corruption
A prime locale to talk bribery, suspect campaign funding, and all other instances of political corruption. The shadier, the better.
Money and the Individualist–Collectivist Divide
Politics, in large measure, deals with the art of reconciling individual and collective interests. The overwhelming majority of humanity (with the possible exception of abandoned children who grew up as hermits) inhabits both spheres. The hardiest individuals generally use money and tools and roads and water supplies, perhaps listen to radio and television, read and frequently form parts of families. The most dedicated collectivist does some things alone and usually, at least at times, values privacy.
Guillermo CalvoPublished 7 years ago in The SwampCollaborative Affairs
A group of murderers, rapists, robbers, embezzlers and their attorneys and publicists sit around a huge rectangle of tables set with linen and silver and crystal discussing what to do about the violence perpetrated against them by law enforcement authorities, noting how harmful it was to their aspirations and goals, not to mention their persons and goods.
Guillermo CalvoPublished 7 years ago in The SwampLaura 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 7 years ago in The SwampReflections 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 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 Swamp- Top Story - May 2017
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 7 years ago in The Swamp Playing Russian Roulette With the Trump Administration
This is my very first attempt into writing articles, so I would urge everyone to sit back and relax, grab a cup of tea and a biscuit, you may just learn something. As a global citizen, I have found myself among billions of other human beings captivated by the ever evolving political drama gripping Washington. The Trump administration is lurching from one crises to the other on a weekly basis since they took over the reins at the White House in February.
Michael TagumaPublished 7 years ago in The Swamp- Top Story - May 2017
Dear Donald... Be A Better Man
When it was first announced that you might run for the role of President of the United states, I laughed. Many of my Canadian friends laughed. We were so sad to see Obama leave the office, disheartened to see what Hillary was facing, and worried about who the new President would be. But still, your bid seemed like a joke to be played out in social media, and one that would never come to fruition. It was hubris, and you were clearly a narcissist. The American people would not allow it. This was not the first time I watched in disbelief as the American people voted against their own interests. I was similarly shocked by the level of support that George W. Bush received, and horrified by the antics of Sarah Palin. But I never even imagined that the people, the presidency, would stoop so low.
Annie KielyPublished 7 years ago in The Swamp When America Played The Trump Card The United States Lost
Who would have thought that at the beginning of last year's Presidential Primaries, Donald Trump would go on to become the President. In retrospect, too many Americans failed to heed the warning signs that Trump displayed right from the first Republican debate. The media being so focused on their bottom line shoved Trump into the nation's consciousness with every debate and public appearance. As it turned out, it was a win-win for both the media and Trump. The main stream media conglomerates made millions and Trump went on to win the electoral college and the Presidency. As we look back to that very first debate of the Republicans it became quite obvious what the media and Trump were doing. It is too bad the American public failed to see that while the media was reaping huge financial dividends in covering Donald Trump, Trump was beguiling the public into thinking that only he can, as his catch phrase goes "Make America great again." Today the country has only moved in reverse and not forward under the Trump Presidency.
Dr. WilliamsPublished 7 years ago in The SwampThe Debt Of A Nation
The history of this nation is being written in the annals of debt that has become almost to insurmountable. There have been two critical factors that have derailed the sovereignty and stability of the United States. In all our recorded history of over 200 years this nation has seen only small periods where our armed forces were not engaged in some conflict or another somewhere around the globe. From the time of John F. Kennedy's death all the way up to today the national debt has continued to climb. There are two important factors as to why this nation still can't grasp the concept of elimination of our now catastrophic national debt. A nation at war and a nation that relies on the creation of money by privately owned banks like the Federal Reserve Board are the most ruthless ingredients to incur massive debt.
Dr. WilliamsPublished 7 years ago in The SwampSocietal Maladies
Societal Maladies, How to Recognize and Treat Them, a Hypothesis It seems clear that society suffers from serious maladies that negatively impact honesty, decency and equitable and fair conflict resolution, especially in the United States. Observations during the past decade strongly imply that the cause of such evolving and expanding maladies can, in large part, be attributed to the creation, distribution and assimilation of a related series of very negative memes and memeplexes (see, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memeplex) propagated by and through our entertainment and news media (now in too many cases seemingly not a branch of journalism but rather of propaganda and entertainment) via the quotidian programming we are exposed to on television, the cinema, literature and the media (now including social media). Not exactly an epiphany of course, our grandparents warned their children about the subliminal evils of music and entertainment of which they did not approve (remember Elvis’ hips) but perhaps it’s past time to consider the issue from a new direction.
Guillermo CalvoPublished 7 years ago in The SwampThe Failings of Trump And Our Government
For the first time in recent memory, the United States has a sitting President who by all accounts has demoralized the office of the Presidency. Since his term began there have been crisis after crisis of internal conflicts that have all originated by Trump's own actions. Not one of his campaign pledges has come to fruition. In fact, most of these self inflicted crisis have nothing to do with the real concerns facing millions of Americans each and every day. If we consider the House repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act as a sign of things to come under this Administration, the majority of Americans will be faced with insurmountable hardships in the years ahead. It is too bad that our Founding Fathers omitted one important detail in the Constitution. The Constitution outlines that federally elected officials are exempt from voter recalls. Today, many states can recall their state and local elected officials when these elected office holders fail to uphold the duties of their office. We have seen in a recent case when the Governor of California was recalled and in a special election was voted out of office. Just think that if our Founding Fathers had not omitted that one important detail about voter recalls the public today would be demanding a voter recall to dismiss Trump as President and vote for an entirely new candidate. And, today, the most favorable candidate to take his place would not be the Vice President but Senator Sanders.
Dr. WilliamsPublished 7 years ago in The Swamp