Big Featured Discussions 1116 items | updated May 17 2013

Big tobacco has marketing to consumers using glamorous images and slogans, and now federal governments are beginning to turn those strategies against them. No later than 2012, all cigarette packaging in the United States will feature graphic warning images depicting the hazards of smoking instead of the standard surgeon general warning. As of January 2012, Australia is set to become the first country to implement plain packaging for cigarettes, removing unique signifiers for brands. Phillip Morris has challenged the legality of Australia's initiative, and the victor for this case could set a huge precedent for whether or not other countries, including Indonesia, are able to make similar changes in the future.

But is this enough? In tonight's all-new episode of Vanguard, correspondent Chrisof Putzel travels to Indonesia to investigate why big tobacco has focused its attention on countries like Indonesia.

With such a strong foothold in poorer countries, could more graphic warning labels and less stylised brand marketing be enough to deter consumers? What else could the government and health organizations do to warn against smoking?

Tell us what you think, and then watch the premiere of "Sex, Lies & Cigarettes" tonight at 9/8c to learn more about the tobacco industry's rise in the east.

For more information, visit http://current.com/vanguard.

How long is your daily commute? What forms of transportation do you take on a regular basis? How environmentally conscious is your neighborhood?

These are the questions scientists, engineers and environmentalists are asking of their communities. Urban Mobility examines the ways in which innovators are developing new technologies to not only move people but also bring them closer together.

But what we really want to know from you is, how do you define Urban Mobility?

Be sure to check out current.com/urbanmobility for more news, community discussions and upcoming videos about Urban Mobility. 

The Tea Party has rallied behind a position of small government. But is that the extent of their motivation? Does racism influence the Tea Party platform?

In New York City, President Obama stated that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, and called New York's legislation to legalize gay marraige an example of democracy.

Do the President's remarks, which stand in contrast to earlier statements that he believes marriage to be between a man and a woman, signal a shift in the debate around same-sex marriage?

In "Live for the Moment," tonight's brand new episode of "4th and Forever," the players of Long Beach Poly must balance football with surviving daily dangers on the street of Long Beach.

Jeremiah Hollowell and his teammates share stories about violence they've witnessed or encountered in their own lives. For some teens, it's easy to get swept up by dangerous habits. Jeremiah was once among the teens with gang affiliations, but taking responsibility for his son inspired him to leave an increasingly reckless lifestyle behind.

Have you experienced similar tough situations? Why did you persevere? Who or what has inspired you fight through personal challenges?

Tune in Thursday at 9/8c to see whether the Jackrabbits can overcome their struggles on an all-new episode of "4th and Forever" on Current TV. For more information, visit http://current.com/4thandforever.

In "The OxyContin Express" and its "Vanguard" follow-up epsiode, "Gateway to Heroin," correspondent Mariana van Zeller explores the extremely painful and personal journey of addiction.

The families of oxycodone and heroin users in these episodes tell heart-breaking stories about trying again and again to help their children and siblings get clean and stay clean.

What responsibility do you have to help an addict in your family? Have you had to make a "tough love" choice to step away, or have you benefited from getting a second chance yourself?

Keith Olbermann has returned to the airwaves! What did you think of the premiere of 'Countdown with Keith Olbermann'? Did it live up to your expectations?

The clock is counting down (pun intended) and it's almost time for the "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" premiere. What are you most excited to see from the show?

Congressman Anthony Weiner has resigned following a sexting scandal. Top members of both parties had called for his resignation, though others suggested the demands were hypocritical in light of other political scandals.

What do think? Was resignation the right call? What, if anything, should he have done differently?

In tonight's new episode of "4th and Forever" called "They're Rich and We're Not," Coach Raul Lara is concerned about Poly's upcoming game against the affluent and powerful Mission Viejo.

Lara is aware of how class differences impact his team's quality of life. Will Mission Viejo defeat Poly because they are a wealthier school, or is that not a relevant factor?

How important is money to your quality of life?

Tune in Thursday at 9/8c to see whether the Jackrabbits can rise above the competition on an all-new episode of "4th and Forever" on Current TV. For more information, visit http://current.com/4thandforever.

The argument against outing politicians is that private lives should remain private. But when they are engaged in anti-gay rhetoric, does outing closeted politicians become ethical, or even necessary? Should journalists out politicians who are living secret lives?

Scientists have been making advance in prenatal DNA testing. The technology isn't there yet, but in the future you could have a simple blood test that reveals the DNA of your unborn child. Parents could screen for serious medical conditions, but could also face making decisions about other traits (hair color, sex, or eye color for example). Ethical questions also arise when it comes to having to explain and interpret complicated results.

Since such information would come early enough for an abortion, Skotko says, "The ultimate question for society is, What forms of human variation are valuable?"

Is prenatal DNA testing a valuable tool, or do ethical questions outweigh the usefulness? Would you have your unborn child screened if it were an option?

