opinion
Opinion pieces from the left, right, and everyone in between.
Intolerance is killing democracy
Intolerance is killing democracy Is this deliberate? World wide wars have been fought, millions of people have died, all in an effort to save us all from the extreme intolerance of fascism. Governments through some form of democracy has been maintained, at least in part, to ensure intolerance does not take control. Yet, if the media is to be believed, intolerance is silencing opinions, declaring that some views are not “acceptable”. Acceptable to who? To a democratically elected majority? Sadly no. Ideas are declared unacceptable by a self appointed un-elected group who consider themselves so superior to everyone else. Is this an accurate statement? or is the truth far more sinister. Is the present politically correct intolerance actually an extremist plot to destroy democracy? Is it extreme socialism or extreme fascism, that is trying to suppress ideas they do not agree with? Could be either, as in actual real effect, as experienced by the governed, they are the same.
By Peter Rose6 years ago in The Swamp
Where women lead, the virus loses
Today I became aware of a country I'd never heard of before: Sint Maarten, somewhere in the islands of the Caribbean. It's only 34 sq kms in size and has a mere 42,844 people, but it's a full fledged parliamentary representative democracy. Its prime minister is a 51-year-old teacher called Silveria Jacobs.
By C Y Gopinath6 years ago in The Swamp
Covid makes a clear case for UBI
Discussions over Universal Basic Income are anything but new. Though this pandemic has demonstrated just how frail our global economy is. Leaving millions unemployed - for potentially the first time - thus victimised first by markets and then by a creaking 20th century welfare state.
By Dayna Latham6 years ago in The Swamp
Happy Juneteenth
Looking back this was something that celebrated every summer when I was a child. This event was usually a few weeks after school over for the summer there was a celebration at the park for Juneteenth. Being from Cleveland, Ohio in the 90s this was either usually Gordon Park, the beach at Lake Erie, or my Grandmother’s house. I was told by parents that this was a day where the slaves were freed and we should celebrate this because we could be still slaves today if events that had not taken place had taken place. Though I had questions beyond what my young mind could grasp I took their word and proceeded to partake in the barbequed food that I loved so much and participating in shenanigans with my cousins. Most of the time we would have left until a fight would break out across the park for any given reason or in sometimes even a shot or two would break from the crowd no word if anyone was actually killed during those times.
By Shanda Gantt6 years ago in The Swamp
Science and religion why the political conflict?
Science and religion why the political conflict? Science and religion can co-exist There seems to be such conflict, especially at the extremes of various belief systems, that science and religion are in opposition, so you can not consider both valid. Reading a fictional book by Raymond Khoury called The Sign, a fictional thriller with a complex plot that involves manipulation of religious fervor by use of a futuristic, and rather unlikely, scientific invention; the suggestion that religious fundamentalists do not accept science in any way is brought to the fore. So let us consider both and how politics gets involved.
By Peter Rose6 years ago in The Swamp
The Price of Human Life
How long must we weep at the altar of logic and reason before the world makes sense again? As a purveyor and lover of dystopian fiction and weird obsession with tyrannical governments of history, I can't help but feel this is the catalyst to the apocalyptic fallout looming over the horizon. Economic turmoil, civil unrest, groups of people wrongfully blaming other groups of people for the nation's problems, systematic maiming and murdering of political dissentors, a plague wreaking havoc faster than research can be conducted for a vaccine...the checklist has more checks than empty boxes.
By CT Idlehouse6 years ago in The Swamp
Why I Support The Police.
I am going to say it here and now: I back the blue. Regardless if they are county police, sheriff's officers, or highway patrol, I support our law enforcement officials with a passion. And this is not limited to American officers of the law either, this goes out to police around the world.
By Halden Mile6 years ago in The Swamp
'Covid' Ops: A great Gates deception?
From predicting a global pandemic, including a World Economic Forum simulation of such an event, to a patent for coronavirus, plus the funding of the most likely source of its release were it not to have developed naturally, the mark of Bill Gates is written all over the Covid19 chaos unfolding around the world.
By Steve Harrison6 years ago in The Swamp
Racism is not manufactured
Click open any social media platform today, and you will see a plethora of opinions on today's racially charged environment. Some claim it is systemic and has just been well hidden until our current leadership allowed it to be "okay". Others claim that it is just a construct of the so-called "liberal media", and is being manufactured to create a reason to riot, pillage and destroy.
By Brenda Johnson6 years ago in The Swamp
