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.
Birth to Death
Every since the Scottish referendum in 2014, the SNP has been running amok with legislation. There are those in Scotland asking for the SNP to get on with the day job, without understanding that while the majority are constantly distracted with the constitutional question, the SNP Scottish government has been actively enabling the state.
By Harmony Flower9 years ago in The Swamp
American Ostrich
Americanus Ignoramus. Successor to the now extinct American Eagle. Symbolic emblem for a nation of 350 million people unwilling to face increasingly unpleasant realities. Icon of a country spoiled by prosperity to a point that they are no longer willing to administer their own affairs with any semblance of maturity.
By Dan Johnson9 years ago in The Swamp
The Talented Mr. Kersey: The Tory Pressure Group, the Diploma Mill, and the Tesco Tax Manager
In 2002, John Kersey was living with his mother, father, and sister in Enfield, London. He was a 30-year-old pianist who was struggling to find his place in society. He had been to university to study music and had started to record copyright-free classical music, mainly work from the lesser known composers of the romantic period. The internet revolution would change John Kersey’s life considerably. In July 2003, John Kersey would purchase his first fake online diploma, to become a "Doctor of Education," from Saint Regis University for $1681.00. Saint Regis was later exposed as a "Diploma Mill," also humorously nicknamed as a "Goativersity." The effort to expose Saint Regis was led by a Professor of Physics at the University of Illinois named George Gollin. Professor Gollin was a force to be reckoned with. In September 2003, Professor Gollin wrote a paper in the form of a slideshow presentation entitled "Unconventional University Diplomas from Online Vendors: Buying a PhD. from a University that Doesn’t Exist." In the piece, he exposes how the diploma mills were functioning online, compares the website design of real and fake universities, and supplies a magnificent portfolio of evidence to back up his accusations.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
Religious Privilege: Child Marriage
In December of 2010, the US Congress held a vote on S987, which would grant support to young girls in other countries, who were trying to escape forced, child marriages. This bill needed a 2/3 majority approval in congress to pass, which it did obtain in the Senate. In the House of Representatives, however, the bill was defeated due to a last minute push by Republicans. Of these Republicans, 157 opposed the bill, and only twelve supported it.
By Jesse Booker9 years ago in The Swamp
The Human Cost of Healthcare
To say healthcare is hard, regardless of what aspect of it you're discussing, is an understatement of incredible proportion. It doesn't matter if you're talking regulation, measuring treatment outcomes, economics, or any other angle you want to tackle. Healthcare policy is unquestionably near the top of the list when it comes to complicated topics.
By Joshua Guess9 years ago in The Swamp
Grenfell Tower Fire and the Dominate Ideology
Those responsible, along with their allies within society, are now furiously denying their involvement, blaming everything from EU to the opposition, whilst trying to discredit those who fight for the victims within the political arena. For a saving of two pounds per square inch, the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organization who were responsible for Grenfell Tower refurbishment failed to install fire-resistant cladding. The £8.7 million refurbishment also failed to install a sprinkler system, or even cover basic fire safety equipment. Even when the local authority is “doing the right thing” by evacuating and rehousing those affected, media outlets insinuate that these measures are unfair and unjust. Despite the obvious political choices made to save money at the expense of providing people with lower incomes with safe housing and its repercussions, it is those who stand for the poor and want change who are in the wrong.
By Phillip Woodford9 years ago in The Swamp
Why Can Democrats Take Heart After Losing Four Special Congressional Elections in a Row?
Much has been made of the Democratic loss in the special House election held for Georgia's 6th District near Atlanta. It has been the most expensive campaign for a U.S. House seat in, like, forever; upwards of $50 million US. The reason so much was spent (most from sources outside of GA) is that Jon Ossoff, the Democratic candidate, was not supposed to have a chance of winning this district; no Democrat has for the last 40 years. Further, this district has produced two of the most conservative legislators that Congress has seen, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Rep. Tom Price (now charged with dismantling the Affordable Care Act a.k.a Obamacare) as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration. Yet win it he almost did in the guerrilla primary in a field of 16+ candidates with 48.1% of the vote. (If he had received 50.001%, he would have won in the 1st round.) The closest runner-up, Karen Handel, a conservative out of the Price mold, received just 19.8%.
By Scott Belford9 years ago in The Swamp
Propaganda or Smart Policy?: An Objective Look at North Korea’s Defense of Its Nuclear Program
Unless you have been living in a cave or under a rock, you are probably already aware of the situation going on between North Korea and the United States. With the recent events that have taken place involving not only missile tests, but now the death of Otto Warmbier, tensions between the two countries are much higher than usual. We have already covered this situation, but today we are going to take a look at why North Korea wants nuclear weapons in the first place.
By Frank Bursese9 years ago in The Swamp
