Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
We're Getting Too Informed
Back in December, a group of five people, who were not elected, voted 3-2 to end net neutrality. The obvious reason for this was for the internet service providers (A.KA. "donors") to make more money, but one of the many major downsides of this is these companies getting to control the information that goes to the public.
By Drunken Progressive8 years ago in The Swamp
We've Got a Long Way to Go
This website is something I have been looking for for a long time, however it is hard to figure out the first story to write. I have many views and passions but its intimidating to try to portray all of those into one story or "the story." As an introduction, my first story, and since it is Black History Month I am going to share an essay, that I won second place in, at a contest at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township, Michigan. The context of the essay/story is continually existing racism, white privilege, and acknowledging both so we can progress further in Dr. King's accomplishments and beautiful, relevant, and meaningful words.
By Lacey Lewis8 years ago in The Swamp
The Trump Phenomenon. Top Story - February 2018.
It has been a fascinating case study for a political science major like me. I have been involved in politics at all levels all since high school. The first campaign I worked on was Ronald Reagan's presidential run in 1980. As a high school senior I had the opportunity to see how presidential politics and local politicians blend together to build a winning team. Needless to say, the current occupant of the White House has stymied me.
By Dan McGinnis8 years ago in The Swamp
More Time with the Family
A new year, like a new broom, sweeps clean, at least for a while. Before and after the start of this still minty-fresh jaunt around the sun called 2018, several Republican lawmakers have decided not to seek re-election. The rush for the out doors will include the retirements of relative newcomers to Congress and an institutional lion of the Senate.
By Michael Eric Ross8 years ago in The Swamp
The Role of International Institutions in Determining the Outcome of the Events of the Kosovo War, Leading up to, and Including, the Kosovo Declaration of Independence from Serbia
Kosovo became the seventh state to declare independence from Serbia (which was a part of former Yugoslavia) on February 17th, 2008, after a war riddled with human rights violations and controversy regarding the role that international institutions such as the UN and NATO played in attempting to resolve the conflict. It had been a part of Serbia within the former Yugoslavia Confederation since 1946, but there had been tensions between the Serbian majority and Albanian minority (in Yugoslavia) for years, since Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic came into power (as president of Serbia from 1989-1997 and as president of Yugoslavia from 1997-2000) and had started oppressing Albanians through his nationalist policies. In July 1990, ethnic Albanians declared independence, which ultimately failed and led to Milosevic stripping the right of Kosovar autonomy laid out in the 1974 constitution and the dissolution of the government of Kosovo. In March-September 1998, after nearly five years of tensions, the Albanian Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and Serbian police began to engage in violent clashes which led to NATO giving president Milosevic an ultimatum to stop the brutal Serbian crackdown on Kosovar Albanians. When that didn’t happen, NATO commenced airstrikes against the Serbs and the Kosovo War continued, eventually ending in failed peace talks and a Kosovar declaration of independence from Serbia, nearly ten years later.
By Chloe Holmes8 years ago in The Swamp
Diversity
Diversity is a value shown in mutual respect and appreciation of the similarities and differences such as age, culture, education, ethnicity, experience, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, and the list goes on and on. These are the things that make us a unique society.
By Lily Papenfus8 years ago in The Swamp
Race - A Four Letter Word
It is used to proclaim moral superiority over the object of this epithet with variations like racist, racism, white supremacy etc. and is most often used to defend the indefensible. It is used to end discussion of the need to control immigration, for example, since there is no logical reason to yield a nation’s sovereignty.
By Wayne McLaughlin8 years ago in The Swamp
Rebirth of the Republican Party
Every generation sees the rebirth of a political party. Republicans ushered in the age of Ronald Reagan and a new confidence and pride in being conservative. Democrats enjoyed a resurgence of popularity with the election of Bill Clinton, who brought some of his party's ideals to the more moderate center of the political spectrum, all the while championing a new liberalism. Twenty years later, Barack Obama tweaked the democratic party further, but his attempt to redefine his party backfired, costing him control of Congress.
By Dan McGinnis8 years ago in The Swamp
Endangered: Coral Reefs
Imagine scuba-diving in the shallow waters of the ocean and seeing the beautiful variation of colors on every single unique reef fish, giant clam, lobster, seahorse, and sea turtle swimming above the vibrant corals. Coral reefs are home to all of those amazing creatures and many more. They depend on the reefs for survival—without them, those species wouldn't exist.
By Sam Villemaire8 years ago in The Swamp
“Time to Get Justified: My Views on Donald Trump”
What is it about Trump that his followers find so enthralling and captivating? Because I, and the rest of society who didn’t vote for him, would certainly love to know that answer from one of his supporters A.K.A. “sheep.”
By Justin Wagner8 years ago in The Swamp
Things You Can and Can't Do During a Government Shutdown
Recently, the United States had endured a several days-long government shutdown caused by a stalemate in Congress over DACA, CHIP, and other crucial aspects of legislation and budget creation. This has been a disaster for our already-strained budget since a government shutdown actually costs money.
By Iggy Paulsen8 years ago in The Swamp
