fact or fiction
Is it a fact or is it merely fiction? Exploring and debunking conspiracies and the lesser known truths in the world of politics.
What's Real Anymore?
Dear Vocal Readers, Oh, the truth, it's something that can be hard to find in today's society. With the whirlwind of fake news we see every day, how can we even tell what is real anymore?
He Says She Says
The human mind developed in a smaller, concrete world, where the 300 members of a tribe were the only people worth taking note of. Our mind evolved to keep track of complex relationships and emotions with all 300 of our friends. Yet, when confronted with a larger group, that evolution breaks down, and the mind is left to rely on pattern matching and us-vs.-them mindsets to navigate situations.
Haybitch AbersnatchyPublished 5 years ago in The SwampPirates of the Pacific
On December 1, 1884, the peaceful tropical paradise of the Hawaiian Islands became the scene of one of the world’s most audacious and daring buccaneering raids. The brazen assault was possibly the biggest heist in the illustrious history of piracy, leaving King Kalakaua, the public treasury, and local merchants robbed of their wealth with no attempt at resistance. Numerous newspaper and government reports tell the embarrassing story, now relegated to a minor footnote in contemporary history books.
Marlene AffeldPublished 5 years ago in The SwampThe Dead, Alleged, Ex-Cracked Leader of the Semi-Free World
The late President George Herbert Walker Bush has received adoration and adulation upon the event of his demise. But the man stood for pragmatism, a dogged and nasty racist streak, and an ugly view of mankind. For all the bombast that bloviating, talking heads have spewed over the last few days, little is critical or, especially, objective. It’s as if a time capsule full of all of Bush Sr.’s misdeeds had been sealed up and cast out into the Earth’s exosphere. But what must be remembered remains the inconsistencies and outright lies concerning Bush Sr.’s Presidency.
Skyler SaundersPublished 5 years ago in The SwampWhy Are You Ranking: The Best Ways to Tell that America Is Still the Greatest and Most Moral Country in Human History, Listed from Most Perfect to Perfect
What makes New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's statement that “America was never that great” false is not because he said it. As an emotionalist, he fails to realize the beauty and promise and perfection that is America. For him to say that America was never that great is to say that any of his so-called accomplishments must not have been so great, either. It’s because deep down in his corroded soul, he truly believes it. He has no sense of historical figures or the founding documents that, in fact, make this country so great. Furthermore, the notion shouldn’t be that America is great. It should be stated that it was the first and only moral nation based on its founding principles of life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. This is an original and earth-shattering pronouncement. No other country before the United States of America had ever declared that there are inalienable rights that each individual is recognized, acknowledged, and protected at birth or through citizenship. Though there may have been contradictions and other missteps within the writing of the documents, the idea is that America is a “perfect union” and that it can only get more perfect. But because the fact that the United States was and is currently a mixed economy, it is difficult to ascertain fully the nature of the government of America. What Governor Cuomo occupies is a gun. And that gun of government should be in place to protect citizens from outside barbarians, crooks at home, and to resolve conflicts amongst parties in a rational manner. While the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the architects of the United States Constitution would never witness the abundance of minds committed to technology, law, finance, and industry spring up all over this land, they knew selfishly that they would be creating a better world for themselves and their families. This extends to the present day. With rampant regulations, coercion and controls that hamper businesses and the lives of individual Americans, it is a wonder that any enterprises still see founding, an industry of books, film, music, and television is thriving and places like Silicon Valley burn with an intensity of creativity. So, start making those MAMA hats (Make America Moral Again) and get ready for Why Are You Ranking: the Best Ways to Tell that America is Still the Greatest and Most Moral Country In Human History.
Skyler SaundersPublished 6 years ago in The SwampWhy Are You Ranking: Worst Fake History to be Taught in Government Schools Listed from False Truth to Pants-on-Fire Lie
In this age of schools that ought to be privatized, staff and faculty mean well, but fall short of delivering facts when it comes to history. Throughout the decades, American government schools have offered an adequate amount of education. This satisfactory performance has lead some students to believe in “facts” that never happened, “heroes” that were butchers, and actual heroes who are maligned for their immense fortunes (and how they earned them). Though the school system is fouled up, it is not beyond repair. With the introduction of private schooling, the children and adults of America and the world may still have a chance to salvage what little learning they have and put it to good use in a career that they love. The teachers who have taught “fake history” are to blame but only because their teachers and instructors put in their heads to deliver drivel to the students. What hope is there? If schools are not looked at like the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) or United States Postal Service (USPS) and instead viewed as corporations or companies, then the young minds of tomorrow may still have a chance. But until then, let’s grab our tablets and founding documents for, “Why Are You Ranking: Worst fake history to be taught in government schools listed from false truth to pants-on-fire lie.”
Skyler SaundersPublished 6 years ago in The SwampThe American Neo-Nazi
We live in a time of open racism. People are not hiding their prejudices anymore simply because they had to hide it a lot when 44 was in office. The alt-right has sprung up out of deep frustration. The alt-right is busy trying to establish a foothold in the minds of young teenagers today who feel alienated or disgusted with the way The United States was previously run by 44. They feel that 45 has been emboldened their struggle. Many of these people can turn into a shooter easily since they have violent ideologies rooted in fascism. Some of these people want to start their own state only for white people.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 6 years ago in The SwampCommon Signs of School Shooters
To preface this, there are five common traits that almost all spree/serial killers show. A history of neglect or abuse from a parent or guardian, a history of arson or animal abuse, sadism, lack of sympathy and/or empathy and egocentrism and selfishness.
Isza EdwardsPublished 6 years ago in The SwampWaddington's Worth
Matthew Baillie Begbie, Supreme Court Judge of the Province of British Columbia, sat in the corner office of Waddington’s building, just down from the Quay in New Westminister. Alfred Waddington himself sat behind the black oak desk looking at the latest issue of the British Columbian newspaper, the April 17th edition, 1859, in which the editorial once again demonized the Chilcotin men hanged for the Bute Inlet Massacre. Fred Seymour was also in the room. He had also read the article.
H. Robert MacPublished 6 years ago in The SwampSymbols and Cracking the Code of Hate in America
There are many “secret” codes of hate along with symbols in America. These are used to show other members they are a part of certain hate groups, without alerting the public. You can find these easy enough on the internet, as well as social media sites. 88, 1488, and HH are just some of these codes, but what do they mean? I will be discussing these and giving the meanings behind them as well as discussing symbols of hate in this essay.
James HowellPublished 6 years ago in The SwampCreepy Government Conspiracies You Didn't Know About
Is the era of heroes dead? These conspiracy theorists would have you believe so, as their hypotheses concerning under the radar actions involving the government and it's various subsidiaries remain somewhat believable, although unheard of. It all depends on the one viewing them, or you the reader, and the only individual who is worthy of categorizing them as true or false is also you, yourself. In my mind, I accept what is believable to me, rolling with the realities as best as I can. In other words, there's no way of proving them right or wrong, and in any case we're all just in a simulation, so what's it matter? Just use your imagination.
Donald GrayPublished 6 years ago in The SwampThe Finer Points of Merit
Merit means to be judged by your skills and accomplishments. To be judged on merit also implies you are judged by the content of your character. Merit means that you can rest assured that hard work is rewarded. Jobs hire based on merit, not looks. Merit means that you get into an educational program of your choice based on your hard work, not your affirmative action clauses. We would like to build a society based on merit exclusively and not how much money you have. As it is now, we are eroding our civilization by not relying on merit.
Iria Vasquez-PaezPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp