Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in The Swamp.

The Truth on Immigrant Parents and Children Separation
Immigrants coming to America from Mexico have become a huge topic in recent news. The news stations and the immigrants are blaming America for separating their children and putting them in camps. Let's take a look at the truth, a little perspective, and statistics behind what is really going on at our border.
By Aly B8 years ago in The Swamp
Best Vintage Cold War Political Cartoons
Studying Cold War political cartoons allows one to see how America sees itself in the ways in which it identifies its own mirror double in the Soviet Union. In US criticism of the USSR, we discover America's own insecurities and the lengths to which it would go to shield itself from introspection. Across these ten Cold War political cartoons, you'll be able to see how it's only under the guise of exceptionalism that America can justify aspirations that are otherwise indistinguishable from that of its foe.
By Lauren Skopkowski8 years ago in The Swamp
The Thing About Homelessness and the Rejected Products of a Broken System
The thing about homelessness is that it is a product of a blatantly inefficient society. Few in power recognize it as an existing problem or something they can help solve. But the sooner we acknowledge it, the faster we can solve it. Sounds simple, and it is simple, but no one in a real position of power (Trump, May, Putin) is doing anything about it, simply because they don't care enough.
By ovaryacting8 years ago in The Swamp
A New World Order
The New World Order is one which shall replace the old liberal order, seeking to guarantee stability and order rather than liberty or freedom or equality. The first and most pressing concern of the New World Order is the dismemberment and destruction of liberal organizations, including the United Nations, European Union, and other groups such as NATO, or market trade organizations that tie countries together. As the European Union is on the verge of collapse and without power over its member states of Italy, Hungary, and Poland, the liberal organization must collapse. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to pull out of NATO and Republicans have introduced bills in committee that would have us leave the United Nations, as we have left the UN Human Rights Council. Once considered a country fully dedicated to the establishment and maintenance of the liberal political order, the United States is abolishing the institutions that were created to benefit itself and its allies, creating major contradictions in the American narrative. Second, there are three conflicting views of world organizations, left, right, and center. The center holds that international neoliberal organizations are an ultimately beneficial development, while leftists point out that they only benefit certain people and the right states that it would be better had they never existed, as they increase our dependence upon others. This disunity of interpretations causes an increasing disunity to society.
By Thomas Sebacher8 years ago in The Swamp
How About a Little Patriotism for the 4th?
BRYCE ON INDEPENDENCE DAY - The virtues of a home town parade. Click for AUDIO VERSION. I have always enjoyed the charm of a local Independence Day parade. In my old hometown of Wyoming, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, the streets would come alive in the morning with the sounds of fire truck sirens, the High School marching band, and numerous neighborhoods dressed in red, white and blue and marching in the parade. Local politicians would ride in the parade and wave to the crowd. A friend of mine used to live at the start of the parade route and would have coffee and donuts available for the fire and police departments as well as parade organizers. People lined the streets, waved flags, and had a great time. Some of the neighbors along the parade route would roast hot dogs. It wasn't about politics, it was simply a great way for the community to pull together in honor of the country. I am pleased to say they continue this tradition to this day.
By Tim Bryce8 years ago in The Swamp
The Environmental Hazards of Chemical Pollution
Chemical pollution exists. Some right-leaning people would like to deny this exists. This type of pollution can affect soil, water, and the air itself. Organic pollutants serve as endocrine disruptors, from "Environmental Protection: What Everybody Needs To Know" by Pamela Hill (16), because “endocrine disruptors are substances that interfere with the endocrine system, the system responsible for regulating hormones throughout the body. They are associated with reproductive and developmental problems” (17). Chemical pollution from chemicals such as DDT is rampant in our society right now. Nobody is doing anything about it since the scientists who study this have their hands tied up along with their funding.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
Illegal Immigration: Unpopular Opinion
Every article that I researched to use as a reference for this piece was highly partisan. The notion that a consistent centrist source exists about illegal immigration is false. In modern society, the news determines not only what is important, but what perception is held about certain policies. The left and right have been in contention about the correct course of action in regards to immigration for years. This will not be an article arguing the figures of illegal immigration, but rather the philosophical pitfall of viewing immigration through a partisan lens.
By Dillon Staples8 years ago in The Swamp
The Importance of Social Justice
Many people know that this concept exists, many implement it into their everyday lives, but unfortunately, some people are against it. I'm going to be discussing why everyone—yes everyone—should be pro-social justice.
By alice shaw8 years ago in The Swamp
No Backbone: The Millennial’s Integrity Struggle
Millennials spend large amounts of time on social media, hence the reason it has become the platform most used for the spread of misinformation. Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and every other big brand social media outlet all started out with their own respective purposes. As time went on and the market moved forward, to stay competitive, each outlet added more features within their respective software. All of the apps aforementioned all have a news feature, but the pretenses upon which they were founded do not have a direct need for one. Facebook started out as a way for friends to network with each other, and potentially see friends of friends, but it is now one of the biggest outlets responsible for "fake news." Twitter originated as a simple way to share thoughts with the world in 140 characters, but it is now home to massive amounts of misinformation. Social media has been perverted while trying to expand due to the market’s demand.
By Dillon Staples8 years ago in The Swamp
The War on Gun Control
Introduction When we hear war, we think about who we’re fighting with overseas, but what do we do when the people we’re firing at are our own citizens?
By Katie Greiser8 years ago in The Swamp
The Real "Inconvenient Truth"
There was a video posted on this social networking site about folks who eat canines. Many were commenting about its absurdity and disgusting nature. Though I agree this is, in my opinion, "disgusting behavior," I would be remiss not to add the folly in the biased perspective of this populace, particularly in the U.S. and others like it. All intentional needless killing is "immoral" and if one feels one type of inessential demise is alright, then ALL are acceptable, according to this mindset, by that very same logic. This video showing folks consuming dogs (which I had no need to observe in its entirety) is no worse than individuals eating chicken, pig, fish, cow, crustaceans, turkey, frog, deer, lamb, eggs, etc. Americans seem to be on a self-righteous high-horse and do not appear to recognize the hypocrisy within its own convictions. Somehow, dogs and cats are deserving of our compassion… yet pigs are NOT?! The fact that it is in your culture or you have been doing this for a long time is far from a sound argument.
By Razi'El Muntasir8 years ago in The Swamp
A Good SCOTUS Is a Balanced SCOTUS
Our democracy is dependent on a great many things, but balance may be the most important facet to our success. A nebulous term to be sure, but balance goes well beyond financial means or political pandering. A year ago, I examined the qualifications of now Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch under the premise of balance.
By James Bright8 years ago in The Swamp