Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Calm Before the Storm
There're no kids out on the street today; living in fear of what may happen to them if they step outside, we could be living on the moon protecting them as much as we can. Has everyone packed their bags and moved away? It's going to be a very long, long, long Sunday afternoon; as I'm just killing time, kicking cans around all day long.
By Lizzy Arrow9 years ago in The Swamp
Why We Should Wait For The "I" Word
It's an interesting time in our country's history. The partisan politics of the Obama years are slowly slipping away, with a new focus on the two parties finally coming together for the good of the country. Except for in one very volatile issue: Impeachment. Some Republicans are calling for Trump to be tried, convicted, and removed from office. Meanwhile Democrats are a little less willing to throw around the "I" word.
By Edward Anderson9 years ago in The Swamp
A Day at the Races
On a trip to New Orleans recently, I forayed into the Fair Ground Race Track to visit a past life of mine, a time when I made my living as a Jockey’s agent — a time when I lived off adrenaline and fast horses, but now it was just a slow dance of memories.
By Mike Bernos9 years ago in The Swamp
Is Trump a Cultural-Relativist? What He Inadvertently Revealed During His Speech to Saudi-Arabia
So far, Trump’s Presidency has been “eventful” to put it lightly. Between the avalanche of news and high level of controversy, much of the country has been divided into the “never-Trumpers” and the “Trump can do no wrong” camps. One of many negative side-effects of this emotionally charged cultural divide had been the near eradication of unbiased coverage of this Presidency and his policies. This has resulted in a lack of in-depth analysis of many important events. One of the most significant instances of this has been the coverage of Trump’s speech in Saudi Arabia. It appears that bias has blinded most analysts to some major revelations into Trump’s policy for the Middle-East and his ideology in general.
By Frank Bursese9 years ago in The Swamp
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Looks to Apologize to Vets Ousted For Being Gay
Once upon a time, it was believed that those who identified as homosexual were security risks. In fact, it was also believed that those people who were homosexual were criminals - a belief that wasn't put to rest until 1992 in Canada, when homosexuality was decriminalized. The DSM - widely considered a "bible" of sorts for psychologists and psychotherapists regarding mental disorders and conditions - even listed homosexuality in one form or another until 1987. Now, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau is hoping to extend an apology to Canadian military personnel who may have been affected by what CTV News has termed a "gay purge." The only problem is, there's no clear indication as to how many have been affected by it.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
5 Takeaways From Noam Chomsky In this Post-Truth World
We trust you... We trust you not... Image credit : NBC News The term "post-truth" was popularised in 2016 due to its frequent use during the Brexit referendum and US Presidential election. With this term comes an assumption that there was a time where the objective truth was predominant. Although I am not asserting that such an extraordinary time has never existed, I don't believe that it has occurred within the past number of centuries.
By Kaitlyn Shi9 years ago in The Swamp
Terrorism Is a Failure to Tackle Mental Health Issues Globally
We are avoiding confronting the root cause of modern terrorism. We are to blame. Every attack that has happened in the past 50 years, whether it be the IRA or Islamic fundamentalism, has been a direct result of unresolved mental health issues. We try to pin the blame on ideology, on the religion, or the cultural divisions in society, but that’s the easy way to ignore the real issue. Terrorism is the direct result of a global inability to tackle mental health issues. It is very easy to just call people evil, but when you actually dissect what evil actually means we discover a distorted reflection of ourselves. Evil is sadness and grief left to fester in an unloved heart. Evil is somebody ending a life, or even their own. Evil are kids who have not been shown any better?
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
On Our Political and Social Incoherence
I have always opposed US intervention in the Middle East, finding it not only immoral but counterproductive. It obviously makes it probable that United States citizens, both at home and abroad, will be targeted in retaliatory attacks. Remember 9/11 but remember it with introspection and logic rather than emotional reaction. Why did it occur? How? Who were the perpetrators? Where did they come from? Who are their friends in the United States? All not only interesting questions but all too relevant.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
The Best Way to Beat a Bully
When I was a teacher, the administration brought in a person to train us about bullying. I remember the trainer saying that, contrary to popular belief, bullies didn't lack self-esteem. They didn't possess an inner self-hatred that inspired their negative behavior toward others. In fact, this trainer said, bullies often possessed a greater sense of self-esteem which led to an increased ability to demean and dominate others.
By Dillan DiGiovanni9 years ago in The Swamp
Learn Your Gay History: Stonewall Riots – June 28, 1969
The Stonewall riots of 28 June 1969 weren’t the first protests or confrontations between police and the LGBT community, but they’ve become symbolic of the growing consciousness and confidence that paved the way for the fight for equality and freedom from discrimination.
By Gareth Johnson9 years ago in The Swamp
