opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
What I Want
Did you ever want something? Well here are a couple dozen things I want, today. I’ve always wanted something or other depending on my age and the situation at the time; a VW bus, a Nehru jacket, a lava lamp, some bell bottom jeans, a guitar, some blue suede shoes, a double breasted suit, out of the Army, all my family healthy and happy, the latest hot golf clubs and the ability to use them. Once again I’ve found some things I want. As I shuffle through my 83rd year these wants are compelling, don’t you think?
By Robert B. Jordan9 years ago in The Swamp
Here Comes The Smear Campaign Against Al Gore
Now that former Vice President Al Gore has released his new film, AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER, we can all expect, and are already seeing, an all-out attack on his character and on global warming science. The fossil fuel industry is regurgitating old stories, such as the story recently posted by "Salon.com" that Al Gore's house uses 34 times the amount of electricity than the average American, and so this supposedly makes him out to be a huge hypocrite. Of course, Al Gore's house is not the size of the average American's home, and is powered by solar panels that were upgraded in response to criticism that came after the release of the first INCONVENIENT TRUTH, not to mention that this is an ancient attempt to smear the former Vice President that was used over a decade ago after the first film was released.
By Scott Bowen9 years ago in The Swamp
My Calling
Much of America and the world feels a tug. It is an anxious feeling like a ball in the pit of our stomachs. We all know that big changes are happening. We just don’t know exactly how it will all play out. I watch daily as conflicting stories flood the Internet. There is a great divide in opinions about the world, just as, there is a great divide in our relationships with each other. I feel an overwhelming need for unity. I believe this was put in my heart by God. To me, everyone should be coming together to help one another. It shouldn’t matter who you are. We will need each other. I feel like I am standing at the start line and God is saying, “Get ready.” Next, he will tell me to get set and go. This change is inevitable, and we will not like it. I pray we are ready, but I don't think we are.
By Sabrina Overbay9 years ago in The Swamp
Oppression
In her poetry, Maya Angelou defines the birdcage as “The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still and his tune is heard on the distant hill for the caged bird sings of freedom.” She expresses her early childhood experiences of oppression by discrimination based on prejudices of racism. The birdcage is used as a metaphor by both Maya Angelou in her poetry and Marilyn Frye in her “Oppression” article. In “Defining Racism: “Can We Talk?”” Beverly Tatum analyzed “Internalized Oppression.” She addresses how the members of oppressed groups often believe the distorted messages about their own groups. Oppressed people are like the birds in a cage. They wish for freedom, but they cannot break the cage because of the systematic beliefs. The barriers of those systems or cultures are like the bars of a cage. People can express just how a bird does by singing, but they wait for someone to break those barriers just how a bird would wait for someone to open the cage. Frye’s illustration of the birdcage relates to such groups of oppressed people. Our society puts invisible barriers of beliefs by its actions that can give distorted messages to oppressed groups. While Tatum refers to it as an internalized oppression where you have an option to break free but owned beliefs block you, oppression goes beyond that. It is not only about beliefs, but it is also about systematic actions that favor one group over the other such as the white privilege. The distorted beliefs of oppressed people are strengthened when they face such discrimination. As they say “actions speak louder than words,” people mostly believe the actions that they see. Therefore, it is imperative to stand by our words of equality if we must prevent such distorted messages.
By Beena Patel9 years ago in The Swamp
The Demise of Common Sense
Like many around my own age (I was born in 1965), I have lived through harsh times, such as the capitulation of the Government to Trade Unionism, the so-called "Winter of Discontent," and some good, or rather feel-good times too. Yes, there were numerous conflicts around the world during those formative years, as well as droughts, famines, natural disasters, and so on. Yet the overriding memories I have where Government was concerned, was that the Law held sway and was always to be upheld.
By Dominic Lane9 years ago in The Swamp
Letter to Megyn Kelly
Right now I'm missing Melissa Harris Perry. On her show she would read a letter she wrote, usually to someone who would not want to hear what she had to say. So in that spirit, I wrote a letter. Since I don't know where to send it, I'm just going to float it out into cyberspace and let it go where it may. Hopefully, it will reach the intended destination.
By F.D. Brake9 years ago in The Swamp
I Gotta Pee
If you've been following social media and the news lately, I'm pretty sure you've heard about the big issue on which bathroom transgender people should be allowed to use. You have some people who are pro gay rights and support using the room which matches their gender identity, while others who strongly oppose the move for various reasons. I see this not as a social issue regarding rights to either party but as a ploy to stir controversy and trigger an emotional response.
By Wakai Safin9 years ago in The Swamp
Being Trans. Trans-ish
Before our cameras were on our phones, before Google owned the world, even before the internet itself there was me. This is me. I've been in various stages of transitioning into a man for twenty-two years. This train of thought started over a friend's offense at the image of Klinger in heels with a gun. Klinger. From M*A*S*H*. I'll get back to that.
By Mary McPherson9 years ago in The Swamp
Why Trump Has Got it Right
The galling hypocrisy of Trump's opposition really is becoming quite tedious. While it may be the "in thing" to spout hatred about the USA's president (much like witch-burning in the 14th century—completely oozing with fashionable self-righteousness), the last straw for me came when Snoop Doggy Dogg, a rapper who made his millions rapping about b*tches, h*es, drugs and all other types of immoral fluff, but gets away with it because it happens to be "cool," decided to pretend to assassinate Trump in a music video. So let me get this straight—it's absolutely outrageous and abhorrent for Trump to suggest banning immigrants from countries where Sharia Law is prevalent, all with the intention to protect the American people from potential suicide bombers and angry young Islamists waving knives and shouting "Allahu Akbar," much like what we are currently experiencing in Europe, but it is completely acceptable, encouraged even, for Snoop Dogg to mimic outright murder of the US President? Really, the mind boggles.
By Hawker Hurricane9 years ago in The Swamp
Waiting for Our Land to Be Free
When is enough, enough? Having the endless pit of rejection can lead a person to do anything for extra money. The economy has been far from perfect for so many decades, and it seems like progress in regards to wealth is like climbing up a steep mountain. Where do we see the future jobs and money? Some say STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), some create their own brands and businesses, and some decide to follow the new industries at any cost.
By SAYHERNAME Morgan Sankofa9 years ago in The Swamp
Let's Argue
As an African American Republican, I've been called a turncoat, a coon, and even a bootlicker all because I do not fit the narrative of the African American male. From the beginning of time, African Americans have demographically been known to vote Democrat down a single ballot and then wonder why they are still poor and hardly able to make ends meet. Most of those that have judged me and continue to shun me for openly supporting President Trump, are the main ones living in poverty and hellholes.
By Matthew Handy9 years ago in The Swamp
