Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
November 9, 2016
I was at work when the weight of reality began to tip the scales. It was a Tuesday. Considering the current events, it was a Tuesday we’d known would be slower than most. So, I had my laptop perched on a table in the back of the bar, and between zesting manhattans or pan frying scallops, each of the employees and myself would find small moments we could go and peak at the screen, away from prying eyes. As the early evening drifted into the dinner hour, the crowd appeared to dwindle instead of grow. The normal rush hour traffic, usually buzzing around 1st Avenue, was quiet. The white-haired man on my laptop was hurriedly pressing boxes on a wall length touchscreen, appearing confused and panicked as he tried to explain what we were all seeing. By this time, we’d usually be busy taking orders and 86’ing dishes, but the place was almost empty, just a couple people sitting over drinks, scrolling screens by themselves.
By Patrick O'Neill8 years ago in The Swamp
I Predicted the Florida School Shooting
The evening of Monday, February 12, I was sitting in my chemistry lab measuring iron content of a salt complex when the fire alarm sounded and the sprinklers went off. My brain kicked into overdrive as I desperately racked my brain to remember all that I’d ever been taught in school drills about how to get safely out of the building. But before I had managed to grab my coat and make my way out of the lab, I heard what I never wanted to hear so close to me, gunshots. Now in complete shock, myself and the rest of my lab period stuck ourselves into the tiny back room, shut the door, and turned off the lights, hoping that we would get out of this alive.
By Claire Turvill8 years ago in The Swamp
Guns in Your Grandchild's America
This is about the future America our kids and grandkids will grow up in. If you want that future to look like the present or the past, I'd suggest you stop reading here. If you appreciate the concept of forward motion and progress in the human species, please continue.
By Patrick O'Neill8 years ago in The Swamp
Looking at You Florida
No words can explain my seething anger at this moment. I have lost all faith in the slimy snakes who drivel feces from their mouth while pretending to care about those in their state and communities. There were two bills, TWO BILLS that would have banned assault rifles in Florida.
By James Howell8 years ago in The Swamp
To Shoot, or Not to Shoot...
In the wake of the recent mass shooting in Florida, it’s left people searching for answers. We need solutions to a widespread issue that’s taken numerous amounts of innocent lives, and scarred many others forever. Whether you’ve been a victim or have been connected to a victim of crimes like these, we can all agree that something needs to be done about it.
By Valerie Hess8 years ago in The Swamp
Political "Education" of the Young
Should teachers be allowed to politically educate our children? This essay results from reading a post on Facebook. A post was questioning why do some on the Left continue to apparently ignore the millions killed in Russia and China during the imposition of one party “communist” government make the case for communism or insist upon applying a ridiculous veneer of objectivity when discussing its history? They quite rightly wouldn’t do this with the horror that was fascism or apartheid South Africa. And yet to wave a hammer and sickle flag at a rally is to celebrate a record of bloodshed and misery.
By Peter Rose8 years ago in The Swamp
I Will Die for Your Kids
As I sit here on my bed, having just received news of school being cancelled due to an ice storm, I can't help but think of the recent school shooting tragedy. You see, I'm not a teacher...yet. I'm trying my best to become one. I have wanted to become a teacher for many years and now I'm on my way. I was supposed to be in my assigned classroom where I learn under a mentor teacher. The thing about today is it was supposed to be the first time back in a classroom since the shooting in Florida.
By Diane Nivens8 years ago in The Swamp
