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  • posted a message on Why does anyone think it's a good idea to be vegan?
    Quote from Essence
    As it says on the tin. What are the arguments in favor of veganism that are still left standing?


    I am not a vegan or any form of said dietary guidelines, however it is true that eating meat and meat products can be bad for you. Some of the fats in meats are really bad for bodily systems.
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on DOMA ruled unconstitutional
    Honestly I don't see how it stayed this way for so long. The only argument I hear for DOMA is that this religious book says this which should in fact be invalid according to the separation of religion and state. I am no lawyer, but not recognizing marriages because the bible says no should be within these grounds.
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on [[Official]] Current Modern Banned List Discussion (Next Announcement: 1/27/14)
    Quote from Nyzzeh
    But that problem you just described is more because of pod's overpoweredness than SFM's...


    This lol.

    Its kinda sad that you have to run creatures.dec to even really be competitive in this format. I am an older player who enjoys player a variety of decks and this format just doesn't deliver. Way too many control enablers are on the ban list for it to be truly viable at the highest level of play. Sure a control deck can sneak a win here and there, but look at its portion of the meta....almost none unless you consider jund and junk decks control decks like some websites seem to do. No tempo decks are even good.
    Posted in: Modern
  • posted a message on [[Official]] Current Modern Banned List Discussion (4/2013 - 6/2013)
    Quote from Badd Business
    The biggest problem an artifact land unban would do, is that it would turn Mox Opal into an alpha moxen that can tap for any color. That would cause a lot of problems in the format as a super easy to turn on fast mana source.


    not really. It would be essentially the same speed in robots although slightly more consistent i guess. Outside of that it will really never tap for mana on turn one anyways. Maybe with eggs, but that is not longer viable anyways.(and artifact lands don't really change that IMO)
    Posted in: Modern Archives
  • posted a message on Should Obama be impeached?
    Quote from mystery45
    Quote from slipknot72102
    Quote from Cyan
    It is fairly clear, at this point, that Obama knew full well all of the traitorous violations that the NSA has been inflicting upon us. And beyond that, he has fully defended these actions, with statements to the effect of, "You can't have 100% security and 100% personal privacy."

    This is a defilment of everything that it means to be an American. For one thing, we don't need 100% security. We have never had this, and never will. It is impossible. And the marginal increase that we receive in 'additional security' is not worth the cost of the government recording everything that we say and do.

    I expected Obama to come out and filet the NSA for their behavior. That he condones it is troubling beyond my ability to put into words. I'm not sure that we actually have legal grounds to impeach him, but things have gotten to the point that I would like to see it happen. I feel like the US is at a tipping point that started with the Patriot Act, got worse with the federal wiretapping fiasco, and is now culminating. I feel like this is the last chance that the American public has to make it's voice heard. If this action goes completely unpunished, communism is inevitable.



    except the fact that it is perfectly legal. And no not communism...fascism maybe. People completely misuse communism without understanding it.


    it violates the 4th amendment. so no it isn't legal. it also violates several privacy laws. which right not the ACLU is actually doing their job for a change and sueing the government over.

    Had they stuck to what they were doing and monitoring foriegn communications then yes it would be perfectly legal. Monitoring US citizens for no reason and no proof of wrong doing is clearly illegal.


    The patriot act gives them a way around the 4th amendment. Its could be called a loophole, but its really not. It is written in black and white without having to read between the lines. I mean at the time(even though i was pretty young) I even realized that the patriot act was essentially a big middle finger to a large part of our rights. Its just now that apparently everyone else is starting to realize.
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on Boston "false flag"
    Quote from magickware99
    For reference-
    http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/false-flag-alex-jones-boston-marathon-bombing-family-231742713.html

    Basic summary-
    Alex Jones, a radio host, made a claim that the Boston terrorist attack was perpetuated by the FBI and organized by the Federal government in an attempt to establish more power for the Federal government.

    Such conspiracy theories have been made previously after massacres (the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a hoax/orchestrated by the Federal government to pass more gun laws for example), and seem to always occur after a tragedy.

    And I just want to ask, why do people make such claims without a shred of evidence? Yes, it is true that the U.S. government has done horrible things, but it is also true that the government changes every time there is a new president. It is difficult to believe in an overarching conspiracy of such proportions unless you also believe that there is a power greater than the president at play in the U.S., which is a conspiracy theory in of itself.

    But mostly I just wanted to say how disgusted I am by people who make such claims. While it may be difficult to have trust in the government, can't you at least try?



