opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Blame and Fault
It has always been considered the best policy, that when things go wrong, to try to deal with any situation by first trying to minimise any harm or damage, second by preventing an immediate repeat, and third by finding a way to rectify and repair any damage done. Next, consideration is long-term prevention of repeats. Finding who was at fault or who could be blamed does not appear on this list. This can often end up in frustration, especially when the reaction of people further up the food change is firstly to ask who is to blame, and secondly to assure everyone they personally were not involved in any way. By the time they get around to rectifying things, it has all got worse than need have been.
By Peter Rose7 years ago in The Swamp
The Death Penalty Is Not Hypocrisy, It's Justice
The idea of punishment by death in cases of murder is not one of the newest forms of criminal justice. In fact, lawmakers have been sentencing people to death since the early 19th century B.C.E. in ancient Babylon, now modern-day Iraq. Death as a form of penalization for murder was even featured in the Code of Hammurabi, which is regarded as the first set of formal laws. Many other civilizations followed a suit, and many modern countries still use execution as punishment for capital crimes. Capital punishment is one of the most divisive topics, if anything. While a majority of individuals view it as justice, just as many view it as murder. Opponents of punishment by death also argue that the concept lowers the value of human life. That argument couldn't be further from the truth. In a video for PragerU, Dennis Prager states, "Of course, putting the murderer to death doesn't bring back their loved one, but it sure does provide some sense of justice" (PragerU, "Is The Death Penalty Ever Moral?", Dennis Prager, August 7, 2017). The death penalty is not hypocritical. The death penalty is just and fair. Just ask Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecutor who put Charles Manson behind bars.
By Devin Nassar-Reis7 years ago in The Swamp
One Reason Why We Cannot Solve America’s Biggest Problems
How many of us go online on our social media platform, on a blog, or a forum only to address an issue that requires the public’s awareness? Every day millions of social media users post articles, comments, and suggestions regarding something they want to see a change for in our world. While everyone’s needs and wants are going to differ from those of their peers, it is safe to say that having the freedom to post whatever it is that we want to have an open conversation about is a privilege that we as American citizens, who love this great country of ours, make sure to take advantage of on a daily basis. Although, we cannot expect everyone to agree with our concerns on any topic; therefore, there shouldn’t be any harm in putting them out to the public. Unfortunately, there are individuals who deem those concerns as propaganda. Or rather, a way to force one’s agenda on the population that wants nothing to do with anything that is designed to take advantage of it.
By Spencer Jean-Mary7 years ago in The Swamp
Welfare Reform
I believe that welfare is the need of a lot of reforms. I believe you should not be able to have an unlimited amount of kids when you were on welfare. If you cannot handle the support of the first child financially, you had no business having six. I believe welfare should be about teaching people how to obtain jobs. I believe in teaching people how to fish, so they can live on their own without public assistance. I think welfare should help more of the working poor. I believe if you were working and you’re struggling to make ends meet, you deserve assistance. I believe the hourly wage should reflect the true cost of living in the area. I don’t believe working at McDonald’s you should get paid $16 an hour, that job is supposed to be a steppingstone on the way to something better; not a career choice. I don’t think people should be rewarded for not working. I believe if you have a legitimate disability, that’s the only reason people should have for not working. I think people accept too much help from the government these days.
By Yvonne Knight7 years ago in The Swamp
All Hail Queen Clapback
"I'll dog walk you," Cardi B warned Tomi Lahren on Twitter after the Fox News (no) personality attempted to drag her. It was a good way to get the talentless female to back off of her, but if Cardi B wants to be considered a political force of nature, she needs to consider watching Nancy Pelosi. As she reclaimed the Speaker of the House Gavel, Pelosi also seems to have found her, and by extension the Democrats, backbone. Now it can safely be said that Nancy Pelosi is the Queen of the Clapback, and she "dog walked" Donald Trump without ever laying a hand on him.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
What Has Changed? What Hasn’t?
The strive for social justice is the backbone of modern history. It defines a nation’s narrative: what it stands for and what it wants to achieve. History pushes one to ask: “What has changed? What hasn’t ?” This is the caption of TIME Magazine’s May 11, 2015 gripping cover, shot by David Allen. The cover not only garnered support for the Black Lives Matter Movement, a response to the vigilant persecution of African Americans, but it also conveyed the intensity of racism in the United States as a control mechanism through the most abhorrent form of political violence: police brutality. The cover crossed out the date 1968, and replaces it with 2015 which is the actual date during which the photo was taken. In bold red numbers, the placement of the year 2015 cemented the stark resemblance between the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM). Although these two movements are separated by decades of modernization, they both remain all too relevant in terms of their messages, tactics, and influence.
By Elianor M.A.7 years ago in The Swamp
Hypocrisy U
A few years ago, there was a furor over a baker refusing to bake a cake for a gay couple. Those that supported the baker said that forcing him to bake the cake would infringe on the constitutional and religious rights that the country allows him. Yet that support seems to be very one-sided because when someone they agree with is denied service, those same people are up in arms and throwing fits about what is right and what is wrong. It's no longer a personal choice because their rights are being violated.
By Edward Anderson7 years ago in The Swamp
