesty?

    This year, the Nobel prize committee went one better than most other years and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize to the EU. Not any particular part of the EU, not some people in it, but the entire conglomerate. I wasn't aware that the EU had...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 15 Oct 2012 09:31 AM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 14,036
    16 Oct 2012 01:01 PM Go to last post
  24. Bill would ban parents from "curing" gay kids

    http://now.msn.com/bill-would-ban-parents-from-trying-to-cure-gay-kids A new bill that’s the first of its kind has opinion hotly divided in California, this time over whether parents can be banned from trying to “cure” their gay children....

    Started by RabbitMage‎, 19 Aug 2012 12:54 PM
    • Replies: 4
    • Views: 38,753
    20 Aug 2012 11:05 AM Go to last post
  25. Racism Disguised as SciFi

    I'm not even sure how something like this can be taken seriously, because even by my standards it's ridiculously unveiled racism. The whole concept, science, and everything about it is 3rd rate self-published crap. If anything it hurts the concept...

    Started by hobbler‎, 05 Aug 2012 11:26 AM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 28,567
    11 Aug 2012 04:41 PM Go to last post
  26. Are trailers the new spoilers?

    With the rise of the multi billion dollar blockbuster, which are all action and no plot, there seems to be a need for it to be as hyped as possible in order to try and get everyone to see it. The problem is that just be watching the trailers they...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 30 Apr 2012 10:29 AM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 22,275
    01 May 2012 02:50 AM Go to last post
  27. Sport and Politics

    This weekend the F1 roadshow will pull into Bahrain for its inaugural F1 Grand Prix against a backdrop of civil unrest, bloodshed and violence. Several of the people involved in F1 have said that the politics of the region aer not really their...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 18 Apr 2012 09:16 AM
    • Replies: 4
    • Views: 18,682
    27 Apr 2012 12:01 PM Go to last post
  28. Will Trayvon Martin's death change anything.

    For those not following this case, Trayvon Martin was walking through a suburb in Florida when he was followed by a neighbourhood watch volunteer called George Zimmerman. There was a confrontation between them and Travyon was shot dead with George...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 21 Mar 2012 09:25 AM
    • Replies: 34
    • Views: 37,459
    13 Apr 2012 01:51 PM Go to last post
  29. This American Lied: Mike Daisey's fabrications about Apple & Foxconn

    In case you're unfamiliar with the story, there's been some news stories about working conditions in China, especially with respect to Apple's iPhone and iPad manufacturing. One of the most compelling stories was told by Mike Daisey, a monologist...

    Started by parzival‎, 16 Mar 2012 04:56 PM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 16,659
    13 Apr 2012 01:03 PM Go to last post
  30. New study on mice: particular gene not found on sex chromosomes may play role in sex determination.

    http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091210125546.htm Apparently some scientists in Europe have discovered that shutting off a gene called Foxl2, located on an autosome (or non-sex chromosome) in adult mice causes the cells in ovaries to...

    Started by Taumpy‎, 11 Dec 2009 11:25 AM
    • Replies: 4
    • Views: 16,498
    09 Apr 2012 03:05 AM Go to last post
  31. What should happen to Tyler Clementi's tormenters?

    Story here, about an 18-year-old college freshman, Tyler Clementi, who committed suicide after his roommate and his roommate's friend surreptitiously videotaped him having a sexual encounter with another male, livestreamed it, and tweeted about it:...

    Started by Hatshepsut‎, 30 Sep 2010 08:02 PM
    • Replies: 47
    • Views: 65,699
    20 Mar 2012 08:48 AM Go to last post
  32. Towards a "Comprehensive List Of Things Nobody Can Agree Upon".

    1) Abortion 2) Democratic Party/Republican Party 3) Gun Control 4) Capital Punishment 5) Pepsi/Coke 6) America/Europe (living standards, culture, soundness et al) 7) Chain Restaurants/Family one-off Restaurants 8) High Culture/Low Culture...

    Started by The Original An Gadaí‎, 25 Oct 2009 11:16 AM
    • Replies: 38
    • Views: 30,618
    11 Mar 2012 11:51 PM Go to last post
  33. Scottish Independence?

    Yesterday, was Election day in Scotland for the Scottish Parliament and from the results it appears that Scottish Nationalists have not only scored record victories across Scotland, but are on course to gain a majority in the Scottish Parliament. ...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 06 May 2011 08:31 AM
    • Replies: 11
    • Views: 25,511
    24 Jan 2012 01:50 PM Go to last post
  34. Watching 18/R Rated Videos in Public?

    Travelling home I noticed someone had their laptop out, with a large display and was watching Drive Angry on it in full view of anyone who could have been standing behind him. Apart from being a dire Nicholas Cage movie, it is also 18 rated in the...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 18 Aug 2011 07:52 AM
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 62,244
    24 Jan 2012 09:59 AM Go to last post
  35. The origins of misogyny

    A journalist I follow on Facebook recently posted a video from National Geographic showing a ritual that the men of a certain tribe in Papua New Guinea perform. The ritual is meant to drive out the corruption of women and purify the men. Most of...

    Started by Zuul‎, 01 Jan 2011 02:23 PM
    • Replies: 15
    • Views: 35,810
    24 Jan 2012 08:38 AM Go to last post
  36. National Service?

    One of the ideas coming out of the london riots is that all 16 year olds should do several weeks of National Service. Originally, National Service meant serving for a little while in the army. However, in this instance it looks as though it will be...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 15 Aug 2011 09:42 AM
    • Replies: 9
    • Views: 43,548
    24 Jan 2012 08:37 AM Go to last post
  37. Would you have Artifical Augmentations?