    Because its easier to say everything is a hoax instead of accepting the truth. It is often a defense mechanism for less "aware" people.
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on [[Official]] Current Modern Banned List Discussion (4/2013 - 6/2013)
    Quote from Musicismyvoice
    The one interaction that makes artifact lands really dangerous is Ravager + Desciple of the Vault. To be honest, Desciple of the Vault is probably more problematic than the artifact lands. Frogmite is comparable (and arguably worse) then Loam Lion and Kird Ape, and Myr Enforcer is worse than Tarmogoyf usually. Thoughtcast gets some love, sure, but not much more than before. I suppose Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas becomes scarier (and frankly, useable) as well.


    honestly I forget disciple is even a card since it never saw the light of day. IMO ban him and plating give us back artifact lands. So many good cards(like tezz since you mentioned) are never going to see the light of day without them.
    Posted in: Modern Archives
  • posted a message on Sarah Murnaghan
    Quote from Vaclav
    Quote from slipknot72102
    The religious agenda has insane amounts of power over the united states. Looking at trends many of the religious people are actually getting further into fundamentalism instead of becoming more progressive. The holds religion has over our laws is astounding. Most lawmakers through their hats into this demographic.


    I will say though while as a whole this seems accurate - I've been happily shocked with how rational and dare I say progressive the new Pope has been for Catholics though.

    With how his brief start has been thusfar I expect him to progress the Catholic Church even further into modern times than Pope John Paul II did.



    This progressiveness you see is a farce. At this point honestly the pope doesn't control the Vatican anymore. Look how they rescinded his last comments. Even then he is still out advocating against birth control.(which for some reason they throw stem cell research in with abortion and birth control)
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on [[Official]] Current Modern Banned List Discussion (4/2013 - 6/2013)
    Quote from Cathallex
    Sword of the meek is possibly one of the most wtf cards on that list a lot more so than Chrome mox. Artifact lands are dangerous when legal and would likely lead to just as many bans to keep them balanced anyway.


    Like what? What do artifact lands possibly break that isn't cranial plating? Need some example of this. If anything they add more diversity to the meta by making cards like thirst for knowledge possibly playable. Sword of the meek deserves to be looked at. I don't think the synergy with thopter foundry is too strong. It would need to be further tested. So far I have tested a UW gifts list that uses gifts to set it up. They deck still fails to tron decks, pod, and a few other decks. it is pretty strong against combo decks though.
    Posted in: Modern Archives
  • posted a message on [[Official]] Current Modern Banned List Discussion (4/2013 - 6/2013)
    Quote from Drekavac
    In an attempt to be more constructive, are there any number of cards that people agree should be the "core" of the banned list? To my mind there are several cards that fall under that category:



    It's not a big list, but I think anyone who is trying to be taken seriously will agree that these cards should never be considered for an unban, for obvious reasons.

    That being said, there are exactly three cards I feel have no business being on the banned list:




    All other cards on the list constitute a "gray area" that shapes the format into what it is today. Their place on the banned list indicates what kind of cards need to be kept on a short leash to keep the format healthy. These effects include fast mana, cost effective tutors, exceptional engine cards, etc. Those 20 cards should be the genuine subject of discussion.


    Honestly I don't feel the artifact lands need to be banned. If "affinity" gets broken just remove cranial plating. lets be honest its the only "broken" card in the deck. No "affinity for artifacts" or metalcraft cards are near that power level even with the artifact lands.(as a matter of fact no affinity cards are even seeing play in the current version AFAIK)

    Clamp, shoal, hypergenesis. These cards honestly can't really be debated. They are fundamentally broken. A few other cards are in this category too.

    Then you have cards that are edgy but most likely safe IMO like sword of the meek and chrome mox.(and a few others)

    Then you have cards that you look at and ask yourself "wtf are they thinking."

    I hate wild nactl and dredge as much as the next person, but really? GGT and wild nactl being banned is silly IMO.

    Cards on my current "watch" list are pod and emrakul.(possible a few others)
    Posted in: Modern Archives
  • posted a message on Is big government completely unavoidable no matter how small government is?
    Quote from Surging Chaos
    In the light of the latest "scandal" with the NSA, I have pondered something over the last few days: is big government inevitable no matter how small a government starts out? Despite the best efforts of the US Constitution to limit the size of the US government, the government has become a massive monopoly on violence and coercion that ignores the Constitution whenever it feels like it. With the exception of maybe a handful of presidents, almost every president has increased the power of the government in some way. This increase in power has accumulated for over 200 years to result in the big government we have today.

    This is one of the big reasons why I'm not a minarchist. If the size of government is shrunk even to its absolute smallest level, what's to say that the government won't just grow back in size again? It seems like no matter what is done to try to limit the state, the state always finds a way to increase in power.


    depends on how you define "big government". I am not a fun of protrusion into my personal things, but I am a fan of a government who keeps it's populace stable and helps a higher number of people achieve "the American dream".
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on Are there any advantages to being homosexual/bisexual?
    I guess if you are bi there are more potential partners. IMO any benefit that would be achieved is quickly killed off because a high number of society are intolerant jerks who think their archaic belief system should be imposed on everyone else in our society.
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on Should Obama be impeached?
    Quote from Cyan
    It is fairly clear, at this point, that Obama knew full well all of the traitorous violations that the NSA has been inflicting upon us. And beyond that, he has fully defended these actions, with statements to the effect of, "You can't have 100% security and 100% personal privacy."

