Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Laura Kuenssberg
A few years ago I wrote a Blog where I questioned the so called 'impartiality' of the BBC. It wasn't the first time I had noticed a stream of blatant propaganda which could only benefit the Conservative Party, aired by the BBC in the guise of unbiased news. Usually it would be a tabloid style report, that tried to pour scorn on anyone who opposed the Tory stances. After a while I started to see a pattern of deceit appearing that was then impossible to be unseen once gazed upon. A channel that I trusted because of their supposed impartiality, were starting to take on some of the traits normally seen on a state media channel in a far flung eastern realm. In that time there has been one member of the BBC political team who has left me flabbergasted by the rhetoric and her complete disregard for impartiality. I got so angry recently by her behaviour that I decided I needed to investigate who Laura Kuenssberg actually is? Why does she seem to support the UK Conservatives? But most of all what made her like this? A public stooge with a separate agenda than the one dictated to her by the BBC charter. My investigation led me back through her family history to try and discover the seeds of potential influence. To search for the root of influence I started to regard those who obviously have had influence over Kuenssberg through her life, her parents and grandparents. Recently David Cameron became offended when people questioned his father's offshore banking. I understand people being protective over their family, but this isn't name calling in the school yard and defensive reactions just increases suspicion. I'm sure Laura Kuenssberg may be offended by me including her family in this Blog, but people will ask questions when she is appearing to use a public platform with a hidden agenda.
Johnny VedmorePublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
Reflections on Political Insults and Incoherence
Perhaps my writing and my sharing of information that I find relevant during this Orwellian period (hopefully not an epoch) in United States history is proving somewhat meaningful, at least as gauged by the reactions of those who oppose my perspectives. This morning an Obama - Clinton supporter called me a fascist for opposing Clinton’s efforts to intervene in Syria and yesterday several somewhat more intellectually inclined opponents of anything Trump tried to convince me that the intelligence community driven Russia-gate soft coup attempt was fully validated. The latter with cogent arguments, which I respect, the former with the traditional insult driven, factually deficient drivel that is all too common among internet trolls. Actually, I do not react as negatively to trolls as do many others. If they are reading what I publish then perhaps over the long term some of it will sink in, and they do give me insights into the tactics favored by those on behalf of whom they troll; valuable data.
Guillermo CalvoPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
Black Republicans?!
Black Republicans are not a major topic in the mainstream media, and the reason for that is simple: to them, we don't exist. Black conservatives are largely kept out of sight and out of mind, and the few who do appear are vilified and lambasted by the mainstream media and their fellow African Americans. If black conservatism does come up in a discussion, it is mocked: caricatured as the humble slave doting on their powerful massa. We are a considered a group of people who willingly vote against our own interests and lay our necks under the heels of those who see us as lesser beings. But is this reality? Can black conservatives only exist if they forsake their values?
For Unity
Every few decades there have been moments that seem to suggest the United States might somehow get it's act together. Unfortunately, today there have been no moments that even come close to signaling this nation can become united once again. United behind a plan of direction that will secure a better future for all. The stark reality facing America is that greed, and the lack of cohesiveness between all political parties, have pitted one entity against the other. Consequently, the United States is anything but united. Too many splinter groups and organizations, each with their own brand of agendas, continue to pull this nation apart.
Dr. WilliamsPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald...
I have now witnessed the same pattern 3 times: the Scottish Referendum, Brexit and the 2016 American presidential race; all were similar before, during and after the results were announced.
Harmony FlowerPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
Welcome to Caerdydd
Welcome to Caerdydd! It's hard to fight for a free and independent Wales. Our wonderful land of rolling hills and mountains is classed as a principality rather than a fully fledged country. Our resources were plundered by our neighbour, England for over 200 years. The capital city Cardiff, or Caerdydd in native Welsh, was only a small village 200 years ago. The Industrial Revolution came and went and left us with a population of 350 thousand plus ethnically mixed proud Welsh folk.
Johnny VedmorePublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
It’s Not as Painful as It’s Made Out to Be
Headlines concerning the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the proposed GOP replacement for Obamacare scream that 23 million Americans will be deprived of health care if it passes. As too often happens now, on a quotidian basis, the headlines are distortive, deceptive and hypocritical. They are designed to create emotional responses based on generating fear and insecurity and hate. They are designed to increase the divisiveness that so pervades us and in the end, to further lead us down the path to civil strife.
Guillermo CalvoPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
The Manchester Attack
They tell you as a kid that if a boy pulls your pigtails, it means he likes you. As you get older and boys grow meaner, it's because they're intimidated and need to assert their masculinity.
How Close Are You to Being a Terrorist?
After 9/11, most people in the industrialized modern world asked ourselves an important question. How could anyone do such a thing? For most of us the question was merely rhetorical. But for social scientists the last twenty years have seen a great deal of research attempting to determine what factors, conditions, and mindsets contribute to the radicalized mind. What makes a person a terrorist? In an article for MONITER, the journal for the American Phycological Association, Tori DeAngelis wrote about the work of John Horgan, PhD who interviewed 60 former terrorists. He found that people vulnerable to racialized beliefs have several things in common. Let’s start with the most obvious:
David BulleyPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
Rich or Russia
While the Rich family, for its own reasons, has succeeded in shutting down Fox News’ explorations concerning the murder of their son Seth, the issue is transcendental. It affects both international relations and constitutional governance. It impacts war and peace. It impacts liberty or liberty’s suppression. It requires resolution, whatever that resolution is, free from false reports but also free from suppression of relevant information.
Guillermo CalvoPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald... Think About The Kids
Dear Mr. President: As a high school English and French teacher, I get listened to more often than I realized. Kids are quick to point out when think they hear something incorrect or improper pass from your lips, and I learned early in my career to use that to my advantage, usually for a teachable moment of some shape or creation. It's led me to really think about the words I use both in and out of my classroom and especially around the kids in my life.
Christina St-JeanPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
Conversation with Robert Kennedy Jr.
It is no secret that we are currently in an unprecedented environmental tailspin. Carbon levels are rising dangerously, the polar ice caps are melting, and species are rapidly disappearing etc. While the rest of the world has taken steps to mitigate the damage humans cause the planet, The United States has taken a cynical and irresponsible path towards climate change.
Michael Lee NirenbergPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp
