Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Reason First: Boeing 737 Max 8 Deserves Privatization
Travel safely. In the wake of tragedies that befall anyone anywhere on the globe, one thing remains certain: Regulators are always the problem. No matter how many jets fall out of the sky, the blame should be placed on government bureaucrats who extend their unwanted in hands into the business of everything from the financial sector, healthcare, motor vehicles, toys, and to aircraft. The latest disaster involving an Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 has pushed entire countries like the United Kingdom to suspend the aircraft altogether. This is a result of the Civil Aviation Authority’s grip on the lives of free citizens who just want to travel safely. But regulators wish to put their hands on this specific aspect of life to deter otherwise rational adults from flying the Max 8 jetliner.
By Skyler Saunders7 years ago in The Swamp
Ryan 2020 Looking Likely
This will be music to the "Never Trump" segment of the Republican Party. It appears as though at least one prominent member is at least considering a run for the 2020 nomination against Trump. Paul Ryan, who retired from Congress less than three months ago, started to lay the groundwork to unseat Trump as President. His remarks during a speech at Vero Beach may seem like advice to the current Oval Office Occupant, but they are a direct warning: Shape up or getting ready to be shipped out.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
Swimming Against the Tide. Top Story - March 2019.
I’ve lived in the UK since 2006 when I first came over for graduate school. Every year the immigration rules became more stringent, sometimes in surprising ways. For example, when I realised that the rules had changed when I wasn’t looking and would no longer be eligible for a tier one work visa after my PhD. This was because I’d spent my entire final year focused on my PhD (or severely depressed and unable to focus on anything, as is so common in academia) instead of part-time working and earning the minimum income threshold for tier one applicants. Now on the cusp of becoming a citizen, this journey has been the most dehumanizing, dispiriting, and wearying experiences of my life, touching deeply and painfully on my personal identity. I’ve hesitated to share my story because though I experienced it as great hardship in my life, I am still one of the lucky ones. I approached the process with the most possible privilege one can have. Though it was difficult for me, realistically my experience was by far one of the most painless of all the migrants of my acquaintance, and far, far easier than the journey that many others experience.
By Caitlin McDonald7 years ago in The Swamp
Has Science Lost Its Way?
Has science lost its way? Do politics now control research? Science used to be the prerogative of the very wealthy and educated people. They had money and time, and while never being under the control of anyone, they were often those with inherited wealth, enough so they never needed to work and never needed support from any vested interest. This has all changed and now science is business, a career path, and a hugely technological industry.
By Peter Rose7 years ago in The Swamp
Second Brexit Referendum
Brexit is the name given to the UK decision to leave the European Union. The EU is is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. It has an area of 4,475,757 km² and an estimated population of about 513 million. 28 is soon to become 27 as the United Kingdom is set to leave the EU on the 29th March. The Brexit vote was a campaign promise by David Cameron in his 2015 general election in order to make sure UKIP who are a far-right political party didn't take their voters and cause a Labour government. The UK uses a first by the post voting system where you vote for one MP in your area and the first to 326 wins. If unable to get to that number, a hung parliament is caused, which has happened twice in the history of the UK. In the summer of 2016, the historic Brexit vote took place and leave won. However, it has emerged that vote leave broke electoral regulations during the campaign and have been fined £100,000, the most famous example was the bus which lied about the amount of money the UK sent to the EU.
By Hunter Jacks7 years ago in The Swamp
Ilhan Omar: A New Target in Congress
Muslims have come under fire more than ever before under the recent presidential administration. Hate crimes have increased significantly, and visible Muslim women are more prone to attacks. As of 2017, 68 percent of Muslims said they’re worried about Trump, many believing him to be unfriendly towards Muslims, causing the majority of them to be dissatisfied with the direction the country is headed towards. There has also been a 19 percent increase in hate crimes as of 2016, according to the Pew Research Center. It can be concluded that those who are Islamophobic have felt enabled and/or empowered by the language President Trump has continuously used during his campaign, as well as his administration. There is also an increase of racial hate crimes occurring, and with the coming of the Black Lives Matter movement and the use of social media, there has been more visibility of these crimes—which can be either verbal, physical, or both. Black Muslims face the intersection of anti-blackness and Islamophobia, a dual attack against their livelihood and what is happening to Representative Omar is just one of many examples. It is a large display of what happens to Black Muslim women on a daily basis. Whatever spaces they find themselves in, they have to continuously fight to be heard and to be taken seriously, whether it’s Halima Aden on the runway or Ibtihaj Muhammad in the Olympics. I sympathize with Representative Omar for what she is and may continue to deal with during her tenure in office. Because this won’t be the last time she or her stances are questioned and attacked.
By Hafeezat Bishi7 years ago in The Swamp
Remember When
We all know the signs of growing old. That old tried and true phrase "I remember when" conjures up memories of a distant past. A past that was filled with a harmonious union of fellowship, camaraderie, and yes, that new medium of television. As Archie Bunker kept singing, "Those were the days, when men were men and girls were girls." I guess each generation has their own way of expressing the "good old days." Like my father before, I too have said countless times about the "good old days." When I was young so many of my hopes and dreams laid ahead. But as the years went by I always seemed to hit a road block or two, a few detours popped up now and again, and of course there were always those wrong turns that kept me and I bet many more from achieving what we originally set out to do.
By Dr. Williams7 years ago in The Swamp
The Venezuela Crisis
So what's going on? Venezuela has been going down a dangerous path for years. The problems began with political discontent and corrupt officials, leading to extreme hyperinflation and shortages of food and medicine. When Maduro, the current President, was in his first term of office, his leadership sent the economy into a freefall and many citizens place the blame on his socialist government. He was widely disliked, therefore when he was re-elected into a second term in May of 2018, everyone was suspicious.
By Shelby Cheveldayoff7 years ago in The Swamp
Are Firearms More Deadly Than Automobiles?
I just read Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang post to his Twitter account his case for gun control: “There is no practical reason for citizens to have assault weapons. We need to treat gun ownership as an awesome privilege and responsibility and regulate accordingly. Guns are more deadly than cars and we take tests to get drivers licenses.”
By Brian Dollard7 years ago in The Swamp
Never-Ending Story of Corruption in Ukraine
Corruption had been a widespread and growing problem in Ukraine, way before the collapse of the USSR, when Soviet nature was present and country’s leaders used to be integrated in communist ruling elite. After the disintegration of the USSR in 1991, current Ukrainian politicians established an authoritarian-oligarchic governance regime in Ukraine. Sadly, according to Corruption Perception Index 2017, Ukraine is the sixth most corrupt country in Europe and 130th in the world.
By Viktorija Lipkaite7 years ago in The Swamp
Apparent Growth in Ill-Health—Is This a Political Issue?
The social media is an outlet for numerous conspiracy theories. Some are about our state of health and what can be causing ill health. In the domestic politics of many nations, health care is a major debating position, showing its importance to individuals and to the governments of nations.
By Peter Rose7 years ago in The Swamp
