Current Debates // Current

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01.09.10

Current Skype Debates Rules, Terms, etc...

So it appear that there is plenty of interest in using Skype as a means to allow Current Members to debate the issues and then... more

slarabee
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Current Member Debate Using Skype

Hello Everyone!! I am very excited to see a renewed interest in debates here by and between members of the current community. I... more

slarabee
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Jon Stewart tussles with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News (Video!)

Tonight, Jon Stewart told Bill O’Reilly that the “no spin zone” ringleader had become the voice of sanity on the... more

jeffissleeping
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2012...

This is a open invitation to anyone with a sharp mind.The topic at hand is 2012 and all the theories surrounding it.I thought long... more

iamfree
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Hello folks! Welcome to the first debate. Allow me to take a moment to talk about the origins of this idea as well as provide a perspective on some of the criticism and complaints surrounding it.

On a post concerning Glenn Beck's ties to a gold investment company (http://current.com/items/91682765_fox-to-beck-maybe-you-should-cut-back-on-the-gold-a-little.htm), ihatethemall made this comment:

" Instead of finding bullshit to spew maybe you should take a show of his, List every point he talks about, then try to dispute what he says with facts. If you cant do it, you have failed.

I challenge ANYONE here to pick a date. Watch the show, then come back here and debate what he has said. EVERY point in that shows air date. I would bet none of you will take that challenge. Send me the date of what show it is so I make sure to watch that show. "

I accepted this challenge, and we worked out the details of the show and the points that would be covered. Ibrake4rappers13 joined the party, setting up a post with the Glenn Beck show we agreed on, Jan 6 (http://current.com/items/91846514_deliatheartist-vs-ihatethemall.htm) You can find the entire episode, in parts, on that post as well as community reaction to this idea.

Some of this community reaction was anger- this is irrelevant, stupid, a "circle jerk", etc. Here me out: there is a phenomenon going on in our modern world, and it's called the New Media- and guess what? We're it! Current.com is the perfect example of New Media, sitting at the crossroads of journalism, social media, community and activism. Current.com is not just about reporting news, it's about making news and facilitating discussion.

Imagine you were getting into a heated discussion with someone about, oh say, evolution. Normally people will spend response after response arguing their point- but what about challenging someone to a formal debate? (I want to debate you on the subject of evolution! I will present my arguments on such and such a date.) Or imagine open calls for debates - (Reasons Obama is/is not a socialist, Which is the better Sci-Fi movie of 2009, Avatar or District 9? Is genetic modification always bad?) WE- Current's community- can pull from the headlines to construct debates that allow us to address important issues while having the fun of seeing Community regulars go head to head in a debate setting.

This is not an irrelevant experience - it is a community building, fun, interesting experiment which Current USERS have developed to gain further insight and perspective into world issues- and that truly is what Current.com is about at the forefront of the New Media.

Having said all that, I have done just as Ihatethemall wanted (I think) and I have arranged my arguments to coincide with the way the video is broken up on ibrake's post (Part I, Part II, etc) I think this will make it easier to follow the points being made. Also, I don't expect Ihatethemall to be able to counter my arguments until tomorrow when his schedule allows, so "stay tuned" if you are interested!

Let the debate being! And if you have criticisms, comments, ideas, etc, don't just complain- tell us WHY you think it's stupid, or how you can make it better. Current.com, much like our world, is not helped via bitching and moaning, but by constructive brainstorming and action! This debate, and hopefully more, will be kept in the Current Debates group! (http://current.com/groups/current-debates/)Hello folks! Welcome to the first debate. Allow me to take a moment to talk about the origins of this idea as well as provide a... more

DeliaTheArtist
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101 comments

added
3 months ago

French Mosque's Symbolism Varies With Beholder

the minaret of the new Grand Mosque in France will be silent--no muezzin, live or recorded will 'disturb' the... more

ryan8566
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3 comments

added
3 months ago

NY Times advocates bombing Iran

Today's New York Times runs what I believe is its first op-ed explicitly advocating a military campaign against Iran.

Crauly_Fingers
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1 comment

added
3 months ago

Does the Senate Bill Save Families Money?

"Some think the Senate bill is just barely better than nothing. Others think it’s worse than even that.

