Becky Kospanova

It is undeniable that pets bring something special into our lives. Whether your choice of a pet is conventional (such as cats, dogs, ferrets, hamsters, fish, etc.) or more exotic (snakes, iguanas, tarantulas, monkeys, etc.), there is nothing like a warm feeling we get when we play and communicate with our pets. The number of American households that have pets is rather impressive – according to the Humane Society of the United States, there are 78.2 million dogs and 86.4 million cats owned by people in the country (two most popular kinds of pets).

There are numerous benefits in owning a pet. First of all, pets make excellent companions – you will never feel lonely when a pet demonstrates all that affection and unconditional love for you! Second, pets might open up new venues in your life. For example, you can meet other pet owners when you take a dog for a walk or participate in cat shows; you might rev up your exercise routine by taking Fido along for a jog; or you might acquire a new hobby connected to your pet. Moreover, pet ownership can prove to be very beneficial for kids. Not only kids become more responsible by taking care of their pets, but there is scientific evidence that owning a dog or a cat might be good for kids’ health. According to the latest research, children who are exposed to animals from birth are much less likely to suffer from upper respiratory infections, ear infections, and allergies. It is believed that early contact with animals and the bacteria and dirt generally associated with them boosts immune system and helps to fight off the infections more efficiently. Lastly, there are many stories when pets save their owners’ lives by warning them about some imminent danger (fire, earthquake, tornado, etc.) or protecting their owners from intruders and assailants. All in all, there are a lot of positive aspects in having a pet and it is no wonder that so many people have them!

However, pet ownership does not come easily. One must approach the decision to get a pet with utmost consideration and dedication. First of all, potential pet owner needs to consider his/her life style and family dynamics to make a right choice. There are many questions to ponder about such as whether you are more comfortable with an energetic or docile pet, how much daily interaction you are ready for, whether your living arrangements are suitable for particular kind of pet, the life span of potential pet, the cost involved into buying and taking care of it, yours and your family members’ health (many people erroneously assume that people are usually allergic to pets’ fur; however, people are allergic to pets’ dandruff and animals usually have skin!), the effort needed to maintain psychological and physiological health of your pet, your expectations regarding a pet, the amount of cleaning after a pet, and possible danger (there are often stories of children being mauled by dogs). For example, some people are content with pets which do not provide a lot of companionship (fish, turtles, snakes, lizards, etc.) while others want some reciprocity and would be better off with such pets as dogs, cats, rats, ferrets, or guinea pigs.

Undoubtedly, anyone considering a pet must approach this decision with maximum care and deliberation. However, there is abundant joy and happiness when a right pet becomes a part of a right family!

Becky Kospanova

 On January 23, 2013 Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the military was going to rescind an official ban on participation of women in direct combat which was put in effect back in 1994. The implementation of this decision would be gradual but is expected to be fully put in place by 2016. Under 1994 ruling, women in military were prevented from direct involvement in front-line combat in artillery, infantry, armor and similar roles. Given the large number of women enlisted in military (according to 2012 statistics provided by the Department of Defense there were 214,098 women in active duty and 118,781 women in reserve), the decision to lift the ban was certainly groundbreaking and incited a lot of discussion regarding the role women play in US military nowadays.

The proponents of the lift of the ban assert that it would remove archaic gender-based barriers to military service and would provide women with equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities in the army. In fact, many women in the army argue that very often they were and are attached to ground combat units both in Iraq and Afghanistan without being properly recognized for it, and many women have died as a result of their involvement (according to New York Times, as of last year about 800 women were wounded and more than 130 died in service). Moreover, there would be more than 250,000 job positions open for women as a result of the annulment of the ban and women would have a better chance to improve their careers in the military where the record of combat service is frequently required for career advancement.

However, the opponents of the decision contend that women should not get involved into front-line combat because of several factors. Most often, people argue that women, simply because of biology, are not as strong physically as men to endure the hardships of direct combat. Despite the argument of the proponents of the ban that modern war is mostly push-button war and physical strength is not as important as it has been previously, physical strength matters. From carrying heavy loads and running at length it is still undeniable that a person must be physically strong to be an effective soldier. While all soldiers need to pass physical tests, the requirements differ for women and men – and men are expected to perform more strenuous tasks compared to women. In addition, many people maintain that it is important to consider psychological aspects of women being involved in front-line combat. For example, there is a possibility of sexual relationships between male and female soldiers which has the potential of affecting the efficacy and comradely spirit of the unit. Also, many people believe that men will instinctively try to protect their female counterparts and the effectiveness of their military units might be reduced as a result. Moreover, the opponents of the lift of the ban argue that it puts women in very dangerous position because women are more likely to be sexually assaulted and tortured by enemies in case of capture. Some also believe that men will have more difficulties serving under female command which will negatively affect military performance of US army.

