opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Taking a bullet for a President
There are jobs in the world that I am thankful that I do not have. Lion tamer. Plummer. Dentist. A postal worker. These are all professions that I am glad are carried out by other people. My gratitude is based in part on my understanding of my relative strengths and weaknesses. This understanding has allowed me to understand why the job of taming lions and repairing other people's pluming belongs in the hands of other people. If forced though to identify one professional position that I would be profoundly ill suited too, particularly at this juncture in our nation's development, it would be that of a secret service agent, tasked with overseeing the protection of our current protection.
By frederick Hurst6 years ago in The Swamp
Why is everything a -gate?
Watergate was a political scandal in the United States that occurred in 1972 that resulted in the eventual resignation of President Richard Nixon. It was called "Watergate" because the Watergate hotel was where employees of the Nixon campaign broke in, to attempt to steal information about the Democratic Party's plans during the election. Those employees failed, were arrested, and were eventually traced back to the Nixon campaign. It was referred to as the Watergate Scandal because it had originated at the Watergate hotel, and resulted in the resignation of a president.
By Rory Hoffman6 years ago in The Swamp
Festivities of The 4th of July
As the 4th of July is upon us, I cannot help but wonder how many of us will be celebrating the day 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. The birth of America became a federal holiday in 1941 but has long been celebrated since the 18th century. The question of independence in 2020 has surfaced on the entire world. It has made us aware that we may not be as free as what we have thought from generations before us. History is being abruptly brought down and hidden away to leaving the question, is our history being taught with truth to impressionable minds that ultimately hold the future in their hands. In today’s world, independent is defined as “not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself: an independent thinker” according to Dictionary.com. As wearing masks is still being touted to be worn and celebrations are not allowed in many places, how are many proud Americans celebrating their patriotism to the land they call home?
By Heather Cash6 years ago in The Swamp
Questions on war
I’ve been thinking about wars from various perspectives in last few days and wondered that history has been repeated a million times, so many wars have been fought, whether a kingdom invaded other kingdom only to be invaded by some other kingdom and this loop continues without an end but what ends are uncountable human lives and what remains is pain, sorrow and hatred which many a times triggers another war.
By Aayush Mishra6 years ago in The Swamp
Intolerance is killing democracy
Intolerance is killing democracy Is this deliberate? World wide wars have been fought, millions of people have died, all in an effort to save us all from the extreme intolerance of fascism. Governments through some form of democracy has been maintained, at least in part, to ensure intolerance does not take control. Yet, if the media is to be believed, intolerance is silencing opinions, declaring that some views are not “acceptable”. Acceptable to who? To a democratically elected majority? Sadly no. Ideas are declared unacceptable by a self appointed un-elected group who consider themselves so superior to everyone else. Is this an accurate statement? or is the truth far more sinister. Is the present politically correct intolerance actually an extremist plot to destroy democracy? Is it extreme socialism or extreme fascism, that is trying to suppress ideas they do not agree with? Could be either, as in actual real effect, as experienced by the governed, they are the same.
By Peter Rose6 years ago in The Swamp
Where women lead, the virus loses
Today I became aware of a country I'd never heard of before: Sint Maarten, somewhere in the islands of the Caribbean. It's only 34 sq kms in size and has a mere 42,844 people, but it's a full fledged parliamentary representative democracy. Its prime minister is a 51-year-old teacher called Silveria Jacobs.
By C Y Gopinath6 years ago in The Swamp
Covid makes a clear case for UBI
Discussions over Universal Basic Income are anything but new. Though this pandemic has demonstrated just how frail our global economy is. Leaving millions unemployed - for potentially the first time - thus victimised first by markets and then by a creaking 20th century welfare state.
By Dayna Latham6 years ago in The Swamp
Happy Juneteenth
Looking back this was something that celebrated every summer when I was a child. This event was usually a few weeks after school over for the summer there was a celebration at the park for Juneteenth. Being from Cleveland, Ohio in the 90s this was either usually Gordon Park, the beach at Lake Erie, or my Grandmother’s house. I was told by parents that this was a day where the slaves were freed and we should celebrate this because we could be still slaves today if events that had not taken place had taken place. Though I had questions beyond what my young mind could grasp I took their word and proceeded to partake in the barbequed food that I loved so much and participating in shenanigans with my cousins. Most of the time we would have left until a fight would break out across the park for any given reason or in sometimes even a shot or two would break from the crowd no word if anyone was actually killed during those times.
By Shanda Gantt6 years ago in The Swamp
Science and religion why the political conflict?
Science and religion why the political conflict? Science and religion can co-exist There seems to be such conflict, especially at the extremes of various belief systems, that science and religion are in opposition, so you can not consider both valid. Reading a fictional book by Raymond Khoury called The Sign, a fictional thriller with a complex plot that involves manipulation of religious fervor by use of a futuristic, and rather unlikely, scientific invention; the suggestion that religious fundamentalists do not accept science in any way is brought to the fore. So let us consider both and how politics gets involved.
By Peter Rose6 years ago in The Swamp
The Price of Human Life
How long must we weep at the altar of logic and reason before the world makes sense again? As a purveyor and lover of dystopian fiction and weird obsession with tyrannical governments of history, I can't help but feel this is the catalyst to the apocalyptic fallout looming over the horizon. Economic turmoil, civil unrest, groups of people wrongfully blaming other groups of people for the nation's problems, systematic maiming and murdering of political dissentors, a plague wreaking havoc faster than research can be conducted for a vaccine...the checklist has more checks than empty boxes.
By CT Idlehouse6 years ago in The Swamp
