Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
4 Forgotten Queens of the Arab World
Few are the women who truly ruled in the history of the Arab and Arabized world, from Morocco to Oman. But those who did it did so with extreme grace and a sharp political genius, often outsmarting even the canniest male contenders. Yet, very rare are the books that tell their stories and celebrate their successes.
ElMehdi ElAzharyPublished 3 years ago in The SwampThe Chasm in Our Democracy Part 2; My Thoughts about January 6, 2021
“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.” James Baldwin I saw these people yesterday. Hundreds of them.
Sens. Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz are hoping you're dumb
In the aftermath of the riot at the US capitol, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-TX) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) are working overtime to try and distance their behavior from the actions of pro-Trump supporters. Hawley has spent the past few weeks, in a move surely meant to bolster his national profile, making himself the face of the election opposition. On December 30, 2020, Hawley announced he would object to the certification of electoral college votes. On the day of the riot, a photo circulated of Josh Hawley waving support to pro-Trump supporters outside the capitol. Hours later, he would be in protective custody as those same supporters stormed the capitol building.
Marcus PadenPublished 3 years ago in The SwampNever Forget
"Let's have trial by combat." Rudy Giuliani "We're coming for you." Donald Trump, Jr. "Because you'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong." President Donald Trump
Marcus PadenPublished 3 years ago in The SwampCan We All Finally Agree That White Supremacy is Bad?
When I was in 3rd grade Wolfenstein 3D got ported onto the Super Nintendo. I remember renting the cartridge from my local Blockbuster on Friday, and spending the entire weekend with my controller heating up in my hands and my fingers developing blisters as I sent a storm of lead into the pixelated agents of the Third Reich. While charging a brain case cyborg with the face of Adolf Hitler on it with guns blazing and rockets blasting isn't exactly a subtle message, it was one I'd been hearing my whole life.
Neal LitherlandPublished 3 years ago in The SwampCarlson rips Trump, says he 'recklessly encouraged' Capitol rioters
Countless one-time allies have abandoned Donald Trump in the wake of a deadly domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol building that left several people dead on Wednesday.
Chris AgeePublished 3 years ago in The SwampThat Pro-Confederate Statue of “The Simpsons.”
. In the season 7 of The Simpsons, episode Lisa the Iconoclast, Lisa goes to the Springfield Historical Society--advertised as “Where the Dead Come Alive. (metaphorically)”-- to do research on town founder Jebediah Springfield. There she accidentally discovers that Hans had a secret double life. Before founding the town of Springfield he was a pirate known as Hans Sprungfeld who once tried to murder George Washington. The museum curator initially tries to cover up Lisa’s findings (this seems like a bad career move--a discovery like this would presumably thrill most historians) but eventually realizes people must know the truth. He and Lisa rush to Springfield’s bicentennial’s celebration to tell everyone, but at the last second Lisa decides to keep Jebediah/Hans’ secret. The reason why is simply because Jebediah’s slogan “A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.” is just so darn inspirational.
Buck HardcastlePublished 3 years ago in The SwampThe Sad Truth About Trump Die-Hards
The unprecedented events of today have me thinking back to something one of our subjects said in our Easy Money: Sturgis piece.
Mitch McConnel's wife Elaine Chao resigns amid the unrest
The vitriol that Hilary Clinton predicted would rule the Trump administration continues to be alive and well. The entire nation is troubled because number 45 ordered his supporters to storm the White House and they did. Senators and Congress members were ushered into hiding and feared for their lives as windows were broken and doors were being pounded up in n attempt to get in. Offices were trashed and a Confederate Flag was held by one trespasser inside the White House. The chaos is having an unsettling effect on the nation and now, Elaine Chao, the wife of Majority leader Mitch McConnell just turned in her resignation.
Cheryl E PrestonPublished 3 years ago in The SwampWhat the...
I have thought long and hard about whether or not I should get into this discussion about the recent attack on the Capitol Building in Washington USA. I am not the best placed person to discuss US politics by a long way even though I do have personal history with the individual called Donald Trump who is currently, although not for much longer, the 45th President of the USA. The photograph above is taken from my TV screen on the night of the 6th of January 2021, 14 days before the inauguration of the next President of the USA.
David MilnePublished 3 years ago in The SwampJon Ossoff makes Georgia history
Thomas Jonathan (Jon) Ossoff made Georgia history alongside Raphael Warnock as the duo became the first Jewish and African American to be elected to the US Senate. Ossoff was born on February 16, 1986, and before his election, he was an investigative journalist and a documentary film producer. The two Georgia races attracted significant attention nationwide as they decide who will control the Senate in the 117th Congress. With Warnock and Ossoff's victories, Democrats and Republicans now each will hold 50 Senate seats. The tie-breaking vote will be cast by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris has the tie-breaking vote which will give Democrats a majority.
Cheryl E PrestonPublished 3 years ago in The SwampRioters Storm The US Capitol Building
On January 6th, 2020, as the House of Representatives met to discuss the possible certification of Joe Biden's victory as the 46th President of the United States, a crowd of President Donald Trump's supporters gathered outside the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Helicopters flew overhead as rioters chanted phrases such as, "Traitors, traitors, traitors!", "We will not submit!" and "USA! USA! USA!". The gatherers were seen climbing into the federal building through a window, climbing the walls and, later, took pictures of themselves in what is believed to be Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi's office. The U.S Representatives that were meeting at the time barricaded themselves in the House floor. Republican Representative Ken Buck was quoted in saying during an interview with ABC7 News, "It's hard to believe that this is happening in America". Democratic Senator Joe Manchin informed, also in an interview with ABC7, "We'll get this job done."
Anne HowlandPublished 3 years ago in The Swamp