Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Reason First: Stop Joe Biden Before it’s Too Late
This is serious. Former Vice President Joe Biden’s verbal slip ups are not gaffes. They are signs of a man unfit for being the leader of the semi-free world. His mind is too cluttered with nonsense that he has no clue as to what he is saying. Over the past few years, pundits have quipped and late night show hosts have jabbed at Biden’s inability to complete a sentence or worse. He attempts to form a coherent string of words but like an old car low on fuel sputters to an awkward, grinding halt.
By Skyler Saunders6 years ago in The Swamp
You Make A Difference
I'm going to miss my view. As a privileged person, the only sacrifice I am really making is I will lose the beautiful view from my balcony. A few weeks ago, a local webzine published a fluff piece about the plan to replace the building across the street from me with a five story rental building ($2000/m rent) and commercial space on the first floor along with enclosed parking. In the article, it stated that residents can bring concerns to an aldermanic meeting two days later. Jimmy's Pizza, a neighborhood staple located in the building in question stated at said meeting that the article was the first they heard of the plan. The alderman was shocked and told the developer to go back to the drawing board in response to Jimmy's concerns. Jimmy's has great New York style pizza and beignets. The establishment employs several neighbors and delivers to residents of the area.
By Michel Schwartz6 years ago in The Swamp
Were the Founding Fathers good or bad people?
Growing up, I was given a highly polarized image of the men who founded the United States of America. On one side of the spectrum was a portrait of glorious god-like figures who embodied liberty and held eternally great ideas. The other was evil slave owners who didn’t care about anyone except rich people and money. Are they both true? Is there a grey area somewhere in between these two highly contrasted images? No, of course not. Usually, I can find a grey area in almost any subject, but not this one. Because neither of these images are accurate at all. Not all of the founding fathers had perfect ideas, and not all of them believed in slavery. Both images are either a mythical and excessively cynical one. They’re founded on extreme bias and sensational interpretations of American colonial history. Yes, many of the founding fathers were rich and were being taxed by the British. That doesn’t mean money was the only factor in their rebellion against Britain. Particularly for the founding fathers who actually took the time to build a well-designed government in place of merely ruling as kings. Not to mention the founding fathers who were not a part of the wealthy class. Legends like Samuel Adams, who was such a charismatic figure they named a brewery after him in Boston. Although he did come from a wealthy family, he wasn’t concerned with money but was more of a political idealist.
By Landon Girod6 years ago in The Swamp
Dear whoever is listening.
Recently whilst working the delivery at my job I’ve gotten into listening to podcasts on many different subjects like crime and politics. One of those podcasts was ‘The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it’ with climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe. This podcast made me stop in my tracks for many reasons. Beginning her talk Hayhoe believes that we as a species see global warming as a constant now - much like the sun rises and sets every day we see it as a natural part of our lives. She walked me through the data. Did you know that almost 70% of people in the U.S agree that our climate is changing and that change will ultimately have an effect on future generations? However only 60% of those Americans believe that the United States will be effected by global warming and furthermore only 40% of them believe that they personally will be effected by global warming. What’s even more alarming is that Hayhoe discussed the history of global warming. It has been over 150 years since climate scientists discovered that we were adding a layer to the ozone layer. It’s been 50 years since a president of the United States was informed that climate change was going to be a serious threat to the world, and that truthfully those who have contributed the least to the problem are bearing the brunt of the impacts. If this is true then why is the fear of global warming just become news recently? Did they truly believe it wouldn’t be a problem? But the thing that really stuck with me that Hayhoe says is that climate change isn’t an issue that’s rooted in science, we know the science exists, but in political alignment. This idea that climate change is a radical liberal issue. This idea that we know global warming exists but we choose to do nothing about it.
By Grace Lynch6 years ago in The Swamp
Speak Up
The issues recently in the world have been about climate change and the effects of it have been horrendous. I have a strong belief in producing a greener world, but while the world is fast-paced and growing, we need to catch up with the damages that have been done for years and we need to focus more on how to fix the damage we have done.
By Christine W6 years ago in The Swamp
No One Cares
Does it bother you? I’ll tell you right now, it doesn’t really bother me much. I don’t think twice very often. I scroll past articles titled WARNING: ICE CAPS MELTING and RESOURCES LIMITED: TIME TO CHANGE without pause because what am I supposed to do about it, really? and then stop to appreciate a two-minute video of a social media influencer caught doing something ridiculous in public to get that perfect product-sponsored post, all the while I’m filling the bathtub to its brim for the third time that week (and it’s only Wednesday, don’t @ me).
By Kendi Stoneberg6 years ago in The Swamp
Coronavirus, first victim in the US, Trump: 'probable new cases'
There are now almost 3,000 coronavirus deaths worldwide. And America also records the first death in Washington state. The victim was a woman in her 50s. It had arrived, the US media reported, with "serious breathing problems" at EvergreenHealth hospital in Kirkland, Washington. It is not clear yet when the patient was hospitalized, when the symptoms first appeared and how long it took to get tested.
By Buyer Fatin6 years ago in The Swamp
On This Day in 2016!!
Tuesday March 1st, Terry McAuliffe was the 72nd Governor of Virginia, Paul Fraim, Norfolk’s Mayor since 1994 was in four months to the day preparing to ride off into the political sunset, and this was day I told the world, via Facebook, I was heading to the polls for the 2016 Super Tuesday Elections. I expressed my excitement with a photo, the one attached to this blog post here. It was special to me. This was my 4th time voting in a presidential election, and my first time attending a rally connected to same. I was hyped, scared, confused, and embarrassed to show it. I remember arriving to Lake Taylor High School, Monday February 29, that was also the last time we had a leap year, which if I can take this side note, because I find it fascinating, EVERY PRESIDENTIAL RACE falls on the same year as LEAP YEAR.... 😳😳😳 now back to work..
By Erik DeSean Barrett6 years ago in The Swamp