    This is a defilment of everything that it means to be an American. For one thing, we don't need 100% security. We have never had this, and never will. It is impossible. And the marginal increase that we receive in 'additional security' is not worth the cost of the government recording everything that we say and do.

    I expected Obama to come out and filet the NSA for their behavior. That he condones it is troubling beyond my ability to put into words. I'm not sure that we actually have legal grounds to impeach him, but things have gotten to the point that I would like to see it happen. I feel like the US is at a tipping point that started with the Patriot Act, got worse with the federal wiretapping fiasco, and is now culminating. I feel like this is the last chance that the American public has to make it's voice heard. If this action goes completely unpunished, communism is inevitable.



    except the fact that it is perfectly legal. And no not communism...fascism maybe. People completely misuse communism without understanding it.
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on Sarah Murnaghan
    Quote from Baryonyx
    Quote from slipknot72102
    Involves stem cell research which apparently is against Christianity for some reason. We have been over this 1000s of times. Once one of the countries that allows this figures it out we will probably outlaw the organs anyways because the pope will say they are unclean or something.


    Does the pope really carry that level of international authority? I mean yeah, I could see all sorts of religious folks against organ harvesting, but wouldn't it ultimately be up to lawmakers to decide if it's permissable or not?


    The religious agenda has insane amounts of power over the united states. Looking at trends many of the religious people are actually getting further into fundamentalism instead of becoming more progressive. The holds religion has over our laws is astounding. Most lawmakers throw their hats into this demographic.






    Quote from slipknot72102
    Its funny the same people who are up in arms about this(conservatives) are against stem cell research which would allow us to "grow" new organs. How many years do you think religious conservatism has set us back? 20,30, 50, 100?


    It would be funny if the consequences for society weren't so severe. These are the same idiots that are against abortion, but also against condoms, plan B, and birth control that make unwanted pregnancy and therefore abortion, less likely. I'd say the Jesus Freaks hold us back at least 50 years.


    Using funny as in awkward. I agree its no joke. Look at the relevant quote in my sig.(the Jefferson one)

    Quote from slipknot72102
    Its funny the same people who are up in arms about this(conservatives) are against stem cell research which would allow us to "grow" new organs. How many years do you think religious conservatism has set us back? 20,30, 50, 100?


    Even that would be years down the line, though. Hwang Woo-suk was fairly aptly named, turns out. You can't just put stem cells in there and expect them to do what you want. It's...more complicated than that, and we haven't figured out everything.


    Actually with funding and such we would be further ahead than we are, but its looking to be around 10-15 years down the road at the current rate. We have made huge leaps in synthetic lungs and livers.(even using 3d printing to make semi-functioning liver cells)

    Quote from mystery45

    hopefully she won't reject them.


    Hopefully, since that would have been a waste from the adult who could have gotten them with a much lower chance of rejection.



    They have a scale thing that goes on a score of how viable each patient is..aka how likely their bodies are to accept a new organ. Several things are taken into account although we don't know all of the variables. A score of 60 is though of as a high score and she had a 90 when compared with this certain lung. I read somewhere that it was around 75% which is generally about the highest we can give with current knowledge.
    Posted in: Debate
  • posted a message on War on Drug$
    Y'know, this doesn't mean smoking it helps. (The carbon monoxide inherent in the smoking process is a major carcinogen all on its own.)

    I'm divided. Like, I know the people who say weed is a miracle cure are doing something known in the industry as "bull****ting". Call me a Big Pharma shill or whatever other name you want. You'd be wrong, of course, since I also have been very vocal in my opposition to a lot of, ah, questionable patents (e.g., patents of genes, Nexium, BiDil). It would work better, for instance, if we isolated it, measured it out, etc. Even that article had some positive results (good) and a lot of speculation (bad). More data are needed.

    I also have a problem with how easy it is for a drug-seeking patient in the states where medicinal weed is available to get it.

    On the war on drugs itself, one of the big problems is saying "no legitimate medical use" for a Schedule I drug. I'd like to amend that to "no known legitimate medical use as of the time of this law being passed".


    Keep in mind we have tons of legitimate studies that show benefits from several things such cancer and mental illness. IMO if we could get decriminalization nation wide it would make a huge difference. I am pro legalization of pot for several reasons. Hemp products being a really big one.
    Posted in: Debate
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