Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Sweeping Police Reforms, San Jose, CA
Right now, people all over the United States are fed up with police. They refuse to put up with things as they are, but Mayor Sam Liccardo took a different approach by not giving in to the people's demands to defund the police department, while also making sure they stop using tear gas or rubber bullets. Liccardo, according to the Mercury News, decided to provide a budget that will impact police reform more than focusing on defunding them entirely. The 2020-21 fiscal year starts July 1st, but the mayor feels that San Jose is not staffed as well as it could be. Communities of color ask for more police, but sometimes face being victimized by crime more often than other communities.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez6 years ago in The Swamp
Trans Lives Still Matter
On the fourth anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting that occurred in Orlando, the Trump administration recently announced that they have rolled back non discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people that were under the Affordable Care Act. It’s a shame that they’re rolling back these protections during a health crisis. According to the new rules, gay and transgender people can be refused care because of the provider’s religious beliefs. Not only it’s discriminatory, but it goes against HIPPA laws. The new rule is expected to take effect in mid-August. However, advocacy groups like the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), are planning to file a lawsuit to challenge the ruling.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 6 years ago in The Swamp
Bryan Watch: Corona Edition
Bryan Watch: Corona Watch Edition Apologies for not posting a Bryan Watch in a while, but Congress has simply not been that busy due to the COVID crisis. So here is what Congress has done since the WHO declared the Pandemic on March 11.
By John Heckenlively6 years ago in The Swamp
A Pandemic Strikes
As the media keeps reminding us, these are unprecedented times. 2020 started with the hopes that the new decade would bring in new, exciting changes. It was a promise of a new beginning. Then the world came to a crashing halt because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic came change, though maybe not the change everyone was hoping for. It seemed as if overnight, the everyone was wearing face masks and quarantining themselves at home when possible. Where we used to have plenty, stores were suddenly out of toilet paper, water, cleaning supplies, etc. People are losing their jobs, business are closing, people are worried about family and friends. Our country has been divided into the essential and non-essential employees.
By Sarah Livengood6 years ago in The Swamp
Let Black artists have a voice
Finding the right place to get good art supplies to help our passions and creativity spark to life is hard to find. I had heard of the art store Blick when my friend at the time took me over there. I left with several brushes that have not been entirely used, a sketch book, and acrylic paints. Whenever I would have the chance, window shopping at Blick was high on the list.
By Leslie Lozada6 years ago in The Swamp
Remove the Confederate Flag
Whether or not to remove the confederate flag has been a debate for years, but with recent events, it has become a spotlight topic once again. This debate is touchy and controversial and those who debate seem to stand either strongly for the flag or strongly against it. Some Southerners believe that the confederate flag is part their childhood and history itself. But on the other hand, those fighting to remove the flag claim it is a symbol of oppression, slavery and hatred. In order to pick a side, we must first understand the history of the flag.
By Madeline Keys6 years ago in The Swamp
Trust Issues – Part 1
As the Human Civilization Reformation Coalition, we believe that numerous problems face humanity and can affect the existence of our species. In the effort of a continuous conversation concerning the problems that face humanity and the potential solutions towards these problems, we feel there is no other time appropriate for a discussion revolving the issue of our species existing in a low trust society.
By Jeff McCarty6 years ago in The Swamp
DOWN COMES CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
Christopher Columbus lived during a time where racism was not heard of . Slavery was something that was the norm . It was not considered wrong at that time, it was just something that you did. Columbus is a very controversial part of history . It is said that one of the controversies was his treatment of the indigenous people, which where the Indians , he had as slaves, and the violence he shed on them. Others say he was a hero who set out to discover if the word was round and ,in his adventures accidentally discovered America. So was Columbus a hero or a villain, I don't really know. What I do know is that he is part of history. And that is what his statues symbolizes for me. History is very important. If we don't study it and learn from it , we are certain to repeat it.
By Adriane Kirby6 years ago in The Swamp
Moscow's problematic statues
You can still find statues of Stalin in Moscow. Despite the dictator’s abrupt fall from Soviet grace during the Khrushchev thaw, those familiar moustaches (in Russian, a moustache is invariably plural) can be spotted where the city’s latte-swilling hipsters come to play. The Muzeon complex is firmly established on the city circuit, between the fashionable ‘Red October’ district, a chocolate factory turned creative hub, and Gorky Park, refurbished to its Soviet-era heyday.
By Andy Potts6 years ago in The Swamp
