Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
The Case Of Omar Khadr—Brainwashed Child Soldier Or Teen Fulfilling Family Duty?
Most 15-year-olds are busy with sports, school, or on social media with friends. In 2002, then-15-year-old Omar Khadr, a Canadian boy and son of Ahmed Khadr, reportedly an associate of late Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, allegedly threw a grenade while in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of American soldier Sergeant First Class Christopher Speer. The incident drew widespread international attention; Khadr, who had been shot, received medical attention from medics on scene and had reportedly asked to be killed at the time. He was not, and Khadr spent the next several years languishing in prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, without trial. He ultimately pleaded guilty to throwing the grenade that killed Speer, but later admitted that he did not recall the incident that killed the soldier or saw him injured. The confession, Khadr said, was made because he saw no other way of returning to Canada from Guantanamo Bay. Khadr pleaded guilty to "murder in violation of the laws of war, attempted murder in violation of the laws of war, conspiracy, two counts of providing material support for terrorism and spying."
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
#CNNblackmail: The New Meme War (Trump Tweet)
#CNNblackmail is currently trending, and in this article, we will break down how it all started, the response and the beginning of a new meme war. Whatever your political allegiance this story touches on an issue that goes beyond partisan politics and enters into the realm of the foundational aspects of our privacy, freedoms, and society.
By Fred Akali9 years ago in The Swamp
A Review of Common Sense by Thomas Paine
If anyone asks me what I’ve been doing to get in the spirit of the Fourth of July, I will respond, in the words of Angelica Schuyler, “I’ve been reading Common Sense by Thomas Paine…” I read excerpts from Common Sense in my American Literature class last semester and I bought a copy of the full work in the gift shop of the Concord Bridge battlefield site and thought it would be a good idea to read it in honor of Independence Day.
By Rachel Lesch9 years ago in The Swamp
The Failure of the War on Drugs
The Failure of the War on Drugs and How It Can Be Rectified On July 14, 1969, Richard Nixon made a speech to Congress, identifying drugs as a serious national threat. Additionally, he called for federal and state anti-drug policy. Nearly two years later Richard Nixon officially declares a “war on drugs,” similar to L.B.J. ‘s (Lyndon B. Johnson) “war on poverty.” Reasons cited for his new “public enemy No. 1” were the increase in crime and juvenile arrest rates from 1960 to 1967. A little over two years later, the DEA is formed in an attempt to coordinate all other agencies in the new war on drugs (Timeline: America’s War on Drugs). With the sixties nearing their close, it seemed that society, at least some fringe groups, had embraced various drugs. For example, at the fringes of the anti-Vietnam War protests, marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was used. Richard Nixon needed a way to deal with the vehemently anti-Vietnam War protesters, as well as the black community, which Nixon had a horrible track record with. The solution that his administration came up with would later be known as “The War on Drugs.”
By Kent Prion9 years ago in The Swamp
We Are Living In Scary Times!!
Well, here we are. Well into the new millennium. Y2K didn't destroy us all and the second coming has been canceled due to invalidity. But if there is a good and evil it does not seem to discriminate on Party lines. But our incomprehensible Commander and Chief is so ridiculous, is such an awful person and compulsive liar. How is it that the most important job in our country is held by such a man AND we don't get to hold him accountable. All the PROVEN lies and the hate attacks to so many people. There should be a code of ethics and morality and decency that comes with that position. Donald J. Trump is making a mockery of this High Office and has no sympathy for his own people. The other countries are laughing at us because this buffoon was SELECTED into office (not elected). Americans spent a billion dollar on campaign contributions to two Clowns making a fool of themselves in front of the world. We are a laughing stock of the world for the RIDICULOUS display of politics that we have put on. I as an intelligent American am appalled by it and am ashamed for our country and the real heart of America, its people. The worst thing about it for me is that after all they money and the big disgusting circus we had to endure our vote didn't even count! Clinton won by over 3 million votes? What's the point of having an election if the "Electoral College" gets to choose who the President is??? I will bet there are some Americans who don't even know what the Electoral College is. Well here it is in a nutshell...
By Donald Morris9 years ago in The Swamp
On Why Democrats are the Greater Problem for Progressives
The virtually identical governance structures within our duopoly, i.e., the Democratic and Republican parties, pose virtually identical civic dangers. The results of their policies are virtually indistinguishable notwithstanding their differing rhetoric and propaganda which fools the gullible into thinking otherwise. That is especially true given the collusion of the mainstream “disinformation” media. Their main difference is that one is hypocritical and cynical while the other is just blatantly wrong; very, very wrong, at least from a progressive perspective. It brings to mind the defense of a politician accused of wrong doing arguing that she was not corrupt, merely inept; in either case, of course, that’s hardly a solace to the people affected (see, e.g., the campaigns and administrations of Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Barrack Obama and most recently, Donald J. Trump).wrong doing arguing that she was not corrupt, merely inept; in either case, of course, that’s hardly a solace to the people affected (see, e.g., the campaigns and administrations of Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Barrack Obama and most recently, Donald J. Trump).
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
"Don't Say a Word"
I am a philanthropist, a humanitarian, a lover of humanity who just hasn't done anything big yet. I believe that human kindness and understanding opens the door to a better world. Life is time that never stops moving until we cease to live, then someone else will live on after us who will take the place that we once took, maybe they will take the next stand following our example not just our words.
By Jordan Sophia Thomas9 years ago in The Swamp
A Journey Through Mexico City
Colonialism is the immovable stain on the fabric of humanity. A nation free from its grasp may strive to erase its dark past, yet its indelible marks remain on the land and its people. Survival of the fittest, they brand it, the strong devouring the weak has become the blueprint for mass murder, providing ample justification for military occupation, the raping and pillaging of lands, the dehumanization of a people ultimately stripping an entire nation of its identity. Those that opt to defend and protect their homeland face imprisonment and death. The skewed and twisted ideologies borne out of greed, racism and a flawed theology inspire men to lay waste to whole communities. Only when submission is seen as the only viable option is hegemony allowed to run its course, convincing a nation that their actions are morally justified, its people now contained inside the walls of their invisible prison, enjoying faux freedoms. Despite the efforts to take control of an occupied land and its indigenous people, resistance remains and victory is measured in terms of independence. And yet, as much as any oppressed nation feels a sense of liberation, the shackles of influence left behind are harder to remove.
By Jermaine Lebert9 years ago in The Swamp
Free Speech and the New Left
In 1964, the University of California Berkeley was engaging in what would come to be known as The Free Speech Movement. During this time subversive ideas were plentiful, though not all embraced, especially by federal and local law enforcement. At the same time, a mass of students at UC Berkeley were engaged in passively handing out civil rights literature in an attempt to challenge the status quo. While this would be seen as perfectly acceptable by most standards today, Hollander Savio spoke to NPR News about how contemptible these acts were at the time by law enforcement. According to NPR News, Savio recalls that she watched a former mathematics graduate student being arrested for distributing civil rights literature (Gonzales). Fast forward to circa 2016, so called “safe spaces” are being advocated, or more appropriately characterized as demanded, by the New Left. Safe spaces as defined by The Chicago Tribune are areas which serve to shelter students from speakers and/or topics that may be traumatizing, uncomfortable or offensive (Rhodes, Vivanco). One should be shocked that this censorship and disabling of free speech and open discourse comes from the “descendants” of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. Not only has the New Left abandoned one of the Old Left’s defining historical moments, it’s abandoned the idea that free speech is in place to protect a citizen’s right to speak openly about unpopular ideas and that that same right should be granted to all citizens without prejudice.
By Kent Prion9 years ago in The Swamp
