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.
Free Speech and the New Left
In 1964, the University of California Berkeley was engaging in what would come to be known as The Free Speech Movement. During this time subversive ideas were plentiful, though not all embraced, especially by federal and local law enforcement. At the same time, a mass of students at UC Berkeley were engaged in passively handing out civil rights literature in an attempt to challenge the status quo. While this would be seen as perfectly acceptable by most standards today, Hollander Savio spoke to NPR News about how contemptible these acts were at the time by law enforcement. According to NPR News, Savio recalls that she watched a former mathematics graduate student being arrested for distributing civil rights literature (Gonzales). Fast forward to circa 2016, so called “safe spaces” are being advocated, or more appropriately characterized as demanded, by the New Left. Safe spaces as defined by The Chicago Tribune are areas which serve to shelter students from speakers and/or topics that may be traumatizing, uncomfortable or offensive (Rhodes, Vivanco). One should be shocked that this censorship and disabling of free speech and open discourse comes from the “descendants” of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement. Not only has the New Left abandoned one of the Old Left’s defining historical moments, it’s abandoned the idea that free speech is in place to protect a citizen’s right to speak openly about unpopular ideas and that that same right should be granted to all citizens without prejudice.
By Kent Prion9 years ago in The Swamp
Guns, Little Word, Big Fear
Guns. To some, the word sends shivers and thoughts of bloody death and assault on little children. To others, the word sends nothing more than happy thoughts as they think of hunting and security. To me, the word sends my eyes rolling, and my head aching, as we continue to see such a loud debate in the media, both news and social.
By Jenna Logan9 years ago in The Swamp
The Wedding Cake Debacle
Let me start right off with this disclaimer: I am a Born Again Christian. It took me until I was 31 to find my life in Jesus, and though I am not currently in a church, I read my Bible every night, and talk to Him throughout the day. I am stone solid in my Bible-based beliefs.
By Jenna Logan9 years ago in The Swamp
Aslan's Deception
Clearly, as Reza Aslan so eloquently demonstrated, obscurantism is the new black. With an all but creepy smile, Aslan has been lionized, sniffing things like Islam does not need a reformation. Really? Then how does he answer to the experiences of Ayaan Hirsi Ali in Somalia, who against her own will, suffered female genital mutilation? Painfully, Hirsi Ali recounts the details of this event for all to witness:
By Roger Smith9 years ago in The Swamp
Will Divsiveness Be the Terrorism That Ruins Our Nation?
All the divisive negativity on the interweb has got to stop! I have been saying it for about a decade now, getting louder as I go. It seems no one is listening. I decided to blog about it, to try to reach more "ears."
By Jenna Logan9 years ago in The Swamp
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism, a word so many of us know but one so many of us still do not fully understand. To me, it's the promise of liberty, freedom for all men and women united under the flag of our species. Here in the western world, it is called many names, the true north strong and free, the American dream, or really just a better life, a fresh start for weary travelers seeking a fresh start.
By John Ames Birch9 years ago in The Swamp
Westminster's DUP Deal Could Bring Equalities Reform
Finally, we actually have a government in Westminster. Sure, it’s not the greatest option, but the Conservative-DUP amalgam is the best we could hope for in the present circumstances. It’s been something of a worry to commentators across the political spectrum, as the DUP are extremely socially conservative, and Northern Irish politics, in general, are held back by religious influences.
By Katy Preen9 years ago in The Swamp
Trouble Ahead... and It's Not Just from Islamist Killers!
We've had a rough time recently in the UK with terrorist murders in London and Manchester - and these vile assassins may strike again in the coming months. Fortunately, we've got our police, the army and our security services to protect us. But there are now threats of more riots, serious anti-social behaviour and unruly demonstrations on our streets. So where are the threats coming from? Well—there are escalating numbers of potentially violent Labour lefties. But there are also "nice" liberals who write for newspapers like The Guardian and broadcast freely on our once cherished and previously not too biased BBC.
By Phil Rowan9 years ago in The Swamp
The Talented Mr. Kersey: The Tory Pressure Group, the Diploma Mill, and the Tesco Tax Manager
In 2002, John Kersey was living with his mother, father, and sister in Enfield, London. He was a 30-year-old pianist who was struggling to find his place in society. He had been to university to study music and had started to record copyright-free classical music, mainly work from the lesser known composers of the romantic period. The internet revolution would change John Kersey’s life considerably. In July 2003, John Kersey would purchase his first fake online diploma, to become a "Doctor of Education," from Saint Regis University for $1681.00. Saint Regis was later exposed as a "Diploma Mill," also humorously nicknamed as a "Goativersity." The effort to expose Saint Regis was led by a Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois named George Gollin. Professor Gollin was a force to be reckoned with. In September 2003, Professor Gollin wrote a paper in the form of a slideshow presentation entitled "Unconventional University Diplomas from Online Vendors: Buying a PhD. from a University that Doesn’t Exist." In the piece, he exposes how the diploma mills were functioning online, compares the website design of real and fake universities, and supplies a magnificent portfolio of evidence to back up his accusations.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
Religious Privilege: Child Marriage
In December of 2010, the US Congress held a vote on S987, which would grant support to young girls in other countries, who were trying to escape forced, child marriages. This bill needed a 2/3 majority approval in congress to pass, which it did obtain in the Senate. In the House of Representatives, however, the bill was defeated due to a last minute push by Republicans. Of these Republicans, 157 opposed the bill, and only twelve supported it.
By Jesse Booker9 years ago in The Swamp
