Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
The Right to Say No
The right to say no. This is a big issue with regard to gender respect for personal boundaries, but it is also a big issue with regard to international boundaries.
Peter RosePublished 7 years ago in The SwampHow Should We Interpret History?
To most Americans, it is unsettling to watch historical statues toppled and the names of our forefathers besmirched. We used to hold these people in reverential awe, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and Andrew Jackson. We certainly knew they weren't perfect, but their accomplishments in the birth of our nation greatly overshadowed their flaws. Even the southern soldiers during the Civil War were held in high regard afterwards by both sides for the bloody lesson the country had to learn the hard way. Time eventually healed the nation.
Priti Patel's Lovely Holiday
Another day, another embarrassment for Theresa May's government. If there are any more resignations, the Cabinet is going to be a very lonely place. This time, it was the turn of Priti Patel to hand in her notice. I wonder who's next — it's rather exciting! Anyway, the UK government will probably have legitimacy until at least the weekend, so let's take a look at this one misdemeanour along the way to the implosion of the Conservative Party.
Katy PreenPublished 7 years ago in The Swamp'John Oliver: Last Week Tonight'
I often find that news is hard to watch, because it often holds very upsetting stories — which makes sense obviously. But because of this, I barely watch the news, and instead wait for the facts to come up online. Sometimes, I want to hear news stories that I can take in, in a easier way, one that won't make me panic at first, but instead understand the situation, and then if need-panic. This is why I find the John Oliver: Last Week Tonight host so great. Even though he presents issues, he presents them in ways that show "what can we do about this" instead of "look, it's horrible," and then feel like there's nothing I can do. Not that the news is trying to be like that — but you get my point.
Katherine RossPublished 7 years ago in The SwampWhy I Refuse to Engage with Trump Supporters
My father and I have had (too) many conversations concerning the recent rise of President Trump and a far right ideology in american politics, most of them ending with my father and I declaring that we just can't stand Donald Trump. My father has said over a dozen times to me "I disagreed with George W. Bush, I didn't hate him. I disagreed with John McCain, I didn't hate him. I disagreed with Mitt Romney, but I didn't hate him. I absolutely hate this President." Bush, McCain, and Romney represented the fiscal conservatism and the conservative family values that dominated the Republican Party as they were often times what most Conservatives cared about.
Ryan GoldenPublished 7 years ago in The SwampMost Influential Presidents in US History
A very popular debate among historians and Americans alike comes the discussion on who are the best and the worst of US presidents. American presidents have proved that with much power demands courage.
Sherry CampbellPublished 7 years ago in The SwampInsurance
Our government is stupid and just downright idiots when it comes to what's good for our people. Okay, first off I understand everyone's need for insurance but when the government approves insurance for people who ask for it just incase they need to see the doctor for the flu or some crap but deny it for a person who absolutely needs it because they have a lifetime disease... Tell me where the insurance company goes right denying a single mother of four kids, working two jobs and going to school and can't get insurance because she makes too much. Really she makes too much, how does she make too much when she's working herself to the bone with two jobs just to make ends meet and you want to tack on hundreds of dollars for a doctors visit? I'm sorry but how is that okay? Does the government not take into account that people have bills to pay, food to buy, clothes to get their kids, and most times school supplies? Then you have a single man with diabetes which is a life sentence and if not taken care of can kill you but he can't get insurance. Another man with deadly diabetes who by the way woke up with a sugar level of 588 he's lucky he woke up but he can't get insurance at all. A single mother with severe COPD amongst other problems is denied insurance. But yet a woman with 6 children from 6 different men can get insurance. Or a single man working a 30 hour job making 12 an hour by himself can get insurance just fine. Tell me how that's right tell me how our government insurance can let people with severe and deadly diseases walk around with no insurance and pray everyday that nothing happens to them but you can give insurance to a person who will go to the doctor cause they have the flu and no other reasons. Does the government not take enough from us with taxes? They want people to pay out of pocket for insurance or doctors visits, really, how do you expect us to do that when you are stealing all our money in taxes? Then you charge outrageous bills and then even if we do go to the doctor without insurance, the bill is so crippling that paying it back takes years.
Kirsta HarringtonPublished 7 years ago in The SwampSafe Injection Sites
The global opioid epidemic has brought the previously underground drug world to the forefront of the media. The most popular problem-solving technique seems to be the use of safe using sites. Also known as safe injection sites, these facilities are popping up in urban centers across the United States and Canada; however, these safe using sites were already in place across the globe. Switzerland was responsible for spearheading this concept, opening the first safe injection site in 1986. Canada’s first site opened as a response to an overwhelming increase in Hep-C and AIDS infections in 2003 in Vancouver. With the passing of Bill C-37, things are changing. This bill will simplify the process of applying for an exemption that would allow certain activities to take place at a supervised consumption site, meaning that these sites can have a simpler operating process. Recently, Canada has opened three safe using facilities in Toronto, one in Ottawa, one in Surrey, and one in British Columbia.
Rebecca Morris-MillerPublished 7 years ago in The SwampHillary and The DNC Screws Over America's Progress
Never in the history of our politics has America received big surprises coming from both parties. First, Paul Manafort and his long-time business associate Rick Gates turned themselves into the FBI. Both men have 12 charges against them and one of those charges is a conspiracy against the United States. An hour later, the news reports a former campaign volunteer, George Papadopoulos, has been cooperating with the FBI since July. This means there is information that will force more people to resign from the Trump administration and the impeachment process is not too far away. The other surprising news America received was former interim DNC chair, Donna Brazile spilling the beans about what took place in 2016. For the record, as a Bernie supporter, this is an I told you so. However, we are beginning to learn just how deep Hillary and the DNC rigged the 2016 elections. What Politico has published from Donna Brazile's new book Hacks — The Inside Story and Breakdowns That Put Donald Trump in Office is information the people should know.
Eve's PoliticsPublished 7 years ago in The SwampIsraeli Survivor of Munich Olympics Shares Story
Recently at Chabad of Bedford Hills, Dan Alon recounted his ordeal as an Israeli athlete at the 1972 Olympic Games, and the pain he kept silent for the next 35 years. But the tragedy that took the lives of 11 fellow Olympians had a simple message that endures for all Jews, and anyone who values humanity.
Rich MonettiPublished 7 years ago in The SwampDoes America Have a Mental Health Problem?
On Sunday, November 5, a man shot up a church located in Sutherland Springs, Texas, killing up to 26 people, making this the United State's 307th mass shooting this year. Donald Trump's response left a few baffled as he spoke about mental health but did not talk about any policy in the question. Earlier in the year, he revoked Obama's gun regulations for the mentally ill, giving them access to own a gun. Is his response just a scapegoat to stop the process of vetting gun ownership, or did he just raise awareness to an issue that's been ignored for a very long time?
Maria LuisaPublished 7 years ago in The SwampAnatomy of a Tragedy
“It’s never been so personal,” says Hana Barkowitz, an infectiously upbeat member of the Kent State College Democrats, in a frank assessment of the waging of the war of the 2016 presidential campaign, and what the outcome would mean to her on that night, one year ago today.
Michael Eric RossPublished 7 years ago in The Swamp