The Catholic University of America is located in the Washington neighborhood of Brookland, once farmland on the outskirts of the nation’s capital. In the 19th century, the university was built and it does have a strong catholic emphasis. Its President, for example is a priest. Other aspects of Catholicism are apparent in the code of student behavior. Students, of the opposite sex, are not allowed in the dormitory rooms after 2 am. Sexual relationships among students are forbidden. Even so, they do occur. For the first two years, Catholic University students are required to stay in the do [View Full Entry]

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Not far from the White House, and in close proximity to Lafayette Park is the home of one of the most famous heros of the early days of American history-Stephen Decatur. Not too long after the War of 1812, Decatur, a returning hero, decided to move to Washington, and just near the White House because from national hero there was only one more place to go, the Presidency. Thus his strategy was to build a beautiful home with help of architect Benjamin Latrobe. From this stately home, he planned to entertain the notables of Washington and persuade them that he [View Full Entry]

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In Upper Maryland and Eastern West Virginia, the Washingtonians are coming! Historic Frederick, Maryland feels like another world from Montgomery and Fairfax Counties. The city of Frederick has an unsual and impressive array of old historic buildings. This is not just a downtown made up to satisfy a fleeting desire for urban renewal. There is something to see, and it extends a long way. Signs point the way to antique shops and restaurants serve Indian food. Musuems tell about the history of this fascinating city. Even the homeless shelter looks immaculate, and modern. This seems to be a cit [View Full Entry]

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“Here God ordered the blessing.” This is Crown Heights also known as the Rebbe’s neighborhood, a section of Brooklyn in New York City. The Rebbe was Menachem M. Schneersohn, the deceased leader of Habad Lubavitch, an extremist Jewish cult. These days one can see all types of photos of the Rebbe in the Judaica stores of Crown Heights, from when he was young man with a black beard to when he was an elderly man. Those who believe that the Rebbe was or is the Messiah wear skull caps upon which it is written in Hebrew the words, “Long Live Our [View Full Entry]

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A Chinese policeman in a blue uniform ties up a bloodied and bruised female prisoner. He then holds up a thick wooden stick and readies himself to beat her once again. Pedestrians stop in astonishment and curiosity to watch what will happen next. This could be an act of real torture happening in China, but today it is only a reenactment taking place on 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City courtesy of the Falun Gong. The Falung Gong is an organization of Chinese origin which in its own words is dedicated to improving the mind, body and spirit [View Full Entry]

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“Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.” It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country. These words originally written by Horace are inscribed on top of the amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington cemetery honors those who sacrificed their lives for their country. Of all the monuments in the Washington area, this cemetery begun during the Civil War embodies the spirit of nationalism in the United States of America. The idea expressed here is that America is a nation and it is worthwhile and even honorable to sacrifice one’s life for it. It is the kind [View Full Entry]

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St. Stephen’s church did not take long to figure out. The purpose in visiting this Episcopal Church located in the Columbia Heights area was to attend a lecture on Cuba. But meandering around the building, I discovered that this so called church was actually a hotbed of progressive activity. Going up the narrow stairs to the second floor I chanced upon the “The Washington Free Clinic”. The clinic was exclusively for DC residents but it wasn’t free unless one was enrolled in something called the DC Healthcare Alliance. Heading downstairs, I found that the free clinic w [View Full Entry]

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On August 3, members and friends of the Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists assembled to hear Haim Regev of the Israeli government speak about the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank labeled the Disengagement Plan by the Israeli government. The meeting took place at the Israeli Embassy located on International Drive in the Van Ness area of Washington, D.C. Regev who before coming to Washington served in Oman and Florida represents the Israeli government on Capitol Hill. Regev focused his lecture on the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip where nine thousand [View Full Entry]

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Lying under the palm tree, paradise felt with in reach. A can of beer in my hand, a newspaper on my lap, a blond Swedish girl with in ight. The weather was warm. The skies clear blue. Thai music played in the background. After two weeks here, I came to believe that this was in deed the promised land. Here was calm. The pressures of everyday life were in the distance. I had only one responsibility and that was to show up. It didn't really matter if I did a good job or not. I just had to be there. In [View Full Entry]

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America’s first contacts with Japan were aggressive. The United States forced Japan to open its doors to trade and western influence. At one point the US even planned to make Japan a colony. The thought to expand towards Asia began right away after the war with Mexico when American acquired the Pacific coast. Secretary of State Seward who is famous for purchasing Alaska was an advocate of expansion in Asia. When Japan began its development into an industrial power, most of Asia was already under European domination. In fact it was the British success and Chinese defeat in the Opium Wars [View Full Entry]

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