There are many well-grounded and persuasive arguments on both sides of the dispute regarding the abolishment of the ban on women’ participation in direct combat. However, one thing which is undisputable is that American military women deserve recognition and admiration for their heroic service.

Living Out Of A Suitcase; Living A Traveler’s Life

How to deal with the anxieties, fear, no family life, and on the flip side good things as well; Apart from the basic necessities and wishing to buy all those material things from high end luxury brands, one should always inculcate exotic travels in their check list. And these exotic travels are not the ones where you visit luxury jaunts or travel by those VIP cruises, but those travels which are mindboggling, which will test your stamina, mental endurance and are feet numbing. Extreme adventure is what I’m talking about, in other words, live a life out of the suitcase.

Living a traveler’s life or living a life out of your comfort zone is something that will turn you from that ordinary corporate or from the ordinary house maker, to someone who is a hero or a campfire superstar. But this doesn’t mean, you head straight to your boss’s cabin, and give your resignation. These journeys will test you fully for which you will need some preparation, but at the same time, they will revitalize you, will help you connect with nature and will give you time for introspection and will help you achieve your ultimate nirvana. Therefore, a traveler’s life is much more than just going to places, instead he tends to explore himself while visiting all these places.

Let me list some places which will help you make aware of the anxieties which a traveler may face in these expeditions and at the same time the rewards which they get after completing these. The first one is Canning Stock Route. This place is located in Western Australia and spans over 2,000 kms. This is one of the most beautiful and harshest deserts in the world. One of the major problems which one may face while covering this area is the adrenalin pumping. Apart from this, be prepared for the vehicle breakdowns, personal emergencies, zero degree evenings, rain, and you have to be self reliant, tough as well as be a confident enough to drive a four wheeler for minimum eight hours of the day at this stretch. But, the reward is even more amazing as you will be able to see emus, kangaroos, salt lakes, springs, Lake Dora, Tjukurba Art Gallery, and Warlayirti Artists, gazing at the stars, among others.

The next place, in the list is, Dallol, Ethiopia. This volcanic crater, spans over the area of just 3 km. but don’t under estimate this place, as this crater is located in one of the cruelest place, which is the Danakil Desert. You have to brave the sun, and will need camel caravans, constant water supply, armed guards, reliable sun block, drivers and you would need that confidence, brave heart and heroism to cover this stretch and to overcome all the dangers. The one thing you need to look for are the tribesmen of Afar as these people are known for castrating visitors, kidnappings, and murders and also avoid stepping on to acidic lakes as these are poisonous. Apart from these anxieties, you can see unexpected vents of liquid that too in different colors like yellow, green, rust, purple and can also see sulphur, iron oxide deposits. Thus, this place will reward you with a landscape, which will give you a feeling of sublime and will be something, which you have never come across.

Apart from the above two places, Kailash, Mansarovar, Franklin River, Tasmania, GR 20 Trek, Corsica and other places which will make you familiar with similar, experiences. Dangerous, yet exciting, these are places, which one should visit during their lifetime. These places define a traveler’s life, a life out of that comfort zone. You need to be physically fit, be prepared for the emergencies, and you should be able to make that choice. Then your life wi

Becky Kospanova

On March 13, 2013 a conclave of 115 Catholic cardinals elected a new leader of Catholics worldwide – Pope Francis. The election had to be held after nearly unprecedented and most certainly unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013 who willingly stepped down because of his failing health. Thus, an Argentinean cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, became the 266th pontiff of Roman Catholic Church. Of course, the news about just elected Pope immediately spread all over the world and, considering that there are more than one billion Catholics in the world nowadays, everybody was eager to learn more about him and tried to predict what Church policies new pope will embrace during his papacy.

