Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in The Swamp.
Hungry And Homeless In America
The most recent statistics on the homeless show an unsettling truth that few of us want to hear. These alarming statistics hit awfully close to home—and to the fact that any one of us, due to an unanticipated medical challenge, sudden unemployment, housing loss, or other unanticipated life event—can easily wind up on the street.
By Marlene Affeld9 years ago in The Swamp
Head of Council Should Be Arrested for Grenfell Tower Fire
The leader of the Royal Borough of Chelsea and Kensington Council, Nick Paget-Brown, should be the first arrested for the Grenfell Tower fire and the local authorities immediate response. The responsibility for the Grenfell Tower fire is currently being batted around all the guilty parties. But the Conservative head of the local council Nick Paget-Brown has shown a complete lack of respect to all local residents. In his YouTube video entitled ‘Meet the New Leader’ which was uploaded 23rd May 2013, Councillor Paget-Brown sets out his vision for the future. He doesn’t once mention the safety or security of his council constituents, instead, he talks about cost cutting and cracking down on department spending. He speaks of remodelling and reshaping the post-war estates to make them ‘attractive’ places to live. In this 2013 video, on the Kensington & Chelsea YouTube channel, Paget-Brown talks of increasing the quality of the housing for residents but says nothing about increasing their quality of life.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
Theresa May Cancels Queen's Speech
Following a tumultuous few months in British Politics, including Theresa May's deceitful reasoning for a snap election, her shambolic election campaign and the frankly concerning deal/no-deal dance with the DUP, May has announced that she is moving to cancel the 2018 Queen's Speech and in turn, removing the opportunity for the opposition to contest her leadership after a year in power.
By Jordan Catto9 years ago in The Swamp
The Queen's Official Birthday Message
To be honest, I'm not a royalist. If somebody was to tell me that one family was able to live in multiple palaces, whilst I, a lowly student, struggle to pay rent on a single room, the notion would usually make me nauseous, and it still does. But, my love of history and symbolic tradition gets in the way; unfortunately, I'm stuck being able to see what the royal family has to offer us, and it has endeared me to them in such a way that they are impossible to dislike. Even as people were stuck sleeping in a sports hall because of the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, the Queen's presence to survivors brought a calming and supporting effect, especially when compared to the ambivalence of our own dear Prime Minister. But that is not what I want to talk about, as instead, I want to turn our attention to a more celebratory affair; the Queen's birthday.
By Sarah French9 years ago in The Swamp
Most Racist American Laws
The law exists to protect people, to keep Americans safe – but the politicians who passed the most racist American laws must not have gotten that memo. These laws were not passed in order to better America or its people. Lawmakers had only one thing on their minds when these went through: keep black people down in the mud.
By Miranda O'Conner9 years ago in The Swamp
Political Correctness and I
Political correctness has become something of a taboo subject in the UK, with a general disdain towards the concept felt by most, coupled with the fear of being labelled a xenophobe, racist or misogynist. There seems to be an ever thinning line between what is acceptable and what isn’t.
By Jordan Catto9 years ago in The Swamp
Election Night 2017: Corbyn and the Robin of Hope
National voting has become a yearly endeavour in the United Kingdom. The election day rain filled the puddles that the democratic minded sploshed through on their way to the polling booths. The local church is being used to cast the votes for my part of Cardiff North. As you approach the building you can see the University Hospital of Wales just across the Motorway. I hope for every person who loves the NHS to be casting their ballot today, but I have as many doubts about this democratic process yielding a good outcome for the people. My polling station had an old gentleman greeting people in the doorway, making small talk with those locking up their bikes, which will soon help whisk them to a day of work. As always they can’t find my address straight away. The kind lady checks for me on the polling list repeating the name Vedmore verbally until her pen stops next to my details. As always I receive my ballot and I take it to the partitioned booth to stare at it intently. I know my choice like most folks, but I always take my time to read the ballot. I triple check where my pencil mark should go just incase I fuck it all up and vote for the Liberal Democrats. A mistake I had made two general election ago which led to the dreaded LibCon coalition less than a decade before.
By Johnny Vedmore9 years ago in The Swamp
The Pulled Show
The Carmichael Show was a surprise hit for NBC when they debuted it 2 summers ago. It won over critics by tackling controversial, and timely topics while still managing to be funny. It's a rare feat in these days of family sitcoms and super sexy single people comedies. Every summer, fans eagerly anticipate what writers, producers, and the stars of The Carmichael Show have in store for them. This week NBC was supposed to air an episode about a mass shooting, on the very same day that a mass shooting happened in our nation's capitol. The Peacock network was left with an impossible decision, to air or pull the episode? Jerrod Carmichael, the star/creator of the show thinks they should have aired it.
By Edward Anderson9 years ago in The Swamp
Why Evangelicals Have No Relevant Message
On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in the landmark case: Obergefell v. Hodges. Same-sex couples and their supporters across the country celebrated what they considered to be a humane and just progression of domestic policy. However, a significant number of Americans protested the verdict and viewed it as an attack on accepted morality and even a suppression of religious liberty. Enter Kim Davis.
By Jesse Booker9 years ago in The Swamp
#Brexit for Beginners
On the 29th March 2017, Theresa May delivered the UK’s official notice of departure from the European Union, triggering article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This was in the same week we saw protests in London & Rome against the referendum result.
By Jordan Catto9 years ago in The Swamp
