opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Say His Name: George Floyd
During the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone was in quarantine, daily life was interrupted, and everyone was staying safe from the deadly virus. However, one event that received national attention was the death of George Floyd. On May 25, 2020, the then 46-year-old was suspected of using fake money and was stopped by police and then, they held him to the ground. What happened next was shocking. Now former Minneapolis police officer and convicted murderer, Derek Chauvin, was seen on video pressing his knee on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes. Despite Floyd’s constant pleas that he couldn't breathe to Chauvin and from bystanders to let him breathe, Chauvin ignored their pleas and the other officers at the scene refused to intervene. Floyd’s death sparked worldwide outrage and protests from around the world. One of the things that continues to irk me is when anytime a black person has been killed by the police, most people would say the following: “If he/she would’ve followed the officer’s orders, then they wouldn’t have been shot.” This is such a tone deaf way of saying that a black person who lost their life deserved it. To me, it's a form of victim blaming. Even if they obeyed a police officer's orders, no one deserves to have their lives taken in a tragic manner. Also, opponents of racial injustice protests would also describe black people as thugs, drug dealers, and everything under the sun. As a person of color, I ask everyone to not paint all black people with one brush. You're missing the entire point of why we still hold Black Lives Matter protests. The point of these protests is to call for accountability of any police officer who takes the life of black individuals. In other words, arresting police officers as opposed to putting them on administrative leave (paid or unpaid) or on bond. Also, seeing them being convicted and sentenced to time in prison, making sure that the families of the slain receive justice.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard about a year ago in The Swamp
Powerful People Don't Live Forever: What's Implied When Influential People Die
When Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died in 2020, it obviously had significant political implications. It's not like no one mentioned her poor health, but it still came as a surprise. After all, she had missed a Supreme Court argument, which was something she was not known for.
By Wade Wainioabout a year ago in The Swamp
The villain origin story…. Content Warning.
8JAN2025; 1234, WED– Balto., MD, USA First and foremost: Sincerest condolences and regrets to the victims of the recent Las Vegas tragedy; as well as those of the New Orleans revelers terrorist attack. May there be some sort of semblance to convalescence in the suffering; if I may.
By Nefarious Darriusabout a year ago in The Swamp
On this 10th Anniversary, Draw the Prophet Mohammad
The slogan, “Je sui Charlie” or “I am Charlie” became a rallying cry for those in support of the twelve people killed in their offices by Al Qaeda brutes on January 7, 2015. Dr. Yaron Brook, Chairman of the Ayn Rand Institute and the host of the Yaron Brook Show pointed out something simple and profound. It was a question: Why didn’t everyone just display the image of Mohammad? That would’ve had a greater, deeper impact on the psyches of those in support of the cause and would have knocked down antagonists a few pegs as well.
By Skyler Saundersabout a year ago in The Swamp
Diego Garcia: The Dark Fleet's clandestine gateway to the stars
According to the official narrative Diego Garcia, an atoll in the Chagos Archipelago in the British Indian Ocean Territory, serves as a United States navy support facility providing logistical assistance to US operational forces deployed to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf areas.
By Steve Harrisonabout a year ago in The Swamp
Why public goods are great
Why Public Goods Are Great and Gifts Are Underrated Public goods and gifts often operate in overlooked spaces within economics and human interaction, where their value lies beyond traditional financial metrics. Public goods are often dismissed for being tax-negative but provide fertile ground for innovation and serendipitous outcomes by addressing unmet demand the private sector overlooks. Similarly, gifts transcend purely rational transactions, fostering emotional connections and addressing unrealized benefits. This article explores why public goods are indispensable and how thoughtful gift-giving enriches lives, advocating for a broader appreciation of these two underrated phenomena.
By Atlas Aristotle about a year ago in The Swamp
How Money Affects Sports: Understanding Global Capitalism
As the world changed, the various nations became more interconnected and open to the world market. In its commotion, globalization was crucial to the emergence of a capitalist market. Many people see global capitalism as a free and linked economic system that fosters innovation, eases cross-cultural interactions, generates employment in developing countries, and provides consumers with reasonably priced goods. The popularity of globally renowned sports celebrities, commercial enterprises, and global communication media all had an impact on the 20th century's globalization of modern sport. Through sponsorships, endorsements, and broadcasting, businesses can reach a worldwide consumer base. In this piece, I'll examine how globalization, capitalism, and sports history relate to competitive sports.
By Hridya Sharmaabout a year ago in The Swamp
Pennsylvania Won't Raise Its Minimum Wage In 2025. That's A Big Problem.
2025 is about to be upon us. With that comes resolutions, new laws, and...STILL no minimum wage increase in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It will be 16 years since PA's last minimum wage increase. To put it in perspective, if you were born the last time PA increased their minimum wage, you'd be celebrating your sweet 16 in the new year - that's right, you'd be old enough to DRIVE.
By A. Alexis Kreiserabout a year ago in The Swamp
Raised by Silence. Content Warning.
As a child, she read fairy tales and watched them on television. They taught her what she knew about love and how a female "should" act. The helpless damsel in distress needing a strong, handsome Prince to rescue her and give her a better life. As she grew older, movies and television shows continued to show her what was expected of her. Grease was one of her favorite movies growing up; she saw it as the best story of true love. Sandy and Danny were her ideal couple. A girl who was sweet, caring, smart, and innocent then changed her whole self for the bad boy who couldn't accept her as she was. The female characters who chase after abusive men, allowing themselves to be used and treated like property. The scene where Danny attempted to rape Sandy while they were on a date and nothing was ever said about it later on. She still ran back to his arms and called him her true love. Maybe that was why she failed to understand that rape was wrong when it happened to her.
By Luna Verityabout a year ago in The Swamp
