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.

To Shoot, or Not to Shoot...
In the wake of the recent mass shooting in Florida, it’s left people searching for answers. We need solutions to a widespread issue that’s taken numerous amounts of innocent lives, and scarred many others forever. Whether you’ve been a victim or have been connected to a victim of crimes like these, we can all agree that something needs to be done about it.
By Valerie Hess8 years ago in The Swamp
I Will Die for Your Kids
As I sit here on my bed, having just received news of school being cancelled due to an ice storm, I can't help but think of the recent school shooting tragedy. You see, I'm not a teacher...yet. I'm trying my best to become one. I have wanted to become a teacher for many years and now I'm on my way. I was supposed to be in my assigned classroom where I learn under a mentor teacher. The thing about today is it was supposed to be the first time back in a classroom since the shooting in Florida.
By Diane Nivens8 years ago in The Swamp
When Are Things Going to Change?!
Alyssa Alhadeff, 14 Scott Beigel, 35 Martin Duque Anguiano, 14 Nicholas Dworet, 17 Aaron Feis, 37 Jaime Guttenberg, 14
By Kate Bennett8 years ago in The Swamp
Gun Control
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
By Mary Caitlyn8 years ago in The Swamp
Thoughts, Prayers, Guns
Travel anywhere in the world and you’ll find that people expect Americans to love three things – baseball, beer, and guns. And not necessarily in that order. In the wake of another brutal shooting in Florida where at least seventeen people were shot dead by suspect Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school, teenager, and, most troubling of all, legal owner of an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Just so you have this straight in your head, please take a moment to picture not a handgun that some banger holds in the palm of his hand and sticks in his waistband while he sells nose candy on the streets of LA. It’s a bloody massive firearm not all that different from the size of your leg into which you can easily slot thirty-round magazines and empty them through the muzzle nearly as quickly. It is, in short, a very efficient way to kill.
By Avi Sato8 years ago in The Swamp
Mental Health and Guns in America
As I write this I am extremely conflicted. I’m conflicted as a human, a parent, and a responsible gun owner. I can’t even begin to imagine what those families in Florida are currently going through and went through today. I have seen news reports, cell phone videos, and watched them with tears in my eyes as a parent. It’s easy to say, “thank god it wasn’t my kid,” but some of these parents don’t have that option. At least 17 dead, and 50+ injured. While information is still coming out, it seems as if the 19-year-old shooter had been expelled for disciplinary reasons, been obsessed with a female classmate, and his social media was described as very disturbing. Some students claimed that his Instagram was very disturbing, as described killing animals for fun. They said if anybody did it, it would be him.
By James Howell8 years ago in The Swamp
A Trigger for Change
Another day, another high school massacre. They happen so frequently now, that the shock value just isn’t there anymore. How awful, that the senseless deaths of children no longer shock us. Predictably, pro-gun spokespeople including politicians and celebrities have been scratching around for as many excuses as they can to deny that lax gun regulation was the cause of yet another school shooting.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
Wake Up America
At 21 years old, all I know is being a student. All I know is going school, learning whatever curriculum I need to learn, and going home when my day at school is finished. I am very lucky that I have always made it back home.
By Paranneting/Anne Reboa8 years ago in The Swamp
Don't Blame Gun Control
Bullying has become an epidemic. Yes, you could shrug and say, "bullying has always been around. Back in the good ole day—" and I would stop you right there. Yes, bullying has always been around. But times change and technology has evolved, as well as weaponry and our mindsets.
By Caitie8 years ago in The Swamp
Another School Massacre
I found out today about the massacre at a Florida public school. 17 people dead. Families in agony. A 19-year old mentally-ill kid with a gun. The media and masses reporting while political leaders deliver response speeches. Everybody's got a thought or a feeling about it, except me. I will post the sad faces on Facebook responses, and I will say the appropriate compassionate response, but I honestly don't know what I think or feel about this. It's not the first time this has happened, so it's not shocking. It probably won't be the last time, regardless of more gun laws or not. I want to share my opinion or my stance, but really all I have in mind is a ton of unanswered questions.
By Shanon Norman8 years ago in The Swamp
The True Minimum Wage in California
The minimum wage, such a hotly contested situation, is now $10.50 an hour in the State of California. The politicians bicker constantly about what minimum wage should be. Is $10.50 an hour livable for most people? People wonder if this income bracket can get one off disability. Sometimes the system needs to be reminded just how low-income individuals can get while on the system. You get dinged for saving money after all, or making money for that matter. There is this thing called a PASS Plan. The plan is your method to make money. It is handwritten and your social worker reads it.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
The Ultimate Polish Joke
Late on Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed into law a law would make it illegal to accuse the nation of complicity in crimes committed by Nazi Germany, including the Holocaust.
By Freddy Zalta8 years ago in The Swamp