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Is America really the land of the free? It is becoming painfully obvious that 2022 America is not even remotely close to what our founding fathers wanted it to be, or is it? We as a nation were said to embrace immigrants from all countries, backgrounds, and religions. We would clothe them, educate them, help them find a job and housing, and set them on the path to become a free and successful American. We welcomed them all without discrimination. But I think if you know anything about the blood and tear-soaked American history, you will know that to be...

Some films can be both entertaining and contain social commentary, such as District 9 (2009). Unfortunately, other films succeed too much at being entertaining or memorable, and the audience doesn’t realize the films also have a message. The following is a short list of films that have had their social commentary overlooked. Starship Troopers  Starship Troopers (1997) was initially disregarded as a tongue-in-cheek action/horror film about gung-ho but not terribly bright soldiers fighting giant bugs. Instead, the film was intended as a satire of jingoism, fascism, and colonialism. It even wears its commentary on its sleeve, e.g., when the film...

The news of animals being under threat of extinction is nothing new. There have been commercials, organizations, and scientists telling us about the risk man poses to nature and the many animals who are under threat. But now, rumblings of the world’s sixth mass extinction pose the question, where is the limit? How long do we have to save these species? "There are literally thousands of species which could go extinct by 2030," Tierra Curry, senior scientist at the Endangered Species Program of Center for Biological Diversity, told Newsweek. Aside from pollution, deforestation, and other man-made problems, a general lack...

Imagination. What if the Tooth Fairy doesn’t come? Where does the Tooth Fairy live? What does the Tooth Fairy look like? What does the Tooth Fairy do with all those teeth? …Echoes of the endless childhood chatter every time we lost a baby tooth until we were no longer children.  Reality. The Tooth Fairy will remember to come, and if she forgets, Mom or Dad will thoroughly check the pillows and see that the Tooth Fairy “remembered” after all. The Tooth Fairy lives in Fairyland, far, far away—maybe Ireland. No, not the North Pole. The Tooth Fairy is invisible, but...

If you’re trying to save money, are without power, or are enduring extreme heat, you can find ways to stay cool without air conditioning (AC) in your home. While heat can make for fun in the sun, the body shouldn’t be exposed to heat for too long, as it’s harmful to the body’s brain and organs. According to the US National Institutes of Health, when sweating isn’t enough to cool you down, you run the risk of hyperthermia, a heat-related illness that may cause heat edema and heat stroke. To keep cool, you can learn to make the most of...

Vending machines; these “mini-shops,” have been making our lives easy for many decades. We’ve seen them in various locations- from schools, hospitals, and even corporate offices; adding a vending machine to your business is beneficial.  Why Do You Need a Vending Machine? It Brings Extra Income You might be thinking, “ I don't own a supermarket; why do I need a vending machine?” You don’t need to be in the business of selling goods to make extra cash from a vending machine. If you own a hair salon, chances are your staff and customers will get hungry or thirsty. Having...

If you're an angler, you know that finding the right fishing spot is key to a successful day out on the water. And if you're looking to try ice fishing for the first time, one of the most important things you need to know is how to use a flasher. Ice fishing flashers enable you to see directly beneath the ice where your ice fishing hole is located. They use sonar to display objects on a circular screen, allowing you to see the fish under the ice. As a result, you can see where the fish are in relation to...

When Facing the Trauma of Loss Having to face the loss of a loved one alone is nothing anyone should endure. The process of grief and period of bereavement is a complex and life-changing experience. The following is a resource to get you the help you need. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone Begin by admitting that you may need help. Any prevailing idea that you must get over it and that it is just part of life is a myth. Do not feel embarrassed that you are struggling with your loss. There is no shame in asking for...

134.1°F—the hottest air temperature on record across the world was taken on July 10, 1913, at the appropriately named Furnace Creek Ranch, California, right in Death Valley. (Told you it was appropriately named.) Furnace Creek almost hit this record again in recent years, and cities across the USA are also feeling the heat.  Over half the states across the nation have undergone heat warnings or advisories this summer. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) 2021 Annual Climate Report, the combined ocean and land temperature has risen by an average rate of 0.14 degrees Fahrenheit per decade since...

Leading up to week one of the fantasy season, you might stare at your lineup and then wonder why. What’s the point? Well, the point is, some of those players are going to become stars. Guessing which ones will be could be the difference between winning your league and not, so is holding onto a backup QB or a known third or fourth bench option worth not taking the chance? When the dust settles, and people have reached for their kicker, defense, and backup tight ends and quarterbacks too early, there are likely to be a few gems in the...

