Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
A Conversation Between World Leaders
The following is a collection of quotations, the words of two people. They are not talking to each other, but their comments have a certain commonality. One of the people was a world leader. The other is a world leader. The comments of each tell us which might be more fit to lead. One is an extraordinary person; the other is not. The idea of this exercise is not to determine who the speakers are (that’s easy) but to understand the skill set of a successful leader.
By Barry Blake5 years ago in The Swamp
A STUDY IN THE EDWARDIAN ERA
The Edwardian Era is my favourite Era in English history. It was a time when the old crossed over into the new and “life” started to change into the modern world in which we live today. Photography was in its infant stage but we still have these amazing pictures of the old and new, the horse and cart with the motor car (for example) in the one photograph. These old, sepia photographs have opened the door to the Edwardian Era, helping us to understand the importance of this “part” of English history, and giving us “living” pictures of how people lived back then. The pictures of the dresses are exquisite and yet, just as interesting is how these photographs showed the difference in how these “classes” lives, what they wore and where they worked.
By Ruth Elizabeth Stiff5 years ago in The Swamp
Inclusion Matters - Part 2
In hindsight, the introduction of Inclusion Matters Part 1, left me realising that the discourse is massive, broad, and could go in so many different directions. I would need to prioritise and minimise! Perhaps areas will overlap but prioritising will be important to be more informed.
By Teriu Lemon5 years ago in The Swamp
A house of many basements: Biden’s media strategy and why it’s working
It’s been more than briefly fashionable to dismiss or distill the current pandemic-driven style of former vice president Joe Biden’s presidential campaign as a war being waged from his basement in Delaware. The Trump 2020 re-elect campaign, denied the chance to go after Biden on traditional campaign turf (the country itself), has doubled down on the Biden-in-the-basement meme, alleging that Biden’s phoning it in, taking shots at President* Donald Trump from the equivalent of a bunker in New England.
By Michael Eric Ross5 years ago in The Swamp
Michigan, Where Do Our Tax Payments Actually Go?
I have had a lot of questions about taxes lately. So, I reviewed the State of Michigan’s Annual Financial Report prepared by the State Budget Office in comparison with the Budget Briefing: State Tax Revenue Overview which was prepared by the House Fiscal Agency. I did not like what I found.
By Amanda Spradlin5 years ago in The Swamp
4 Ways to Support Your Country During Tough Times
Most people would agree that the times are fairly troubling these days. And with it comes stress, worry, confusion or anger. One of the most important things you can do? Don't get stuck in it. Recognize that things will get better. Stand by your country and see it through, even on the hardest days. Along with hanging on tight to this positive outlook, there are other things you can do to show support and love for your country. Keep reading for four ideas to make a difference.
By Dennis McKonkie5 years ago in The Swamp
Book Review: "How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps" by Ben Shapiro
Ben Shapiro’s introduction to his new book “How to Destroy America in Three Easy Steps” begins with capturing the very depths of the free-thinking mind of the new generation of political libertarians, liberals and conservatives alike. He ignites conversation, question and rethinking with his incredible argument that America moves towards disengagement and misinformation. Shapiro proves to be back on top form with his book “The Right Side of History” being a massive success and, from a readers point of view whether you like him or not, you have to admit that he knows what he’s talking about. As America tries to uphold herself in her 250 year civil rights’ history since the war, Shapiro lets us all in on a secret: that we are the problem and yet, we are also the solution. His writing style is clear, concise and consistent with a man who proves that ethics and morals, standards and cultural traditions seem to arise over conflict, mass mob culture, labelling and chaos. As both the right and the left of the American Political slip into chaos, Ben Shapiro is there explaining why they are both completely wrong.
By Annie Kapur5 years ago in The Swamp
The Lost History
The world continually turns forgetting the embers that continue to glow in red. Ever burning heat of the past that silently grows and devours. 'We The People' is a fallacy in the logistics of the world we live in. In order for there to be a we there must be a unified 'I'. In the lack of love for all, there only becomes a love of gain. This is the Western imperialistic way of moving throughout history. Overcoming and overtaking, leaving a greater divide rather than an inclusive conclusive connection. 'The' is the principle of a continued now, and diligent present that cannot be swayed away from the uncertain future. It is the principle that connects not just sentences and thoughts on paper, but does the like in the world of action. It is practical, when only a wise practicality is embedded in its purpose.
By Travae Jones5 years ago in The Swamp
Beirut 2020: A tale of two tragedies 75 years apart
Just one day after the horrific explosion in Beirut that brought about the deaths of more than 135 people, with thousands injured and at least 300,000 people left homeless, the world remembers the tragic events of 75 years ago when the United States unleashed an atomic bomb for the first time on Hiroshima, Japan.
By Steve Harrison5 years ago in The Swamp
Chaos and Chagrin
This is gonna be a spicy one, folks. Strap in. Seth Rogen really stepped in it. I mean, he really, really stepped in it. And just so you know, I don't want to be writing this. What I want to write is an analysis discussing The Avengers: Endgame as a spiritual successor to the Golem of Prague. And I will. Dibs. But for right now, I have to talk about a small mountain of middle-aged right-wing pissbaby pundits, exemplified by the dumbest of them, Jonathan Tobin; and young, overly-idealistic American leftists, many of whom aren't even Jewish, who wouldn't know or care anything about the Palestinian people were it not for the occupation, weighing in on a topic that is complexity itself, and reducing it to "Well, you shouldn't have done that thing back after the Shoah."
By Sophia-Helene Mees de Tricht5 years ago in The Swamp
Is Anarchy Always Against the Mainstream 2? [Updated Version]
Some time ago I blogged something called Is Anarchy Always Against the Mainstream? It began: "Supposedly, we live in a country threatened with chaos, and this chaos results from a lack of public order. In my opinion, this is only partly true. In reality, I think much — if not most — of the world’s chaos comes from people (be they influential or otherwise) trying to impose their perception of order on things." I also emphasized this wasn't meant to be "a vague, blanket condemnation..."
By Wade Wainio5 years ago in The Swamp
