Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
What is a Joint Session of Congress?
As President Trump addresses his first Joint Session of Congress only months after stepping into the presidency, the American people are allowed an insiders look into a tradition which began in the 18th century. While Trump's Presidency has been rocked by many controversial, game changing moments, for many, this return to traditional normalcy almost comes as a relief.
By Anthony Gramuglia9 years ago in The Swamp
Why The UK Needs Electoral Reform
The 2015 General Election came and went, delivering a Conservative majority government with Labour failing to engage the electorate as a credible alternative and ended up having less seats than they did after the 2010 General Election, which must have been disappointing and shocking in equal measure to the Labour leadership. The Scottish National Party (SNP), as predicted, swept through Scotland gaining a landslide, winning 56 out of 59 seats. Nicola Sturgeon's bold conviction and a presentation of a new progressive form of politics tuned in to the social beating heart of Scotland. The Liberal Democrats faced the wrath of the electorate, getting pulverised with only 8 seats being won with heavy ministerial losses such as Vince Cable (Business Secretary) and Danny Alexander (Treasury). In many constituencies they were behind both the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the Greens. The explosion of the UKIP movement failed to make an impact on the Commons with only one seat being won whilst Nigel Farage failed to win South Thanet. This, in particular, brought the issue of electoral reform back into the public consciousness.
By Raphael Kiyani9 years ago in The Swamp
The World Of Modern Problems
Where Are We Headed? Seems as though somebody opened up the fireplug at the end of the block and left her unattended. In a world supposedly controlled more and more by computers and algorithms, self driving cars and the like, it's the people that are out of control. For a generation or two past the first Nuclear Weapon being used, we sure are headed the wrong direction with some several thousand of them available for use by the countries that are supposed to the civilized ones. In fact, one wonders, with the rate of hostility out there today what are we even doing having these darn things accessible to any human being?
By Kevin Hammontree9 years ago in The Swamp
'When We Rise' A Powerful Examination Of Gay Rights Movement
If there's anything that's garnered much examination since the advent of the United States under President Donald J. Trump, it's the LGBTQ movement. In spite of claims to the contrary, it would seem as though the 45th president of the United States could be backtracking on his professed support of LGBTQ rights. When We Rise is then a well-timed, powerful miniseries that highlights the push for equality that those living in the LGBTQ spectrum are still fighting for.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
Taylor Sheridan's State of the Union
Hell or High Water, the Oscar-nominated film starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, has won high marks for its gritty, understated portrayal of two bank robbers pushing back against the bank that's foreclosing on their family land, and the laconic Texas Ranger bent on one pre-retirement objective: bringing them to justice. For Taylor Sheridan, the actor and screenwriter who wrote the script (nominated for Best Original Screenplay), the film has parallels with the fractious, volatile state of the country today. West Texas is a stand-in for America.
By Michael Eric Ross9 years ago in The Swamp
Arizona Legislation Clamps Down on Protesters
Information in an article in the Arizona Capitol Times has revealed that the Arizona State Senate has voted to move forward with a bill that will give police new powers, including being able to arrest and seize the assets of people who are involved in a protest that may turn violent. What has made many question this bill is the notion that, if passed in the House, it would give police the power to arrest people while a protest is still peaceful. Peaceful protests are currently protected as a 1st amendment right under the clause of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.
By Parker Simpson9 years ago in The Swamp
President Trump Rescinds Federal Protections For Transgender Students
In spite of claims during his campaign that he would protect the LGBTQ population, President Trump has just done what many consider to be the very opposite: he has lifted the federal protections that were in place to protect transgender students in schools.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
Iranian Immigrant
Obviously, the obviously obvious stories are as boring as heaven. They do not excite the spirit but comfort the ego. With no purpose for any future engagement, the obviously obvious stories have no magical revelation, thus do not entertain the contemplative composite minds of the new world. Therefore, the obviously obvious stories are essentially blah.
By Shahram Farshadfar 9 years ago in The Swamp
What is AFROFuturism?
If you bump into someone who claims to be an expert on "AFROFuturism" immediately warp jump into a safer reality. There are as many explanations of AFROFuturism as there are superheroes and villains in Marvel comic's alternative and vastly conflicting universes. The term was coined by a white writer (Mark Dryer, 1993) but aspects of AFROFuturism existed before the American Civil War when Black abolitionists and political radicals dreamt of a better society. The term is popular today because many artistic creators have tired of typical depictions of futures where few nonwhite citizens exist or have positions of power.
By Stafford Battle9 years ago in The Swamp
'Last Night In Sweden'
On Saturday, President Trump held a fiery rally in an airport hanger Melbourne, Florida in front of thousands of his supporters. The rally was reminiscent of the boisterous crowds who gathered at Trump rallies during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump covered many subjects, but as usual, one confusing comment in particular made headlines and had the collective world asking questions.
By Parker Simpson9 years ago in The Swamp
