News

One of the latest catch phrases, "Is there an app for that?" came from commercials about the new generation of cell phones. Applications are available that can give you information on virtually any subject and often make available the means to accomplish many things. How about an app for the meaning and purpose of life? Is there an app for that?

It wasn't the front page headline of the Wall Street Journal, but its message deserves the attention of every American who currently enjoys his way of life.  In Ms. Kelly Evans' small column deep within that paper on February 17, 2011, the title concisely explained what most Americans don't yet understand: "A Standard-of-Living Shock Is the Danger."

If you've been watching the news, images from across the Middle East portraying a breakdown of peace, the dissolution of decorum, the disturbing display from unruly mobs of young and old, men and women alike, have been etched in your memory. Could this type of anarchy also awaken in the United States?

Two millennia ago, the Western world was in a state of uneasy peace, commonly referred to as Pax Romana. This peace was brought about by the region's only superpower, an entity powerful enough to give pause to nations thinking about independence. While this peace led to an explosion in literature, culture and technology, it did not last long.

As the Roman Empire collapsed under the strain of supporting a morally—and financially—bankrupt society, this state of uneasy peace came to an end, throwing the region into chaos. History is repeating itself.

On February 4, 2011, the asteroid 2011 CQ1 narrowly missed the earth, coming within 3,400 miles (5471 km). Five days later, a larger asteroid called 2011 GA7 passed within 65,000 miles—both astronomical near misses. On February 15, 2011, a silver streak appeared in the sky over Pennsylvania and was seen in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland. Some astronomers are concerned that an astoroid named Apophis will strike the earth in 2036.  Will this be earth's doom?