opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Getting Better Governments
A serious question: How do we improve the quality of elected politicians? Democracy is under threat from many sources, more so than since armed conflicts of the two world wars. Now the enemies are not openly fascist and marching with guns or Bolsheviks waving a red flag; they are far more subtle but just as dangerous. Now the enemies are those who control vast fortunes and seek, understandably in some ways, to ensure that all governments act in ways that ensure these vast fortunes and the mega giant international businesses keep on growing and are not hindered by considerations and concerns of the people.
By Peter Rose9 years ago in The Swamp
Snowflake Generation, Myth or Reality
In the media are reports that places of education, for teenagers and young adults, are claiming that the students are demanding that speakers, who they do not agree with, must not be allowed a “platform” to speak. It is also reported they want “safe spaces” where views they do not agree with are not allowed.
By Peter Rose9 years ago in The Swamp
Why This Weekend Is a Cry for Help
This past weekend has really pushed folks' limits on racial identity and racial hate. With the death of Heather Heyer and others being literally targeted by the white supremacist and neo-Nazis, you'd think those saying racism came about when Mr. Obama was president would wake the f**** up. (Get better soon, Deandre Harris). This problem has been going on for far too long.
By Jocelin Leige9 years ago in The Swamp
Why Being in the Middle Is WRONG
Picture this. You’re on the playground, and there’s a smaller kid from your class trying to play on the swings. He was always timid, shy, and just wanted to keep to himself. Well, you’re next to him on the swing set, but you’re much bigger. The kids in class would never do anything to bully you. They come over and they push the kid next to you off his swing, and start calling him names like weakling and scrawny and these kids really start laying into him.
By Nicole King9 years ago in The Swamp
Caught in the Middle
In the wake of the events of Charlottesville, I have seen, as well as been, the target of an alarming amount of hate on social media, especially from a group of people that are “opposed to hate.” Due to this, I have decided to say the things that most do not want to hear.
By Lyss Borden9 years ago in The Swamp
Why You Should Remove My Ancestor's Statue… And All the Other Confederate Monuments. Top Story - August 2017.
My ancestor was Commander Matthew Fontaine Maury, the Pathfinder of the Seas. You may have never heard of him, but he is buried between presidents James Monroe and John Tyler at the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA.
By Justin @ Vocal9 years ago in The Swamp
We the People...
I don't give a shit how long its been or how far Black people (and others) have come since 1789. NO. FUCKING. BODY... should be allowed to hide behind freedom of speech to spew and express racial, religious, gender-based, and non-heterosexual hatred towards others. Hiding behind a 228-year old document? Cowards.
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
White Shock in the Face of Racism
Growing up in suburban Utah, I didn’t give much thought to race. I didn’t think of my whiteness as a luxury or think about the fact that despite attending a school that was in a primarily Hispanic neighborhood, I didn’t have any Hispanic friends. Although the Mormon church had a rocky and troubled history with black members, that was in the past—during the civil rights movement, church policy had been changed to be more welcoming. It was over. Civil rights had solved racism. It was important to be polite to people, but it wasn’t like those few suburban black kids I knew had experienced a dramatically different life than I had. Though I had relatives who complained about those “immigrants” who wouldn’t learn English, obviously their complaint had nothing to do with skin color.
By Haybitch Abersnatchy9 years ago in The Swamp
The True Face of American Terror
I don't know if it's the years and years of hard drinking and drugging... the mega-violent movies and video games consumed from early on... the wild and uncouth "bro" culture in our high schools and sporting events... the even wilder "frat boy" culture in our universities... the cantankerous labor and police unions, the brainwashing military... the fear of Blacks rising up and doing to them what their ancestors did to Black and indigenous American slaves... the fear of losing their privilege...
By Dre Joseph9 years ago in The Swamp
