With everything that people in this country are arguing about, we as a people forget the many things we can agree on. One of those things is the idea that anyone who would do physical harm to a child is not someone who should be allowed to walk free in society. Many people would say there is nothing worse than that crime. But, in my opinion, there is and that would be the people who cover up these crimes or give safe havens to those who have committed these heinous acts. It is because of this that I am issuing a call that Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, be arrested for knowingly harboring those who have or would impose physical harm to children.

When one thinks of Brazilian music the fervent samba drum beats of Carnival or the smooth sounds of bossa nova may come to mind. Whatever the style, one may not think of NOVA music major Mark Sawasky. Don’t let his Dearborn, Mich. roots fool you though. He plays as passionately and soulfully as any world musician. He is a true artist.
Sawasky got his start in a rock band in his hometown. When a two-stringed Albanian Lute musician wanted to record with the band, they took their music to the recording …

The American public’s sentiment for creating sensible marijuana laws is ever increasing, and it seems someone finally brought these ideas to Virginia with the introduction of House Bill 1134.

Delegate Harvey Morgan was an unlikely candidate  to sponsor the first marijuana decriminalization bill in Virginia for over 30 years. The second most senior member of the Virginia House of Delegates, a Republican and pharmacist by trade; Delegate Morgan commands respect among his peers in the Virginia Legislature.

Virginia’s attorney general has encouraged institutions of higher education to remove written policies they may have that enforce anti-discrimination policies on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Ken Cuccinelli’s reasoning for this is that the standards of anti-discrimination policies for state institutions can only be set by the General Assembly and, since the Assembly has repeatedly voted against including such language in state policies, then universities should not be doing so.

Since the creation of the world, people have been getting married. Nowadays, humankind still follows this tradition, creating hundreds of new families every day. People interpret the meaning of marriage in different ways, but what is the real one?

Students are frequently in a situation between classes where they are hungry but do not have enough time to go to a restaurant off campus. Although the chips and chocolate in the vending machines look tempting, there has to be a better solution.

On the Annandale campus, food options are limited. The main location to buy food is in the school cafeteria. But is choosing to eat there really the best choice?

I have never been crazy about first dates. Though there is the excitement that goes along with them, mostly it involves a lot of anxiety. I hate that initial discomfort before a date and the feeling of a bomb about to explode in the pit of my stomach. Why put myself through that?

Now, one might ask how bad my dates could have possibly been to make me feel this way. It seems like I have had especially bad experiences compared to my friends. Some of my first dates could have been right out of a comedy. Though, the more appropriate genre would be horror.

As the US inches closer to being in default many are wondering if the multibillion dollar stimulus worked. That answer seems to depend on which side of the political spectrum one is on. Ask Obama and he’ll say yes, ask the congressional Republican leadership and surely you’ll get a no. However, there are clear facts that sort out the political claims.

First, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, colloquially known as the stimulus, must be evaluated for what it was created for. It was designed to save and create jobs. It was also written to create economic growth and increase accountability and transparency in government spending. Lastly, the stimulus was designed to be a multiyear spending package, designed to reduce the likelihood of a double dip recession.

It was twistedly romantic. It was spontaneous. It was magical. It was our first date, Valentine’s Day. It was a fateful decision.

We met at his condo in downtown Baltimore as to take one car. The limo was a nice touch, I will admit, though a little superfluous for a first date. None the less I felt flattered he would go to such a length. I don’t remember much about the conversation on the way to dinner but I do remember being smitten with his complicated cantations, higher education, and the fact that he was studying medical law. My first eyebrow raise being postponed until he mentioned how loaded his parents were, one of many times. I wrote his sticky conversation skills up to being nervous and brushed away the awkwardness. After all he was tall, handsome, fit and educated. A wonder to be single. Curious.

I regularly volunteer to lay hands on or over people lying on a massage table to help them relieve stress, deal with cancer treatments or handle other issues in their lives. This NOVA student has made Reiki her favorite hobby. Believe it or not, there is nothing more involved in the treatment beyond focusing your attention on someone. I use symbols and mantras to focus and channel energy to them so they can heal from just about anything. Like Japanese food, learning about Reiki just doesn’t appeal to everyone or …