opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Reason First: Legalize All Drugs Now
America’s prisons swell with tens of thousands of drug related cases. Why is this? What role ought the government play in what substances are produced, distributed, sold, and consumed on the streets of the United States? Anthony “Geezy” Gonzalez recently broke free of the constraints of the legal system. As manager to the rap duo Clipse, he spent his time focusing on furthering their careers. That was until he was busted for running a multi-million-dollar drug ring for which he served eight and a half years behind the wall. His story is not unique. There are many nonviolent offenders or people who currently sit in prison who never started force against another human being. Now, what they were selling happens to be poison but what, besides setting an age limit on who can make and take these drugs, does the government have to do with regulating or prosecuting some adults who serve other adults? Geezy doesn’t appear bitter. With a salt and pepper beard and an extremely calm demeanor, he could be a college professor or a deacon to a church.
Skyler SaundersPublished 4 years ago in The SwampAbout Reparations
There’s only one thing we have in common and that one thing is reparations. There is so much to talk about when it comes to reparations and it’s very necessary. We can talk about reparations after I have received all of them. In my account. I’m am very glad I have my reparations. I could say that I am glad to have my reparations. That would only prove that I am glad to have my reparations. You are achieving a new phase of happiness now that you have your reparations. I mean we are all leveling up. So is Ciara. She been had her reparations. You see her over there dancing in the end zone with her husband Russel Crowe? They have a great future. Yes sir they dew. It rained yesterday, very suprising. A pleasant surprise. Like getting reparations. The future of reparations looks wonderful. Almost as wonderful as Mr. wonderful himself. You know who I’m talking about. Me. That’s right. Having your reparations means taking your power back. Take all of it back. Do not leave an ounce to be spent. Grab your reparations and you can do whatever you want with them. They are yours to keep. They are yours to spend and do whatever you please with them. You can lay them on the ground and roll over them with a dough roller if you want. After you are finished with that you can make pizza out of your reparations. Add some toppings too. I like a nice supreme pizza. I like my pizza like I like my reparations. Nice and supreme. What is your favorite type of pizza? I just had pizza last night. It was good too. The cashier didn’t even have to warm it up. It was already hot. Reparations should be high quality hot and ready. Little Caesars loves reparations and so do I. What are you going to do when you get your reparations? Most of us will most likely be eating pizza. Everyone loves pizza. Even vegans and vegetarians. They try to pretend like they do and they actually do. Well some of them. Not all of them. I can only speak for those in need of reparations. After all I am speaking for a lot of people. All of my personalities in fact. If you have friends that are the opposite color of you. Talk to them about reparations. Do it. Me and Shia Lebouf had this conversation where he was inviting me to attend this movie screening. They were asking about 90 plus dollars to attend. You think I went to that? The answer is no. He never mentioned that I would in fact be receiving more of my reparations by not attending. No thanks Even Stevens. I mean Shia labeouf. I love him he’s such a great actor. So am I. I will act like reparations are one of the most important topics in the world because they are. I want you to know that. Go get yours while they are on sale. Take what you get and invest in yourself. That’s what I am talking about. What are you talking about? I know. Reparations. I have a story for every time I am discriminated against. I’m going to write a story for every person out there giving me the side eye. You never look at me with the right eye. This is not about what you never do. It’s about what I need. I need reparations. I’m only posting this because I know you’ll read it. Do more than read it. Please share. Sharing is caring. Some people care and some people give reparations. Its your job to give me my reparations. You get paid on the amount of reparations I receive. You better work. I know I am. I work hard for mines. Don’t look at me like I don’t either. Don’t teach me how to speak. English is not even my native language. So I’d rather be speaking in Spanish. Comprende? I think you get the point.
Calvin HollowayPublished 4 years ago in The SwampReason First: Is There any Good in Supremacist Groups?
Does it matter if one’s skin color is a few shades lighter than someone else’s? What’s in their brain? What’s in their spirit, or consciousness? White supremacist groups in the state of New Jersey have been designated a higher threat level based on increased propaganda and the possibility for another incident like the shooting at the El Paso, Texas Walmart.
Skyler SaundersPublished 4 years ago in The SwampWith President Sanders, I Could Marry My Dog!
So, is it just me, or is beastiality a totally demeaning and insulting term? Both to the humans who enjoy it, and to animals in general. I mean, who is the beast in the equation? I know society isn't judging me and calling me a beast, yet referring to the animals as beasts is just short-sighted! Was Lassie a beast? Was Flipper a beast? I know for a fact the Taco Bell Chihuahua wasn't a beast, I've met him! Twice!
