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.
Trump, Putin, and Zelensky to Meet?
The war in Ukraine has dragged on now for years. Initially, when Russia invaded, they thought it was like when America invaded Iraq and arrived in the Iraqi capital double-quick. However, Russia did not enter Kyiv; its invasion force got bogged down on a major highway near Kyiv. With Western help and sheer Ukrainian grit, Russia was stopped in its tracks.
By Nicholas Bishop6 months ago in The Swamp
These Are The Sectors That Will Be Most Hit By Trump's 50% Tariffs
The doubling of US tariffs on Indian goods, now reaching an effective 50% following an executive order by President Donald Trump, marks a structural inflexion point in India-US trade relations. The tariff, justified by the United States on the grounds of India's continued crude oil imports from Russia, has been condemned by India's Ministry of External Affairs as "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable".
By Kristen Orkoshneli6 months ago in The Swamp
So, What’s It Really Like Living Outside the U.S.?
The Question That Always Comes Up Every time I meet someone from the United States, whether it’s at an airport lounge, an online forum, or a random café conversation, there’s one question that almost always pops up:
By Inzamam Ul Haq6 months ago in The Swamp
Wednesday Season 2’s Surprising Rotten Tomatoes Score
Wednesday Season 2 has arrived on Netflix and the reaction from critics has been unexpectedly positive with a Rotten Tomatoes score that surprised both fans and industry insiders alike Early reviews have given the season a fresh rating in the low 80s surpassing Season 1’s score of 73 percent and signaling that the show is finding stronger footing with critics The season began with Part 1 of its new story arc released on August 6 2025 consisting of the first four episodes of the season With just over 50 reviews counted the critical consensus places Wednesday Season 2 between 79 and 84 percent depending on the source Some publications report an 81 percent score while others cite 82 or even 84 giving the season a Certified Fresh label on Rotten Tomatoes This improvement may not seem dramatic at first glance but in the world of streaming television where sequels often struggle to retain freshness and originality a jump of 8 to 11 percent is considered a notable achievement For fans of the series the news confirms what they have long believed Wednesday is not just a viral sensation but a show capable of critical growth and narrative depth Jenna Ortega once again anchors the show with a performance that critics are calling darker sharper and more emotionally nuanced than her breakout in Season 1 Her portrayal of Wednesday Addams continues to be the soul of the series with many reviews praising her command of dry wit combined with increasingly complex emotional stakes The second season leans more heavily into horror elements and expands its world with more Addams family involvement which reviewers have described as bold creative and sometimes even gothic in scope Despite the acclaim not all reviews are glowing Some critics argue that the pacing remains uneven and that the show occasionally buckles under the weight of its multiple plotlines One review called the story formulaic another said the tone sometimes shifts too quickly from quirky to grim But these critiques are currently outweighed by the praise as evidenced by the overall Rotten Tomatoes score which suggests broad approval across a diverse group of outlets Compared to Season 1 which debuted in late 2022 with 105 critic reviews and a 73 percent score the early momentum for Season 2 suggests it could ultimately finish with a higher overall average especially once Part 2 of the season drops in September The structure of Season 2 split into two parts has also helped build anticipation Netflix confirmed that Part 2 will premiere on September 3 2025 offering viewers the rest of the season and likely prompting another wave of reviews and possibly an updated Rotten Tomatoes rating Interestingly Netflix renewed the show for a third season in July 2025 before Season 2 was even released indicating strong internal confidence in the series The early Rotten Tomatoes performance only reinforces that bet with many outlets already referring to Season 2 as a creative success and a sign of growth not decline The Rotten Tomatoes score has become an increasingly influential benchmark for streaming success and while viewership numbers remain important critical reception can significantly impact the longevity of a series In this case Wednesday has managed to both retain its massive fan base and improve its standing among critics an increasingly rare feat for serialized streaming content where second seasons often falter Wednesday’s Season 2 has proven it can evolve beyond its debut season’s novelty embracing more ambitious storytelling and deeper character development while still delivering the macabre humor and stylistic flair that fans love Jenna Ortega’s performance remains a centerpiece but stronger ensemble work more dynamic writing and more daring creative risks appear to be paying off With only half the season released the critical conversation is likely just beginning but based on the current Rotten Tomatoes score Wednesday Season 2 is off to a better than expected start and could cement the show as one of Netflix’s most valuable original properties in the long term Whether the final episodes sustain or elevate the early praise remains to be seen but for now Wednesday’s return is not just successful it’s surprisingly well received by critics too
By GLOBAL NEWS6 months ago in The Swamp
Denied for lack of funds, not lack of pain!. Content Warning.
This piece was born from a moment too familiar to too many when systems fail, but pain persists. “Denied for lack of funds, not lack of pain” is not just a title; it is a testimony. It speaks to the quiet battles fought in waiting rooms, on hold lines, and inside bodies that carry more than they are allowed to claim.
By Vicki Lawana Trusselli 6 months ago in The Swamp
The Ballad of Staten Island’s Fearless DA: Michael “Stranger Danger” McMahon
If Staten Island ever rebooted The Sopranos as a courtroom drama, they'd cast Michael E. McMahon in the lead. Not because he’s particularly talented, charismatic, or compelling—but because he’s got the one thing that matters most in Richmond County justice: unchecked power wrapped in a smile and a “D” next to his name.
By Michael Phillips6 months ago in The Swamp
The Fascist Facebook Regime: Going to Jail and Getting Sprung
I have just been released from jail, Facebook jail that is, and for the moment, I’m free. There is nothing that rings my bell quite like the smell of cowardice. Rattling the cages of the patriarchal elite sends energy through my system like the sweet rush of an adrenaline-fueled adventure.
By Vanessa Brown6 months ago in The Swamp
Rachel Reeves: Blistering Attack on Jeremy Corbyn.
The founding of "YourParty", the yet unnamed political party founded by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana, has so far garnered 600,000 sign-ups. Some say "YourParty" could unseat Sir Keir Starmer in his seat. The party is offering an alternative to Labour, which many think has failed in its duty to protect and help those struck by the Tories. Instead, Labour has cut back on welfare and is using the same language about "Making Work Pay" as the Tories did, if not the same actual phrase. Nothing wrong with making work pay, but it is how Labour is going about it. To many Labour leftists, this Starmer-led government has been a massive disappointment. However, to add a caveat here, Starmer did warn before he was elected that if he became the denizen of N0. 10, there would be tough times ahead.
By Nicholas Bishop6 months ago in The Swamp
The Tale of the Gambling Gentleman and the Coward in a Tie
Once upon a time—not long ago, but long enough for folks to forget—a certain breed of man in polished shoes got it in his head that risk was a virtue, and that profit excused everything short of arson. He worked on a street named Wall, though I reckon it should’ve been called Wager Avenue, because gambling was the only honest thing going on there.
By Mike Barvosa6 months ago in The Swamp
