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 …

Anime: randomness, perversion and unexpected. One word: kawaii! Here’s a brief education on what it is for non-otaku (“otaku” meaning people who are obsessed with anime, video games, etc.) One definition of anime from AllWords.com was “an artistic style used in Japanese animation that has also been adopted by some artists in America and other countries.” Shows created by manga artists, are spoken in English or Japanese. However, it depends on whether the U.S. distributor could dub over the original language or insert subtitles for the show. I remember my …

The high cost of health insurance cost is a real problem in the United States of America. Before the mid-19th century, the relationship between doctors and patients was simple: the patient paid money in exchange for the doctor’s advice, skill and medicines. In order to win acceptance as professionals and be perceived as something more than commercial businessmen, doctors needed to persuade the public that they were acting out of knowledge rather than self-interest and profit. Organized medicine built a system of formal education, licensing, health insurance, examinations and professional discipline, all meant to assure that doctors’ recommendations were based on medical science and helped needed patients.

There’s a familiar buzz in the air, a strangely comforting feeling that reminds me of home. Walking down the street, with cold gusts of wind seeping through my cotton gloves and wool coat, I take a moment to look around and observe the ongoing preparations for Christmas day.

The street lamps are adorned with wreath-like decorations, setting off a hazy yellow light that feels all at once familiar and nostalgic. Christmas carols are blasting from the speakers from nearby stores. The songs take me back to Manila, to my family and friends, my home—the way all Christmas songs do. Every song is a time machine, every song has its own moments with me and I am here and there all at once.

The President of Honduras, Manuel Zelaya, was removed from power by a military coup at dawn June 28. The Honduran military erupted into Zelaya’s home and, at gunpoint, took him hostage and exiled him to Costa Rica.

The ousting of Zelaya has created a political crisis that has polarized Honduran society. The streets of Tegucigalpa have been a scenario for angry protests by groups that oppose and support the ousted president. The de facto government has implemented repressive policies, such as curfews, the suspension of civil liberties, arbitrary detentions and censoring of the press.

The past two weeks have been filled with twists and turns in regard to health care reform. Multiple reports and, finally, a committee vote have pushed President Obama’s health care reform tread another step forward.

On Oct. 7, the Congressional Budget Office, the non-partisan agency which provides analyses of legislation and budgets for Congress, released a memo containing their findings on the monetary aspects of the most prominent health care bill to date: the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009.

Marijuana legalization is a topic that is becoming ever more popular in recent months. A 2009 Gallup poll found that 52% of Americans now support regulating and taxing the sale of marijuana to adults in a manner similar to alcohol. A conservative estimate by Harvard Economist Jeffery Miron suggests that the US could save $14 billion a year by ending marijuana prohibition. Less conservative estimates put that figure at around $40 billion. Opponents of legalization say that any savings would be offset by the costs to public health in increased …

The way Virginia colleges operate could depend on the state’s future governor.

Both the Democratic and Republican candidates for governor have outlined plans – in other words, made political promises — to improve education and its affordability. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It’s quite possible every gubernatorial candidate has promised something similar, and the current crop of candidates, Democratic State Senator R. Creigh Deeds and Republican Robert “Bob” McDonnell, are no different.