controversies
It seems every time one racially-charged incident ends, a gender or religious controversy takes its place; Ruminate on the issues dividing our nation and world.
Trump's Travel Ban Gets Preliminary Supreme Court Approval
President Trump's blatant dislike of anyone of Muslim descent seems to have gotten support from the Supreme Court. The president's travel ban, which in its various forms has attempted to block the arrival of Muslims from six Muslim countries into the United States, has been a hotly contested one since he first put it forward not long after taking office. With various judges across states blocking the travel ban with the argument that it was unconstitutional, if not prejudicial towards the Muslim community, it comes as some surprise that Supreme Court justices have by a majority allowed, at least on a preliminary basis, for the travel ban to pass as it stands currently.
By Christina St-Jean8 years ago in The Swamp
Political Awareness
Abstract Heroes are not born every day. Yet having said this, one can look towards the early mid 20th century and find a number of national heroes emerging in protest of Africa's wide colonial rule. What was it that made ordinary people such Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Robert Mugabe and this paper's ultimate focus, Patrice Lumumba rise to power? What enabled them to succeed and what precipitating factors within their respective countries push them to fight for self-governance? This paper will look into the life history of Patrice Lumumba to examine the factors that contributed to the awakening of his political awareness and will argue that it was ultimately the awakening of his political consciousness that enabled him to lead his country towards independence.
By Shelly Phillpotts8 years ago in The Swamp
CONgress
No, I really don’t need to say a word, you already know what evil passed in the middle of the night behind closed doors and quite literally, at gunpoint; Sen. McConnell explaining to democratic leaders 25 minutes prior to going to the floor, “Don’t Read It, Just Vote For It” or “There Will Be Plenty Time To Read It After It Passes”. . .
By P. Craig Browning8 years ago in The Swamp
Alone in it
I have observed over the last almost two years how the issues we are trying so hard to avoid in conversations, as well as down play through bogus infallible reasons, to explain why they are not as “deep” as being professed has caused a greater divide of truth in historical facts. It has sparked high priority in the twisted opinions of those who speak about these atrocities in a mellow dramatic moniker. To say the least, all those that have quietly and openly addressed these matters head-on are then showered with the approach of backlash in how the action was executed to bring attention and awareness. For example, the blatant disrespect from the American leader and supposed example of “leadership," Trump, calling the NFL players “sons of bitches” at his Alabama rally, and the barrage of tweets blasting NFL owners for allowing the players to “disrespect the flag, military, and anthem” by kneeling or sitting. He lays it on even thicker by steering focus to NFL ratings, low ticket sales, and home viewer participation. Obviously, disrespect must be a rule, because these and all actions leading up to this point defines every aspect of the word.
By Lashandra Willis8 years ago in The Swamp
UCLA Basketball Players Arrested in China
ESPN reported that three UCLA basketball players were arrested in China in November on shoplifting charges.The three basketball players include LiAngelo Ball (18) — who is the younger brother of Lonzo Ball, a Los Angeles Lakers point guard — along with Cody Riley (19), and Jalen Hill (17).These three freshman were accused of shopping lifting sunglasses on Tuesday at a Louis Vuitton store in the Chinese City of Hangzhou. Surveillance cameras caught the three players near the high-end stores counting Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Yues Saint Laurent, and Salvatore Ferragamo. The UCLA basketball team is in China to play its season opener against Georgia Tech in Shanghai, China. It is safe to say this would not be happening Saturday. After being questioned about stealing the sunglasses, the three players were released on bail early Wednesday morning, but were to go to their hotel rooms and wait for the legal process. The case had been reported to the U.S. authorities by Hua Chunying, a spokeswoman for China's Foreign Ministry.
By Sydney Kennemore8 years ago in The Swamp
It's the Most RARFLARGLE Time of the Year
Sleighbells ring, are you listenin'? In the air ... snow isn't quite glistening yet. Already we're seeing the memes on Facebook, hearing the ranting on TV and radio programs, seeing the "protests," and even hearing directly from held-at-arm's-length "friends" and family about it.
By Grizzly Matthews8 years ago in The Swamp
Mixed Girl Problems
I was military brat. That one statement should explain a lot. I moved around a lot, made friends with all kinds of people. The schools I went to had a good mix of ethnicities. I can honestly say that I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet and make friends with children that were different from me. Race was not a factor for me or any of the other kids. You ever notice that when you're in elementary school, everyone is your friend? What happens when you get to middle school? The first year is a breeze, friendships are still the same, but then halfway through middle school you start to notice a divide. The white girl and her brother that you used to walk to and from school with, no longer come by your house on the way to school to walk with you. The Asian girl that you used to eat lunch with no longer sits at the same table with you. The black girls that you used to joke around with in the locker room, now whisper among themselves. The Puerto Rican and Mexican friends that you played outside with during recess no longer talk to each other. You know what's so crazy? I was singled out of every group. I didn't belong.
By Tammy Chisholm8 years ago in The Swamp
1 Year Later Keystone Has A Pipeline Leak
A year ago, there were massive protests around the issue of building the Keystone pipeline. The key reason for major opposition to the Keystone pipeline is due to harmful environmental damage; if a pipeline leak were to occur there would be contamination of the environment. Native Americans and environmentalist were treated inhumanely protesting the Keystone pipeline, they were hosed with cold water at sub-freezing temperatures, rubber bullets were shot at them and law enforcement viciously tore down their camps. News of the Keystone pipeline leak is shattering because our government failed to listen to the people, they are the cause of the inhumane treatment protestors received. As a result, citizens of South Dakota and the environment will suffer. Moreover, Nebraska approving the extended Keystone XL pipeline illustrates the ignorance of local elected officials ignoring the issue of climate change and steadily pursuing a terrible policy harmful to the environment.
By Eve's Politics8 years ago in The Swamp
White America Needs to Stop Looking for Loopholes
Do you think wayward politicians will somehow see the light soon and stop being so extremist and authoritative? Do you expect them to finally find some compassion within themselves to reverse their attempts to oppress and squeeze the life out of diverse citizens? Not going to happen.
By Fannie LeFlore8 years ago in The Swamp
America is Exactly Wrong in Its Approach to North Korea
In any middle school American social studies class, as they look at ancient cultures, the message is repeated and reinforced: With trade comes the exchange of ideas. Through all of history from the Phoenicians to the Romans, from the crusades to the age of exploration, trade changes people. As with Native Americans, sometimes this is tragic in inestimable ways, but often, open trade opens minds. Why then, do we continue to believe that trade sanctions force change? It has literally never worked. As we continue the path of increasing sanctions in the hopes of bringing North Korea to heal, it’s important to remember that this path has never worked and is unlikely to work now. But there is another path which often works: trade.
By David Bulley8 years ago in The Swamp
Priti Patel's Lovely Holiday
Another day, another embarrassment for Theresa May's government. If there are any more resignations, the Cabinet is going to be a very lonely place. This time, it was the turn of Priti Patel to hand in her notice. I wonder who's next — it's rather exciting! Anyway, the UK government will probably have legitimacy until at least the weekend, so let's take a look at this one misdemeanour along the way to the implosion of the Conservative Party.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
