"Drain the swamp" is a reference to an ecosystem that reflects the Everglades and the Louisiana bayou. Is that a knowledgeable metaphor?

Col Rebecca Lorraine — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:24:53 -0400

Think about it. A healthy swamp is infact full of life and unless man destroys the environment with toxic waste, it is a valuable resource that filters freshwater before it drains into the sea. How does a President "drain the swamp" without becoming a dictator who would destroy everything good we are evolving toward? An invasive species could alter the swamp ecosystem and result in our demise as a nation. The metaphor may be appealing to some, but it is missing the target with educated women. What would happen to Duck Dynasty?

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 30 at 2016 9:27 PM

SFC George Smith — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:27:14 -0400

it needs to be applied to the cesspool in Washington DC and The Congress, the White House and the Presidential Regime...

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Oct 30 at 2016 9:31 PM

Col Dona Marie Iversen — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:31:44 -0400

Drain the swamp" originally means to get rid of the malaria-carrying mosquitoes by draining the swamp. Figuratively, "drain the swamp" means "to exterminate something that is harmful" or anything that most of the people hate such as corruption or government waste. This term is especially attractive for politicians during campaign.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 9:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:31:46 -0400

Isn't a peat bog, Mam, like a swamp where there is no oxygen and where human remains don't rot? I think that plays into the metaphor of swamp as dead, no oxygen for fish due to algae bloom. It kills fishes here in Canada. Just my opinion.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 30 at 2016 9:32 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 21:32:16 -0400

Is Pelosione on those educated women you speak of?

http://www.redstate.com/diary/barrypopik/2010/07/29/origin-and-history-of-drain-the-swamp-mother-jones-reagan-rumsfeld-pelosi/

Origin and history of "drain the swamp" (Mother Jones, Reagan, Rumsfeld, Pelosi) | RedState

“Drain the swamp” has had a long history in American politics. Nancy Pelosi said that she’d “drain the swamp” for the most ethical Congress evah. When asked about Charlie Rangel, Steny Hoyer said that he wasn’t the one who had promised to “drain the swamp”! That was Pelosi! Ronald Reagan reminded all, in 1983 after a year in office, that he came to Washington to | Read More »

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 30 at 2016 10:04 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:04:41 -0400

There is nothing healthy about the swamp he's referring to. Perhaps festering boil on the a$$ of the nation is more appropriate.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2016 10:15 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:15:51 -0400

When I think "Drain the swamp" I think the swamp that is D.C.

Response by Maj John Bell made Oct 30 at 2016 10:50 PM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 22:50:36 -0400

I would really appreciate a lexicon of what we can no longer say because is hurts someone's feelings. I suspect that homo sapien discourse will be limited to clicks, clacks, and grunts. By the way it isn't a swamp anymore according to my more sensitive friends. Its a wet land with trees, or a drainage challenged forest. Seems that the indigenous animals feelings were hurt by the negative connotations. Sometimes a metaphor is just a metaphor, not a method to oppress, suppress, and marginalize; or were you just joking and now I owe you an apology? :)

You can tell the size of a man by the size of the thing that makes him mad. - Adlai Stevenson, (the use of the word "man" is solely meant for the historical accuracy of the quote and should not be construed as a micro-aggression against any protected class of citizen, or immigrant regardless of legal status).

My wife says "I have grand children and I don't like gators, DRAIN THE SWAMP!"

Response by MSgt Ken Flood made Oct 30 at 2016 11:02 PM

MSgt Ken Flood — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 23:02:54 -0400

DC is undoubtedly the swamp that needs to be drained, both Republican and Democrat. I stand with Richard Pryor in the 1985 movie "Brewster's Millions". Vote none of the Above. If I had the choice I would vote for anyone but the two that the major parties have offered up. Given the choices my vote goes to Trump, he is what he is, a grating personality with some very offensive things flowing out of his mouth. With the actions of Russia, China and North Korea we need a strong, abrasive personality in the White House, not more of the same passive non-leadership of the present administration. I do in fact think that it is time for a woman to fill the shoes of the most powerful leader in the world, just not this one!!

Response by 1stSgt Nelson Kerr made Oct 30 at 2016 11:08 PM

1stSgt Nelson Kerr — Sun, 30 Oct 2016 23:08:24 -0400

You just gave a great decriminalization of the first law of ecolog. A law that applies to humans ans most is science. " You can not change just one thing" It is also known as the law of unintended consquences. It is a law that people feline with complex system ignore at their peril.
Sorry if I am preaching to the choir

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 31 at 2016 1:26 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 01:26:27 -0400

"Drain the swamp" is just a contraction of "The objective of all dedicated employees is to thoroughly analyze all situations, anticipate all problems prior to their occurrence, have answers for these problems, and move swiftly to solve these problems when called upon. However, when you are up to your ass in alligators, it is difficult to remember that your initial objective was to drain the swamp."