Pope Francis is a pope of many “firsts.” He is the first pope from the Americas and the first pope in modern times who is not from Europe (in ancient times, there were popes from Syria, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and modern-day Libya). He is the first pope from the Jesuit order, the largest society within Catholic Church, which is best known for its promotion of educational institutions and whose members take vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity. He is the first to choose the name Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, the servant of poor and destitute (that is why Pope Francis does not have a number after his name). During his first appearance on the balcony in St. Peter’s Square, he broke Vatican tradition by asking the crowd to pray for him instead of offering his blessings and refused to step up on the platform to elevate himself above the cardinals.

In fact, 76 years old Jorge Mario Bergoglio, son of poor Italian immigrants, has always been a man of great faith and humility. It is a well-known fact that he has always led modest life – while serving as the archbishop of Buenos Aires, he chose to live in an apartment instead of palace, rode public transportation refusing chauffer-driven limousine, and cooked his own meals. He is deeply concerned with the problems of poverty and social justice, and he even washed feet of AIDS patients during his visit to the hospital. As such, many people predict that Pope Francis will put great emphasis on conquering poverty and social injustices during his papacy. Moreover, some analysts argue that, unlike his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, he will be more open to dialogue with people of different faiths. It is believed that he is sympathetic towards Jewish people and he even held common ceremony with Evangelical priest.

Still, Catholic Church today faces many problems due to numerous sex abuse scandals, corruption and infighting within the Church, and declining numbers of followers. As such, there is a lot to be done to regain the prestige of the Church. Many people argue that Vatican has consolidated all power and argue that local bishop conferences, diocese and churches need to recover some of it. However, nobody is yet sure as to what new pope’s position on this problem is. Being a conservative, Pope Francis opposes gay marriage, abortion, adoption of children by same-sex couples, and ordination of women. Consequently, it is hardly feasible that any steps will be taken in these areas. Also, many people point out that during so-called Dirty War (1976-1983) when Argentina was under military dictatorship and when as many as 30 000 people were jailed or simply disappeared for holding opposing political views, Catholic Church sided with the government. However, in an interview in 2010 Bergoglio defended the Church by stating that they helped many prosecuted people during that time.

Still, by appointing a pope from Latin America, Catholic Church demonstrated that it recognizes the growth of Catholicism in areas outside Europe such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia. As such, some changes might very well be

What Is Uniquely Yours
E. VirGinia Johnson “Genii”

 “Feelings of inadequacy can plague you sometimes, causing you to feel envious of those blessings that others enjoy. If you spend an inordinate amount of time comparing yourself to the people around you, your ability to appreciate the gifts that are uniquely your own can falter.

You will likely find that you feel more confident and better assured of the value of your individual attributes when you judge them utilizing their own merits as a benchmark. As you learn to focus today on who you are rather than who you are not, you may discover that there are many wonderful advantages that are exclusive to your experience.

When we choose to avoid comparing ourselves to the people we spend time with or individuals we see in the media, we are more apt to hone in on the blessings we have been granted and make good use of them. Appreciating these gifts for their own merit as opposed to how they stack up against those of others allows us to see that we enjoy a level of abundance greater than most.

Even though we may now and again feel deprived, we quickly recognize that our insecurities are wholly unrelated to what others do or do not have. We can consider ourselves special as we see the true scope of the many and varied blessings that have enabled us to prosper. Your choice to stop judging yourself today against the merits of others will help you recognize the positive traits that have helped you grow.”

Who Will Be the Next Pope?
Becky Kospanova

On February 11, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI declared that he will resign on February 28, 2013 due to advanced age and failing health which prevent him from carrying out his duties as Pope with necessary vigor. Considering that he is the first Pope to step down while alive in almost 600 years, it is no wonder that the world was stunned by his announcement. The last Pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII who was forced to do so in 1415 to end the dispute with a rival papal candidate; and the last Pope to step down willingly was Pope Celestine V who resigned in 1295 after serving as Pope for only five months.

There are more than one billion Catholics in the world today and, understandably, the future of Vatican is a matter of utmost interest to many people. Thus, the most important question facing Vatican today is as following – who is going to be the next Pope? Based on centuries-old tradition, every Pope is chosen by a conclave of cardinals. Consequently, a conclave, consisting of 118 cardinals from all over the globe, will be held in March 2013 to elect a new Pope in time for upcoming Easter celebrations. Out of all the cardinals, 62 come from Europe (mostly from Italy), 19 are from Latin America, 14 are from the United States and Canada, 11 are from Asia, 11 are from Africa, and 1 is from Australia. However, newly elected Pope will have to deal with many problems facing Catholic Church nowadays such as numerous sex abuse scandals and Church’s position on abortion and gay marriage.

