activism
Grassroots campaigns have proven instrumental in bringing about political, social or environmental change; you've got to start somewhere-might as well start here.
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 7 years ago in The SwampFor 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 7 years ago in The SwampWelcome 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 7 years ago in The SwampIt’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 7 years ago in The SwampThe 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 7 years ago in The SwampRich 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 7 years ago in The SwampManchester Tragedy Sees Suicide Bomber ID'd, Humanity Rising
Terror has hit the world's youngest, and once again, humanity is showing its resolve. Pop sensation Ariana Grande had just finished her concert in a packed Manchester Arena when concertgoers heard a loud "bang" and saw smoke, sending fans and parents reeling and seeking both cover and medical aid. By the time the smoke had cleared, 22 people were dead and 59 were injured.
Christina St-JeanPublished 7 years ago in The SwampWe Must Stand Together
Everywhere I look I am reminded of the barbaric event that happened yesterday in Manchester. For those who aren’t up to speed, 22 people attending Ariana Grande’s concert in the Manchester Arena were killed by a fatal suicide bomb attack containing shrapnel injuring at least 59 others towards the end of the concert last night. Fans heard a loud explosion and rushed to safety out of the arena.
George FaircloughPublished 7 years ago in The SwampThat's Stupid
For several years now I have administered discipline in high schools and middle schools, which has given me a unique insight into human behavior and American culture. Our children are tiny, carnival mirrors reflecting the best, and the worst of us in obscene and sometimes inaccurate proportions, but reflecting truth none the less. One way observing young people is useful is to see them as negative role models. Essentially, if you want to act like an adult, stop acting like your children.
David BulleyPublished 7 years ago in The SwampDelusions
Delusions Cassandra sits alone in a dark room in Eternity’s basement, it makes little difference, she’s blind and no one ever pays her any mind anyway. No one ever has, no one ever will.
Guillermo CalvoPublished 7 years ago in The SwampManchester's Defiance in the Face of Violence
This morning I woke up to the news that there had been a terrorist attack in my home city. It seemed unreal, like it was almost a dream. The last time that I woke up from what I thought was a lucid dream, the 8 o'clock news announced that Donald Trump had been elected US president. It's a weird world that we live in. But last night's events occurred less than a mile from where I live, and the reality of that hits one square in the face. I didn't hear the explosion, even though the Manchester Arena is so close to my apartment. I had the TV off, and was insulated from the Internet. I was blissfully unaware until I woke up today.
Katy PreenPublished 7 years ago in The Swamp