Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Life Begins with the Choice
Let’s make one thing clear from the start. Pro-choice isn’t a euphemism for “pro-abortion.” No one wants to have an abortion. Sometimes it just so happens that one needs one. And if that’s the case, one must have such an option. I am pro-choice, yet the necessity to have an abortion is one of my worst fears.
Gloria WilloughbyPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Evolution of Gun Laws in the United States
Since the right to bear arms was enshrined in the United States Constitution over 200 years ago, federal gun laws have been an evolving concept. Initially meant to allow citizens to protect themselves against a tyrannical government, the Second Amendment, and what it allows, has become a source of near constant debate among gun owners, advocates, law enforcement, and the media. In the wake of seemingly increasing incidences of school-based gun violence over the last 20 years, beginning with the Columbine High School shooting (and particularly in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting), the conversation has been shifting more and more toward how to restrict gun rights and strengthen gun laws. Taking a look at our history, however, shows that this is not the first time a rash of crimes has started this conversation in the US.
Craig MiddletonPublished 5 years ago in The SwampMilosevic
Milošević’s rise to power deserves careful scrutiny, not only because it has long served as the dominant narrative of these historical events, but because it reflects the broader power-structure of socialist states in general. Despite Milošević’s prominence in European history, his rise to power is widely contested and shrouded in mystery. Traditional historians argue that Milošević rose to power due to the broad appeal of his centrist political program. Revisionist historians have challenged this view. They believe it was Milošević s populist charisma and nationalist appeal that enabled him to both gain and maintain power. In the upcoming paper, I am going to analyze how Milošević gained and maintained control over Serbia. Firstly, I am going examine Milošević’s rise to power. Discussing the context of post-Tito Yugoslavia, the catalyst of Kosovo and the charisma of Milošević. I am then going to discuss how Milošević maintained control over Serbia. Firstly, I will analyze how Milošević manipulated the media in order to facilitate his fear and victimhood rhetoric. I will then discuss Milošević’s rejection of the Rambouillet Formula; an event which epitomizes his overall strategy for maintaining power. Though I will be tackling Milošević’s rise and maintenance of power separately. The general trends of opportunism and ethnic nationalism remain prevalent throughout both sections.
T.P SchofieldPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Tito-Stalin Split
What were the reasons for and consequences of the split between Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union in 1948? On 28th June 1948, news of the Communist Party of Yugoslavia’s (CPY) expulsion from Cominform reverberated amongst the astounded Western world. Yugoslavia’s expulsion from Cominform, or Tito-Stalin split as it’s now entitled, marked a crack in the monolithic Soviet Bloc, whilst providing a future point of reference to those Communist party’s that wanted to become ideologically and politically emancipated from Moscow. In the upcoming essay, I am going to analyze the rationale behind the Tito-Stalin split, before evaluating the impact of the split; both on Yugoslavia’s development and the Eastern European Communist movement.
T.P SchofieldPublished 5 years ago in The SwampEntry to the EEC Will Define Exit from the EU
It is just about three years since the referendum was held on UK membership of the European Union, and in that time there have been two Prime Ministers and two elections which ought never to have happened. The chaos that has ensued is made all the worse when one considers that current negotiations are merely preliminary. It has taken three years for nothing to happen.
Fionnbharr RodgersPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Craze That Swept a Nation
With great fondness, I look back on a life well-lived. Sure, there were times of anguish and sorrow, but overall, I remained steadfast to my convictions. But, as I remember, many a time those convictions got me into a whole lot of trouble. Nonetheless, I managed to survive with just a few scrapes and bruises. Now, when I compare the times of my youth to today, the sharp contrasts are so evident, especially the behavior patterns of society. In many ways, there has been a steady decline throughout our whole society. The morals, ethics, individual responsibility and integrity many of my generation possessed was instilled by our parents and our schools. Some 60 years later, much of what we see today reflects the retardation of many of the basic principles we were taught so long ago.
Dr. WilliamsPublished 5 years ago in The SwampAppearance, Relationships and Politics
Consider how the modern obsessions with appearance and relationships, affects politics. While these twin obsessions, growing stronger seem to have started a long way back in history. Medieval warrior aristocrats used fine banners and distinctive clothing and armor to ensure their own side knew who they were, then came uniforms so everyone in the army was recognizable to all the others on the same side. Preventing death by friendly fire. The notion of warrior nobility evolved into displays of wealth just to distinguish the wealthy from the poor.
Peter RosePublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Reason I Will Vote Tuesday
My first memory of Tiffany Caban is not a flash of imagery inside of a criminal court or a race for the Queens district attorney’s office. It is a very personal memory. I was a newly employed advocate for domestic violence survivors at an agency called Connect NYC in their legal advocacy helpline, and Tiffany was an intern law student from New York Law School. She had worked fiercely, preparing a case to petition for immigration relief for a survivor who had been brutally attacked by her ex-spouse. The photographs of the survivors’ injuries left lasting first impressions for those of us who helped her. Immigration relief for survivors oftentimes requires numerous documents, statements, certifications and letters that will confirm a survivor's willingness and efforts to report the violence they were subjected to. When everything had neatly arrived to the office and Tiffany went over the check list with our supervisor, she heard the words: “This was your advocacy work, you know?” I saw her face light up with surprise, realizing that her work had just made a difference in the life of someone facing a system that is oftentimes very unfair. I remember that moment fondly because I was coming to the same realizations myself. The year was 2010 and our path of advocating for the communities and people we cared about had just started. When I think about the insight Tiffany can have as the Queens District Attorney, that is the moment I will think about.
Shanali InchausteguiPublished 5 years ago in The SwampLGBT+ Community & LGBT+ & Women vs Cis-Hetero (Conservative) Men
The United States is the land of the free, an excellent place. If you ask anyone who is not a 'cis-hetero male.' Gay men have been targeted for centuries, for things such as AIDS, homosexuality being a disease, etcetera etcetera. People in the LGBT+ community were attacked for who they were, and were never payed attention to unless it was with hatred. Of course, the United States has gotten to a point where people being fired, killed, and sent to conversion therapy for being gay is not as common as before, but it still happens all over the US, besides states that have banned such things from happening.
Daniel MoonPublished 5 years ago in The SwampTrump Is Off and Running, for the 2nd Time
BRYCE ON POLITICS He hits the ground running at a mega-campaign event. Click for AUDIO VERSION. President Trump's re-election campaign kicked off this past Tuesday at the Amway Center in Orlando. This was well attended with over 20,000 people inside, and thousands outside watching the rally on large screens (120K tickets were issued). The size will undoubtedly dwarf the upcoming Democrat debate at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, allowing no more than 2,400 people in-doors. The massiveness of the Trump rallies perplexes the news media and the Democrats. They do not understand the overwhelming support he receives. Plain and simple, they just don't get it. Then again, maybe they do, but just don't know how to respond.
Fix Your Own Country First!
Over the past six days several stabbings have taken place in the UK capital of London, where there have been two fatalities and three injured. London's Mayor, Sadiq Khan, expressed his condolences towards the people involved, and hopes to change the way that police in the city handle knife crime.
Grace LynchPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and Christian Privilege: This Exact Attitude Is Why ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Exists
Mike Pence has once announced, without irony, that “Christians are the most persecuted people in the world.” While I could write a 5000-word article on how much utter nonsense that statement is, this is not the subject of the article you’re reading now. Even now I must put bridles on the controversial things I want to say, because I bet many of the readers here are Christians. But am I going to promise that you are not going to be offended by the arguments I write? No. That would not be an honest partaking of such sensitive topics.