opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Afghanistan Failure, Vietnam 2.0
The break down of security and safety for the citizens of Afghanistan has me concerned. As I watched bodies fall from the airplane on Monday, it brought to mind another tragic day, September 11. I have many friends from that area of the world, whose families are still there. Today, a military cargo flight with 823 passengers took off from Kabul, now departures are halted because the refugee centers are full.
By Lawrence Edward Hinchee5 years ago in The Swamp
Making the Case for Afghanistan
Afghanistan has become the most politically captivating story of the day. Nothing has grasped the attentions of the American people so tightly probably since we watched a mob of rioters storm our nation’s capital. Over the course of this document, I will make the case for Afghanistan. I will give my two cents of what I believe are the failures of the current and previous administrations. The case I will make is not one in support of abandoning thirty million people to the oppressive rule of the Taliban, but rather one of American projectionism and protectionism. But first. Who am I to make these claims or to believe I have any insight into this matter?
By James Graham III5 years ago in The Swamp
Get Them Out Now
Afghanistan is experiencing a horrible humanitarian crisis. The Taliban for all their claims of moderation are already showing their true colors. Whatever commitment they might have to preventing Afghanistan becoming a safe haven for terrorism will vanish in a year or two as the West sanctions them for how they treat women, children, interpreters, and minority ethnic groups. Likely, the best-case scenario right now is that the nascent resistance forming in Panjshir turns into the real thing, which would result in a bona-fide civil war. Especially since I’m sure someone, possible even a different US administration come 2024 will provide aid.
By Farah Thompson5 years ago in The Swamp
Lehi High Chemistry Teacher Let Fear Turn into Bullying Some Students
Scrolling through Facebook, a post mentioned chemistry teacher Leah Kinyon’s berating students on the first day of school. I searched through the news and my Facebook feed. Some parents on Facebook understandably called for her to be fired. After school on the first day, Alpine School District put the teacher on administrative leave. In the afternoon, the district announced she was no longer an employee (either fired or resigned).
By Eileen Davis5 years ago in The Swamp
Polarization, Fear, and Loathing in modern America
I moved to the US Mid 2015 not knowing that I would end up staying, not knowing that society would turn this way, even when it was pretty obvious that Bernie would not secure the nomination – I stayed and I was a fairly blind leftist hopeful 20 something. I have since lived out a journey of trial and tribulations laced with lofty idealism with attempted shortcuts to fame and glory, none the less. As I write this, as far as I can see, American Exceptionalism is in full swing again this Election season. Here is another fabled attempt by yours truly to give the gist of what is happening.
By Conner Williams5 years ago in The Swamp
America Is A Communist Country
In the truest sense of the word, Communism is meant to mean a system of governance in which the workers own the means of production. However here in America we have developed and popularized a very different meaning for this word, whereby we use it to describe any country whose government is really a form of dictatorship and where the people have no real freedom (e.g. China, Russia, and North Korea). In some weird way we have conflated this misuse of the word communism with socialism, and it is now seen as an irrevocable disability to be labeled as a socialist in this country, even though most of the people if asked without the stigma of socialism attached actually like and support socialist policies (Social Security, anyone?).
By Zane Larkin5 years ago in The Swamp
Now Playing: An American Tragedy
Shakespeare couldn't have written a better screen play of a tragedy or should we say travesty that is playing through-out the United States and the world. Perilous times have arrived. The world that we used to know has suddenly and violently altered the lives and livelihoods of millions. The overwhelming failures of governments especially in the United States to deal effectively with the scourge of this pandemic and the unilateral failure to implement radical reforms to combat the catastrophic consequences of Global Warming have made our planet and every society become vulnerable to the most catastrophic environmental and economic disaster since the last Ice Age.
By Dr. Williams5 years ago in The Swamp
Expanding Voting Access Benefits Everyone, Including Republicans
This isn’t the hot-button issue of the week anymore, so maybe I’m a few days late to share this. But even so, it’s clear as day that the GOP is continuously waging war on voting rights, and it’s important that we continue to keep an eye on this situation.
By Uniquely Human5 years ago in The Swamp
