Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in The Swamp.

Failure by Design. Plastic Resin Codes
Today's recycling industry is facing a lot of new challenges. New scrap import regulations imposed by China and reported recycling contamination rates ranging from 3% to 26% across the country have caused municipalities and private recycling companies to scramble. Collectors and processors now need to be able to provide end-markets with a high quality, contamination free product that is still cost effective. Some solutions to the new regulations are focusing public education campaigns on better source separation and decreased contamination rates whereas others are focusing on technological innovations to help Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to be able to sort out contamination.
By Jason Gale7 years ago in The Swamp
Trump's Recent War on Transgender People and What It Means to the LGBTQ+ Community as a Whole
The Trump administration recently had a document leaked that implicated they wanted to make a change to Title IX (9). Title IX protects against discrimination in educational environments so long as that institute receives federal money. In the original document of Title IX it states:
By Michael Jared7 years ago in The Swamp
Live from the Scene: CNN NYC Evacuated
This is the first time that I have been a part of the story that I am covering, so here goes nothing. While working on a project at Argo Tea Cafe in Columbus Circle, there was a noticeable uptick in police presence. Nothing unusual in Manhattan, especially within the spitting distance of major news outlets. Not only is CNN down here but ABC has a new studio right down the street.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
On Nationalism and Its Value
If I held a Nationalism Conference and invited a representative from every nationalist collective, what do you assume would happen? I would have a member of the Black Panther Party sitting next to an Alt-Right supporter across from a Shiite Muslim and a Jew. How much should I spend on security? Before we can consider the value of nationalism as a construct we must first understand the concept of nationalism. There have been many people who have bought in to the concept of nationalism lately, but may not fully be aware of what it truly means. Furthermore, nationalist supporters may be unaware what the social construct is fully capable of producing if left misunderstood, and to it's own devices.
By Roman Pierce7 years ago in The Swamp
Off with Their Heads
On the July 14, 1789, the peasants of France rioted, culminating into first the public death of their Governor Marquis, followed shortly by that of a local Mayor. Over the next month, the riots and attacks continued in what would later be called The Great Fear. Concessions were made, slowing the violence, but the continued failure of the French government in addressing the wants and needs of their populous meant that the next decade of their history would be shaped by this revolution.
By Haybitch Abersnatchy7 years ago in The Swamp
CNN Commentators That Actually Make Politics Enjoyable
America is in a tumultuous stage in its history. The reality of the political sphere is a fascinating beast, and you are missing out if you don't stay updated.
By Matt Richards7 years ago in The Swamp
Disease Mongering: The Values of the Modern Healthcare Industry
(OCT 7th, 2017)—There are a few things that every American ought to be aware of, and among those is the knowledge that numbers do not lie. In addition,, there are a few things that the government should be aware of as well, dangers to the safety and security of it citizens are among the most important. When senators pledge to uphold our rights, they do so from threats both foreign and domestic. In the past, domestic threats to our life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness came from places such as “Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry,” according to John Adams. But more recently, some of these domestic threats seem to come to us from very unlikely places. Most would rather not admit it, but those who are most involved in healthcare and whose opinion we are lead to trust (read: doctors) are partly the reason we are facing the issue of excessive deaths due to prescription opiate abuse, in addition to things such as the commercialization of healthcare and the huge price tag now associated with concepts such as universal healthcare. Although, as we stated before the most important thing is that this issue isn’t infringing on our basic rights... right?
By Jonathan Moore7 years ago in The Swamp
And Now, Trump Football Jerseys!
No matter what your views on politics are these days—and everyone has them, and no matter what your views on the President are these days—and everyone definitely has them, there is one thing both red and blue Americans can agree upon. This is the fact that President Donald Trump is a master marketer! As much, if not more, than he can move people's emotions—both in support of him and against him, the President can definitely move merchandise!
By David Wyld7 years ago in The Swamp
I Am a Republican, and I Am Pro Choice
I identify as a Republican. I know a lot of you are probably shocked by that statement. However, I was raised in a household where it was expected that you be politically aware. The news was watched regularly and debates came up a lot during nighttime conversations. I did my research. I'm an avid reader of the major newspapers and I still enjoy watching the news with my dad. And I am more Republican than Democratic. However, lately, there has been major talk of defunding Planned Parenthood, making abortions illegal, and taking away certain rights to woman.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in The Swamp
Only 11 States Have Laws that Require the Safe Storage of Firearms
Last May, when a 17-year-old student of Sante Fe High School in Texas shot and killed 10 people and wounded 13 others in 30-minute shooting spree, he was using legally purchased guns that he had taken from home. During an initial interview, the suspect’s father refused to say how his son had acquired the weapons, but later disclosed that he owned the guns and his son had taken them from his closet.
By Rob T7 years ago in The Swamp
'Climate Refugees' in the International Sphere
The idea of a “climate refugee” is a fairly new concept yet there is much controversy surrounding it. The term was first introduced by Lester Brown of the Worldwatch Institute in the mid 1970s and has been used by various authors and academics since. In general, when we think of a “climate refugee” we think of a person or group of people who have been forced to leave their home due to the various effects of climate change including droughts, storms, flooding, etc. The concept was introduced in the 1970s yet it is being used more frequently in academic dialogue especially as climate change progresses. Certainly as the earth’s temperature continues to rise so too will the number of persons affected by the implications of global warming.This paper will first discuss how to define environmentally displaced persons and what implications are being faced by defining them. I will then discuss both the presence and absence of international policy protecting this group of people. Finally, I will discuss various approaches to creating policy which defines and protects the group’s existence. The goal of this paper is to argue that the international community should put more effort into categorizing and protecting these people because of the urgency of the situation.
By Kristen F7 years ago in The Swamp
Managing Middle-Class Cuts: the Good, the Bad, & the Grattons
(OCT 1st, 2017) — Even with a Senate and House of Representatives weighted in his political favor, Donald Trump still is finding difficulty getting Republicans to agree on his newly formalized tax structure. A surprisingly easy read (even for those less fluent in mathematics and tax codes), the tax plan values simplicity and ease-of-understanding. At face value, an effort for tax reform is long overdue and something that a majority of Americans support. Whether this reform is the one to rule them all remains to be seen. These efforts supposedly stem from a desire to grow the middle class, an assuredly noble goal for any politician, and one that has shown to spur baseline economic growth. Yet some Senate Republicans are still unruly in the matter, and almost half of all Americans oppose Trump’s tax reform, at least that which he outlined before assuming the presidency. (Interestingly enough, a majority of those who responded also identified as Independent, with equal representation from both Republicans and Democrats.) So why is it that so many find issue with these newly restructured tax codes, while others drool over its potential to grow the middle class? Hopefully this article can help us to make sense of the good, the bad, and grattons (for those uninformed, a Cajun term colloquially used to refer to extra tidbits) in Donald Trump’s new tax structure.
By Jonathan Moore7 years ago in The Swamp