While majority of cardinals from whom a future Pope will be chosen come from European nations, Catholic world witnessed significant surge in members mostly among African and Latin American countries. As such, many analysts predict that future Pope might be elected from these parts of the world. While many people agree that, ideally, next Pope should be chosen with no regard to his geographical origin but with consideration of his leadership abilities, the question of origins still plays an important role.

There are several candidates who are considered to be strong contenders to become next Pope:

1. Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan.

2. Canadian Cardinal Marc Oullett, Head of Vatican’s Office of Bishops,

3. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, an Argentinian Cardinal overseeing Eastern Churches.

4. Cardinal Peter Turkson from Ghana, the managing editor of International Journal of African Catholicism. This candidate currently leads Pope’s Council for Justice and Peace and is believed to be good at establishing rapport with people across different faiths.

5. .Brazilian Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz.

6. Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the Archbishop of Washington.

The process of nominating a next Pope is a secretive one and, most likely, none of us ordinary people will ever understand what exactly happens behind the walls in the process of electing the next Pope. The only hope people of all faiths share is that there will be no more religious, racial, or ideological diversion to prevent us from peaceful co-existence.

Communication Gap Between Parents And Teenagers

“You have no idea what I’m going through!”

“How could you possibly understand?”

“Just leave me alone!”

Does the above seem all too familiar? Then you have teenagers in the house. Most parents have heard their teenager use one of these sayings at some point. A communication problem is one of the most common reasons parents give for experiencing difficulties with their teenagers.  While it can be frustrating for both parties, there are steps that you can take to help bring about a solution to what is a difficult time for both parties.

· Talk to them as an equal: If there is one single thing teenagers don’t respond well to it is being talked down to. If they think you are patronizing them, they will come out firing. Even if you aren’t, they will assume you are if your tone isn’t just right. The tone and manner in which you address them can make all the difference.

· Ask for their opinions: Asking them questions that have yes or no answers can be counterproductive. It’s far better to engage them in conversation so that they feel that they are contributing something useful. If they think you’re interested in their perspective and that they have a voice, they are far more likely to want to engage with you. If it feels like an interrogation then the defenses will go up and an argument is much more likely.

· Use I words: Rather than telling them their behavior is wrong or saying “you should do this” try saying “I feel” and then asking them if they agree. If their answer is no ask why. They need to know that they you’re interested in their opinion and that it’s a discussion and not a lecture.

· Put yourself in their shoes: We were all teenagers once so try remembering the difficulties you have gone through and there is a far better chance that you will be able to empathize with them and be more understating.

· Don’t automatically punish them: Encourage them to talk to you if there’s a problem, or if they’ve done something wrong. We all make mistakes, however, if they feel that you will just react negatively if they err in some capacity, they won’t come to you. If they know that you will help, guide and be understanding they will be far more likely to approach you in their hour of need.

Everything above is about both building a relationship with your teens and gaining their trust. Kids will react badly when they feel you are talking down to them, or show no interest in their opinion. If you approach them as equals and tell them that you will discuss and listen to them before forming an opinion, it will have positive results all round. By placing yourself in their shoes, you will start to understand them better and they will often start confiding in you more.

Teenagers are going to make mistakes whether they talk to you about them or not. If you can get them to communicate better you can at least guide them better and discuss those mistakes so that they do not continue to make them.

It’s also vital to remember that 99.9% of families go through the same problems and most get through them just fine with the kids turning into adults they can be proud of. It won’t be long before you can communicate just fine, and laugh about the problems that seem a distant memory.

Becky Kospanova

One of the life’s most important decisions with far-reaching consequences is the decision where to go to college. There are numerous variables to consider when a person has to make this decision – what degree to get in order to be able to get a job which you will enjoy for years to come, which college to go, how much money and time you are willing to invest in your education, what is career prospective in a chosen field, and so on. While everybody knows that getting a college degree will generally make it easier for a person to get a job (after all, all employers want to hire a person who demonstrated determination and some level of intellect), there are stories of people who dropped out of college or did not go to one at all and still succeeded. Most famously, Bill Gates come to mind because he is probably the paragon of what one can accomplish without getting proper college education (he dropped out of Harvard) with enough drive, smarts, and maybe some luck.

