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Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Ilhan Omar: A New Target in Congress
Muslims have come under fire more than ever before under the recent presidential administration. Hate crimes have increased significantly, and visible Muslim women are more prone to attacks. As of 2017, 68 percent of Muslims said they’re worried about Trump, many believing him to be unfriendly towards Muslims, causing the majority of them to be dissatisfied with the direction the country is headed towards. There has also been a 19 percent increase in hate crimes as of 2016, according to the Pew Research Center. It can be concluded that those who are Islamophobic have felt enabled and/or empowered by the language President Trump has continuously used during his campaign, as well as his administration. There is also an increase of racial hate crimes occurring, and with the coming of the Black Lives Matter movement and the use of social media, there has been more visibility of these crimes—which can be either verbal, physical, or both. Black Muslims face the intersection of anti-blackness and Islamophobia, a dual attack against their livelihood and what is happening to Representative Omar is just one of many examples. It is a large display of what happens to Black Muslim women on a daily basis. Whatever spaces they find themselves in, they have to continuously fight to be heard and to be taken seriously, whether it’s Halima Aden on the runway or Ibtihaj Muhammad in the Olympics. I sympathize with Representative Omar for what she is and may continue to deal with during her tenure in office. Because this won’t be the last time she or her stances are questioned and attacked.
Hafeezat BishiPublished 5 years ago in The SwampRemember When
We all know the signs of growing old. That old tried and true phrase "I remember when" conjures up memories of a distant past. A past that was filled with a harmonious union of fellowship, camaraderie, and yes, that new medium of television. As Archie Bunker kept singing, "Those were the days, when men were men and girls were girls." I guess each generation has their own way of expressing the "good old days." Like my father before, I too have said countless times about the "good old days." When I was young so many of my hopes and dreams laid ahead. But as the years went by I always seemed to hit a road block or two, a few detours popped up now and again, and of course there were always those wrong turns that kept me and I bet many more from achieving what we originally set out to do.
Dr. WilliamsPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Venezuela Crisis
So what's going on? Venezuela has been going down a dangerous path for years. The problems began with political discontent and corrupt officials, leading to extreme hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. When Maduro, the current President, was in his first term of office, his leadership sent the economy into a freefall and many citizens place the blame on his socialist government. He was widely disliked, therefore when he was re-elected into a second term in May of 2018, everyone was suspicious.
Shelby CheveldayoffPublished 5 years ago in The SwampAre Firearms More Deadly Than Automobiles?
I just read Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang post to his Twitter account his case for gun control: “There is no practical reason for citizens to have assault weapons. We need to treat gun ownership as an awesome privilege and responsibility and regulate accordingly. Guns are more deadly than cars and we take tests to get drivers licenses.”
Brian DollardPublished 5 years ago in The SwampNever-Ending Story of Corruption in Ukraine
Corruption had been a widespread and growing problem in Ukraine, way before the collapse of the USSR, when Soviet nature was present and country’s leaders used to be integrated in communist ruling elite. After the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, current Ukrainian politicians established an authoritarian-oligarchic governance regime in Ukraine. Sadly, according to Corruption Perception Index 2017, Ukraine is the sixth most corrupt country in Europe and 130th in the world.
Viktorija LipkaitePublished 5 years ago in The SwampApparent Growth in Ill-Health—Is This a Political Issue?
The social media is an outlet for numerous conspiracy theories. Some are about our state of health and what can be causing ill health. In the domestic politics of many nations, health care is a major debating position, showing its importance to individuals and to the governments of nations.
Peter RosePublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Middle Class: Separating Capitalism from Socialism
Click for Audio Version. One of the fundamental differences between capitalism and socialism is in the area of class structure and, unfortunately, many people do not grasp this difference. Under capitalism, there are three levels: An upper class representing super successful people who have earned a fortune, the middle class representing John/Jane Doe who works diligently to put food on the table for their family, and a lower class representing the less fortunate of us. Influence is top-down based on the economic pecking order, thereby creating resentment by those lower in the chain.
What It Means to Be a Trump Supporter...
As children, we grow up learning through our parents. We learn by seeing, experiencing and what we are taught. Depending on where you are from and what era your parents were from depends on your upbringing. I grew up in a middle-class household. My parents were taught to be responsible, active members of the community. My dad went to college, got his master's and taught middle school and high school band my entire life. My mom was an artist, art teacher and stay at home mom.
The Convenience of Overlooked Facts
“How do you know Trump is lying? He’s mouth is open!” It’s a common joke with liberals that the current Oval Office occupant can’t be trusted. Yet, there’s a bigger point here that is being missed. Sure, high up officials are lying but it’s not the lie that’s troublesome, it’s that they are overlooking facts to prove their point.
Edward AndersonPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWhy Trump Bombed in Hanoi
When major summit meetings end as fast as the one just wrapped in Hanoi, it’s for one of two reasons: Either the summiteers realized they had no differences of opinion to slow things down, or they found out early that their differences of opinion would short-circuit anything else from happening.
Michael Eric RossPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWe the People
History is filled with facts that are too often ignored, deemed not credible, or otherwise dismissed. But, if we fail to recognize that certain events in the past just may have far reaching consequences but done nothing, well let's just say we had our chance but blew it. In the history of the United States, there have been documents forged out of not really necessity but purposely engineered to enhance the powers of government. To this day the American citizen remains trapped by government bureaucracy that has effectively rendered each and every one of us powerless to control our own destiny. In retracing our history, it was during the War of 1812 that the British destroyed copies of the Titles of Nobility Amendment of the Constitution. This was done because the Titles of Nobility Amendment prevented anyone who had ties to the crown of England from holding public office in the United States. When Congress reconvened after the war, they never did reinstate that Titles of Nobility Amendment, a purposeful omission that has had far reaching consequences even to this day.
Dr. WilliamsPublished 5 years ago in The SwampLabour Shows Support for Second Referendum—but at What Cost?
This week the Labour Party officially announced that the party would, as a collective, seek out and support efforts for a second Brexit referendum, fulfilling their expectations of being the party to oppose Brexit and to remain within the EU. It is a move which should put to an end any speculation of further MP departures and it finally, after what seems like months of disarray, gives Labour a clear and common goal to rally behind.
Patrick HollisPublished 5 years ago in The Swamp