Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
The Problem With 'The Left'
Take your most stereotypical extreme "Lefty." Anti-Establishment, Anti-Capitalist, Anti-War, Anti-Racism, Anti-this & Anti-that. Do you see the problem? Negativity so deeply entrenched in their core it blurs the positivity of their ultimate goals of equality. The need to be against something is so strong that before the thing they are currently fighting has even been won, they are preparing for the next fight.
By Jake Haydn8 years ago in The Swamp
Human Rights?
Today, our Republicans in congress and the Trump Administration are quite apt in forging a complete antithesis to the preamble to the Declaration of Independence. For that matter, in no other time in our history has there been such an assault on human rights by a Republican run congress and a very ill-equipped President and his cabinet. The continuing debacle that this Administration has made not only here at home and in foreign affairs has made America's decline in world standing almost irreversible. But, the latest travesty condoned by this present Administration in their immigration policy where thousands of children are being ripped apart from their parents in an effort to deter Illegal immigration has become a typical response of the mentality of this Administration.
By Dr. Williams8 years ago in The Swamp
Never Again?
I have spent most of my life trying to understand what makes a Nazi. Ever since I read Elie Wiesel's Night, I was haunted by the horror of what happened to the Jews in Germany under the Nazi regime. Mostly, I tried to understand what makes good people do nothing—and what turns an ordinary human being into a killing monster. I have read many books about the era and even made a film about a Holocaust survivor. I never found any answers. But now I finally get it. The Trump administration's abominable actions of separating mothers from their children, siblings from each other, and of picking good people off the street has finally allowed me to see how it happens. A monster gets elected with an extreme following—or of ordinary people who think his extremist policies will "help them." There are rationalizations. In this case, people talk about "border security" and about making "America Great Again." Try and hold back the vomit as we look at the unsavory characters trying to sell these policies to the American public. And it's working. Unbelievably, Trump's numbers are up.
By Karen Goldfarb8 years ago in The Swamp
Renegotiating the Intergenerational Contract
It’s reasonably safe to say that parents expect their children to be better off than they were at the same age. Polling shows that, across age groups, the majority of people expect the next generation to have better living standards than the previous one. However, the figures also reveal a consensus that this expectation is not being met. Given that the unique challenges facing the younger generation are widely recognised, what is standing in the way of making progress in re-balancing the intergenerational contract? The debate is often framed as a generational battle, but the answers are more likely to lie in mutual sacrifice and collaboration, than in a fight to reinforce the interests of one group at the expense of another.
By John Cooper8 years ago in The Swamp
First Amendment Rights
Some people do not respect First Amendment rights such as the right to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of protest (assembly), and petition the government for a negotiation of grievances. The first amendment is classy. Thomas Jefferson believed in a separation of church and state but in modern times, extremists do not want this reasonable act to continue. They would rather turn the United States into a theocracy, this is something some religious people want, be aware. You see, the government cannot change the law just like that without a reason. In the early days of colonizing the United States, many immigrants had fled religious persecution in their own countries, sometimes to find more in the United States.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
Fascism
In academic and popular discussion, there is a great misunderstanding of how fascism functions and how it forms. Here I will discuss the precepts and the formation of fascist societies and governments, as this subject is largely misunderstood in popular discourse. What is fascism? Are European governments arriving closer and closer to fascism? The answer to these two questions is far less simple than they would appear.
By Thomas Sebacher8 years ago in The Swamp
President Trump, North Korea, and the Evangelical Base
The Trump administration focused on two primary talking points this past Friday: Jesus is fine with separating families who are fleeing horrific conditions. Americans should honor President Trump when he speaks with the same reverence as the North Koreans are required to demonstrate.
By Stephen Walden8 years ago in The Swamp
Does Color Really Matter?
Think to yourself, are you racist? Why does color matter? Every human just wants to achieve something, why should their skin color matter? A lot of people are racially bullied and feel like they don't belong in society and that is WRONG! No one should feel this way. Every life has a meaning and a purpose. I personally have been bullied by my skin color after the 9/11 attack. It was probably the worst time of my life, I felt like I didn't belong. All my friends left me, and I was called a terrorist. But, I soon realized, I was not the only one who had experienced this. There are many others who have felt the same.
By lizzie smith8 years ago in The Swamp
Homeless in California
This not to place guilt on anyone. This is about dealing with all the hidden factors that provide a strong foundation for homelessness. This is about dispelling the lies that make it hard for homeless people to be helped. We all deserve to live decent lives. No person who loses their job and faces the challenges of life that lead them to homelessness should be accused of being lazy. Depressed, yes, hurt, lost, and even broken yes, but lazy, no. Try standing in a line waiting for food after walking all day. Imagine having to walk most of the places you need just for food and clean clothing for a job interview. Most of us can’t. Then imagine doing it with your family following you. Imagine the single mother who lost her husband to crime, who has to take care of her child and work. Imagine the man or woman from the military who fought for our country and is dealing with PTSD or crippled in combat and cannot work.
By I AM. Master of Arts8 years ago in The Swamp
The American Neo-Nazi
We live in a time of open racism. People are not hiding their prejudices anymore simply because they had to hide it a lot when 44 was in office. The alt-right has sprung up out of deep frustration. The alt-right is busy trying to establish a foothold in the minds of young teenagers today who feel alienated or disgusted with the way The United States was previously run by 44. They feel that 45 has been emboldened their struggle. Many of these people can turn into a shooter easily since they have violent ideologies rooted in fascism. Some of these people want to start their own state only for white people.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