Still, most of us are no Bill Gates, and we have to think more practically about our future. Thus, what majors are best to consider? First of all, you have to carefully ponder your passions, interests, personal strengths, and skills while choosing a major. After all, it is a known fact that if you get a job in a field you love, your career will blossom simply because you’ll be doing what you love and you can succeed just because of that. However, according to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are some fields which are projected to hire a lot of people in the years to come. Maybe some of them are right for you?

Environmental Sustainability. With people being more and more aware of potential hazards the neglect of environment brings to us, new majors are created across the fields (such as agriculture, health, history, climate, energy, land use, etc.) which will potentially hire a lot of people in the future.

Computer Game Design. It is not a secret that a lot of people play computer games. As such, you can really benefit from jumping into the field which will only grow. It does not have to be limited to games, because people with such degrees can work in many areas such as cyber security, computer graphics, programming, design, art, etc.

Health Care. American population, as most of population in the post-industrial world, is ageing; and people who can provide care in this field are always going to be in demand. Nurses, doctors, physical assistants, medical billers will not have to look far to find a gainful employment.

Science. The US has always been at forefront of scientific research, and while many countries are catching up, we are still the leader. As such, many fields will surely be hiring as well. Biomedical engineering, biochemistry, nanotechnology, computer technologies are the areas which are projected to be the future for many people.

Homeland Security. With a world being, seemingly, less safe with each day, careers in security may be a good bet. A person can major in such fields as criminal justice, emergency response, terrorism, constitutional aspects of homeland security to assure the safety of the country’s citizens. Not only these are noble professions, but the employment is also relatively easy to find.

It is obvious that there are many areas a person with a desire to learn can go to but once again, one needs to consider the choices carefully in order to make a meaningful and fruitful life.

Should Anyone Be Able To Purchase Military Style Weapons?

Owning military style weapons is clearly a thorny issue in America, and only those who have been victims and played a role in their “misuse” know why controls are being considered and contested. No one wants another loved one lost, for whatever maniac reasons. No one asked for this kind of victimization and no one is asking for these kinds of incidents anywhere. All Americans have a right to protect themselves’.

It is a known fact that it takes extensive training to learn to how to use military style weapons and, how and when to use them is a key issue. So what questions should be asked on these subjects and how should they be answered,

Who Should Own Such Weapons?
The truth is that these weapons were originally designed for military forces for the sole purposes of defending a country in war. However people have come to realize that they maybe left defenseless, especially if someone using these weapons ever attacked them.

This has increase the interest and demand for people looking to purchase a military style assault weapon to fight back and protect their family and many with very little if any training on the use these weapons.

In most States in America, everyone has the right to purchase assault weapons and openly carry one as long as they registered and licensed without the fear of being arrested. The Federal government and States now are left in political gun control battles on the grounds of stopping these weapons from being accessible to the wrong people, those with mental disorders and those that would violate the law.

These weapons of mass destruction and massive amounts of ammunition and high capacity clips ironically can be bought at backdoor deals through loop holes at Gun Shows without any registration in most States, which means no way to track ownership. The truth is, the only people that should own these weapons are military type personnel and as long as Law enforcement officials keep their part of the deal, which is keeping the citizens safe, then there would never be a need for self-defense, especially with these types of weapons and ammunition; but in this day and time that is a tall order.

What Measures And Protocols Should Be Put Into Place Before Allowing Assault Weapons Put Into The Hands Of The Wrong People?

The only thing that is perfectly clear is that even if the right people own such weapons the incidents that cost people and their little ones could and more than likely would still occur. Mothers and fathers who purchase assault weapons might be all for gun rights but never believe and suspect that their son could and would unleash rounds of ammunition on children as to what happen in Newtown. No one even thought that was possible including the mom, otherwise, she would have never have had that type of gun in the house in the first place.

In other words, this is not saying that the government wants to take away weapons owned by responsible civilians but looking at what can be done to prevent people around them from having access to these weapons because that may not be mentally responsible. It is being suggested that instead of arming limited trained staffs at schools and other populated location with weapons, they should hire returning veterans who are trained in the use of assault
weapons and the ability to spot those who may be suspicious.

Is It Victimizing People When The Public Vies For A Complete Ban Of Military Style Weapon Ownership?

