religion

Political candidates have long been exposed to public scrutiny, but in recent election cycles, media attention has focused on their spouses as well. Questions of motivation, political affiliation and “shared sensibilities” often arise. This public scrutiny, moreover, prompts larger questions about political affinity within relationships in general.

On May 21, 2011 at 6 p.m., another predicted Judgment Day came and went without incident. While belief in this particular apocalypse was limited to followers of an Oakland, California, ministry called Family Radio Worldwide, for them its uneventful passing was devastating — many had sold their possessions and devoted months to the cause, only to have life as usual continue blithely on.

A persistent vegetative state (PVS) occurs when patients, often the victims of brain trauma, remain in a profound state of unconsciousness. While PVS remains extremely rare, continuing improvements in medical technology have allowed doctors to keep patients alive who may never recover consciousness.