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.

Thoughts, Prayers, Guns
Travel anywhere in the world and you’ll find that people expect Americans to love three things – baseball, beer, and guns. And not necessarily in that order. In the wake of another brutal shooting in Florida where at least seventeen people were shot dead by suspect Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the school, teenager, and, most troubling of all, legal owner of an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Just so you have this straight in your head, please take a moment to picture not a handgun that some banger holds in the palm of his hand and sticks in his waistband while he sells nose candy on the streets of LA. It’s a bloody massive firearm not all that different from the size of your leg into which you can easily slot thirty-round magazines and empty them through the muzzle nearly as quickly. It is, in short, a very efficient way to kill.
By Avi Sato8 years ago in The Swamp
Mental Health and Guns in America
As I write this I am extremely conflicted. I’m conflicted as a human, a parent, and a responsible gun owner. I can’t even begin to imagine what those families in Florida are currently going through and went through today. I have seen news reports, cell phone videos, and watched them with tears in my eyes as a parent. It’s easy to say, “thank god it wasn’t my kid,” but some of these parents don’t have that option. At least 17 dead, and 50+ injured. While information is still coming out, it seems as if the 19-year-old shooter had been expelled for disciplinary reasons, been obsessed with a female classmate, and his social media was described as very disturbing. Some students claimed that his Instagram was very disturbing, as described killing animals for fun. They said if anybody did it, it would be him.
By James Howell8 years ago in The Swamp
A Trigger for Change
Another day, another high school massacre. They happen so frequently now, that the shock value just isn’t there anymore. How awful, that the senseless deaths of children no longer shock us. Predictably, pro-gun spokespeople including politicians and celebrities have been scratching around for as many excuses as they can to deny that lax gun regulation was the cause of yet another school shooting.
By Katy Preen8 years ago in The Swamp
Wake Up America
At 21 years old, all I know is being a student. All I know is going school, learning whatever curriculum I need to learn, and going home when my day at school is finished. I am very lucky that I have always made it back home.
By Paranneting/Anne Reboa8 years ago in The Swamp
Don't Blame Gun Control
Bullying has become an epidemic. Yes, you could shrug and say, "bullying has always been around. Back in the good ole day—" and I would stop you right there. Yes, bullying has always been around. But times change and technology has evolved, as well as weaponry and our mindsets.
By Caitie8 years ago in The Swamp
Another School Massacre
I found out today about the massacre at a Florida public school. 17 people dead. Families in agony. A 19-year old mentally-ill kid with a gun. The media and masses reporting while political leaders deliver response speeches. Everybody's got a thought or a feeling about it, except me. I will post the sad faces on Facebook responses, and I will say the appropriate compassionate response, but I honestly don't know what I think or feel about this. It's not the first time this has happened, so it's not shocking. It probably won't be the last time, regardless of more gun laws or not. I want to share my opinion or my stance, but really all I have in mind is a ton of unanswered questions.
By Shanon Norman8 years ago in The Swamp
The True Minimum Wage in California
The minimum wage, such a hotly contested situation, is now $10.50 an hour in the State of California. The politicians bicker constantly about what minimum wage should be. Is $10.50 an hour livable for most people? People wonder if this income bracket can get one off disability. Sometimes the system needs to be reminded just how low-income individuals can get while on the system. You get dinged for saving money after all, or making money for that matter. There is this thing called a PASS Plan. The plan is your method to make money. It is handwritten and your social worker reads it.
By Iria Vasquez-Paez8 years ago in The Swamp
The Ultimate Polish Joke
Late on Tuesday, Polish President Andrzej Duda signed into law a law would make it illegal to accuse the nation of complicity in crimes committed by Nazi Germany, including the Holocaust.
By Freddy Zalta8 years ago in The Swamp
Doomsday Politics 2018
Doomsday Politics February 2018 We now have two doomsday arguments going on in the popular media. Climate change, with its deceitful presentations from just about everyone, from all sides of the debate has now been joined by lurid stories of a change in planet Earth's magnetic polarity.
By Peter Rose8 years ago in The Swamp
The Truth Behind Police Violence in America
I finally had the courage to tell my Great Aunt Genie what I want to be when I grow up. Under my breath I said timidly, “I’m going to be a police officer”. Like always, she comes back at me with her leftist response. “Oh, dear, police are nothing like they used to be. I remember when they would protect the people, not shoot them.” I don’t know if you have ever had an elephant’s foot pound on your chest, compressing all the air out of you, but I have. I felt chained down to my chair. Her words crushed me. Hearing false stereotypes about one of the positions you’ve been dreaming about filling one day isn’t the easiest conversation to hold over Thanksgiving dinner.
By Summer Schoening8 years ago in The Swamp
Controversial Freedoms
By the time most American students enter high school, they have been acquainted with the Constitution of this country and more specifically the First Amendment. The amendment that protects the American peoples’ right to free speech, protects press/media, and protects the freedom of worship and religion. Because these freedoms and protections have been in our Constitution since the foundation of our country, they seem required for any functioning democracy. However, this is not always the case, while these freedoms and protections help a democracy survive and succeed, they are not required for democracy to work. European nations are perfect examples of this, the two most notable examples are in England and in France. England passed strong “anti-slander laws” approved by their parliament in 2013, which says anybody who hurts someone through publication/general publicity, can be charged under this law. In France, all conspicuous religious symbols in public are banned, including the Hijab and the burka, which are instrumental to the Muslim faith.
By Jonah Yannis8 years ago in The Swamp
Raising Minimum Wage
The minimum wage is the lowest pay an employee can be paid according to the federal government. The current minimum wage is too low; $7.25 an hour is just not enough. Let's look at who is working for minimum wage, why increasing it would help, and how we should raise the minimum wage.
By Sarah Eubanks8 years ago in The Swamp