At the beginning of June, CNN reported that pharmaceutical robberies were on the rise and largely perpetuated by people either addicted to oxycodone or looking to sell pain medications. On the street, oxycodone can be sold for more than triple its retail price. This makes anyone who stocks pain medications a cash cow for dealers and addicts alike. The easiest sources for obtaining pills: local pharmacies.

Some pharmacies and local stores have stopped stocking OxyContin and similar drugs, but this method holds two huge problems: a) limiting the number of pharmacies that carry pain medicines also deprives residents who truly need it, and b) it may already be too late to deter individuals who assume a pharmacy has pills.

"These aren't the kind of people who necessarily read signs," storeowner Bill McNary told CNN.

What could be the longterm benefits of this plan? How might patients with legitimate prescriptions access pain medications they need? Should more local pharmacies stop carrying OxyContin?

UPDATE: Shooting at a Long Island, N.Y., pharmacy leaves four dead.

Don't forget to tune in to Vanguard's season premiere. Mariana van Zeller investigate how growing pill addiction affects youth in Massachusetts. "Gateway to Heroin" premieres Monday, June 20 at 9/8c.

For more information, visit http://current.com/vanguard.

CIA chief Leon Panetta has suggested that the next Pearl Harbor could come in the form of a cyberattack directed at America's security and financial systems or infrastructure.

Do you think the country would be able to respond to such an attack?

In tonight's new episode of "4th and Forever," Jeremiah Hollowell learns he must switch positions from running back to defensive end. Meanwhile, he is struggling to juggle football, school, and supporting his son.

Like many of his teammates, Jeremiah wants to attract the attention of scouts and is worried about how this change might affect his opportunities down the line. Will he choose to embrace his new role?

In a team setting, is it better to focus on the success of the group or your own? How do you decide?

Tune in Thursday at 9/8c to see whether the Jackrabbits can rise above the competition on an all-new episode of "4th and Forever" on Current TV. For more information, visit http://current.com/4thandforever.

Recent news on the economic recovery isn't positive, and there have been a number of suggestions as to how the government could help get the economy going again.

What would you suggest Washington do to fix the economy?

The stimulus worked. But the recovery is slowing and Congress isn't moving to help, focusing on the deficit instead of jobs, and it's unlikely a second stimulus is in the cards.

"I am not sure you could even get the votes [for a stimulus package] if it was clear we were headed for a depression," said Norman Ornstein, a resident scholar at the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

Should the government consider another stimulus to boost the economy?

In 2010, Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller traveled to Africa in anticipation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and investigated the influence soccer has had on millions of its inhabitants in “Soccer’s Lost Boys,” including the increasing number of unlicensed agents and black market trading flourishing alongside legitimate soccer opportunities. One of the most prominent positive stories to thrive even after the games ends was FIFA’s official “20 Centers for 2010” Football For Hope campaign. The goal was to partner with 20 centers dedicated to developing sustainable programs that educate and uplift youths in various African countries.

Kenya’s center in Nairobi drew headlines in April when the Chinese company Yingli Green Energy Holding Company supplied flood lights powered by solar panels for the soccer field in Nairobi’s Mathare slums. Adding lights allows young kids and teens to spend a few more hours in a safe environment rather than braving Mathare’s dangerous streets.

Since the Mathare stadium is also “the only Kenyan sports facility outside of Nairobi with flood lights,” according to AFP, other organizations have asked to use the field. Renting the space will hopefully continue to bring in revenue for the facility’s educational programs and drills, but with soccer shutdowns happening in countries like Egypt due to violent conflicts, the question now becomes what to do if using soccer is no longer the easiest way to engage young African citizens.

What do you think? Have you heard of other major African organizations that provide aid and education to young children and teens? Can you name other initiatives geared towards sustainable education and safe youth outlets? How can organizations reach out to communities in need as the spotlight on soccer in Africa fades?

New “abuse-proof” prescription drugs, which may be able to deliver pain relief without risk of addiction, are being tested.

With more officers getting charged with drug trafficking and the news that the latest demographic with a rise in OxyContin and oxycodone addiction is newborn babies, a prescription painkiller that allegedly prevents abuse and addiction could be heavily in demand.

Pharmaceutical companies hope that these “smart pills” can be major competitors (and the eventual downfall) for OxyContin -- but it took ten years for medical representatives at Purdue Pharma LP to get their drug FDA-approved. In the meantime, companies like Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. have already challenged the patent on OxyContin in hopes of quickly funneling generic brands into a market that made $3 billion in 2010.

In “The OxyContin Express,” Vanguard correspondent Mariana van Zeller investigated Florida’s growing market for buying and trafficking pain medication for recreational use.

Since then, the problem has continued to escalate, spreading far beyond Florida’s borders.

In Vanguard's "Gateway to Heroin," premiering June 20, van Zeller follows the pain pill "express" up the east coast to Massachusetts, where many Oxy addicts quickly turn to the far cheaper heroin. 

The fear is that generics will flood the market before abuse-proof pain medications get a chance to make an impact.

Do you think “smart pill” pain medication is coming too late? What would you like drug makers to do more immediately to address the issues around habit-forming pain medication?