Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
A Worthy Coronation
“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon, and of your Possessions and the other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?”
Jonathan ReedPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe 23rd Amendment
The 23rd Amendment to the Constitution was passed on June 16th, 1960 and had to do with electors, as well as the right to the people living in the District of Columbia the right to vote in Presidential elections. The 23rd Amendment was ratified on March 29th, 1961. This Amendment refers to the fact that the Constitution provides each state with presidential electors that are equal to the number of seats that are put together in the Senate and House of Representatives, since the District of Columbia is not a State, which means it didn’t have electors prior to the adoption of the 23rd Amendment.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWords to Donald Trump
Dear Donald Trump, How does it feel knowing that you are contributing to women not feeling certain about themselves? With your history, you've encouraged men who only see women as objects to push their ideals onto women, and themselves in women, without feeling it is necessary to get a genuine "yes" out of them first. What will be the point of women having brains of their own if your mindsets will keep them from being taken seriously, as they venture off into career paths of their choice? From the sound of it, you crave for the days where women can't get writing published unless they had male pen names, as well as believe that their potential isn't enough for them, but more than enough for a man. Do you think things will be better for everyone working if in an act of malicious compliance, all women stopped their jobs, and left the extra hassle for the men to deal with?
Monique StarPublished 5 years ago in The SwampInsight into Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" Speech
One of the major defining moments of the American Civil Rights Movement was when Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the Lincoln Memorial steps on August 28, 1963. His rhetoric has continued to inspire Americans to strive toward achieving "Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness," and much more (par 4). Within his speech he skillfully used contrasting metaphors, a literary reference, a Biblical reference, and then he weaved it all together with an American patriotic song and an old Negro spiritual. King's plea was to fight with "soul force," not only for freedom but for unity, acknowledging that all people, black or white, share a common destiny (par 9).
Rowan FinleyPublished 5 years ago in The SwampDeath Camps Unknown
I had to post this after I saw someone using Schindler's List, as something I don't know, I won't presume to know what another person is thinking. My mind was just instantly compelled to share what I know in my heart. I will title it, "DEATH CAMPS UNKNOWN". Escape From Sobibo'r, era 1987 I had to watch that when I was four years old, many times. I remember it vividly. It was in the outskirts of the town, Sobibo'r in occupied Poland. Specifically, Wlodawa, Poland. It was the second concentration camp, more specifically, Extermination Camp. Overseen by SS Obersturmführer Thomalla, later to be replaced at least twice. Construction started in 1942.
James NelsonPublished 5 years ago in The SwampReason First: Should More Than Just Marijuana Be Legalized?
Marijuana is the du jour semi-legal drug in America today as far as a push for federal legalization is concerned. But why not other drugs? Can’t heroin and opioids be legalized and freely available, respectively. Why is it that drugs like cocaine receive negative views even in vicious ones, even though they’re only substances?
Skyler SaundersPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWhat's Going On? (with the Democrats That Is)
BRYCE ON POLITICS - With apologies to Marvin Gaye. Click for AUDIO VERSION. Over the last few months, I have written a series of political essays attempting to explain how the Democrats see the world today. Now I want to put it all together to demonstrate how the party has changed. It is no longer the home of moderates as it has turned to the far-left. In the process, many have abandoned the party, either to join the Republicans or vote independently.
Veganism Could Save Our Planet
You’ve heard time and time again that, in order to save the environment, you should use less water, ride your bike more often, and recycle in order to conserve water, resources, and energy. What you may not know is that even if everyone stopped driving completely, took every measure to conserve water, and composted everything they are able to compost, the carbon dioxide levels still surpass what is considered a “safe” level, and way too much water is being used each day. You can thank the agriculture industry for these issues, which the government is trying to blame on simple tasks performed by people everyday. Most organizations that are made to support the prevention of deforestation, greenhouse gas build up, or overfishing do not even mention the effects of the agriculture industry on their websites; they fear that it will deter people from donating to their cause, and draw too much government attention. In many interviews done in the documentary Cowspiracy, their representatives admitted that the agriculture industry is producing the most problems to the environment, but do not list them on their site as significant of a problem as it actually is (Andersen). The agriculture industry is responsible for fifty-one percent of the greenhouse gas emissions at 32 billion (32,000,000,000) tons of carbon dioxide per year. Methods of transportation (cars, trains, airplanes, etc.) are what is most often blamed for the mass amounts of carbon dioxide, but they only produce thirteen percent of greenhouse gas emissions (Andersen, Cowspiracy). “Agriculture, food, and related industries contributed $992 billion to US gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015, a 5.5-percent share” (Ag and Food Sectors and the Economy). The government does not want us to realize how much damage the agriculture industry actually has on the world, because of how much money they are making off of animal products each year. The agriculture industry is destroying our ecosystem, and the people in it by creating a detrimental impact on our ecosystem, mass deforestation, and it's causing serious health problems that can lead to life threatening diseases.
Kamari GracePublished 5 years ago in The SwampAnalyzing John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address was delivered on a freezing cold January morning in 1961. Despite his ailing back problems, he had never looked stronger than in that moment, delivering his speech to a welcomed crowd. All eager to tackle the “New Frontier.”
Shandi PacePublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Moment of Kairos
Kairos: an ancient Greek word meaning the critical moment. The Greeks had two words that were related to time; one being 'chronos,' which refers to sequential time, and the other being 'kairos,' which refers to the proper or opportune moment for action.
Danielle DraganiPublished 5 years ago in The SwampTears At Dawn
Oh, Theresa… hasn’t it all gone horribly wrong! After months of will she/won’t she, finally Theresa May announced her resignation as Prime Minister. She stood, like so many before her, in front of that iconic black door, and addressed the nation stating the schedule for her departure.
Jonathan ReedPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe 22nd Amendment
The 22nd Amendment was passed in 1947 by a Congress wishing to make sure each President had a set term limit in the wake of World War II, meaning that fascism’s rise had to be stopped. In order to prevent such an occurrence happening in the United States, Congress set up term limits, invoking the rule that no president should be in office more than twice. The 22nd Amendment was ratified by three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by Congress. A founding father like George Washington was not willing to seek a third term in office, as he was wildly popular in his day since he got re-elected.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp