Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in The Swamp.

Reflections on Political Insults and Incoherence
Perhaps my writing and my sharing of information that I find relevant during this Orwellian period (hopefully not an epoch) in United States history is proving somewhat meaningful, at least as gauged by the reactions of those who oppose my perspectives. This morning an Obama - Clinton supporter called me a fascist for opposing Clinton’s efforts to intervene in Syria and yesterday several somewhat more intellectually inclined opponents of anything Trump tried to convince me that the intelligence community driven Russia-gate soft coup attempt was fully validated. The latter with cogent arguments, which I respect, the former with the traditional insult driven, factually deficient drivel that is all too common among internet trolls. Actually, I do not react as negatively to trolls as do many others. If they are reading what I publish then perhaps over the long term some of it will sink in, and they do give me insights into the tactics favored by those on behalf of whom they troll; valuable data.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Black Republicans?!
Black Republicans are not a major topic in the mainstream media, and the reason for that is simple: to them, we don't exist. Black conservatives are largely kept out of sight and out of mind, and the few who do appear are vilified and lambasted by the mainstream media and their fellow African Americans. If black conservatism does come up in a discussion, it is mocked: caricatured as the humble slave doting on their powerful massa. We are a considered a group of people who willingly vote against our own interests and lay our necks under the heels of those who see us as lesser beings. But is this reality? Can black conservatives only exist if they forsake their values?
By Jasmine9 years ago in The Swamp
For Unity
Every few decades there have been moments that seem to suggest the United States might somehow get it's act together. Unfortunately, today there have been no moments that even come close to signaling this nation can become united once again. United behind a plan of direction that will secure a better future for all. The stark reality facing America is that greed, and the lack of cohesiveness between all political parties, have pitted one entity against the other. Consequently, the United States is anything but united. Too many splinter groups and organizations, each with their own brand of agendas, continue to pull this nation apart.
By Dr. Williams9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald...
I have now witnessed the same pattern 3 times: the Scottish Referendum, Brexit and the 2016 American presidential race; all were similar before, during and after the results were announced.
By Harmony Flower9 years ago in The Swamp
Welcome to Caerdydd
Welcome to Caerdydd! It's hard to fight for a free and independent Wales. Our wonderful land of rolling hills and mountains is classed as a principality rather than a fully fledged country. Our resources were plundered by our neighbour, England for over 200 years. The capital city Cardiff, or Caerdydd in native Welsh, was only a small village 200 years ago. The Industrial Revolution came and went and left us with a population of 350 thousand plus ethnically mixed proud Welsh folk.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
It’s Not as Painful as It’s Made Out to Be
Headlines concerning the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the proposed GOP replacement for Obamacare scream that 23 million Americans will be deprived of health care if it passes. As too often happens now, on a quotidian basis, the headlines are distortive, deceptive and hypocritical. They are designed to create emotional responses based on generating fear and insecurity and hate. They are designed to increase the divisiveness that so pervades us and in the end, to further lead us down the path to civil strife.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
The Manchester Attack
They tell you as a kid that if a boy pulls your pigtails, it means he likes you. As you get older and boys grow meaner, it's because they're intimidated and need to assert their masculinity.
By Amy King9 years ago in The Swamp
How Close Are You to Being a Terrorist?
After 9/11, most people in the industrialized modern world asked ourselves an important question. How could anyone do such a thing? For most of us the question was merely rhetorical. But for social scientists the last twenty years have seen a great deal of research attempting to determine what factors, conditions, and mindsets contribute to the radicalized mind. What makes a person a terrorist? In an article for MONITER, the journal for the American Phycological Association, Tori DeAngelis wrote about the work of John Horgan, PhD who interviewed 60 former terrorists. He found that people vulnerable to racialized beliefs have several things in common. Let’s start with the most obvious:
By David Bulley9 years ago in The Swamp
Rich or Russia
While the Rich family, for its own reasons, has succeeded in shutting down Fox News’ explorations concerning the murder of their son Seth, the issue is transcendental. It affects both international relations and constitutional governance. It impacts war and peace. It impacts liberty or liberty’s suppression. It requires resolution, whatever that resolution is, free from false reports but also free from suppression of relevant information.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald... Think About The Kids
Dear Mr. President: As a high school English and French teacher, I get listened to more often than I realized. Kids are quick to point out when think they hear something incorrect or improper pass from your lips, and I learned early in my career to use that to my advantage, usually for a teachable moment of some shape or creation. It's led me to really think about the words I use both in and out of my classroom and especially around the kids in my life.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
Conversation with Robert Kennedy Jr.. Top Story - May 2017.
It is no secret that we are currently in an unprecedented environmental tailspin. Carbon levels are rising dangerously, the polar ice caps are melting, and species are rapidly disappearing etc. While the rest of the world has taken steps to mitigate the damage humans cause the planet, The United States has taken a cynical and irresponsible path towards climate change.
By Michael Lee Nirenberg9 years ago in The Swamp
Playing Russian Roulette With the Trump Administration
This is my very first attempt into writing articles, so I would urge everyone to sit back and relax, grab a cup of tea and a biscuit, you may just learn something. As a global citizen, I have found myself among billions of other human beings captivated by the ever evolving political drama gripping Washington. The Trump administration is lurching from one crises to the other on a weekly basis since they took over the reins at the White House in February.
By Michael Taguma9 years ago in The Swamp