News + Politics
We the people, by the people.
Time to Take a Knee
In the military, the American flag is lowered each evening at sundown as they play Taps over the loudspeaker. This is in line with the US flag code which says that the sun should never set on the American flag unless it is brightly lit. When I was in the Navy, around sundown sailors scurry for cover, trying to get inside before Taps began playing and they would be stuck outside standing at attention and saluting until the flag was lowered completely. I used to do the opposite. I would wander outside.
David BulleyPublished 7 years ago in The SwampBan and Burn White Supremacy
America can have hundreds—if not thousands—of statues dedicated to famously racist American figures of the former Confederate States of America, and yet practically ignore the black heroes not named Frederick, Martin, or Malcolm? The flag of the Confederacy is an emblem of not only anti-black sentiment and oppression, but of high treason. The Confederates seceded from the Union (Northern States), then went to war with them solely to keep blacks enslaved so they could be free to dehumanize, rape, murder, terrorize and, of course, make a fortune off slaves.
Dre JosephPublished 7 years ago in The SwampThe Girl in Blue
It was whilst trying to pass a seemingly endless autumnal evening that I began to absent-mindedly browse through a series of sepia and black and white pictures on a website. Suddenly I came across an image that immediately piqued my interest: it was both enigmatic, poetic, and unutterably sad. After taking in its stark beauty for fully two minutes, I had the realisation it was unlocking a cache of my own childhood memories, and the decades began to fall away. I could not set it down, nor could I avert my gaze.
Rahman the WriterPublished 7 years ago in CriminalIn Defense of the NFL and Its Players
You may not agree with the stance NFL players have taken, but you should back their right to speak their minds peacefully and constructively. As an avid football fan, educator, and Christian, I believe that NFL players should be celebrated for their stance. Jordin Sparks may have said it best, silently, when she sang the National Anthem last night. She had written Proverbs 31: 8-9 on her hand. These verses read, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” NFL players are using their platform to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves, which should be admired and celebrated.
Cody PerryPublished 7 years ago in The SwampThe True Price of Vengeance
Jason Almendale walks into the front door of a small, family-owned restaurant on a sunny Detroit afternoon and finds his usual seat, ordering his usual meal. “Good afternoon, Mary, lemme get the...” He’s interrupted by Mary’s voice. “The number four with no onions and a Pepsi? Gotcha Jason.” She laughs as she walks to the counter to put the order in. Jason’s mind begins to wander to all the things in life he hadn’t done, the things he and his brother Jackson always dreamed of doing. Ever since Jackson died, Jason had no motivation to do anything that even remotely reminded him of Jackson.
Dustin PolkPublished 7 years ago in CriminalKneeling During the Anthem Is a Respectful and Peaceful Way to Protest
I support kneeling during the anthem. It's a peaceful form of protest. It is respectful (explained further later). It's a Constitutional right protected under the First Amendment.
Raymond E. Strawn IIIPublished 7 years ago in The SwampOutlaws
The memory of the robbery is fresh in my head, we have taken the only witness as captive. I don’t see why, he’s so drunk he won’t be able to remember anything any way. I was supposed to be a witness to, but I was the one who stole the money. There is no way I can go back. What if there were other witnesses that we didn’t see?
Jamie WillsPublished 7 years ago in CriminalContinuing the Legacy
I remember sitting and intently listening to my grandfather and father talk about their time served in the military. I remember them sharing stories of heroism, death of close friends and the long lasting affects of being at war. I worry about my brothers both serving in the military, one a Marine and the other a Navy sailor. Neither have seen war, but ISIS is lurking around every corner and each and every day media reports another heinous crime committed by ISIS. I know it's not if my brothers will be deployed, but when.
Savannah NybergPublished 7 years ago in Serve