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.
It's the Most RARFLARGLE Time of the Year
Sleighbells ring, are you listenin'? In the air ... snow isn't quite glistening yet. Already we're seeing the memes on Facebook, hearing the ranting on TV and radio programs, seeing the "protests," and even hearing directly from held-at-arm's-length "friends" and family about it.
By Grizzly Matthews8 years ago in The Swamp
Mixed Girl Problems
I was military brat. That one statement should explain a lot. I moved around a lot, made friends with all kinds of people. The schools I went to had a good mix of ethnicities. I can honestly say that I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet and make friends with children that were different from me. Race was not a factor for me or any of the other kids. You ever notice that when you're in elementary school, everyone is your friend? What happens when you get to middle school? The first year is a breeze, friendships are still the same, but then halfway through middle school you start to notice a divide. The white girl and her brother that you used to walk to and from school with, no longer come by your house on the way to school to walk with you. The Asian girl that you used to eat lunch with no longer sits at the same table with you. The black girls that you used to joke around with in the locker room, now whisper among themselves. The Puerto Rican and Mexican friends that you played outside with during recess no longer talk to each other. You know what's so crazy? I was singled out of every group. I didn't belong.
By Tammy Chisholm8 years ago in The Swamp
1 Year Later Keystone Has A Pipeline Leak
A year ago, there were massive protests around the issue of building the Keystone pipeline. The key reason for major opposition to the Keystone pipeline is due to harmful environmental damage; if a pipeline leak were to occur there would be contamination of the environment. Native Americans and environmentalist were treated inhumanely protesting the Keystone pipeline, they were hosed with cold water at sub-freezing temperatures, rubber bullets were shot at them and law enforcement viciously tore down their camps. News of the Keystone pipeline leak is shattering because our government failed to listen to the people, they are the cause of the inhumane treatment protestors received. As a result, citizens of South Dakota and the environment will suffer. Moreover, Nebraska approving the extended Keystone XL pipeline illustrates the ignorance of local elected officials ignoring the issue of climate change and steadily pursuing a terrible policy harmful to the environment.
By Eve's Politics8 years ago in The Swamp
White America Needs to Stop Looking for Loopholes
Do you think wayward politicians will somehow see the light soon and stop being so extremist and authoritative? Do you expect them to finally find some compassion within themselves to reverse their attempts to oppress and squeeze the life out of diverse citizens? Not going to happen.
By Fannie LeFlore8 years ago in The Swamp
America is Exactly Wrong in Its Approach to North Korea
In any middle school American social studies class, as they look at ancient cultures, the message is repeated and reinforced: With trade comes the exchange of ideas. Through all of history from the Phoenicians to the Romans, from the crusades to the age of exploration, trade changes people. As with Native Americans, sometimes this is tragic in inestimable ways, but often, open trade opens minds. Why then, do we continue to believe that trade sanctions force change? It has literally never worked. As we continue the path of increasing sanctions in the hopes of bringing North Korea to heal, it’s important to remember that this path has never worked and is unlikely to work now. But there is another path which often works: trade.
By David Bulley8 years ago in The Swamp
Priti Patel's Lovely Holiday
Another day, another embarrassment for Theresa May's government. If there are any more resignations, the Cabinet is going to be a very lonely place. This time, it was the turn of Priti Patel to hand in her notice. I wonder who's next — it's rather exciting! Anyway, the UK government will probably have legitimacy until at least the weekend, so let's take a look at this one misdemeanour along the way to the implosion of the Conservative Party.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
Safe Injection Sites
The global opioid epidemic has brought the previously underground drug world to the forefront of the media. The most popular problem-solving technique seems to be the use of safe using sites. Also known as safe injection sites, these facilities are popping up in urban centers across the United States and Canada; however, these safe using sites were already in place across the globe. Switzerland was responsible for spearheading this concept, opening the first safe injection site in 1986. Canada’s first site opened as a response to an overwhelming increase in Hep-C and AIDS infections in 2003 in Vancouver. With the passing of Bill C-37, things are changing. This bill will simplify the process of applying for an exemption that would allow certain activities to take place at a supervised consumption site, meaning that these sites can have a simpler operating process. Recently, Canada has opened three safe using facilities in Toronto, one in Ottawa, one in Surrey, and one in British Columbia.
By Rebecca Morris-Miller8 years ago in The Swamp
America Really Needs to Address Its Gun Problem
At the time of writing, the website massshootingtracker.org has the number of mass shootings in the US currently at 377, with the number killed sitting at 542 for this year alone. The fact that such a website even exists is startling, but the numbers make for some truly horrifying reading.
By The One True Geekology8 years ago in The Swamp
Restaurant in Dallas Suburb Gets Side Order Of 'WTF?' After Caitlyn Jenner Washroom Photos Posted
Pushing back against political correctness is one thing. We certainly now live in a world where we now have been thinking a lot more about how we communicate with others. While some might argue increased thoughtfulness is a good thing, there are others who would definitely say that, as a society, we may have become a little too politically correct.
By Christina St-Jean8 years ago in The Swamp
The (Not So) Strange Fruit of America’s Modern-Day Lynching
There’s no way of properly documenting the number of lynchings of black people throughout American history. The deaths of many of these citizens occurred while they were counted property or as free men throughout the 20th century. While racial tensions boiled over in the southern United States, the hangings of black Americans was a national epidemic that poisoned all areas of the Red, White, and Blue.
By Erika Marie8 years ago in The Swamp
The Mass Shootings
This world is becoming a sad state of affairs. I just don’t seem to understand what is going on, especially with all of the recent mass shootings that have taken place of late. The most recent took place on a Sunday night in Las Vegas, and quite a number of people have died. One of the people killed was a young girl that started working for the sports team the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. Other teams felt the effect the first week of the NHL season where there were moments of silence, even for one broadcaster who died in an unrelated manner. Every time this comes up, people want change in the ways guns are managed, but before I get into that argument, let's talk about our past history for a bit.
By Jared Rimer8 years ago in The Swamp
