activism
Grassroots campaigns have proven instrumental in bringing about political, social or environmental change; you've got to start somewhere-might as well start here.
Surviving the Realization that Your Parents are Sabotaging You
My parents were what I believe to be, relatively young, when they had me. I was their first born and of course, there's going to be mistakes - I don't think there's any parent that exists who is perfect.
By Teagan O'Toole9 years ago in The Swamp
Truman's Blunder and the World Today
In all of recorded history of the United States one instance stands out that still to this day has complicated international relations almost to the point of igniting another World War. Lessons learned in today's history books too many times omit the whole story behind actual events that have occurred. It is this Memorial Day that we remember the sacrifices that our military makes to keep our freedom alive. In that light there is no better time to bring to the world's attention that some 66 years ago President Truman made one of the most historical mistakes that continues to cause reverberations through-out the world.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
Just as It’s Always Been
Trying to make sense of the polarization in the United States and in the world at large is daunting, especially in the context of perhaps the most thorough and consistent barrage of propaganda I’ve ever encountered, propaganda not from official state organs but from an angry oligarchy whose will has been thwarted but whose tentacles still manage to strangle our society on every level.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Money and the Individualist–Collectivist Divide
Politics, in large measure, deals with the art of reconciling individual and collective interests. The overwhelming majority of humanity (with the possible exception of abandoned children who grew up as hermits) inhabits both spheres. The hardiest individuals generally use money and tools and roads and water supplies, perhaps listen to radio and television, read and frequently form parts of families. The most dedicated collectivist does some things alone and usually, at least at times, values privacy.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Collaborative Affairs
A group of murderers, rapists, robbers, embezzlers and their attorneys and publicists sit around a huge rectangle of tables set with linen and silver and crystal discussing what to do about the violence perpetrated against them by law enforcement authorities, noting how harmful it was to their aspirations and goals, not to mention their persons and goods.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Reflections on Political Insults and Incoherence
Perhaps my writing and my sharing of information that I find relevant during this Orwellian period (hopefully not an epoch) in United States history is proving somewhat meaningful, at least as gauged by the reactions of those who oppose my perspectives. This morning an Obama - Clinton supporter called me a fascist for opposing Clinton’s efforts to intervene in Syria and yesterday several somewhat more intellectually inclined opponents of anything Trump tried to convince me that the intelligence community driven Russia-gate soft coup attempt was fully validated. The latter with cogent arguments, which I respect, the former with the traditional insult driven, factually deficient drivel that is all too common among internet trolls. Actually, I do not react as negatively to trolls as do many others. If they are reading what I publish then perhaps over the long term some of it will sink in, and they do give me insights into the tactics favored by those on behalf of whom they troll; valuable data.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
For Unity
Every few decades there have been moments that seem to suggest the United States might somehow get it's act together. Unfortunately, today there have been no moments that even come close to signaling this nation can become united once again. United behind a plan of direction that will secure a better future for all. The stark reality facing America is that greed, and the lack of cohesiveness between all political parties, have pitted one entity against the other. Consequently, the United States is anything but united. Too many splinter groups and organizations, each with their own brand of agendas, continue to pull this nation apart.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
Welcome to Caerdydd
Welcome to Caerdydd! It's hard to fight for a free and independent Wales. Our wonderful land of rolling hills and mountains is classed as a principality rather than a fully fledged country. Our resources were plundered by our neighbour, England for over 200 years. The capital city Cardiff, or Caerdydd in native Welsh, was only a small village 200 years ago. The Industrial Revolution came and went and left us with a population of 350 thousand plus ethnically mixed proud Welsh folk.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
It’s Not as Painful as It’s Made Out to Be
Headlines concerning the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the proposed GOP replacement for Obamacare scream that 23 million Americans will be deprived of health care if it passes. As too often happens now, on a quotidian basis, the headlines are distortive, deceptive and hypocritical. They are designed to create emotional responses based on generating fear and insecurity and hate. They are designed to increase the divisiveness that so pervades us and in the end, to further lead us down the path to civil strife.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
How Close Are You to Being a Terrorist?
After 9/11, most people in the industrialized modern world asked ourselves an important question. How could anyone do such a thing? For most of us the question was merely rhetorical. But for social scientists the last twenty years have seen a great deal of research attempting to determine what factors, conditions, and mindsets contribute to the radicalized mind. What makes a person a terrorist? In an article for MONITER, the journal for the American Phycological Association, Tori DeAngelis wrote about the work of John Horgan, PhD who interviewed 60 former terrorists. He found that people vulnerable to racialized beliefs have several things in common. Let’s start with the most obvious:
By David Bulley9 years ago in The Swamp
