Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
How I Explained Charlottesville to My Kids
The events in Charlottesville, Virginia, have been described as many things — hateful, terrorism, supremacist, etc. There are self-flagellating white liberals grieving over whiteness. There are Blacks who are tired of hearing the same old song. There are conservatives saying, “Hey, that ain’t us.” There are cyberbullies doxxing people who look like the neo-Nazis who gathered there. And I, well, I’m just trying to help my kids — the oldest of whom is mixed — digest it.
By Patrick Murphy, MS, LLPC8 years ago in The Swamp
Attitudes Over Statues
The headlines across the nation have been absurdly screaming and I can’t help but wonder, “What is going on in my U.S.A.?” Apparently, protesters have been holding rallies at many sculptures all across the country that have long stood as symbols of our nation’s heritage. A heritage that is not pretty and is still controversial yet it has made our country what it is today. Through tribulations, we have triumphed. The truth of tragedy, the humility of loss and the progress derived from victory are important aspects of our history that we should respect and take pride in.
By Amanda Spradlin8 years ago in The Swamp
Book Review: History of the Russian Revolution
Leon Trotsky's History of the Russian Revolution is, in many ways, one of the most important works of historical writing. Simply put, this book retells the story of 1917's Bolshevik Revolution, a communist uprising that ushered in a new era of human history, the effects of which are still being felt today. These three volumes collect an (almost tediously) in-depth retelling of the event, made all the more significant because it was put down in words by one of the foremost architects of the event itself.
By Calvin Hayes8 years ago in The Swamp
Why Being in the Middle Is WRONG
Picture this. You’re on the playground, and there’s a smaller kid from your class trying to play on the swings. He was always timid, shy, and just wanted to keep to himself. Well, you’re next to him on the swing set, but you’re much bigger. The kids in class would never do anything to bully you. They come over and they push the kid next to you off his swing, and start calling him names like weakling and scrawny and these kids really start laying into him.
By Nicole King8 years ago in The Swamp
Brexit Terrorism: The Foreseeable Future of Britain’s Brexit Violence
The tectonic political plates of the United Kingdom are shifting and it’s about to cause the most violent vibrations that this island nation has ever experienced. On EU referendum day 2016 we measured the size of the seismic spikes and on that day it was 52% for leave to 48% for remain. But all those who took part know that the result could have been different if the ballots had been cast a week before or after. The fluctuating polls running up to the vote left the losers feeling sickened once the results came in. The leavers celebrated and then they mostly scattered and hid from the responsibility to actually effect the change for which they argued. Within a day of the result, Boris Johnson and Michael Gove had gone from loud to almost mute about the U.K.’s future political direction. Daniel Hannon fled to an extended holiday, Andrea Leadsom flopped in the Tory leadership struggle, and Nigel Farage applied to become German. The main voices of the leave campaign were suddenly as shaky as the ground on which Brexit was built.
By Johnny Vedmore8 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald, Are You Making America Great Again?
When you were nominated to be the Republican candidate for the 2016 Presidential race, I was sure that Hillary had won. You were loud, obnoxious, rude and inexperienced. You didn't have a clear platform to stand on. It seemed that you could talk your way out of every question. Every diversion led back to one theme though, that while you didn't have exact plans for how you were going to "Make America Great Again". Well, Mr. Trump, it has been almost eight months since you have become the President of the United States. You sure have done a lot of things, but make America great again? I'm not sure that's one of them.
By Jules Fortman8 years ago in The Swamp
The Greatest Challenge
Are we being led like sheep to the slaughter by leaders after quenching their thirst off of the tears of the masses? Is mankind going to dissolve into obscurity where all that is left is woe and misery? Has the US lost its moral compass? Very sobering thoughts considering the events of our modern day world that has played out before all to see. As undaunting the task before humanity is, the resolve has to be united. Not fractured as we are witnessing here in the United States and throughout the world. The future for all mankind rests with the decisions that are made today. But, sadly there continues to be those who hide behind cloaks of deception and deceit. Then we have a President who is incapable of uttering decisive remarks and decisions that would heal the wounds of an already divided country. Our leaders are the ones that control the events that shape the world. History is ripe with those whose cloaks have masked their misshaped ideologies. For those who seek of gaining more power, control and wealth they do so at the expense of the future, the environment, and the existence of all life.
By Dr. Williams8 years ago in The Swamp
"The Daily Stormer" Troubles Not Over
There's a storm brewing for Andrew Anglin, founder of neo-Nazi website "The Daily Stormer." Sirius XM host Dean Obeidallah, who is of Muslim-American descent, is suing because a June 1 article posted on "The Daily Stormer" implied that Obeidallah was behind the Manchester, England bombing at a May 22, 2017 Ariana Grande concert. 22 people were killed at 59 were injured.
By Christina St-Jean8 years ago in The Swamp
The #SupportSystem for #Racism
As many of us are watching the USA's response to Charlottesville, VA, the media has begun to pick and choose what information becomes forgotten by the public. While we all get over saturated with White House quotes and contradictions, I have begun to enter into conversations that (up until recently) I have worked to avoid.
By Regina Stone-Grover8 years ago in The Swamp
Trump and the Trouble with Authenticity
We're told the secret to good PR is authenticity. To be a great communicator, you have to be true to yourself and speak from the heart. By focusing on authenticity, you can really connect with your audience and build meaningful relationships that are mutually beneficial. Well, as with most advice about communication and leadership, Donald Trump rather confounds that belief.
By Michelle Ulyatt8 years ago in The Swamp
