Latest Stories
Most recently published stories 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
Dead Babies
There's an attention seeking headline and doesn't modern media love to gloat on this kind of sickness! The daily diet of pseudo-outrage. If it's been a terrorist attack, then even better! They'll get a week or more's stories with that one. Starting with the event, the aftermath, the eyewitness accounts; then they'll milk it some more and invade the privacy of the ones grieving. Isn't that how they roll? Murdoch's morons and the phone tapping of people who had lost their children, anyone!
By Cris Fulton9 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
Arrested for Wanting to Live?
Last Thursday I logged on to Facebook and was shocked to see videos of Capitol Police forcibly removing disabled protestors from the hallway in front of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office. It was appalling to see how the protestors, who were exercising their constitutional right, were being treated. One of my friends was among those forcibly removed from their wheelchairs and carried out. With her hands zip-tied behind her back, she was later put back in her chair so she could be loaded into a police bus and taken away to be officially arrested and processed. Thankfully she is alright. The recently aired Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, released June 22, will treat approximately 75 million Americans with that same level of care and compassion regardless of age, race, gender, or ability.
By Erin Vallely9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Donald... Sorry, Not Sorry
Why apologize? Why should actors and other creatives keep apologizing to you for expressing their feelings? You have never apologized. In some ways that wouldn't be such a big deal, or at least not unprecedented. I was always bothered when Obama declined to apologize for certain things he did and said. Stupid. But not unprecedented. The real problem, though, is that you don't actually believe that you have ever made a mistake that warrants an apology. The difference between you and Obama is that he did not do something daily that most of us feel he owed us an apology.
By Frank White9 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
£1bn Deal Agreed Between Conservatives & DUP and The Death of Austerity
Following the shambolic election campaign, embarrassing Queen's Speech and the controversial move to hold a 2-year parliamentary session, Theresa May has today announced that a deal has been reached between the Conservative Party and the right-wing DUP.
By Jordan Catto9 years ago in The Swamp
