fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Exploring and debunking conspiracies and the lesser known truths in the world of politics.
Beyond. Runner-Up in The Moment That Changed Everything Challenge.
Katey was extremely antsy and of course her parents made her put on a nice (and, of course, itchy) dress and comb her hair so she looked “presentable,” according to her mother. She didn’t understand why they were making such a colossally big deal out of the day. To her, it seemed, these sorts of things happened all the time—at least they did on television. The television made everything feel smaller, compact, easier to explore, and more accessible to people who couldn’t be trussed up and trotted out by their parents to see these things. Nothing seemed too far away when if could be explored on screen in her living room. However, thanks to the television, Katey didn’t understand how big and wide and wonderful the world truly was. She also couldn’t begin to fathom just how massive the universe beyond actually was. Naturally, she figured she could count all of the stars in the sky some day and that space travel was some sort of regular experience. Every now and then someone with a lot of money and even movie stars would end up among the stars. Cartoons made it seem easy, and she was a child who had so, so many questions and sometimes her parents took the mystical, magical (easy) sort of answer route.
By Josey Pickeringabout a year ago in The Swamp
Divided We Fall. Honorable Mention in The Moment That Changed Everything Challenge.
Andy glanced down at the seemingly sporadic design of filled in ovals on his ballot sheet. The darkened points were few. The races he hadn’t cast a vote for were many. Some were left blank because he didn’t know anything about the candidates, there were so many people running for various positions and never enough time to research them all. And then there were others he’d recused himself from because after choosing a lesser evil for several years he was sick of choosing evil at all. It would be much easier of course if he could fill in one of those little bubbles at the top that said “Vote Along Party Lines”, but he couldn’t foresee that happening in any future near or far.
By D.K. Shepardabout a year ago in The Swamp
Ballistic Missile
Lisa and her fiancé, Kimball, had just moved to Hawaii after spending two years in Japan. Kimball had worked as an AP photographer, traveling from Tokyo to Osaka, covering political events, natural disasters, and sports championships. Lisa, meanwhile, had built her career at a business law firm, handling contracts for international clients. Their time in Japan had been fast-paced, exciting, and full of adventure, but Hawaii felt like a well-earned transition into something more stable. Lisa had taken a promotion to run the Honolulu branch of her company, and Kimball planned to freelance for local newspapers. The move came at the perfect time—they were set to marry in six weeks, and life was good.
By Tim Wrightabout a year ago in The Swamp
Ghost Town. Content Warning.
Firstly, I want to begin by saying how deeply sorry I am to anyone affected by the Humboldt Broncos bus crash back in 2018. My heart goes out to you and your families- truly, it does. And to the survivors, continue to build a life you can be proud of.
By Chloe Rose Violet 🌹about a year ago in The Swamp
Trump’s Mysterious ‘Giant Faucet’ in California: Misunderstanding or Bold Vision?
Former President Donald Trump has long been vocal about California’s water management policies, frequently calling on the state to “turn on the giant faucet.” His repeated use of terms like “spigot,” “faucet,” and “valve” has left many Californians and even Canadians puzzled. While his statements might seem perplexing, they stem from ongoing debates surrounding California’s water distribution system, agricultural water needs, and environmental regulations.
By mureed hussainabout a year ago in The Swamp
Change : As I in myself and in all this world, this swift current flows.
Change : As I in myself and in all this world, this swift current flows. A prelude before a tremendous calm shall embalm and fuse with me in the sea of time, collecting vast moments in fullest fleets to freshen most of that —ageless soul.
By Madhu Goteti about a year ago in The Swamp
Presidential Pardons: A Reflection of Distrust and a Fragile Justice System
Presidential pardons have always been a powerful tool, allowing leaders to grant clemency, correct legal misjudgments, and, at times, make political statements. However, the recent pardons issued by former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden highlight not just their differing political philosophies but also their deep distrust of each other and the fragile state of the U.S. criminal justice system. These pardons raise critical questions about the fairness of justice, political motivations, and the broad powers of the executive branch.
By mureed hussainabout a year ago in The Swamp
Giovanni the Valiant, or, Giovanni the Murderer. Runner-Up in The Moment That Changed Everything Challenge.
Author's Note: St. Francis of Assisi: the first Italian poet.... one of the most celebrated mystics in the history of Christianity.... Brother to all Creation.... peacemaker....
By Sam Spinelliabout a year ago in The Swamp
A World on the Brink: The Legacy of 9/11
The sun rose like any other September morning in 2001. It was a Tuesday. The warmth of early autumn filled the air, and people hurried about their business in the bustling streets of Manhattan. The hum of life in the city was palpable, a rhythm that had become second nature to those who called the city home. To most, it was a day no different from any other.
By Latoria Hallabout a year ago in The Swamp
Love you, Mom. Honorable Mention in The Moment That Changed Everything Challenge.
Her hand in mine. The six of us continued looking at the machine with the numbers, watching, waiting. Top number was the heart rate; below that were other numbers: blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and respiration. The glowing numbers in the darkened room changed every moment as the tendrils of tubes measured the last bits of her life. An hour earlier, I had jokingly bet which number would reach zero first – respiration. I would be right.
By Barb Dukemanabout a year ago in The Swamp