If assault weapons are banned from being accessible to the general public does not necessarily mean that there not people who own these guns for protection and never used them commit crimes should not have the right to own them. People have owned guns since time in memorial and some of them have only used them only within the precincts in which they were legalized to use them.

“It is perhaps too easy to forget how many times this has happened. The horrific mass murder at a movie theater in Colorado on July 20, another at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin on August 5, another at a manufacturer in Minneapolis on September 27—and then the unthinkable nightmare at a Connecticut elementary school on December 14—are the latest in an epidemic of such gun violence over the last three decades.

Since 1982, there have been at least 62 mass shootings* across the country, with the killings unfolding in 30 states from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Twenty-five of these mass shootings have occurred since 2006, and seven of them took place in 2012. Do Armed Civilians Stop Mass Shooters? Actually No. Maybe We Need a Better Mental Health Policy Weapons: Of the 142 guns possessed by the killers, more than three quarters were obtained legally.” Mark Follman, Gavin Aronsen, and Deanna Pan.

The only thing that everyone wants to feel is an assurance that if they woke up tomorrow and go out in the public, they would return home safely and their loved ones would be sharing a meal with them just like any other day. So if this goal can be accomplished by placing restraints on the purchase of the guns ammunition and accessories and allow the possibilities that, everyone can sleep feeling assured, that everything will be fine when they wake up to see the sun the next morning, it is something that should be strongly considered.

How Wonderful It Is To Realize That We Have A Great Gift

By:  E. VirGinia Johnson “Genii”

 The next time you are in the market, notice the many choices you have. You like cheese? Well, there is Gouda, cheddar (sharp or mild), goat cheese, mozzarella; the list goes on.

What are we choosing in the marketplace of our thoughts? Are we choosing doubt? Fear? What are we picking from the shelves of consciousness and putting into the baskets of our lives? We must make sure to put Joy on the shopping lists of our thoughts. Joy is a High Vibration that attracts more Joy. Life can be easy; however, we must choose to see it that way.

Set the intention to enjoy this day no matter what. If something goes amiss at work, remember Joy. If the job interview turns sour, remember Joy. If someone cuts you off on the road, remember Joy, if some horrible event happens, remember joy.

When we are in Joy, we create an atmosphere that says we are ready for greater things to happen. The items we have on our shopping lists of Life begin to show up. Work becomes a pleasure, or we move on to greater things. The interviews that seemed to go sour actually turn out to be sweet experiences. The people who cut us off on he road are blessed because the Joy we feel in our lives touches them.

Today, and everyday, chooses to be in Joy. Enjoy the day because it is Good.

Whether Jesus Christ was actually born on December 25 or not is very difficult to state. Perhaps it is a fact or perhaps fiction. According to some, it’s a fact, while others would state it’s a fact. Another group might be such deep believers in Christ that it doesn’t matter to them whether Christ was indeed born on December 25 or not.

The Bible proclaims that people should have correct knowledge of Christ, something that is possible only if you have accurate information about the Prophet, which can separate fact from fiction. So, if we study the stories connected with Christ carefully such as the Bethlehem star, or shepherds looking after the sheep and their fields, the coming of the magi and the angels, etc., we can examine them and then determine whether His birth did indeed take place on December 25 or not. This is the only way we can determine the Prophet’s birth date to be December 25 since this date never finds a mention in the Bible.

Both the authors of the Gospel, St. Luke and St. Mathew, disagree that December 25 is the real birth date of Jesus. They, instead, believe that Jesus was born during King Herod’s reign of King Herod and for only one reason could he have been born in Bethlehem: that it was foretold that the ruler of Israel would be born there as it was the city of David.

It is also very unlikely that Mother Mary would travel through a difficult winter, pregnant as she was. However, it would be likelier that Mary and her husband Joseph would have made the journey earlier in the year. Another discrepancy is that if Christ was born in December, it wouldn’t be possible for shepherds to tend their flocks and fields in the snow.

The Gospel’s authors also believe that the Bethlehem star, central to the stories relating to Christ’s birth, is a complete fallacy. This is so because if, as these stories depict, there could have been one star that shone only on a particular town and remained stationary there, it would be in contravention to the laws of motion of the galaxy.
Today, it also seems difficult to believe that this one star guided all the astrologers of those times from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, a town that is barely eight kilometers away. In St. Luke’s Gospel, there is no mention of the star of Bethlehem or the three magi nor is there a mention of the stable or animal around the infant Jesus. However, he does mention a baby in a manger.

