So far, the only good "conspiracy-ish" site for top stories I use is the Truth Seeker:
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/index.asp

I'm trying to find a few other good sources of stories for my forums, but haven't come across many that seem truly well-organized or serious about the subject matters.

http://www.drudgereport.com/

Nothing but gold, and verifiable too. They leaked the transcript of the woman who had been sexually harassed by Bill O'Reilly. It was immediately clear he really had sexually harassed her in a truly arrogant and perverted way, and she really had tape recorded every scintillating word. I think of it every time I see him trying to sell morality. Many other special gems appear there all the time that don't make the mainstream.

Sorry to go off topic, but I'm about to eat a falafel. And I'm not kidding, although it's not quite as appealing after being reminded of the lufa sponge incident.

Politics seems like fertile ground for conspiracy stories.

You want some twisted stuff, James? Once in a blue moon I'll look at this site:

http://www.propagandamatrix.com/

I usually use it for political comedy reasons (some of the stuff is just plain spaced-out and funny as hell as a result.)

I prefer Fark.com or my mother-in-law...

I know this thread is yet young, but I thought I'd add some early rankings..

So far, i like Adam's site the best. It showed me how to activate my mind's super powers! That beats everything else hands down. Fark.com had to be the funniest, though I haven't met Dave's mother-in-law.

Sadly James, I didn't like thetruthseeker at all, since it seemed to be mostly a middle east sponsored anti-zionist site(Not that I'm a big fan of Zionists). Their top story was an article from PressTV.com, self described as:
"Press TV takes revolutionary steps as the first Iranian international news network, broadcasting in English on a round-the-clock basis.

Our global Tehran-based headquarters is staffed with outstanding Iranian and foreign media professionals.

Press TV is extensively networked with bureaus located in the world's most strategic cities."

The very misleading title of their story: McCain Advisor: Destroy Islam. Even Arianna Huffington wouldn't go so far as to call the man McCain's advisor, though she did twist a quote to call him McCain's spiritual guide.

Anyway, lots of other stories on the site complaining about Israel's mistreatment of Palistine, reading right down the Ahmadinejad talking points list of why Israel should be wiped off the map. The articles on Adam's site showing me how to "activate my mind's super powers" are certainly less manipulative, and possibly more credible.

Now this is a credible source.

http://www.weeklyworldnews.com/

Thanks for the links everyone, I'll be sure to thoroughly check'em all out when I get the chance.

Originally Posted by ADAM Web Design

You want some twisted stuff, James? Once in a blue moon I'll look at this site:

http://www.propagandamatrix.com/

I usually use it for political comedy reasons (some of the stuff is just plain spaced-out and funny as hell as a result.)

Yes, twisted stuff like that . Isn't that one of Alex Jones' sites?

Originally Posted by cbwm

Sadly James, I didn't like thetruthseeker at all, since it seemed to be mostly a middle east sponsored anti-zionist site(Not that I'm a big fan of Zionists).

I think it's more of a British anti-zionist website (judging from its TLD).

One of the reasons I like this site is because of it's clean-cut, easy-to-read and explore, professional design (Even if a large portion of their interesting articles are "out there"). And due the fact that their articles are more serious-minded.

Originally Posted by cbwm

Anyway, lots of other stories on the site complaining about Israel's mistreatment of Palistine, reading right down the Ahmadinejad talking points list of why Israel should be wiped off the map. The articles on Adam's site showing me how to "activate my mind's super powers" are certainly less manipulative, and possibly more credible.

Are you saying thetruthseeker's articles tend to be along manipulative, anti-Israeli lines? (As in, it tends to be more opinion-driven than actual factual articles?) Because a few of the articles criticize Ahmadin-hatesisrael-ejad and Iran just as much:
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=8139
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=7327

Originally Posted by jamestl2

Are you saying thetruthseeker's articles tend to be along manipulative, anti-Israeli lines? (As in, it tends to be more opinion-driven than actual factual articles?) Because a few of the articles criticize Ahmadin-hatesisrael-ejad and Iran just as much:
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=8139
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=7327

Well I wouldn't exactly call the first article HARD on Iran, and the second seems to be almost Iran friendly. I made my comments on a quick review of the articles from the front page, and their sources(one directly from Iran). British or Iranian, anti-zionist is anti-zionist and requires some turning of a blind eye to the actions of Iran and Gaza.

Anyway, yes, my complaint is really about the presentation of facts geared for a very specific agenda. At least Adam's site has us tapping into our super powers, so we can accept its content as nonsense from the outset (much like my weeklyworldnews post).

The real problem I have with most of the "conspiracy theory" websites, and the reason for their existence at the end of the day, is that their facts are so flimsy or twisted no credible news outlet would put the same words to print. I like a good story, I like fiction, I don't like it presented as fact with an agenda to match. Besides, the facts are often so stammering, why make sh*t up?

Not sure whose site it is, James. I was just told about it by one of my clients.

Don't knock Weekly World News, either. Anyone that would offer that much in-depth coverage of the Bat Child is a solid credible news source to me (that, and Ask Dottie is a REAL advice column!)

James, are you looking for stories or op-ed takes as well? If the latter, I've got a source that'll have you either scratching your head or killing yourself laughing...and it's not from somewhere you'd expect, either.

Originally Posted by cbwm

The real problem I have with most of the "conspiracy theory" websites, and the reason for their existence at the end of the day, is that their facts are so flimsy or twisted no credible news outlet would put the same words to print. I like a good story, I like fiction, I don't like it presented as fact with an agenda to match. Besides, the facts are often so stammering, why make sh*t up?

That's just the thing, for my forums, I wanted to present eye-catching readings, which may or may not be true. Then again there are some crazy ones far out there, even for CTers (like the Earth is still flat, or hollow, etc.). I don't think those stories would go over well with people (jus for the entertainment value they provide, not the actual debating aspect.

So I suppose it could be a two-way street, on the one hand, serious articles with their facts straight could offer insightful debates. But the articles that make outlandish claims that no one takes seriously, might just be there for fun.

Originally Posted by ADAM Web Design

James, are you looking for stories or op-ed takes as well? If the latter, I've got a source that'll have you either scratching your head or killing yourself laughing...and it's not from somewhere you'd expect, either.

Either would do fine, I suppose (so... sure), as long as we know it's geared towards the satire crowd .