politics
Politics does not dictate our collective cultural mindset as much as it simply reflects it; We've got to look in the mirror sometimes, and we've got one.
What Is May’s Next Move?
There are many things that May has been trying to do since the general election or, as she puts it, snap election. To be honest, May has made so many mistakes, so many u-turns, trying to preach the Good Friday Agreement with Northern Ireland, even though the agreement with them is still not looking good. However, she's asking Liberals (Liberal Democrats) for help to prop her up, along with asking David Cameron to back her on things. This goes to show how much she is desperate to do to stay in power and for the money.
By Lizzy Arrow9 years ago in The Swamp
America Left Behind: The Rights of a Child
In my last article, "Religious Privilege: Child Marriage," I briefly mentioned the existence of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC), and how the US is the only country in the UN that has not yet ratified it. In this article, I would like to elaborate further on what the CRC is; what it does; what it does not do; and of course, why the US has not yet ratified it. Let’s start with what it is exactly.
By Jesse Booker9 years ago in The Swamp
The Case Of Omar Khadr—Brainwashed Child Soldier Or Teen Fulfilling Family Duty?
Most 15-year-olds are busy with sports, school, or on social media with friends. In 2002, then-15-year-old Omar Khadr, a Canadian boy and son of Ahmed Khadr, reportedly an associate of late Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, allegedly threw a grenade while in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of American soldier Sergeant First Class Christopher Speer. The incident drew widespread international attention; Khadr, who had been shot, received medical attention from medics on scene and had reportedly asked to be killed at the time. He was not, and Khadr spent the next several years languishing in prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, without trial. He ultimately pleaded guilty to throwing the grenade that killed Speer, but later admitted that he did not recall the incident that killed the soldier or saw him injured. The confession, Khadr said, was made because he saw no other way of returning to Canada from Guantanamo Bay. Khadr pleaded guilty to "murder in violation of the laws of war, attempted murder in violation of the laws of war, conspiracy, two counts of providing material support for terrorism and spying."
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
The Failure of the War on Drugs
The Failure of the War on Drugs and How It Can Be Rectified On July 14, 1969, Richard Nixon made a speech to Congress, identifying drugs as a serious national threat. Additionally, he called for federal and state anti-drug policy. Nearly two years later Richard Nixon officially declares a “war on drugs,” similar to L.B.J. ‘s (Lyndon B. Johnson) “war on poverty.” Reasons cited for his new “public enemy No. 1” were the increase in crime and juvenile arrest rates from 1960 to 1967. A little over two years later, the DEA is formed in an attempt to coordinate all other agencies in the new war on drugs (Timeline: America’s War on Drugs). With the sixties nearing their close, it seemed that society, at least some fringe groups, had embraced various drugs. For example, at the fringes of the anti-Vietnam War protests, marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was used. Richard Nixon needed a way to deal with the vehemently anti-Vietnam War protesters, as well as the black community, which Nixon had a horrible track record with. The solution that his administration came up with would later be known as “The War on Drugs.”
By Kent Prion9 years ago in The Swamp
On Why Democrats are the Greater Problem for Progressives
The virtually identical governance structures within our duopoly, i.e., the Democratic and Republican parties, pose virtually identical civic dangers. The results of their policies are virtually indistinguishable notwithstanding their differing rhetoric and propaganda which fools the gullible into thinking otherwise. That is especially true given the collusion of the mainstream “disinformation” media. Their main difference is that one is hypocritical and cynical while the other is just blatantly wrong; very, very wrong, at least from a progressive perspective. It brings to mind the defense of a politician accused of wrong doing arguing that she was not corrupt, merely inept; in either case, of course, that’s hardly a solace to the people affected (see, e.g., the campaigns and administrations of Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Barrack Obama and most recently, Donald J. Trump).wrong doing arguing that she was not corrupt, merely inept; in either case, of course, that’s hardly a solace to the people affected (see, e.g., the campaigns and administrations of Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Barrack Obama and most recently, Donald J. Trump).
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
"Don't Say a Word"
I am a philanthropist, a humanitarian, a lover of humanity who just hasn't done anything big yet. I believe that human kindness and understanding opens the door to a better world. Life is time that never stops moving until we cease to live, then someone else will live on after us who will take the place that we once took, maybe they will take the next stand following our example not just our words.
By Jordan Sophia Thomas9 years ago in The Swamp
Trump's Pride—Or Lack Thereof
When you start in a new job, sometimes it's a very good thing to establish your own norms and traditions. It's important to stick with the terms of reference for your job, but sometimes—especially when you're in a leadership position—it's really important to put yourself out there and establish your own presence in the body of those traditions.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
The GOP Punched Itself in the Face
In one of my previous pieces, I put forward the idea that the healthcare bill championed by Mitch McConnell was a huge political miscalculation. Since then, the bill was put on the back burner for a lack of votes and the social media and actual media response has been brutal at a minimum.
By Joshua Guess9 years ago in The Swamp
Westminster's DUP Deal Could Bring Equalities Reform
Finally, we actually have a government in Westminster. Sure, it’s not the greatest option, but the Conservative-DUP amalgam is the best we could hope for in the present circumstances. It’s been something of a worry to commentators across the political spectrum, as the DUP are extremely socially conservative, and Northern Irish politics, in general, are held back by religious influences.
By Katy Preen9 years ago in The Swamp
MSNBC Leans to the Right, a Little
What do Bret Stephens and Greta Van Susteren have in common? (a) Both are conservative journalists recently in the pay and orbit of conservative media; (b) both have history with MSNBC. There the similarities end, since one's just started at MSNBC, while the other just left. This latest TV minute, the square dance of talking heads has got people’s attention and sent fearful progressives rushing to social media to express their concerns.
By Michael Eric Ross9 years ago in The Swamp