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/30/messages/2095.html

Up to your ass in alligators

Response by SGT Tim Soyars made Oct 31 at 2016 2:47 AM

SGT Tim Soyars — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 02:47:44 -0400

Ironically, DC is build on land that was particularly swamp. Appropriate that the State Department is in an area called Foggy Bottom because of the vapor coming off the swamp.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Oct 31 at 2016 4:54 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 04:54:23 -0400

Amazing how an expression can have several different interpretations depending on various points of view. Draining the swamp sound a bit like 'getting rid of deadwood' and makes me hope I am not going to end up deadwood or sucked down and out when the swamp is drained. It did happen once before and was not a pleasant experience.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 31 at 2016 6:22 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 06:22:02 -0400

Perhaps pump the septic tank might be more accurate but drain the swamp conveys the same message without the bodily waste component. Everyone knows what drain the swap means. It is not a literal swamp/wetland/ecosystem it is a metaphorical one. Way to try to turn the phrase into Trump being a dictator though. You will not need to stretch before PT today. You appear to be pretty loose.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Oct 31 at 2016 8:02 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:02:02 -0400

Draining the Swamp is also called land reclamation. Making land that is not usable, usable.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 8:49 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:49:10 -0400

How about drain the cesspool then? I think both parties need to clean house.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 8:59 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 08:59:43 -0400

Response by LTC Marc King made Oct 31 at 2016 9:36 AM

LTC Marc King — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 09:36:14 -0400

Colonel... with all due respect this is really lame on your part. The metaphor is well placed in this instance. The analogy that I learned to respect was "Its hard to drain the swamp when you are up to your ass in alligators" I think its clear that the Washington establishment is up to ass.... Your analogy demonstrates you are good trooper for the far left but does not solve the alligator problem. More focus on whats good for the nation and less on agendas that push an ideology and we will all benefit.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Oct 31 at 2016 10:55 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 10:55:57 -0400

Evolving toward? It's a bit early for politics Ma'am.

I got the impression the Trump was referring to a stagnate swamp of one party system that no longer cared what the American people thought.

What are we evolving toward Ma'am? The Middle East and the death of so many in the sea trying to get to Greece and Turkey tells me without the word in a man's heart, humans will murder and rape each other.

I suppose our national dept will evolve us back to 1880 PDQ if we are not careful.

Have a good day COL.

M. Morris RVT

PS. Don't be coming down on me so hard this time. Cheers.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2016 12:06 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 12:06:50 -0400

Capt Seid Waddell Col Rebecca Lorraine Need to throw him in it, but that may further hasten it's demise. lol

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Oct 31 at 2016 1:25 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 31 Oct 2016 13:25:06 -0400

We should extend the metaphor. Drain the swamp, round up the alligators, and make shoes and purses in the USA!

The President can "drain the swamp without becoming a dictator" through his/her power of appointment to the courts and cabinet. Appoint women and men who will be honest and trustworthy on the bench and in Government Departments. He or she can demand accountability from the executive branch in reaching clear goals he/she sets. She/he can strive to carry through on campaign promises and report honestly to the American People on progress toward those goals. He/she can strive to break the cycle of people becoming consultants and lobbyists when their party is out of power and political appointees when their party is in power. Finally, he/she can support Constitutional Amendments to limit terms of Congress people and Federal judges and to return the selection of Senators to the state legislatures. None of the things I've listed require dictatorial power. Probably won't happen if the next President is a "she."

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2016 1:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 13:37:59 -0400

I think you're reading to far into it. We need to see the bodies at the bottom. Even then, there are systems in place to ensure 4-5 inches of water always remain. As much as he yells, Trump is not a one man show...unless he doesn't mind shooting himself twice in the back of the head.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 5 at 2017 9:11 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 09:11:16 -0400

Rebecca- time for an updated sitter on you and yours. Regards Tom

Response by COL Rich McKinney made Jul 6 at 2017 11:47 AM

COL Rich McKinney — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 11:47:56 -0400

It comes from an old saying "When your up to your ass in alligators it's hard to remember that your job was to drain the swamp".

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jul 6 at 2017 12:03 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:03:14 -0400

Current Washington DC swamp is infected with toxic ideas such as Socialism. Swamp needs draining and reclamation for the American People, democracy, and free enterprise.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 9 at 2018 11:23 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:23:43 -0500

There’s 63 comments here and I didn’t read them all, but I believe this is the origin of the term.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Mar 9 at 2018 11:32 AM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 11:32:39 -0500

The metaphor stands, Colonel. In my view, President Trump wishes only to drain the political toxicity from the swamp that has grown for years. I understand well what a swamp is as I live in Louisiana. Mucho gators and snappin' turtles intermeshed with cypress swamp trees. Beautiful!
Now back to non-political topics . . .

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made Mar 9 at 2018 12:22 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:22:23 -0500

Sorry, DC is only built on a tidal plain not a swamp.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 9 at 2018 12:33 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 12:33:38 -0500

Too funny Ma'am- guess it's been awhile since you marched thu a swamp.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Mar 9 at 2018 9:22 PM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 21:22:59 -0500

There are swamps in 15 states. Louisiana swamps used to be the home of pirates and criminals. Everglades used to hide bootleggers. Okefenokee Swamp covered up the dead during the Second Seminole Indian War. Great Dismal Swamp in Virginia protected runaway slaves. The Great Black Swamp in my home state of Indiana was drained after transport complications during the short Toledo War in the mid 1800's. Draining began around 1850 to prevent the spread of malaria and to enable the construction of a rail line.