Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Please Disagree with Me
Here in the US it is election season, in fact the day I am writing this is Election Eve. Across the country people have been voting early in precincts that allow it and, due to the pandemic, millions of Americans have chosen absentee voting this year. I don’t know the actual numbers, but I know all the reports I have heard indicate that absentee and early voting are setting records. That is a great thing. Being engaged in the political process, when you have an opportunity to influence, even in a minor way, the direction of your community, state and nation please do so.
By Gary Hauger5 years ago in The Swamp
Thoughts For My Neighbor
November 3rd, contrary to what political propaganda tries to make you believe, our country will not change. However, we the people of this country must continue to do so. On and after Election Day we must remember we decide our own fate, but also set the tone for generations to come after us.
By Dan-O Vizzini5 years ago in The Swamp
Social Stratification
Social stratification is the way society categorizes its people into socioeconomic strata, based on factors of their occupation, wealth, income, and either social status or any form of derived power (“Sociologists,” n.d.) Social stratification sets limits and boundaries on what certain groups of people or societies have access to, including healthcare and education, both which are essential components of one’s well-being. Sociologists have recognized that stratification is a society wide system which makes inequalities present in a given society especially apparent. Social stratification peaks a special interest in sociology because of the fact it represents a larger social pattern.
By Paranneting/Anne Reboa5 years ago in The Swamp
Strengths and Weaknesses of Different voting systems
Over the years Democracy has taken many shapes and forms. It has invaded Europe, The Americas, Africa, Asia, and Oceana. Yet the way each democracy dose voting is extremely different. Instead of taking a really deep look we are going to take a look at all the different ways people are currently voting, and how it works. After I will give my personal grade of how good it is and why I feel that way. Bear in mind I go by a few metrics. First is how does it treats third parties? Second how effective has it been to keep dictators from gaming it. Third how many people on average actually participate this way and don’t stay home. And finally does it allow for real change in party politics AKA turn over. Mind you I wont touch upon all these metrics but I will explain my ranking out of five stars as to the big reasons it goes there due to some metrics being obvious in the descriptions and explanations of the pros and cons list. At the end I will give you my personal preference as to the voting system I love the most and as to why I suggest it for more modern democracies as well as emerging democracies around the world.
By Andrew Legnani5 years ago in The Swamp
Feature Story Assignment
• Target Publication My target publication is the Oregonian, a local newspaper here in Oregon. It has a Mission Statement that covers three points of great importance to the paper. The three points it discusses are “Oregon’s Leading News Source,” “Serving Our Communities,” and “Embracing the Future.” The Oregonian has been serving their community “for more than 160 years.” The Oregonian is a defining source that also aids businesses, “reach their ideal customers through a robust mix of digital advertising, search marketing, SEO, social media strategy and other services.” In terms of “Embracing the Future,” the Oregonian is keeping their media up-to-date with the changing technologies to appeal to their readers. They are found online via OregonLive.com.
By W.S. Klass5 years ago in The Swamp
This Ain't An Election
I am not sure I have ever been more anxious than I am right now. It's November 2nd, tomorrow is the US election. Tomorrow begins the decision if America is deserving of its life, or if it gets dragged out back to be shot as a mercy. This is our Old Yeller moment, and I suspect that when the results are read, I will react the same way as I did upon my first reading of that book. Long bouts of inconsolable shrieking crying.
By Paige Graffunder5 years ago in The Swamp
Your vote and voice matters
In a pandemic we have never faced since the Spanish Influenza, the handling of Covid-19 that was poorly accounted by our current administration has scourged over the entire country and even worldwide. The U.S. has lost over 230,000 lives from the coronavirus, in which we have given confidence to the science expersts and major pharma companies to work on vaccines and treatments for laboratory test experiments while we are gradually wearing masks and follow CDC guidelines. Schools cancelled and have gone virtual. Some schools reopen without any handling how it will affect children getting in as well as transmission of the virus they are unaware of. Federal, state, and local governments, agencies, and institutions are going through phases of reopening once the virus handling is negotiated. Worse of all, we have witness masses of gatherings and protests that has torn the country into pieces since the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other African-American lives taken by corrupt authorities like the police force. Day after day, week after week, and month after month I have never seen anything that shocked me in my entire life. It's hard getting a job because staff is cut short and hours are limited. Your financial aid ends after being forced to have your name taken off of your parent's tax returns. And, student debt is still rising and it's not only a national tragedy, but a strategy that dismantles anyone involved in that particular debt.
By Victor Christy5 years ago in The Swamp
Reverse Racism is Not a Real Term
Reverse Racism’s True Meaning (If It Were a Real Term) I’ll confess, right from the start of this, that the most difficult part of writing this post, is going to be trying to meet the word count required for the platform. Why? That’s easy. It actually doesn’t take very many words to state the simple and obvious truth. The term, “reverse racism” is not an actual term and is a fictional excuse created by the victimhood mentality.
By Timothy A Rowland5 years ago in The Swamp
Another open letter
Dear Ms. America, Rumor has it that you can do no wrong and that you are the envy of the world. Fun fact: You are morbidly obese and an inmate running the asylum, to reference the latest project by the iconic Hip Hop duo Run The Jewels (2020).
By Nefarious Darrius5 years ago in The Swamp
How Colonies Affected Civilizations In The Past
The British colony was established in Hong-Kong, in 1841, right after the end of the first opium-war. That was the resistance of China to accept the opium trade of the English, East-India Company, as it was attempting to bring drugs from Bengal, the then well-established and advanced part of India that the company was operating from. Exporting commodities from Hong-Kong, like tea and silk was of great importance to Europe, yet there were few things that were allowed to be imported to Asia to counter-balance the sheet. The only commodity accepted by China was Silver, but it was rare to find and unprofitable for the whole trading endeavor. So they decided to induce opium, distributing it to the whole Country through smugglers, to cover for this deficit, creating a drug pandemic that would take the whole country by the swarm.
By Philip Baker5 years ago in The Swamp