However, there is one reason for people to link Christ’s birth with December 25 and that is because this date is linked with pagan festivals. It also coincides with the winter solstice and is said to be the year’s shortest day and, hence, the day when the Sun God returns. It was also the date the Roman Catholics chose to lord over Christian culture and eliminate a pagan day and replace it with a holy day.

From the above, it would be very difficult to say when Jesus was born and it is a date that we can never know for sure. But yes, we can say with complete confidence that this was one human being who changed the course of mankind.

Becky Kospanova – The United States is a country of immigrants. From the original 115 English settlers that arrived on Roanoke Island in what is known today as North Carolina in August of 1587.

From then until now, people have been arriving to the America the New World at a steady rate in search of better life and opportunities. While most people who traveled too America early on were of European descent, over time, the ethnic map of America has changed considerably. From the predominantly white Anglo-Saxon country, the USA is moving towards a Nation, which is exceedingly diverse, both ethnically and culturally.
The 2012 election has proven that point clearly and unmistakably. While both governor Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama ran organized and persuasive campaigns, President Obama has ultimately secured his victory by demonstrating better understanding of changing demographics of the country. As such, he was able to acquire the majority of Hispanic, African American and Asian American votes; in fact, Pew Research Center has calculated that Barack Obama received 80% of their votes. Alternatively, many political analysts argue that the biggest mistake of Romney’s campaign was its lack of appeal to these segments of population and its preferential treatment of issues important to predominantly white and wealthy sector.

What is today’s America from an ethnic point of view? According to latest numbers, Hispanic population constitutes 17% of American population, Asian population comprises 5 %, black population amounts to about 13 %, and white Non-Hispanic population makes up 63 % of total population (the remaining percentage refers to people of two or more races). The numbers will change even further over time; according to Pew Research Center, by 2050, white Non-Hispanic population will decrease to about 50 % or less, while Hispanic share will grow to 29 %, Asian to 9%, African American population will increase just slightly over current number of 13 %, and people of two or more races will constitute about 3.7 %. For the first time in American history, white population will not constitute a majority.

How does the changing face of American nation affect and will affect the climate in the country? Undeniably, there is a plethora of positive things, which stem from the influx of people from different nations and cultures into the country.

We are exposed to the traditions and customs of other cultures, which enables us to experience the world to the fullest in the comfort of our homes. We can taste different cuisines and really appreciate the diversity of food and culinary talents from different parts of the world. We can learn practically any language from native speakers without leaving the country, which unquestionably broadens anyone’s horizons. Our children are familiar from birth with people from other cultures and, hopefully, will never demonstrate or experience racial prejudices.

However, not everything is going well. There is  still racism and discrimination which is aimed at various ethnic groups at various levels, be it work environment or neighborhoods. There are still preconceptions about people from other cultures, which are not true and offensive. There are still unresolved issues in regard to immigration laws and growing wealth gap between the haves and have-nots, which often depends on ethnic backgrounds.

The only way to gradually eliminate these complex problems is to educate people, keep an open mind, and realize that modern world is a global community and always changing.

Wage Gap between Men and Women: What Should Be Done?

Becky Kospanova

 
One of the undeniable facts of workplace statistics in the USA is the persistency of considerable wage gap between men and women. It has been calculated that on average women earn 77 cents to each dollar earned by men (2011 statistics) with no regard to ethnicity, occupation, educational level, and work experience. While it is an improvement from previous decades when women earned on average 57.6 cents to each dollar earned by men (1966 statistics), it is still a large difference. It is important to address the issue by looking at the actual situation regarding the wage gap, analyzing the factors which contribute to it, and seeing what has been done and what can be done to extinguish the pay difference between men and women.

According to Census statistics, on average, men earned $48,202 and women earned $37,118 in 2011. Economist Evelyn Murphy, the President of the Wage Project, estimates that due to wage gap, over the period of lifetime (47 years) full-time work, women will lose $ 700,000 for high school graduates, $ 1.2 million for college graduates and $ 2 million for professional school graduates. This potential difference in lifetime earnings is truly staggering, especially nowadays when more women than men graduate from college and, consequently, stand more to lose.

