Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Bernie's Last Stand
With Trump in the White House it seems that our society has, in so many respects, succumbed to a much lower common denominator. The divisions that exist have only exasperated the growing divide that has turned humanity away from what is good and virtuous. It is quite evident when, for the past 30 years, the violent atrocities in our schools, entertainment venues, churches, and other places where the public gathers, has steadily increased in severity and frequency. Yet, our leaders seem powerless to find solutions that would negate all the horrific violence that is like a plague on our society.
By Dr. Williams7 years ago in The Swamp
Censorship and Alternative Media
Censorship and Alternative Media: How harsher regulations inspire resistance Introduction “According to Freedom House (2015), about 86% of the world’s population resides in partially or fully censored mass media environments, making citizen political communication in censored media systems the global norm” (Behrouzian, Nisbet, Dal, & Çarkoğlu, 2016, p. 1). A great deal of communication research focuses on relatively open environments; therefore, it is important to find out how motivated resistance and alternate communication methods allow new ideas to enter societies experiencing restrictions. Journalists are often subjected to sanctions, intimidation, and other forms of punishment by governments around the world. However, in the eyes of viewers, perception of availability is more important than the supply or institutional views on said media content. It is important to study the effects of censorship and the alternatives for motivated citizens (Nisbet & Stoycheff, 2013). A study titled “Resisting Censorship: How Citizens Navigate Closed Media Environments,” summarized in this assignment, explored how individuals reacted to media censorship. This area of study is relevant given big tech’s recent crackdown on various alternative media pundits in the U.S.A. It may be wise for citizens in the west to prepare themselves for navigating a restricted system.
By Brett Hogan7 years ago in The Swamp
The 20th Amendment
The President and the Vice President’s term is over at noon on January 20th, while the term limits of Senators and the House of Representatives end on the 3rd day of January. Congress needs to assemble once a year, while that meeting begins at noon on the 3rd day of January, unless the law sets up a different day.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez7 years ago in The Swamp
Bryan Watch: May Week 3
There were two major issues this week in the House: Equality for LGBTQ citizens, and expanding access to health care. The week closed with the House passing HR 5, The Equality Act, just in time for Gay Pride month in June. Steil joined with most Republicans in voting against it (RC 217, May 17).
By John Heckenlively7 years ago in The Swamp
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex: One Year After Becoming a Royal
Meghan Markle, former Suits actress, married Prince Harry one year ago on May 19, 2018. It was at that time that Meghan became a royal with all the rights and privileges that any other royal has. Even though their wedding and marriage have been different in many ways, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have had a whirlwind first year together.
By Margaret Minnicks7 years ago in The Swamp
Why Donald Trump Hates Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk
Really? Do you take us all for fools? Like we can't see that you and your pals are just so heavily invested in oil up to your eyelids that the last thing you want is for electric cars to make it here in the "United States?" United is the furthest thing from your mind. You wanted that title for one reason, and one reason only. MONEY. Did you not get enough hugs as a child? Was it that your family came from poverty and you decided once and for all that you were absolutely never going to live that way ever again? OR was it that POWER and CONTROL that you felt when you started succeeding after someone in your family, most likely your father, called you a failure for not being worth a f*ck?
By Missy Conley7 years ago in The Swamp
Beyond the Choice
In recent news, there has been a lot of huff and puff concerning the autonomy of the female body (or her lack thereof). Take note of where these near-total abortion bans are occurring. Please take notice of what these populations look like. As a woman baring a few roles of intersectionality, I can't speak for the majority. But I will say that the conversations I've had with women like me have included statements like "Why are groups of men (that are majority white) making decisions that affect the whole of America, which doesn't look like them?" Or "We just fought for and received these rights, are they really going to strip us of them less than two generations later?" Valid points, some may argue different. But now I challenge you to stretch your mind a bit.
By Marie Christine7 years ago in The Swamp
The Abortion Debate Is NOT a Male vs. Female Issue
Alabama just passed strict new anti-abortion laws that would essentially make it illegal to have an abortion except in very few situations. And if you happen to be a doctor that performs an abortion, you could end up going to jail for a whopping 99 years. Heck, this law is so restrictive that the ordinarily ultra-conservative televangelist Pat Robertson has basically said, "Whoa, Alabama, don't you think you went a little too far here?" You know things might be out of hand when even ol' Pat is wincing at the punitive measures being put into place by anti-abortionists.
By Chris Hearn7 years ago in The Swamp
Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was born in Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England on November 30th, 1874. Ninety years later Churchill died nine days after a severe stroke in his London home; he lived a life of many words in the center of WWII but was quoted as saying, “I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.” Aside from his involvement in WWII, he had a loving wife, Clementine Ogilvy Hozier (married in 1908), and has quoted, “My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me.” Together they had five children: Diana, Randolph, Sarah, Marigold (who died as a toddler from tonsillitis), and Mary. Amongst his many achievements in life, he served as Prime Minister two separate terms from 1940-1945 & 1951-1955 and was even knighted in 1953 by Queen Elizabeth II. During his life he wrote and orated many speeches, some of which we will look at in this article; a true inspiration to the world and a man of many words, he remained humble, admitting, “In the course of my life, I have often had to eat my words, and I must confess that I have always found it a wholesome diet.”
By Cheyenne Harbison7 years ago in The Swamp
