Top US Military Officer: Let Gays Serve Openly

According to the article,last week President Obama again called for ending a ban against people in the military who are openly homosexual. That was one of his campaign promises. Mike Mullen says "It is my personal belief that allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly would be the right thing to do. No matter how I look at this issue, I cannot escape being troubled by the fact that we have in place a policy which forces young men and women to lie about who they are in order to defend their fellow citizens."

A survey last April by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that fifty-four percent of Americans opposed gay marriage and thirty-five percent said they supported it.Thirty of the fifty states have changed their constitutions to ban same-sex marriage and five states permit it: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. And same-sex marriage could soon become legal in the city of Washington.

I have a friend who is gay thus I hope the United States and Japan permit gay marriage. It is because they have a right to marry and they have numerous troubles. I felt President Obama is good president when he called for ending a ban against people in the military who are openly homosexual.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2010-02-05-voa1.cfm

Two Efforts Seek to Increase Food Security in Africa

According to the article, for the past year, the World Food Program has operated a project to prevent hunger in twenty-one countries in Africa. In the project, the United Nations agency works with small farmers to grow more and better produce and the project works mainly with women. In this program, when farmers produce more food, they can sell more and when they produce high-quality food, they can get higher prices. They can also store food for themselves, and have enough money to buy food if they need to during the lean season. Sheila Sisulu says the farmers are now starting to earn profits through the project.African governments have to increase their investment in agriculture in order to fight problems related to climate change. The groups want the governments to develop programs in seeds, soil health, policy and markets.

In my opinion, this program is effective for preventing hunger in Africa and it makes good impact on the country. I feel that there is discrimination in the world because we purchase cheap and delicious food although African farmers can not get enough profits. We need to pay more money for African people, and African people should receive fair treatment.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2009-11/2009-11-16-voa2.cfm

Where Every Day Is Christmas

According to the article, there is a place where Christmas lives all year long and it is called Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan. The family-owned business calls itself the world's largest Christmas store, and the late Wally Bronner started the business in nineteen forty-five. Michigan has the nation's highest unemployment rate and Bronner's has been affected by the recession, too. However, Wayne Bronner says "Even though people are spending less, we're having more people visit here. And as a result we've actually had a sales increase." Bavarian cultural themes and Bronner's huge store bring three million visitors a year and the town is the most popular place for tourists in the state.

I want to go to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland! I love Christmas trees, ornaments and lights thus this store is a paradise for me. I feel this store is effective to reconstruct the country's economy because customers can feel happy and purchase the Christmas products in this store.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2009-12-24-voa5.cfm

So Where Are the Jobs?

According to the article, eight million jobs have disappeared since the recession began in December of two thousand seven and recent recoveries have been slow to create jobs. Jack Strauss says "Historically, during our last two recessions in ninety-one and two thousand one it's taken twenty-three months in ninety-one and about thirty-six months, three years, in our last recession in two thousand one for the United States to regain the jobs lost in the recession."

The Obama administration is putting money into transportation to speed recovery and the administration is giving a tax credit for first-time home buyers to help the housing market. These two programs fueled a lot of the recent economic growth.

In my opinion, recovering economy is difficult and deflation makes a vicious circle in Japan. People should try to purchase some expensive products and company should not sell 900 yen jeans even though it is selling well.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2009-11/2009-11-06-voa2.cfm

Foreign Student Series: Getting a US Visa

According to the article, if you are requesting a visa for the first time, you will probably have to go to an American embassy or consulate. You will need to bring a government form sent to you by your American school that shows you have been accepted. Moreover, you will also need banking and tax records that show you have enough money to pay for your education. And be prepared to provide evidence that you will return to your home country after your studies end.

All of this is important in satisfying the requirements to get a visa. A consular official will also take your picture and your fingerprints. Once you come to the United States, you can stay for the length of your period of study and your school is required to provide the Department of Homeland Security with reports on your status as a student.

I worked at the American Consulate in Okinawa as an internship student in last summer, and watched how the consular staff take picture and fingerprints. In addition to that, you need to have an interview with a vice consul and provide an X-ray photograph when you are requesting a visa. I realized getting a visa is severe, but I want to live in the United States in the future.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2008-11/2008-11-05-voa2.cfm?CFID=367077901&CFTOKEN=95995666&jsessionid=003026de1f599c939a60f355e32a4596b602

Educational Technology: Not Just Computers

According to the article, most schools are connected to the Internet and some teachers are trying creative new ways to teach with devices like iPods and mobile phones. However, educators say the most important thing is the content.

Cosmobot, a therapy robot, helps six-year-old Kevin Fitzgerald who has difficulty moving his mouth and tongue. Kevin's mother thinks the robot has had a calming influence, helping her son get along better with his friends.Cosmobot was developed to work with children with cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, autism and other developmental disabilities and children become friends with the robot. That can have a big effect on their behavior, helping them work harder and longer in therapy sessions.

When I watched the movie "I Robot", I felt robot is sometimes scary and weird. However, Cosmobot is good for children with cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, autism and other developmental disabilities and I realized robot can be a friend or doctor. I hope all children feel happy through communicating with robot.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2009-12/2009-12-16-voa3.cfm

Want to Stay Warm in Winter? Think COLD

According to the article, here is a simple way to remember four basic steps to staying warm to avoid cold-related injuries. Think of COLD -- C.O.L.D.

The C stands for cover. Wear a hat and scarf to keep heat from escaping through the head, neck and ears. And wear mittens instead of gloves because the fingers are separated, so the hands may not stay as warm in gloves.

The O stands for overexertion. Avoid activities that will make you sweaty because wet clothes and cold weather are a bad mix.

L is for layers. Wearing loose, lightweight clothes, one layer on top of another, is better than wearing a single heavy layer of clothing.

D is for dry. Pay attention to the places where snow can enter, like the tops of boots, the necks of coats and the wrist areas of mittens.

I have never seen snow thus I do not know how people feel cold in the United States, Canada, and other cold places. I want to see snow and travel these countries in the future, so I will keep in mind cover, overexertion. layers, and dry are essential in cold winter.

http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/archive/2009-12/2009-12-22-voa4.cfm