opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Nationalism or Patriotism?
During many conversations on the United States and its problems, I hear the phrase "I'm not a nationalist, but I am a patriot." This phrase has inspired me to write on whether there is any appreciable difference between the two. As a student of the humanities, I'm down to debate useful definitions of nationalism, the meanings of particular words and their contextual or colloquial definitions. However, when I come across the words nationalism and patriotism, I find them to be rather similar. Is there any healthy difference between nationalism and patriotism? Does support for your country make you a patriot? Does any support for your country make you a patriot, or does it require a gradient? What fraction of supportiveness do we require for nationalism? What fraction of supportiveness do we require for patriotism?
By Ellen Howell6 years ago in The Swamp
Guns in America
After the latest massacre here in America, I feel it is time for yet another piece on my feelings. Yes, this time it was not in a synagogue, like my first article about this controversial topic, but I cannot help but think that perhaps Private First Class Glendon Oakley could still feel like a normal soldier, instead of being praised as a hero just for doing his job and what he was trained for. It is hard not to say that Oakley isn't a hero, he is, but he did what I would hope any kind human being would do. He protected innocent lives, children, the future of our world, the ones who we hope can make this world better.
By Erika Farrah6 years ago in The Swamp
Banning 8chan Won't Work
Matthew Prince's blogpost justifying the termination of internet protections for the 8chan website is a fascinating argument. Prince argues that "lawlessness" is the primary reason that he has decided to terminate protections for the site, although he concedes immediately that they have not broken any laws in their posts. So what does he mean by "lawlessness?"
By Steve Llano6 years ago in The Swamp
The Gun Control Lie
There were two horrific shootings within 19 hours of each other this weekend. This is a tragedy and no one should have to endure this in their lifetimes. The fact that the media and the left are trying to get you to think this is an "alt-right" radicalist. The problem is they have only told you the bits and pieces that further their agendas. The question that should be asked is why are there only excerpts from the note being read on the news? Now once more let me state, I am neither left nor right. I am unaffiliated and I am more than capable of making up my mind. That being said sure I lean more right of center than left of center, but the fact remains I can make up my mind for myself.
By Bradley Perry6 years ago in The Swamp
Reforming British Police Organization
A few things most will agree with; Britain is a relatively small geographic area. Britain has a relativity large population. The population of Britain is largely concentrated in specific high density locations, i.e. cities. Vast amounts of police time and cost is devoted to paperwork and administration, both of the police force itself and the administration of court systems. The existing police forces have to cover a very wide range of legal and social issues, from terrorism to racial discrimination; from cars doing 5mph over a specified limit to illegal traveller camps; from domestic violence to multimillion pound frauds; from huge scale drug dealing to children riding bicycles on the pavements; from minor traffic accidents to nuclear melt down at a power station.
By Peter Rose6 years ago in The Swamp
Top Three Avoidable Deaths *Must Read*
There are many dangerous things that creep along every crevice of this world. I think we are all fully aware that the world as we know it is slowly falling apart. It's a huge regression that people love to speak on but don't actually work to fix. For centuries this word has been slowly crumbling and becoming the number one source of our problems. How?
By The Darkest Sunrise6 years ago in The Swamp
Have the Far Left Taken Over Green Movement?
Have extreme socialists taken over the “green” agenda? It is a historical norm for genuine public concerns and popular causes, to be taken over by political activists and usually by extremes of political view points. They then try to use the popularity of a cause to subvert democracy and gain both power and influence while hiding behind a genuine concern.
By Peter Rose6 years ago in The Swamp