What are the factors which can explain this situation? Is there still gender-based discrimination at American workplace? Partially, the difference can be attributed to customarily role of women as primary caregivers for other family members. Therefore, they are more likely than man to work part-time, take some time off to care for children, and have gaps in their employment history which hinders their career growth. It is especially true for single mothers who disproportionally outnumber single fathers given our cultural and legislative predisposition of awarding single custody to mothers. While some percentage of the wage gap can in fact be ascribed to abovementioned factors, the picture is still bleak.

The American Association of University Women has shown that, keeping education quality and grades received equal, college-educated women earn 5 percent less during their first year at the job than their male counterparts.

Moreover, after ten years of equal commitment to their careers, the gap grows to 12 percent. The growing gap can be explained by the fact that if initially a woman gets a smaller paycheck then her consequent jobs would also

pay less because most employers calculate their salary scale on pay history. It is a vicious cycle. Some people argue that women get paid less because they do not negotiate their salaries as forcefully as their male peers. However, our cultural stereotypes often prevent women from doing so – assertive women are often viewed as difficult and aggressive, while assertive men are viewed as pro-active and energetic.

The idea that gender-based discrimination still exists in the USA is often disputed. After all, in 1963, President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act and later, Congress signed Title Seven of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which prohibited sex discrimination at work. However, while women have a legal right to get paid equally, it did not translate into reality as yet. President Obama has tried to address the wage gap issue. Thus, on January 29, 2009 he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law, which repeals the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling of 2007 (Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.) and allows victims of wage discrimination to hold their employers accountable and bring the practice to the court. However, on June 5, 2012, the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have greatly improved the chances of equal pay, has failed in the Senate on a 52-47 procedural vote.

It is necessary to work together to close the wage gap based on gender. As such, we need to appeal to our representatives in the Congress and Senate to work on the issue. We also need to address sociological issues by making child care affordable, by involving men in domestic chores more actively, and by impressing on our daughters the idea that it is OK to demand what they deserve.

Are Men More Sexually Active Than Women?

It is probably the oldest debate and has been part of the war of the sexes for as long as one can remember. No discussion of human sexuality is ever complete without a reexamination of this ancient question. Who is more sexually active? Which gender is genetically, biologically, culturally more prone to higher levels of sexual activity?

Every once in a while a new study appears, stating sometimes this, sometimes that, and adding further fuel to this raging fire. For example, one survey finds that women are more sexually active, at least in high school, than men are. It says that by the final year of high school, girls are likelier than boys to have been sexually active. Over 60% of girls in their final high school year claimed to have had sex, where only 44% boys of the same year said the same.

On the other hand, another study shows that 67% of older men, between 65 and 74 years of age or older, have been sexually active within the previous year, while over 35% of 75 and 85-year-old men say the same. For the women, however, the numbers are as low as 40% and 17% for the same age groups.

One of the reasons for this disparity might be that most men have a more uncomplicated approach to their sexuality, while for women sexual desire is more connected to emotional and self or body image factors. As women age, physical changes might affect the way they view their own bodies, how they feel about their own attractiveness, and how desirable they feel. Men, on the other hand, often focus more on the achievement of an erection as a precursor of sexual activity, and drugs such as Viagra have made a significant impact on that.

On the other hand, it is a pretty much well established fact by now that men achieve their overall sexual peak much earlier than women. Where a woman hits her sexual peak as late as early 40s, achieving full enjoyment of sex, increased libido, and stronger fantasies, men on the other hand, hit their peaks in their late teens or early 20s, later settling down to a more sedate but consistent level of sexual activity for pretty much the rest of their lives.

One of the reasons for women being more sexually active in their 30s or 40s could be that by then most women have become more comfortable with their own sexual natures, and with sex in general, compared to teenage women and those in their 20s.

There are other differences too. Norwegian researchers have found that the genders behave quite differently in terms of libido and sexual activity, even with the seasons. Women experience more desire and are likelier to be sexually active in the spring while men are likely to experience the same in autumn.

Given all these varying reports, given the fluid nature of human sexual behavior, compounded by emotional, psychological and developmental factors, it is practically impossible to come to any conclusion about which gender, male or female, is more sexually active over the entire course of their lives.

And, maybe the point is….why try? Mars and Venus are different, always have been and always will be. Why not leave it at that? Any difference does not have to mean better or worse; or more or less. Let’s just be happy with “other”.