    Inspired by the Deus Ex game that's just come out. Here's the setup. You can have parts of your body upgraded or augmented by technological replacements. So if you lose a part of you, you can have it replaced by something, stronger and better....

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 31 Aug 2011 05:12 AM
    • Replies: 16
    • Views: 20,827
    24 Jan 2012 08:34 AM Go to last post
  38. Five Minutes to Midnight

    The Doomsday clock which is supposed to track the likelihood of a global catastrophe has been move up by one minute from six to five minutes to midnight. This is in response to the lack of progress in nuclear disarmament and the attitude shown by...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 11 Jan 2012 03:17 PM
    • Replies: 7
    • Views: 7,673
    21 Jan 2012 04:02 AM Go to last post
  39. Does it matter who the parents are?

    A new medical technique is being developed which has the potential for removing several genetic diseases. It involves using the DNA from a third party to replace damaged genes as part of IVF treatment. The process is to obtain involves implanting...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 20 Jan 2012 08:39 AM
    • Replies: 1
    • Views: 32,095
    20 Jan 2012 09:59 AM Go to last post
  40. NDAA - America is the new battlefield.

    President Obama has just signed into law a piece of legislation that allows US Forces to arrest and indefinitely detain anyone connected with terrorism including US Citizens. It was included on a Bill for troop funding, but in doing so raises some...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 03 Jan 2012 09:38 AM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 25,484
    03 Jan 2012 12:26 PM Go to last post
  41. World AIDS Day - Did you notice?

    Today was World AIDS day, to raise awareness of the disease and its impact on the world. After several years it has fallen by the wayside as other stories have taken its place. Its effect should not be underestimated, but the awareness of it is...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 01 Dec 2011 03:03 PM
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 13,681
    28 Dec 2011 06:40 PM Go to last post
  42. Poll Poll: Vigilante or Villain?

    A story that is currently doing the rounds. A drunk student was ejected from a train after he swore at the ticket inspector and refused to show his ticket. A large man asked if any assistance was needed befoer picking the student up and forcibly...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 14 Dec 2011 09:22 AM
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 21,556
    20 Dec 2011 01:44 PM Go to last post
  43. Why don't the Republicans want Romney?

    With Chris Christie now bowing out of the Republican race, Perry losing it in the debates, Palin keeping quiet, Bachmann, Hunstman and the other fading from view, it is looking more and more like Romney should be the Republican Candidate to go...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 05 Oct 2011 10:23 AM
    2 Pages
    1 2
    • Replies: 55
    • Views: 49,034
    13 Dec 2011 11:04 PM Go to last post
  44. Exclamation Pat Robertson to GOP: Chill the F*** Out! You're Too Extreme!

    Video clip of Robertson saying that if the GOP wants to lose the next election, then they should keep on pandering to the extreme wing of the party. Stopped clock and all that, but still, if Pat "Katrina is Gawd's punishment on dem queers"...

    Started by Tuckerfan‎, 25 Oct 2011 11:21 PM
    • Replies: 14
    • Views: 12,183
    16 Nov 2011 08:24 AM Go to last post
  45. Arrested and charged with inciting hatred for pictures of poppy burning posted to facebook.

    Three teenagers in Northern Ireland have been up in court for burning poppies. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1103/breaking37.html They were arrested and charged with incitement to hatred by the PSNI (Police Service Of Northern...

    Started by The Original An Gadaí‎, 10 Nov 2011 11:32 PM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 35,199
    11 Nov 2011 12:40 PM Go to last post
  46. Mouse/Supermouse - What if it applies to humans?

    A new gene experiment on mice has managed to create a mouse that can run for longer and faster than its more natural counterpart. The idea behind it is to understand how they are affected and how to keep them healthy in old age and prevent damage to...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 10 Nov 2011 05:38 PM
    • Replies: 2
    • Views: 24,725
    10 Nov 2011 06:21 PM Go to last post
  47. So should Iran be bombed?

    According to a lot of sources, it appears that a variety of sanctions have failed and that Iran is close to becoming a nuclear military power. Although it was known about from 2009 onwards, no outright action has been taken and now certain...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 04 Nov 2011 09:52 AM
    • Replies: 12
    • Views: 23,379
    07 Nov 2011 04:35 PM Go to last post
  48. Is Wikileaks yesterdays news

    When they released thier wikileaks cables showing the dealing of the USA in Afghanistan, Julian Assange was feted as a hero of the freedom of information and the right for people to know what was going on. Then he was accused of rape by two...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 03 Nov 2011 11:10 AM
    • Replies: 3
    • Views: 16,510
    03 Nov 2011 05:16 PM Go to last post
  49. Mother or Child?

    It starts with a newly pregant woman having to make a choice between chemotherapy for neck cancer and carrying a child to term. If she has chemotherapy, she will lose the child she was carrying and never be able to have children. If she did not have...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 18 Oct 2011 09:01 AM
    • Replies: 13
    • Views: 11,546
    20 Oct 2011 12:24 PM Go to last post
  50. An Absence of Abortion

    A pro-life group is putting forward the idea that abortion should not be a "right" granted to women as part of law. Part of the reasoning about it is the number of abortions carried out each year is too high and that women are using it as a...

    Started by CatInASuit‎, 10 Oct 2011 09:36 AM
    • Replies: 5
    • Views: 30,997
    11 Oct 2011 12:11 PM Go to last post

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