Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
All Hail Gritty, Chaos-God of America
I spoke a little bit about the American Mythos in my article about the Star-Spangled Banner and why the song sucks. Long story short, the United States functions by its own strange cultish mythology; praise be to Uncle Sam, the Statue of Liberty, the primordial boy band that resides inside of Mount Rushmore, and the sweet stars and stripes of the ol’ American Flag. And sometimes I think the symbol-worship goes a bit too far; for instance, some people get all worked up when a sportsperson doesn’t stand up to sing the overrated song at the piece of cloth. And sometimes, I appreciate these figures. I, for one, very much enjoyed when the Statue of Liberty came to life in Ghostbusters II and beat up the ghosts or whatever. (I haven’t seen the movie in quite some time.)
By Steven Christopher McKnight5 years ago in The Swamp
POLITICS
As I wait in line at a polling location during early voting, I look at my granddaughter and wonder what her and her brothers life will be like. Here we are wearing masks because a airborne virus that could of been controlled months ago, but in stead it went viral in every state.
By Debra Bernatovich5 years ago in The Swamp
What We Have Here Is A Failure To Communicate
The results of this past election proved once again that the Democrats had a golden opportunity to capitalize on the failings of the Trump Presidency but, fell short of a nation wide mandate. A mandate to seize the gauntlet of the progressive movement that Senator Sanders thru down a little over four years ago. The opportunities were there from the very beginning even before this pandemic struck. In their failing to educate the public of the consequences of continued Congressional gridlock, conservatism, and what National Economic Reform's Ten Articles of Confederation would do led to the results that are playing out today. More Congressional gridlock, more conservatism and more suffering of millions of Americans are the direct consequences of the Democrats failure to communicate and educate the public . Educate the public that a progressive agenda is necessary to pull the United States out of this Pandemic, and restore this nations health and vitality.
By Dr. Williams5 years ago in The Swamp
From my desk 6th November 2020
Last week a picture of Nigel Farrage appeared on various social media platforms. Nothing unusual about that as the man thrives on publicity, of any sort. This one picture showed him in Washington DC proudly displaying a betting slip purporting to confirm he had placed $10,000 of his children’s inheritance on Donald Trump to win a second term at odds of 15/8. As I am writing this on Friday evening (6th November 2020) that bet is not looking too good.
By Alan Russell5 years ago in The Swamp
Congratulations For Voting, Now Let The Real Work Begin
In 50 years, historians will likely look back and note the presidential election of 2020 as being one of the most important elections in American history. There is simply so much that hangs in the balance now, from corona virus to systematic racism, from a widening wealth gap to need for immediate fixes for the healthcare system, from correcting environmental deregulation concerns to rebuilding the dominant presence the United States once had on the global stage. With record turnout and millions of Americans voting for the time, it appears that a lot of individuals realized that fact. However, voting once every 4 years (or once in a lifetime) does not fulfill the civic obligations which go hand in hand with the right to vote. With so many people engaging in the electoral system for the first time in their lifetimes, it is an ideal time for a civics lesson and perhaps a collective investment in the bank of civic responsibility.
By Michael Hanson-Metayer5 years ago in The Swamp
Stress
2020 will be a year we will forever remember and forever would like to forget (some of what at least for most of us ) this country had to endure this year. This past year leading up to the road to election: boy let me tell ya it all was a cliffhanger...The whole darn year...From Covid-19, George Floyd's brutal death, riots, peaceful protests, fighting over toilet paper, zoom meeting fails, the school's being shut down for months, and unemployment at record highs as the coronavirus, positive cases increase...The list can really go on here... I think you get my point I mean you did live it too!
By Allyson Kieszkowski5 years ago in The Swamp
President Kennedy's Insights
There are things that we need to do that we have to do and it cannot be stalled any longer. We must be determined and focus on our life's purpose and we cannot settle for praise but achieve the glory set before us. When it comes to politics, we cannot be easy-going and light-hearted. We must be firm and directed led by the belief that unity is the force that unites us. We cannot fear to do the things that we hope for, to elevate the good nature of all men and women. To see from the eyes of others and give empathy where it is due. Time has changed and our time has come. To do the things that must be done. This is what Kennedy believed in.
By Distinguished Honorary Alumni Dr. Matthew Primous5 years ago in The Swamp
America the Beacon of Hope
Fifty-seven years ago, Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that encompassed some basic ideals of humanity. That all people regardless of the colour of their skin should be treated equally and fairly based upon their character. In today’s America this dream has yet to come true. Hate and division are drenched in fear and ignorance. It begs the question, where do we go from here? This year’s presidential election has further deepened the undeniable divide in the midst of a pandemic. It’s almost as though 2020 has placed a giant magnifying glass on all of the social injustices plaguing the country.
By Cassandra Henry5 years ago in The Swamp
Do Something With It
Neither Democrats nor Republicans have anything to be proud of this political season in the United States of America (that includes myself). We have all become so partisan and so overwhelmed with the need to be right or be the winner. We know this election will come down to decisions by courts, and nothing we say or do from the sidelines will make any difference now that votes are cast. So how come we are wasting all our energy on this?
By Cheryl Duffy5 years ago in The Swamp
I Didn't Vote
Yes, you read that right. I did not vote in this election. Honestly, I'm tired of defending myself and my choice to abstain from participating in an institution that is mostly corrupt and does not care about its people. People claim that we live in one of the greatest democracies in the world. But where is that democracy?
By Jay Cordero5 years ago in The Swamp
The Horrible Legal Legacy of Attorney General Jeff Sessions
For minority Democrats in Congress, rhetoric paints Trump as an architect of evil, or that’s what they’d have us believe. Immediately following Trump’s election, millions of women took to the streets in protest, but in protest of what? As a socialist, I think this shows a weakness in the Democratic establishment’s response to Trump, while simultaneously showcasing how fantastically that establishment has co-opted social movements like Occupy Wall Street, or more recently, #Resist.
By Johnny Ringo5 years ago in The Swamp
