celebrities
When Hollywood takes Washington. Keep tabs on the celebrities influencing politics with their activism, opinions, campaign endorsements and more.
John Cusack Can Sit if He Wants To
Pity poor John Cusack. The once successful actor, now relegated to what was once called "Straight to Video," when there was such a thing, caught some flak lately for his off-duty performance at a Cubs game. A local news outlet snapped a shot of the grumpy-looking celeb sitting in his seat during a pre-game tribute to the US military.
By Grant Patterson7 years ago in The Swamp
Reason First: Does Nicki Minaj Know More About Individual Rights Than President Trump?
If only the Human Rights Foundation could change its name to the Individual Rights Foundation. While it is redundant to say “individual rights,” in today’s climate, it is necessary to reinforce the rights of the individual human being. And that’s what rapper Nicki Minaj has grasped. It’s too bad President Trump has failed to do this. As Minaj has canceled a show in a Saudi Arabia music festival after learning about how women, the LGBTQ community, and everyone else must endure oppression through the ill recognition of freedom of speech in that monarchy. The president should really be held accountable.
By Skyler Saunders7 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 Don't We Warm to Meghan?
I love the Royal family, always have. I love hearing news of a Royal wedding, or a Royal baby. I love the Queen, she has done her role to perfection. I feel tremendously proud to have such a great ruling monarch. Her achievements are incredible.
By Hayley Dodwell7 years ago in The Swamp
Ye and "Free Thought"
Music is an integral part of the culture in America. Specifically hip-hop, which according to USA Today, has recently overtaken rock as the most listened to genre in the US. Because of this, influential artists have become household names, inspiring children across the country and connecting listeners from all walks of life. While rappers have always been the topic of conversation due to their sometimes braggadocious tendencies and contentious statements, there is one artist who has been the talk of the nation for all the wrong reasons, Kanye West, a rapper from Chicago. Over the last couple of months, Kanye has become a polarizing figure in the music industry, causing a stir of controversy from his unconventional and perverse statements, in actuality, he’s a complex individual who has made valid points, which have been construed against him by the media and his peers.
By Cameron Duncan7 years ago in The Swamp
The Pop Face of Politics
Full disclosure, this may become a book at some point. The research involved was extensive and well worth it. Also, the feud between the people involved is not going to die away like a pop song after a few weeks at the top of the charts. Cardi B broke onto the national stage last year with her hit single "Bodak Yellow" and followed it up with a string of #1 rap songs that still hasn't ended. Lady Gaga has been around for a while longer and also has a string of hits, and is currently winning awards for her first movie performance in A Star is Born. Outside of being born in New York City (The Bronx for Cardi B, Manhattan for Gaga), these ladies are feuding with high profile Conservatives and the result is an interesting mix of politics and pop culture.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
When Activists Betray Us
We love our heroes. Fictional characters, our favorite teacher, celebrity activists ... we worship the people who inspire us to be better. We rely on them to give us faith that the world isn’t as cruel as it seems. When we feel that progress is being trampled, we look to them for reassurance.
By Alex Casey7 years ago in The Swamp
Them Furious Days. Top Story - November 2018.
At 3:39 AM of November 28, 2018, Harry Leslie Smith died. He was 95.He spent his twilight years in turning to writing and championing public services such as the NHS to see that the generations of his children and his grandchildren wouldn't live in the same squalid conditions that he had. Harry was born in 1923, so coming of age into the Great Depression, he has spoken at length of the horrors of pauper's pits and workhouses, horrors that would befall his own family. He started his first job at the age of 10, delivering coal. Harry referred to British life at this point a "barbarous time."
By C. Raymond Martin7 years ago in The Swamp
Bill Hicks Is Not Alex Jones
I'm a big fan of Bill Hicks. I have read two of his biographies, sat through three documentaries, and watched his specials so many times to the point that I can recite chunks of his material—usually in unwelcome social situations. His message of challenging mediocrity wherever it lies is something that resonates with me, even now. So I know Hicks had something of a penchant for conspiracy theories, particularly regarding the assassination of JFK and the Waco siege, though there's another theory that hits close to home and this one involves the man himself.Now, I don't buy into a lot of conspiracy theories, this one included. I've given some theories a chance and found most don't stand up to scrutiny. I've dismissed most as being absurd and left its believers to their own devices in the darkest corners of the internet. Believe what you want to believe, I say. But this theory pisses me off a little bit and it's a theory that believes that Hicks faked his cancer diagnosis, "died," and reinvented himself as Alex Jones. Chew on that for a second.
By C. Raymond Martin7 years ago in The Swamp
Megyn Kelly Not Elected
"This is about Megyn Kelly and her spectacular implosion. She went from hottest newsagent around to being too toxic to be on air for any network." That fabulous quote is from The Kelly Collapse (out now!), written by yours truly. It's about how the former Fox News personality went from commanding $20 million per year to hashing out her exit deal with NBC. Which brings us to the point of this article, NBC News realized what a mistake they made but not before making one more error; they were going to feature Kelly heavily in their midterm election coverage.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
