Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Stop Ignoring These Connections
I assume he’s homeless. I assume he’s needy. I assume he’s broken. All these blades of assumption I use to carve the man crouching in the sun, a cardboard litre of Minute Maid Orange juice on the sidewalk at his feet. He leans his thin back against the bricks that house the liquor store and the neighbouring bank. The Canucks ball cap he holds out and open in hopes of receiving, shakes slightly in his pale fingers.
By Melanie Maure5 years ago in The Swamp
Is Violence in Video Games Still an Issue?
Violence in video games has been a topic of discussion for years. Back in the 90s there was a huge backlash on violent video games when the game Mortal Kombat was first introduced. I was about 13 at the time and of course I didn't think violence in video games was even an issue. Bring on those violent games. I wanted to play them because I was the target audience.
By Brian Anonymous5 years ago in The Swamp
Democrats Are in Danger
Democrats are in trouble. There is a presidential election next year and the Democratic Party is sorting through a large group of potential candidates trying to determine which is the most electable. Electability simply means “this person has the best chance to win an election.” It doesn’t mean the person is the best choice or that the person has the best policy ideas, it just means the person can win an election.
By Matthew Williams5 years ago in The Swamp
Nationalism or Patriotism?
During many conversations on the United States and its problems, I hear the phrase "I'm not a nationalist, but I am a patriot." This phrase has inspired me to write on whether there is any appreciable difference between the two. As a student of the humanities, I'm down to debate useful definitions of nationalism, the meanings of particular words and their contextual or colloquial definitions. However, when I come across the words nationalism and patriotism, I find them to be rather similar. Is there any healthy difference between nationalism and patriotism? Does support for your country make you a patriot? Does any support for your country make you a patriot, or does it require a gradient? What fraction of supportiveness do we require for nationalism? What fraction of supportiveness do we require for patriotism?
By Ellen Howell5 years ago in The Swamp
Guns in America
After the latest massacre here in America, I feel it is time for yet another piece on my feelings. Yes, this time it was not in a synagogue, like my first article about this controversial topic, but I cannot help but think that perhaps Private First Class Glendon Oakley could still feel like a normal soldier, instead of being praised as a hero just for doing his job and what he was trained for. It is hard not to say that Oakley isn't a hero, he is, but he did what I would hope any kind human being would do. He protected innocent lives, children, the future of our world, the ones who we hope can make this world better.
By Erika Farrah5 years ago in The Swamp
All Bandaids and No Solutions
(VLOG posted at the bottom for those who prefer to watch and listen rather than read.) Not a single soul should be forced to do anything in life that isn't fueled by their dreams and doesn't fill them with meaningful purpose at the deepest level.
By Eric Durland5 years ago in The Swamp
Examining the Modern Distrust of Science in the US
Throughout history, science has always pushed the boundary of public belief. Thankfully we have moved past the days where scientists were killed for fear of them being users of dark magic. Through general acceptance and applications of science we were able to prove its usefulness and have made great strides in our knowledge of the world around us. However, we may be moving back to the time where science is misunderstood as something bad.
By The Coffee Ghost5 years ago in The Swamp
The Black Cowboys: Melanin Metamorphosis
Early American Western Cowboys descended from a blend of Spaniards, Criollos, and Native Americans. The Wild West was wide open and people from all over were pouring in while the getting was good to stake new homes and fortunes. This was the initial mixing of the so called Melting Pot; Go West Young Man!
By PAT CHANEY5 years ago in The Swamp
The Normalization of Extreme Violence
Extremism and all the other -isms that exist out there are not usually pretty things. They instigate us, embroil us, and fuel us with unhealthy emotions: for most of us, rage (at the idiocy of the fundamental ideal) and sadness mixed in with a little bit of fear (would be classified as the healthy response, by most psychologists).
By Elric Pankston5 years ago in The Swamp
The Heroism Resulting from the El Paso Walmart Shooting
These are some very dark times indeed for El Paso, Texas, and our thoughts and prayers definitely go out to all who have been affected by the shooting at the Walmart there. We could discuss the shooter, and we could discuss his motives, but above all else, the man is a coward for killing 20 innocent lives and injuring many more. We probably shouldn't give this man the notoriety he craves for this terrible act. On the other hand, one of the things we could also discuss would be the acts of heroism we saw during this horrific incident. Here are some examples of how the human spirit cannot be quashed even in the most difficult of times:
By Vaden Chandler5 years ago in The Swamp
Political Fear - Let's Be Honest!
Honestly, where do we even begin? There's been a weight of fear and sadness that overcame me, and what seems to be the rest of the world. Rather or not you want to believe that social media has a part in this is up to you, and not something I want to debate about. However, I do want to talk about what we see through every platform.
By Danii Barragan5 years ago in The Swamp