controversies

It seems every time one racially-charged incident ends, a gender or religious controversy takes its place; Ruminate on the issues dividing our nation and world.

Dealing with Law Enforcement
BRYCE ON COPS - Should you be adversarial or respectful? Click for AUDIO VERSION. I recently found myself embroiled in a passionate argument about law enforcement. Someone had posted a video on social media showing a man in his car eluding police allegedly after a road rage incident. He refused to stop until he pulled into his driveway at home. The fact he failed to acknowledge police commands and argued loudly when he was caught agitated the police who forced him to the ground and put him in handcuffs. A few of the viewers commented how outrageous the police acted and they would have done likewise in resisting arrest. In contrast, I made the remark the suspect only had himself to blame; had he done as he was instructed, I doubt it would have turned into an ugly episode.
By Tim Bryce8 years ago in The Swamp
America's Historical Struggle With Human Rights
Oh, the irony. After days of national pressure, President Trump has gone back on his own policy of separating families at the border. He “didn’t like the sight or the feeling of families being separated,” so his executive order will now supposedly detain families all together. What makes this situation even more ironic is the decision to vacate the U.N. Council on Human Rights on the basis that that very council supports human rights abusers. More on that council later.
By Colin Chiakpo8 years ago in The Swamp
The Truth on Immigrant Parents and Children Separation
Immigrants coming to America from Mexico have become a huge topic in recent news. The news stations and the immigrants are blaming America for separating their children and putting them in camps. Let's take a look at the truth, a little perspective, and statistics behind what is really going on at our border.
By Aly B8 years ago in The Swamp
Illegal Immigration: Unpopular Opinion
Every article that I researched to use as a reference for this piece was highly partisan. The notion that a consistent centrist source exists about illegal immigration is false. In modern society, the news determines not only what is important, but what perception is held about certain policies. The left and right have been in contention about the correct course of action in regards to immigration for years. This will not be an article arguing the figures of illegal immigration, but rather the philosophical pitfall of viewing immigration through a partisan lens.
By Dillon Staples8 years ago in The Swamp
Antifa and Increasing Political Violence
While people believe that anti-fascism is a reflection of fascism, the beginnings of fascism are surprisingly simple. The problem of fascism is that authoritarian nationalism is difficult to fight. People believe they are parts of nations and kill others to make those nations realities—this is evident in authoritarian states that use nationalism to keep power. Germany attempted to annihilate the Jewish, Israel is attempting to exterminate Palestinians, and Hungary, Poland, and Italy are currently proposing social cleansing on the scale of the Holocaust. We are on the knife-edge, and the world is about to plunge off the cliff towards fascism, totalitarianism, and authoritarianism. The problem of national security is now mentioned every day on the television. While this is concerning, those who we are securing ourselves from are fleeing violence. Those seeking asylum, those entering through refugee programs, are human beings fleeing situations which seem impossible to escape. They are fleeing atrocities committed by countries we have interfered with. For instance, people fleeing Central America and South America are fleeing governments whose affairs we constantly interfere with, rigging elections, embargoing countries, etc. Our tampering opens the way for fascism.
By Thomas Sebacher8 years ago in The Swamp
Immigration Exposed
Trump may have bitten off a little more than he could possibly chew with his idiotic blunder into the illegal immigration minefield. Even though he’s doing nothing more than enforcing laws that are already on the books, which have been upheld by Democrat and Republican presidents, the media’s vitriol for Trump has finally brought attention to these terrible circumstances. Disingenuously, however, this is all being blamed on him.
By Chris Michaels8 years ago in The Swamp
Terrorism
Terrorism is the act committed to or outside of Canada by a person or people of a religious group, political group, or ideological purpose to instill fear into the public. One way terrorists instill fear is by causing “death or serious bodily harm by the use of violence” (Criminal Code 83.01 b.ii.A). Another way terrorists bring fear into society is by damaging private and/or public property which could also cause bodily harm or death. Canada has many ways of countering terrorism. There are different psychological theories that can (emphasis on can) help us understand the why and what makes a terrorist a terrorist.
By Kyle8 years ago in The Swamp
2018 Volcanos
- Hawaii, Kilauea Volcano - It was on the 3rd of may when the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory issued an evacuation order for hundreds of people. A fissure had opened up near the indigenous volcanic structure Kilauea, causing alarm for scientist at the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The half a mile long crack in the earth would be the first of 24 to open in an eruption event that would go on to last to this day. Pelehonuamea or Pele for short, the Hawaiian goddess believed to reside in Kilauea's crater, had unleashed her wrath on her native people. Credited to the swift response time at the observatory, the eruption has yet to take any lives and there has only been one serious injury. Although i wish the same could be said for the actual island itself. 500 homes have been destroyed already leaving an immense amount of people homeless. Thankfully the president has directed that financial assistance be provided to the people who did lose their homes. Pele also claimed a legendary victim when lava flow completely evaporated Green Lake, the biggest lake in the entire state. Legend has it that the goddess would come down to bathe in the lake herself. If the loss of their lake wasn't shocking enough for residents, the collapse of Kilauea's crater would be. Geologist do not exactly know what consequences that will have on the eruption as it continues.
By Carlos Guerra8 years ago in The Swamp
Torah for These Times
In this essay, I am going to discuss the relevance of the Torah in the times in which we find ourselves. I want to be abundantly clear, that I am not going to speak at the pulpit, nor do I have any interest in converting people to Judaism. Rather, my approach will be largely based in philosophy.
By Graham Ohayon8 years ago in The Swamp
Why Do Some People Want the Apocalypse?
Some people seem to have empty lives other than their brand of religion, which fills the void. In order to keep the world working, we all have to do our part by getting out of bed just to go to work. Those who join cults do not have enough love in their lives from somebody, are lonely, and temperamental. They feel that they need structure in their lives, so the cult provides a means to fill that particular void as well. The apocalypse cannot happen even if you watch way too much of The Walking Dead.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
Why “Never Again” Is More Than Just a Hashtag
At only seven months in, 2018 is seemingly becoming the year of the hashtag. Although started in 2006 by activist Tarana Burke, the #MeToo era came to fruition earlier this year in January along with the #TimesUp movement. Both movements heavily focus on creating sexual assault awareness as well as giving victims the space to share their stories, in the hopes that it will resonate with others. The global success of such movements helped people to recognize the power of “the number sign”.
By Jade Rowe8 years ago in The Swamp
The Outside Looking In
Politics are not usually an area I talk about unless it's with my closest relatives. However, seeing all the recent news coming from America makes me realize how little people know about immigration to the country. I feel like some background is needed to understand my view point. A little over two years ago I moved from the USA to Sweden. It was one of the toughest choices in my 20+ years. The choice also didn't happen overnight. My husband and I weighed our options between him moving to the states and me moving to Sweden.
By Cecelia Sorqvist8 years ago in The Swamp