corruption
A prime locale to talk bribery, suspect campaign funding, and all other instances of political corruption. The shadier, the better.
Donald Trump Snubs India, Signs Oil Deal With Pak. What Does This Mean?
After announcing a 25 per cent 'reciprocal tariff' on his "friend" India, plus a penalty for buying Russian weapons and oil, Donald Trump said Thursday the US had struck a trade deal with Pakistan, including plans to develop its "massive" oil reserves.
By Kristen Orkoshneli7 months ago in The Swamp
Tsunami Evacuations Ordered in South America, but Worst Risk Passes for U.S. After Huge Quake
Early on Wednesday, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 8.8 struck off the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, triggering widespread tsunami warnings and mass evacuations across the Pacific Rim. Officials later determined that the greatest tsunami threat to the United States had passed, despite the frantic efforts of countries in South America to evacuate individuals. At a depth of 19 kilometers, the quake, one of the strongest in recent memory, occurred approximately 75 miles offshore from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The quake's shallowness made it particularly capable of moving large volumes of water. From Japan to Chile to Hawaii, tsunami warnings were quickly issued across the Pacific Basin. Response times to emergencies were quick in South America. Chile began evacuating vulnerable coastal areas after raising its tsunami alert level to the highest level. Authorities emphasized the danger of after-waves, reminding citizens that the first wave is rarely the most dangerous. Chilean officials coordinated with local governments to evacuate thousands from low-lying areas.
By GLOBAL NEWS7 months ago in The Swamp
"The Maryland Way"
Maryland may boast of its crab feasts, blue-ribbon schools, and proximity to the nation’s capital—but behind the charm lies a stubborn stain that refuses to wash out: government corruption. For decades, the Free State has been plagued by scandal after scandal, from petty theft to multi-million-dollar rackets, involving mayors, governors, state delegates, police officers, and public employees. And what’s worse? Despite reforms, prosecutions, and promises, the corruption seems less like an anomaly and more like a political rite of passage.
By Michael Phillips7 months ago in The Swamp
The Silence of the Brave
When Georgia State Senator Nancy Schaefer released her groundbreaking report, “The Corrupt Business of Child Protective Services,” she likely knew she was stepping into dangerous territory. But what she may not have known is how far-reaching—and deadly—that corruption could be. Just months after publicly declaring CPS a “criminal enterprise” incentivized to kidnap children, Schaefer was found dead in what authorities swiftly ruled a murder-suicide. Case closed—or so they said.
By Michael Phillips7 months ago in The Swamp
US-Japan trade deal gives Trump control over $550 billion in investments. It could be ‘vapor ware’ — and a model for other countries
**The US-Japan trade agreement grants Trump control over investments worth $550 billion. It Might Be "Vapor Ware" and Serve as an Example for Other Countries** Former President Donald Trump claimed in a high-profile announcement that a new US-Japan trade deal gave the United States leverage over 550 billion dollars in Japanese investment. The deal has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism, with Trump hailing it as a landmark achievement for American manufacturing and job creation. Some have dubbed it potential "vapor ware" due to critics' claims that the numbers may be exaggerated, the agreements are non-binding, and the economic impact is speculative. Nonetheless, the way the deal is structured and presented may be used as a model for US trade negotiations in the future, especially if the administration is focused on optics and unilateral gain. At the heart of the agreement is a framework wherein Japan pledged to direct investment toward American industries — especially manufacturing, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. During his presidency, Trump put bilateral trade agreements ahead of multilateral ones and hailed the agreement as an example of nationalist economics. It is in line with his "America First" platform, which places an emphasis on bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States and reducing reliance on supply chains from other countries. However, experts caution that the headline figure of \$550 billion is misleading. Before the agreement was signed, a significant portion of the pledged investment was already in the works. Financial analysts point out that Japanese companies like Toyota, SoftBank, and Mitsubishi have been present in the United States for a considerable amount of time. Trump can take credit for the trade deal because it simply brings together anticipated and existing investments under a new political banner. Furthermore, the agreement lacks specific enforcement mechanisms. It does not include tariff adjustments, guarantees of market access, or procedures for resolving disputes like traditional trade pacts do. Instead, it resembles a memorandum of understanding, which is advantageous from a political standpoint but has no legal force. Because of this, some economists have referred to it as "vapor ware," which refers to a policy that makes headlines but does not result in significant change. The deal's strategy reflects a larger trend in the way trade agreements are being used as political capital, despite the ambiguity. By framing the deal as a huge economic win — regardless of its actual substance — Trump leveraged it for domestic approval and international prestige. His administration argued that the mere announcement of the deal created a “confidence effect,” encouraging private-sector investment and lifting stock markets.
By GLOBAL NEWS7 months ago in The Swamp
The Worst-Kept Secret of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
One of the more poorly kept secrets of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that many of those involved would prefer to take all the land and have the other side disappear. A 2011 poll found that two-thirds of Palestinians believed that their real goal should not be a two-state solution, but rather using that arrangement as a prelude to establishing “one Palestinian state.” A 2016 survey found that nearly half of Israeli Jews agreed that “Arabs should be expelled or transferred from Israel.” A poll in 2000, conducted during negotiations toward a two-state solution, found that only 47 percent of Israelis and 10 percent of Palestinians supported a school curriculum that would educate students to “give up aspirations for parts of the ‘homeland’ which are in the other state.”
By Kristen Orkoshneli7 months ago in The Swamp
Unmasking the US Political Landscape and Trump’s Influence: 11 Powerful Truths
Over the last decade, few figures have reshaped the US political landscape as dramatically as Donald Trump. His presidency, persona, and policies have stirred deep divides, mobilized millions, and altered the trajectory of both major parties. As we stand in 2025, it’s impossible to ignore the lasting ripple effects of his time in office — and his continued influence.
By Kageno Hoshino7 months ago in The Swamp
Abigail Spanberger’s Intelligence Resume
As Virginia’s former U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger mounts her gubernatorial campaign in 2025, her résumé is getting the spotlight treatment — and one credential in particular deserves a closer look: her service on the U.S. House Intelligence Committee from 2023 to 2025.
By Michael Phillips7 months ago in The Swamp
FEMA’s Western Maryland Denial
When catastrophic floods slammed into Allegany and Garrett Counties this May, Western Marylanders didn’t ask for handouts—they asked for help. Roads were destroyed, homes ruined, schools inundated, and families left reeling. The damage? $15.8 million, a figure that clearly exceeds FEMA’s own threshold for disaster declarations.
By Michael Phillips7 months ago in The Swamp
