opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Snake Charmers
As we all know, last November, Donald J Trump was elected to be the 45th President of the United States in one of the biggest upsets in the history of American politics. Many of us were shocked. We were shocked that a man, who during his presidential campaign, made fun of a crippled man; called for a ban on all Muslims entering the country; threatened to have his opponent put in prison; put himself at odds with the American news media outlets; and just showed a general disregard for civility and propriety throughout the entire campaign on numerous occasions could ever be elected to the highest office in the country. We were shocked, but we shouldn’t have been, because this didn’t just happen out of nowhere, no, this was decades in the making.
By Jesse Booker9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Theresa... The 7 Demands of the UK People
Your awkward Montgomery Burns-like hunch suggests a lifetime of sadness which has left you looking down into the abyss of dark ethical choices. Your voting record in the UK parliament contradicts the person that you claim to be. If we travel back fifteen years then you’re voting against human equality, yet now you claim to be a reliable bastion of ethical and moral conviction. Where was that conviction the day after Grenfell? Mothers burnt to death with their children in arms and your moral authority falls away when you cannot look the survivors in the eye, or even show them support. Instead, whilst you are a leader, the community had to help support each other in a beautiful display of anarchic love. Where was their leader? She was sneaking out the backdoor in an effort to avoid the existence of these poor people once again.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
Independence Day
July 4th, 1776...the day the "Thirteen Colonies" became these United States of America. I can see it now; our red-white-and-blue flag flapping in the young, gunpowder-filled, Pennsylvanian air. Fireworks exploding in the great black sky above the liberated colonists, gathered together in brotherhood and patriotism. Men—northerners and southerners alike—are blasting their rifles and six-shooters to the stars in jubilation. Women—proper and improper—are kissing men in the streets in celebration. Young boys are smiling from ear to ear and young girls are giggling and laughing uncontrollably. Words like “freedom” and “independence” and “liberty” collapse, like a waterfall, from the lips of the youngest of babies to the most wrinkled of the elderly.
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Theresa,
Although you are the Prime Minster of the UK as whole, I feel the need to write this letter regarding my issues that are split between devolved and reserved matters, and as the UK Prime Minster it would appear devolved only cross your remit when it comes to the Barnett formula and how funding is allocated to the different nations within the UK, or does it?
By Harmony Flower9 years ago in The Swamp
Thank You, Donald
Dear Donald, I met you first when I saw your name on this big ugly slab of a building driving down the West Side Highway as a youth, and I hated you. Today, I disagree with nearly every value you've put forth and I openly present these opinions to most everyone I know. You made my Grandmother cry when you won the election. She's a really cool lady. You should read some of her work, she follows you—and you're much harder to keep up with.
By Triple Decker Sandwich9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Theresa
You may have heard of me or you may not have, but I don't have any qualifications of any sort of politics. I do have to say that I know for certain you need to quit whilst you're ahead, because at the end of the day I know I'm watching every move you make and then BOOM! I'm on the good old iPad with blogs coming out left right and centre; ideas here and there, oh what's that? You've been thrown into the mix as well; into my magic cauldron of horrible politicians who can't get their facts right, or keep their word, changing what they want during the election in the Queen's speech.
By Lizzy Arrow9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Theresa...
Dear Theresa....... When you were given the leadership of the Conservative party and automatically became Prime Minister, I hoped you would make some serious changes in the way your party governed the UK. Unfortunately, even before the calamitous general election, you made many serious errors of judgment.
By Michael Blair9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald, Don't Back Down To Your Enemies
Dear Mr. Trump, Despite all the negativity surrounding your presidency, I feel that you have been surprisingly smart in a few areas of significance. You stand up to Iran and North Korea and don't seem to care about the threats they send our way. As an American citizen, I feel a sense of pride when it comes to our army defending our country and making sure terrorists don't come into our country and kill innocent people. Based off of your words, the people will benefit in the long run. You have said that you will fend off any intruders in Iran who want to come to our country and suicide bomb themselves or put innocent people in danger. We are determined to defend ourselves in Syria and North Korea as you have said. We are able to use our amazing army and thwart any possible disasters that could come about in the nuclear weapon saga. As I write this, you are putting more and more pressure on Iran to not attack us because of our incredible nuclear weapons. If they start up, you will not back down. That is why I believe you have been doing a great job at keeping our enemies scared and afraid to attack. A big part of this safety process is for Iran and North Korea to dismantle their nuclear weapons. We are at war with evil. Evil has grown for the past eight years & more. You are the first man to not to sit by and let the hate continue. You said recently that North Korea will "face fire and fury like the world has never seen," if they keep threatening our nation. This is a very bold remark to say and re enforces the notion that we won't back down from this enemy of ours. In the video, you can see how direct and powerful your intentions are. I truly believe that without these type of bold messages, our enemies would be less afraid of us. We need a leader who is willing to stand up and say it like it is. While Obama was a great speaker, he was never a great quick to the point kind of guy. When was the last time you remember a president saying that he will wipe out another country if they attack us. You have the most powerful job in the world and everyone is going to try to put you down and say that you are no good. I am writing to you to say that you have to do what is best for the country and what is in the best interest for the people. Haters gonna hate. On a side note, in recent months, you have turned to China for help in containing North Korea and on June 20, you tweeted that "While I greatly appreciate the efforts of President Xi & china to help with North Korea, it has not worked out. At least I know China tried!" By the end of July, though, you were growing impatient with China: "...they do NOTHING for us with North Korea, just talk. We will no longer allow this to continue. China could easily solve this problem," you tweeted. At least you gave it a try and went out of your way to seek help from China. If North Korea thinks that it would be smart to send a nuclear missile our way, they are really naive and unintelligent. According to retired Air Force general, Tom McInerney"If he gets our full nuclear retaliatory capability, within minutes after one round going into Seoul, there will be nothing left," McInerney told Fox's Liz Claman on "Countdown to the Closing Bell." He claims that we can take out the entire region in 15 minutes! Beware North Koreans. You're messing with the wrong country. Nuclear weapons are no joke and we have plenty of them to wipe out our enemies. So Sir, not backing down to your enemies will be a big step in gaining back the popularity of the people and it will be the best outcome for our country in the future.
By David Lasher9 years ago in The Swamp
An Overhaul of Modern Economics
An idea has been brewing within my mind for some time and a place such as this may be just the arena to share such ideas. The problem I wish to tackle is the obvious lack of equality and meritocracy within the current economic system. However, I have constructed an idea which may help to organize our economy/economies and create a more just and rewarding society.
By Jack Gardner9 years ago in The Swamp