As this argument goes, health care reform won’t do all that much to help people who need it. Insurance will still be expensive and even people who have coverage will discover they owe significant out-of-pocket expenses once they get sick. A public insurance option might have made this tolerable, since it would have provided better, cheaper coverage. Without it, many of us are arguing, reform is just a big giveaway to the insurance industry--one that produces little social progress.

It’s certainly true that, under the terms of the Senate bill, insurance would cost more and cover less than many of us would prefer. But would it really produce little social progress? Is it really worse than nothing?

One way to answer this question is by comparing how a typical family would fare with reform and without. At my request, MIT economist Jonathan Gruber produced a set of figures, based on official Congressional Budget Office estimates. The results tell a pretty compelling story, particularly when put in human terms.

If reform doesn’t pass, according to Gruber’s figures, the average premium for the non-group market--that is, the market for people buying coverage on their own--will be around $12,000 a year. Right off the bat, you’re spending a fifth of your income on health insurance.

So what happens if reform does pass? For starters--and this is no small thing--the insurance company will have to sell you a policy, no matter what pre-existing conditions your family brings to the table. And you’ll know from the start that the policy will cover basic services because the government will be defining a basic benefits package. That package is going to include a broader range of services than the typical non-group policy would without reform. So when your doctor recommends a standard test or procedure, you won't have to panic it falls into some hidden policy loophole.

But what will that coverage cost? The basic premium is roughly the same, according to Gruber’s calculations that he extrapolated from official Congressional Budget Office estimates. But that $50,000 income means you’re also eligible for federal subsidies. Large federal subsidies. In fact, the government will cover about two-thirds of the price, so that you’re left owing just $3,600.

Now, you could end up spending a lot more on medical care if you or someone in your family gets sick. But here, too, the federal government would step in to help. Under the reforms, the government would limit out-of-pocket spending to around $6,000 per year. Combined with the premium, you’re on the hook for around $10,000 total, or about a fifth of your income.

That’s not pocket change, for sure. A family making $50,000 will have to make serious sacrifices to find $10,000. But it’s better--light years better--than finding $25,000 or more. It’s potentially the difference between having to give up your home, get an extra job or declare bankruptcy. Just knowing the bills that could come will be the difference between getting care you need--and skipping it, at grave risk to your health.

It’s a difference you’d feel at other income levels, too. If your family of four makes more money--say, around $75,000--your premiums and out-of-pocket expenses will be higher, but still a few thousand less than it’d be without reform. If you make less money-- $35,000--the savings would be much larger. (If you make less than that, you'll probably be on Medicaid, which offers even more protection.)

Could the deal be better still? Of course it could. The House bill, for example, offers substantially better protection from out-of-pocket expenses.

But we should also recognize the Senate bill for what it is: A measure that will make people's lives significantly better. Surely that's worth a little enthusiasm.""Some think the Senate bill is just barely better than nothing. Others think it’s worse than even that. As this... more

DeliaTheArtist
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2 comments

added
3 months ago

Muslims say FBI Tactics Cause Anger and Fear

"will stop cooperating unless FBI stops infiltrating mosques with undercover agents, and trying to entrap Muslim youth.

ryan8566
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0 comments

added
3 months ago

Current Debates format

I created this group as an experiment. I want to try and see if i can get a location, so to speak, where users can come and debate... more

goodname
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Current Debates 10 items | updated Feb 4 2010

Current Skype Debates Rules, Terms, etc...

48 comments

Current Member Debate Using Skype

60 comments

Jon Stewart tussles with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News (Video!)

63 comments

2012...

1 comment

The Glenn Beck Debate

101 comments

French Mosque's Symbolism Varies With Beholder

3 comments

NY Times advocates bombing Iran

1 comment

Does the Senate Bill Save Families Money?

2 comments

Muslims say FBI Tactics Cause Anger and Fear

0 comments

Current Debates format

2 comments

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Current Debates 10 items | updated Feb 4 2010

about

group leaders (1)

members (9) | see all

related

current videos

about current

watch current

the people are talking

the basics

take us with you

tools

stay in touch

© 2010 Current TV, LLC All Rights Reserved

© 2010 Current TV, LLC
All Rights Reserved