Living in a van; an experience that’s been accredited to hippies and those who are down on their luck in the worst way. You may have even heard someone say, “You want to live in a van when you grow up?” But maybe that doesn’t have to be the case. More and more, young, relatively responsible adults are taking to van life. Why not? It’s adventurous, can be cost-efficient, and works in our modern world. Why Van Life is Practical, Fun, and Low-Maintenance All throughout history, there have been people seeking out jobs that give them a sense of freedom....

Fantasy football is just around the corner with the first week of the NFL coming next week, and by now, everyone’s either drafted or will be soon. That makes this a time to look for deep sleepers in your fantasy league, guys who are going way too late in the draft or who got looked over all together. Through the last few rounds of a fantasy draft, things can get messy. Players from every of all types and positions are coming off the board as people frantically try to fill out and balance their roster. There are bound to be...

Median home prices are reported to increase 6.6% year-over-year in 2022, the Washington Post reports. While the market still favors sellers, mortgage and home prices are expected to stabilize this summer (sometime).  It could be the perfect time to buy a new home in Virginia, but with the market still on the seller’s side, perhaps it’s better to build your dream home in Virginia. Understandably, the process is confusing, so here’s what you need to know about new home construction in Virginia in 2022. Buying vs. Building a Home in Virginia Thinking of buying a home in Virginia? Here are...

By C. Cording I often insist I have writer’s block, when in fact I might just not have the inspiration to write. This happens to me more often than I’d like to admit. I can only write well when I’m exceptionally sad, incredibly inspired, or have close contact with my muse, which hasn’t happened in some time.  When I cannot find the inspiration or motivation to write, I find that when I am exposed to other art forms I can become inspired.  I saw a painting by Rachel Garcia from the Bronx named “Melt Into Me,” and I was tremendously...

Slick tires have been an essential part of the racing community since the 1950s when they were invented. If you're a regular driver who only reaches 100mph on country roads; you might not be familiar with this term.  What are Slick Tires? They're performance tires made to give racers an edge, which lies in their design. This type of tire has very few threads and ridges; some don't have any. The reason for this is traction; because most of the tire is in contact with the ground, it is able to provide maximum grip.  This is very important as racers...

Every industry uses jargon, i.e., words, and expressions foreign to those not in the group. That’s the point of their usage: jargon lets people know who’s in the group and who’s not. However, like many things that sound smart, jargon has the opposite effect. As the Harvard Business Review article, Does Your Office Have a Jargon Problem? puts it: [Business jagron] can sound meaningless and be called bullshit... We’ve also found that jargon use can hurt impressions of a speaker; audiences often view these speakers as conniving, manipulative, or less likable. It’s also been stated that it can be ineffective...

Are you looking toward growing your website's organic traffic? Well, some link building should get you sorted, among other factors. If done correctly, link building can provide excellent results, as search engines will recognize that your site has the same authority as its links. Poor-quality links eventually affect the domain authority of a website. This will in turn affect search engines rankings, leading to minimized organic traffic. That's why we've created this link building guide for beginners! What Is Link Building In SEO? Link building is acquiring links from other websites to improve your search engine ranking. The more links...

We’ve all had people tell us they are terrified of an animal at one point or another. Some of this could be directed towards the black cat you love, the pitbull that rides shotgun in your car, or the pet spider you keep in your room. People are all different with different fear; some are rational, and most are irrational and based on ignorance. The more we learn about our animal friends, the more we will respect them and allow them the space and comfort needed to help humans avoid making ignorant mistakes. What You Call a Dangerous Animal vs....

Throughout time trees have taken center place in mythology and world religion. They are not only representations of mystical powers present in everyday life but stand for the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. See how they are a part of your life. Find out how trees and their mythology, symbolism, and mysticism can enrich your life. Examples of Trees in Mythology Trees are a common symbol of life and death in world mythology. Examples of them can be found in most religions and mythology. They offer people a mystic representation of eternity and are symbols of nature. Take time...

For over a decade now, the hobby or profession of beekeeping has been booming in popularity. In 2008, the CDC released details regarding the massive decline in bee populations across the U.S. and explained what this could mean for our environment. In response, many have taken up the torch, from urban to rural areas, to help save the bees and maybe make a buck or two along the way. As we move forward in a world that moves faster than ever before and where we’re fighting climate change, beekeeping is just one of many potential jobs that could serve the...