Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
What is happening right now?
What are with these tears? Just coming into existance and rolling down my face. What is this ringing in my head? Up and down the frequency goes. One ear, two ears... it depends on the frequency of the moment.
Lee NaylorPublished 3 years ago in The SwampAmerican Taxes are built for cheating
The American tax system, or more specifically the United States Federal Income tax is not democratic enough. It doesn’t create an equal playing field for all Americans. By nature it is convoluted, and headed by a bureaucracy that does not hold people accountable for avoiding or cheating their taxes sufficiently. A system based in more direct democratic ideals would streamline the tax system and make it more egalitarian.
Gus KriderPublished 3 years ago in The SwampWhen We Became the News...
So there are a number of things we need to unpack here. The first thing is what the hell I’m talking about, the second thing is the way in which I have seen this happen online with not only no backlash but with many people agreeing even without reading the article at hand. And the last thing is how I feel about the situation and how it creates even more of a division. Now let’s have a look at what I’m talking about.
Annie KapurPublished 3 years ago in The SwampAuthor Discusses African American Cemeteries in Westchester
Photo by Patrick Feller You cannot travel very far in Westchester without coming across a burial site that dates back well beyond our current century. Each stone containing a hidden history, author Patrick Raftery of the Westchester Historical Society has written three volumes on the subject. “I think through burial practices, you learn a lot about people and the situations they faced,” said the author of The Cemeteries of Westchester County.
Rich MonettiPublished 3 years ago in The SwampThe President. She’s on TV.
TV mirrors life, except in America where life mirrors tv. From shows like VEEP to the House of Cards women have better luck getting power in the White House in fiction, rather than reality. Thankful VP Harris will be able to break the mold of unfair treatment Hollywood has give the female executive. This paper written by me in December of 2017 may offer some clues as to how female power will be read by the media through the next administration.
Gus KriderPublished 3 years ago in The SwampDr Martin Luther King Jr. Reflection:
I’ll be honest; I’ve been thinking about what to write for weeks; months even. As soon as the conception of ‘Philosofemme’ came to life and the blog was confirmed – I was thinking. I knew for certain that I wanted to write something poignant about Martin Luther King Jr. and his non-violent philosophy – which is not often considered as part of philosophy, but as political theory. We know him as an activist, but I was interested in his ideology behind his politics. However, I was aware this would be difficult. I wasn’t wrong – it’s been very difficult. How can you write anything new and insightful about the most documented civil rights activist in history? The man is on - a rightfully gained - pedestal; he is the king of love. Despite how loved he is, he is also a man who was murdered in a hate-filled vitriol for fighting for basic human rights for African Americans. This dichotomy and the magnitude of his influence means I feel the pressure writing about him. Especially in the tumultuous civil rights battle that is unfolding across the world - America particularly - around the subject of police brutality towards the Black community. Black Lives Matter campaigners are being silenced, harmed and arrested.
Philosofemme.Published 3 years ago in The SwampThe Trump Presidency and Rhetoric
This piece was written and graded as part of my time in college earning a BA in Political Science. To a student looking for research, or just a curious person; if any part of my paper interest you I suggest you follow your research through to my cited sources. The sources are much more knowledgeable than I. This essay was turned in under the title 'Hyper-Presidentialist rhetoric and the fragility of the American Status Quo' by me in November of 2019.
Gus KriderPublished 3 years ago in The SwampKing George V
King George V was the grandson of the late Queen Victoria AND the grandfather of our dear Queen today, Queen Elizabeth II. As he was born third in line to the throne, George did not expect to become King and he started to carve out a “career” in the Royal Navy. George was born during the reign of Queen Victoria (his grandmother), with Prince Albert Edward (his father) being next in line to the throne and Prince Albert Victor “Eddy” (his older brother) being second in line. During King George V’s reign, there was the rise of socialism, communism, fascism, the Irish Republicanism and the Indian independence movement --- all of which changed the political landscape of the British Empire. In 1917, King George V became the first monarch of the House of Windsor, which he renamed from the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha because of the anti-German public ‘feeling’ during World War One.
Ruth Elizabeth StiffPublished 3 years ago in The SwampDonald Trump tells a reporter he will leave the White House
The world has been watching the United States since November 3, in anticipation of what will take place on January 20, 2021. The actions of the current US president has everyone, except base on edge. Unlike his predecessors, the 45th president of this nation has refused to accept the results of the recent election. World leaders have been congratulating President-elect Joe Biden but Donald Trump has continued to hold out that he won reelection. His wife, Melania Trump, has followed his lead, rather than that of First Ladies before her and has not reached out to congratulate Jill Biden who is her successor.
Cheryl E PrestonPublished 3 years ago in The SwampDivisions in the New Cold War
As we've reached a stalemate in our military conflict with China, which is what a "Cold War"is, we must still proceed with an understanding of the key dividing lines between the two sides.
Samir M GoradiaPublished 3 years ago in The SwampGun control groups are the bad guys.
Published 11/17/2020 For more than 25 years I've watched the gun control debate rage and have always felt grateful that on balance the pro-gun side is winning. Gun control advocates are neurotic and relentless, but the pro 2nd Amendment push back has kept them in check. Today there are more gun owners than ever, concealed carry permits are skyrocketing, and the culture at large has survived gaslighting efforts and place the majority of blame at the feet of evil people who abuse guns, not the guns themselves.
The Power of Our Vote
I was driving with my wife down Main Street when we heard over the radio that Joseph Biden was Elected at the 46th President of the United States. As I continued to drive, I began to cry. The feeling of anxiety I have been feeling for the past few months was finally lifted. Knowing that the possibility of having a President who will not continually use social media to deliver hate, lies and throw feces against the wall will be gone.
Joseph Williams JrPublished 3 years ago in The Swamp