Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Remembering 9/11
Seventeen years ago today marks one of the most horrific tragedies within our great Nation that will forever replay in my mind. I was 11 years old when we had an indoor recess for a reason unexplained, then, after recess, we gathered into one classroom where my principal broke the news. I was shocked, sad, and moreover, scared of what could happen next. I remember running to my father, crying as I leaped into his arms. He soothed me, told me we were safe where we were and, the next day, he and my mother kept us home to talk to us about the attacks and why some people don't like Americans. I remember sitting there on the couch with my brothers, speechless.
By Morganne Thayer7 years ago in The Swamp
10 Ways to Support Democrats in 2018
Emotions surrounding the 2016 Presidential election are still high. The juxtaposition of extreme views brought previously festering issues to the foreground, and many people's perspectives on the country they live in were changed in its wake. As a result, it's more important than ever for citizens everywhere to make their voices heard, and push the change we want to see in our country. The midterm elections certainly do not get the same spotlight and popular attention that Presidential elections do, but they are no less important. In fact, they play a truly crucial role in our ability to exact change in trying times. To that end, here are a number of ways to support Democrats in 2018, because it's not just the White House that makes the big decisions: With our system of checks and balances, Republicans in Congress are just as important as a Republican incumbent in the White House, if not more so.
By Jules Fortman7 years ago in The Swamp
What Does Trump's Fuel Economy Mean for the Environment?. Top Story - September 2018.
Donald Trump recently set out a plan to roll back on the fuel economy standards that the Obama administration previously put into place to make emissions standards stricter, and, in turn, decrease greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Trump’s fuel economy is a more lenient approach which will take apart the clean air act, dismantle environmental groups’ efforts nationwide, and cause public health to plummet. Overall, this change of legislation is going to take our nation backwards in many ways and cause havoc on the environment which is already in major distress. Here are the specific ways in which fuel economy standards will fall and the environment will suffer from Trump’s policy change.
By Morgan E. Westling7 years ago in The Swamp
The Spirit of Radio: Ayn Rand, Troi Torain, September 11, 2001, and the Power of the Airwaves
In May of 2000, my sixth grade class received the chance to go to Ellis and Liberty Islands not far from New York City. While we didn’t enter into Manhattan to experience the skyscrapers, especially the World Trade Center, I yearned for the day where I would be able to visit the Twin Towers.…
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in The Swamp
The War of 1812
The War of 1812, one of many “forgotten wars”, is often ignored despite the part it played in forming the identities of the nations of North America. The United States, which, along with Canada, probably remembers the war best, experienced massive repercussions from the war, some physical—and some mental. The war helped stimulate the creation of the powerful standing army and navy America had never had before and would become known for in later conflicts; it created a new American nationalism based around various triumphs in the war, no matter how small; and it resulted in significant losses for the Native Americans, despite being a stalemate war between England and America. These changes shaped the American people as a whole and laid the groundwork for the nation we know today.
By History Roundtable7 years ago in The Swamp
Why I Voted for "Her"
I originally wrote this piece in September 2016 in response to a liberal friend of mine who was urging Democrats to basically fall in line and vote for Hillary Clinton. I agreed wholeheartedly but she went a step further and tried to whitewash her record, which I could not abide.
By The Disruptors7 years ago in The Swamp
Public Housing
I often joke describing my Instagram posts as, “projects chronicles shenanigans.” Of course, this is nothing to joke about, but just my way of bringing some levity to real life for many of us who live at the lower spectrum of society. And those Instagram stories are just my experiences. Within the yellow walls, red doors, brown tiles, and long hallways exist today's public housing. All of them look the same, nothing special sets them apart. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. Inside many, you will hear all the same sounds of children crying and playing; adults yelling, laughing, fighting and sometimes even partying. According to The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD) "Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. In fact, if you were lucky enough to have been selected from the many awaiting their turn, public housing used to be the Utopia of the low-income family who couldn't afford “the house with the white picket fences” or to live in better affluent neighbourhoods. Meanwhile, for the progenies (like myself) who grew up within the walls of public housing as it is widely known, but nicknamed, “the projects,” it is the place where you couldn't wait to move away. The place when you left, it was like being granted parole for good behavior or before you got scarred for life. It's the place once you left, you never wanted to come back, not even for a visit. Growing up, I had come to know public housing as a cautionary tale. By the time my family moved to public housing in the 80’s, it was already well on its way to becoming known as the place where, you never wanted to be caught out after a certain time or in a particular neighborhood. At the time, my neighborhood especially was riddled with the current crack and cocaine epidemic, and rampant prostitution. By the time I was thirteen, I quickly realized that public housing was no Utopia. It was the first time I heard the term “ghetto,” a part of the city that is a slum, impoverished, destitute and occupied by a minority group or groups.
By She Writes7 years ago in The Swamp
Resist, Part 1
Saul Alinsky’s book, Rules for Radicals has been very influential in Western political circles in recent years. The book is all about putting together grassroots communities and suggests a range of approaches for activists to adopt, which can then be applied to a wide variety of situations.
By David Morrison7 years ago in The Swamp
Tory Infighting Continues to Plague Brexit Efforts
As it has been since the referendum result in 2016, Brexit is constantly in the peripheral vision for the UK. The end of year deadline to secure a deal is fast approaching, but the way in which the talks are going the possibility of the UK not agreeing a deal with the EU is becoming more likely. The clock is ticking on the UK’s future and our stance on the world stage is in need or resolution.
By Patrick Hollis7 years ago in The Swamp
