humanity

Humanity topics include pieces on the real lives of politicians, legislators, activists, women in politics and the everyday voter.

The Grief Industry
On the evening of the Manchester bombing, there were several tweets of condolence from a variety of people. Some "celebrities" many of the public and some leading politicians.
By Michael Blair9 years ago in The Swamp
Reflections on Political Insults and Incoherence
Perhaps my writing and my sharing of information that I find relevant during this Orwellian period (hopefully not an epoch) in United States history is proving somewhat meaningful, at least as gauged by the reactions of those who oppose my perspectives. This morning an Obama - Clinton supporter called me a fascist for opposing Clinton’s efforts to intervene in Syria and yesterday several somewhat more intellectually inclined opponents of anything Trump tried to convince me that the intelligence community driven Russia-gate soft coup attempt was fully validated. The latter with cogent arguments, which I respect, the former with the traditional insult driven, factually deficient drivel that is all too common among internet trolls. Actually, I do not react as negatively to trolls as do many others. If they are reading what I publish then perhaps over the long term some of it will sink in, and they do give me insights into the tactics favored by those on behalf of whom they troll; valuable data.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Black Republicans?!
Black Republicans are not a major topic in the mainstream media, and the reason for that is simple: to them, we don't exist. Black conservatives are largely kept out of sight and out of mind, and the few who do appear are vilified and lambasted by the mainstream media and their fellow African Americans. If black conservatism does come up in a discussion, it is mocked: caricatured as the humble slave doting on their powerful massa. We are a considered a group of people who willingly vote against our own interests and lay our necks under the heels of those who see us as lesser beings. But is this reality? Can black conservatives only exist if they forsake their values?
By Jasmine9 years ago in The Swamp
It’s Not as Painful as It’s Made Out to Be
Headlines concerning the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the proposed GOP replacement for Obamacare scream that 23 million Americans will be deprived of health care if it passes. As too often happens now, on a quotidian basis, the headlines are distortive, deceptive and hypocritical. They are designed to create emotional responses based on generating fear and insecurity and hate. They are designed to increase the divisiveness that so pervades us and in the end, to further lead us down the path to civil strife.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
The Manchester Attack
They tell you as a kid that if a boy pulls your pigtails, it means he likes you. As you get older and boys grow meaner, it's because they're intimidated and need to assert their masculinity.
By Amy King9 years ago in The Swamp
How Close Are You to Being a Terrorist?
After 9/11, most people in the industrialized modern world asked ourselves an important question. How could anyone do such a thing? For most of us the question was merely rhetorical. But for social scientists the last twenty years have seen a great deal of research attempting to determine what factors, conditions, and mindsets contribute to the radicalized mind. What makes a person a terrorist? In an article for MONITER, the journal for the American Phycological Association, Tori DeAngelis wrote about the work of John Horgan, PhD who interviewed 60 former terrorists. He found that people vulnerable to racialized beliefs have several things in common. Let’s start with the most obvious:
By David Bulley9 years ago in The Swamp
Manchester Tragedy Sees Suicide Bomber ID'd, Humanity Rising
Terror has hit the world's youngest, and once again, humanity is showing its resolve. Pop sensation Ariana Grande had just finished her concert in a packed Manchester Arena when concertgoers heard a loud "bang" and saw smoke, sending fans and parents reeling and seeking both cover and medical aid. By the time the smoke had cleared, 22 people were dead and 59 were injured.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in The Swamp
We Must Stand Together
Everywhere I look I am reminded of the barbaric event that happened yesterday in Manchester. For those who aren’t up to speed, 22 people attending Ariana Grande’s concert in the Manchester Arena were killed by a fatal suicide bomb attack containing shrapnel injuring at least 59 others towards the end of the concert last night. Fans heard a loud explosion and rushed to safety out of the arena.
By George Fairclough9 years ago in The Swamp
That's Stupid
For several years now I have administered discipline in high schools and middle schools, which has given me a unique insight into human behavior and American culture. Our children are tiny, carnival mirrors reflecting the best, and the worst of us in obscene and sometimes inaccurate proportions, but reflecting truth none the less. One way observing young people is useful is to see them as negative role models. Essentially, if you want to act like an adult, stop acting like your children.
By David Bulley9 years ago in The Swamp
Delusions
Delusions Cassandra sits alone in a dark room in Eternity’s basement, it makes little difference, she’s blind and no one ever pays her any mind anyway. No one ever has, no one ever will.
By Guillermo Calvo9 years ago in The Swamp
Manchester's Defiance in the Face of Violence
This morning I woke up to the news that there had been a terrorist attack in my home city. It seemed unreal, like it was almost a dream. The last time that I woke up from what I thought was a lucid dream, the 8 o'clock news announced that Donald Trump had been elected US president. It's a weird world that we live in. But last night's events occurred less than a mile from where I live, and the reality of that hits one square in the face. I didn't hear the explosion, even though the Manchester Arena is so close to my apartment. I had the TV off, and was insulated from the Internet. I was blissfully unaware until I woke up today.
By Katy Preen9 years ago in The Swamp
Dear Mr. Trump...
Dear Mr. Trump, I want to pity you, I really do. However, I have no idea what you thought the outcome of your candidacy would be. Your scorn and derision for President Obama are simply being repaid, in kind. If you are the man that you think you are, prove us wrong. I would love to look back in three years at the wonderful surprises that led to a better country for all of us. Winston Churchill was also a harsh man who was little liked by anyone who knew him personally. Yet history remembers him as the man who was needed at that exact moment in time. This isn’t at all uncommon in history. My question to you is, can you be the dealmaker? Because this country is on a collision course with a second Civil War, and we need you to be that man.
By Mickey Finn9 years ago in The Swamp