The two types of respect

Like “love,” the word “respect” is fairly limited. It’s another good example of why the English language can only take you so far, and why we must use other tools in order to understand and investigate these concepts a bit further. You can love your best friend, you can love your kids, and you can […]

Violence in Myanmar rises, tiger population plummets

Horrific violence has affected Myanmar/Burma for longer than any civil war in modern history. The violence has its own obvious effects — the people who suffer the incredible trauma of, for example, having their infant children dashed across trees. And in these domestic conflicts, there are many tangential effects. For example, when violence plagues an […]

‘You Were Never Really Here’ — An original and authentic take on PTSD

If you haven’t seen the movie, don’t spoil it here — watch it first, then come back. “You Were Never Really Here” is a brutal, slow-burn film by Lynne Ramsay, starring Joaquin Phoenix as Joe. It’s about a military veteran with a troubled past that extends beyond his service — when he’s not taking care […]

Weight gain with age: Metabolism change or activity change?

It’s no secret: many people tend to start adding on the pounds as they get older. They often chalk it up to their waning metabolism — after all, the same pattern seems apparent in everyone around them, and it seems to be a natural progression with age. They hit somewhere around 30, start gaining weight […]

Human trafficking in India: Experts express concern over new Indian bill

India has recently approved their Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection, and Rehabilitation) Bill in an effort to combat the widespread human trafficking problem throughout the country. The bill is quite broad and attempts to tackle every step of the trafficking process, as well as every facet of the problem throughout the country in one fell swoop. […]

The three-quarter hurtle

Let’s say you step out of your home for a two-mile run. It goes well at first, especially once you find a rhythm and shake out all the kinks and stiffness in your legs. You hit the mile mark and turn around to head home. About 1.5 miles into the run, it begins to hit […]

Corners of America: Cancer Survivors Park

America is filled with hidden gems — you don’t have to wait in line, pay for a ferry, and sail out to the Statue of Liberty to find them (though I would highly recommend doing that too). They might be small historical monuments or signs; they might be a veteran memorial or even just a […]

Suicide bombing kills 14 in Afghan airport

Reports are coming in regarding another suicide bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, this time killing 14 military and civilian bystanders, and wounding approximately another 50 more. This occurred just as Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, Afghanistan’s First Vice President, was returning from Turkey. He was unharmed. Reports on the attack are still coming in — as details […]

A culture of resignation

Adults. Why are they so dramatic about everything? They’re ruining all the things that matter to me — my parents won’t let me play with those kids from down the street; my teachers won’t let me have any fun when I want to. I guess I’ll just deal with it, what can you do? — The […]

Lt. Michael P. Murphy memorial vandalized, teen vandal arrested

Ronkonkoma, NY — A vandal has smashed the black granite memorial piece commemorating Lt. Michael P. Murphy, which lies in Michael P. Murphy Memorial Park in New York. The Suffolk County PD began an investigation, asking anyone who knew anything to call in and offering a cash reward of $2,500. It wasn’t long before they found […]