Aubrey KatePublished 4 years ago in The SwampReparations
To start reparations is something that can benefit the entire human race. This is not a race or about race this is more than a race. This is about reparations. That’s not to say that the cat down the roads life does not matter. Black lives are the only thing you care about. There are reparations waiting for me at my front door right now. I’ll open it myself. Don’t worry. I’m trying my best to communicate the prevalence and importance of this. There’s no amount of Colin Kaepernick. That can make me stand for the pledge of allegiance. What am I doing standing for the pledge anyway? I need someone in congress to pledge for Reparations. The United States of Black People. Please watch your tone. The United States of Black people needs reparations. The Jews already got theirs. We have ours. We have more than ours. We have theirs too. I’m trying to maximize profit and earning potential in the World. As reparations is something that the world is agreeing to. There’s no amount or white bus rides or train rides that can hide my reparations from me. Because I already saw them. Please fix your posture and stand up straight when you talk about reparations. I’m almost done saying what I have to say as it has been said before. BC. The talk about reparations may make you feel like you are owed something. I got great news for you. You are. There’s no amount of pain in the world that I’ve had to pay. Listen to what they are saying in the movies. They know everything. Do they really care? Who cares? I don’t. Because at this point the reparations are already in my hand and that’s what I came here for. I’m not following nobody. Not even up the escalator. We have to take the long way for great results. Don’t look dumb stupid and lost when the topic is brought up to. I know what reparations is. It’s your job to re-educate yourself at this point. Not mine. We’re not living our lives as clueless blacks.
Calvin HollowayPublished 4 years ago in The SwampNFKs Church St.
All my life I have lived in Norfolk; a city which for almost thirty six years has taught me to fear Church Street. It was the red light district of Norfolk, home to drugs, sex, violence, and most importantly home to the weakest, and poorest of Norfolk. A lot of these imagines in my head are placed their by words told to me, because I was never allowed in that part of town. Many members of my family and connected members weren’t fast drivers, yet anytime we’d find ourselves in or near Church Street, the engine would begin to race, the scene become blurred, as we smoked through those 10-12 blocks as fast as we could.
Erik DeSean BarrettPublished 4 years ago in The SwampThe Constrained and Unconstrained Vision of America
Over my years teaching students from all walks of life, including immigrants, I was always amazed at the fortitude of those immigrants to succeed. I noticed this same fortitude among students coming from all religions and cultures. They came from broken homes, abusive marriages, and poverty. I have also seen many students coming from mills and manufacturing plants that closed due to poor trade deals made by our government. We would also see second career seekers from industry, military, or government. These students represented the true diversity of our society that is not defined by race and gender. They were successful if they were given the opportunity, and they assimilated into the culture of healthcare regardless of race or gender. Their talents and experiences brought a diversity of thought, which helped them succeed.
Bill CroftPublished 4 years ago in The SwampDo We Need The UN?
The United Nations is an organization that we’ve all heard of, and one which people seem to have very strong opinions about. But what’s less known is how the Institution actually operates and functions.
Nathalia RamosPublished 4 years ago in The SwampReparations
So im just now learning that alot of my experience in the world is based on the fact that my only career is getting my reparations back. Thats all it is. It doesnt matter what I eat for breakfast or how much money sallie mae owes me. Its not even about what amount of money I make because numbers go on forever. Its about whats owed to me and the fact that I no longer need to work in a chocolate factory to get my reparations. I love chocolate I really do. The thing is, im not even chocolate. Im butter pecan. My favorite ice cream changes all the time. Whats your favorite flavor of ice? Baskin Robbin? One of my favorite analogies is you can't compare me to any white experience. You can only give me my reparations. Because you are that generous. There is alot to discuss in terms of reparations because there is alot of people who are owed. I want to make a point to say that the value you are getting back from receiving your reparations is immense. More than your favorite favorite rappers influence. As a matter of fact, you are wealthier than your favorite rapper because you have your reparations. Theres alot to add to this discussion as well. Especially when it involves eating at your new favorite restaurant. I encourage all of you to listen to your gut and treat yourself. Go eat at California Pizza Kitchen. You will find alot of reparations there. I found some in my cup and in my pizza crust. What pizza place gives you reparation stuffed crust? We've all heard of crust with reparations so lets act like it. Stop putting cheese in crust and put reparations in the cheese grater. Theres alot involved and the process is very simple. There is no process.
Calvin HollowayPublished 4 years ago in The SwampOpinion: Honest win or Cheat, Buttigieg lost Iowa.
It’s been just over 24 hours since the close of the Iowa Caucus and we still don’t know the full results, or the damage done to this election and our Democratic process. At the center of the issue is an app, developed by a little known company called Shadow Inc, the Iowa Democratic Party, and Pete Buttigieg, and I believe that now is the time for Pete Buttigieg to step down to try to save the 2020 election.
Paul BeluePublished 4 years ago in The SwampThe politics of material wealth
The politics of material wealth. Political ideology has been replaced by material possession. While most democratic nations have a party political system and while in most of these nations, one party is often perceived as being for the wealthy while another is for the poor; these distinctions are no longer valid. With the small number of tragic and horrible exceptions, the terms poor and wealthy are now more relative than absolute. There is not mass starvation in western democracies. There are those with far more wealth than the average but even that average have more material possessions and a greater level of materialistic living standard than all but a very few had 100 years ago. Is this an improvement? The answer must be a positive yes, since real starvation and abhorrent levels of deprivation have been largely eradicated, in modern western democracies.
Peter RosePublished 4 years ago in The SwampI Hate The World Outside My Home
I've been thinking a lot about the nineties lately. Maybe it's because that was a decade that summarised a pretty happy time where people weren't so strung up on things like they are today. It was a time that I'd give anything to be a small part of again, to be honest. Back when music wasn't the same repetitive bassline cramming up every corner of the radio airwaves. Back when things were simple – and nothing more.