Has Hollywood Been A Good Ambassador For The U.S.

Before I came to the US I will admit that I did not know much about America. So I availed myself of some of the research material that was around. I learned the basics, its geographic location etc.

But I also learned the Land Of The Brave could be referred to by a few letters or words uniquely put together. Words and letters such as: The U.S. U.S.A. The United States of America, North America and of course, America. Although I had little to go on as far as learning about the many people who call the U.S. home, I found myself turning to a distinctive reference tool: the television.

American television shows have been captivating audiences around the world for years and even though most of these shows, (save for the network news pieces or the real life situations that have been made into movies) come to us through a genre known as fiction, when you have so little reference material to go by, one might start believing the fiction on the small screen.

For example, let’s take the Lifetime channel. Most of the movies or series on there depict a great empathy and sympathy for women. So say a person who has not spent any great amount of time in the US is watching a movie on the Lifetime network about say, spousal abuse.

Said viewer may be surprised to learn that some people in America do abuse their mates. Or take a romantic show about people who think living together is fine without the intrusion of marriage. Suddenly some people in other countries might start thinking just because they see Americans living together, it might be all right fro them, the foreigners, to do so as well. Or it might not be uncommon to hear someone from another country say: ‘If Americans can do it (whatever one considers ‘it’ to be) so can I…’

Believe it or not, in this day of the power of the influence of television and or cable television, there are some foreigners who use the actions of Americans, be those actions fact or fiction as their moral compass, or right from wrong gauge.

But after spending some time here, I have come to learn one universal truth. Just like there are some good and bad people in other countries in the world, so are there in the US.

There are people here who care deeply about their kids just like people in any other country, just like there are some people who look down on the ‘living together’ concept the same way many people who are in other countries do.

So if you are a foreigner who wants to come to America and think, judging from the fiction you see on the television, that it might not be all that, do come, but keep an open mind.

For once you step away from the wonders of the tele, you may be surprised to learn that there are many people here who are just like people where you come from. People who are: morally good, caring, respectsble, kind, and generous. Do not allow the fiction you see on the television to tell you how most Americans are.

Turn off the tele, and come here and see for yourself that there are people here who are just like you and me.

The Fascination With Vampires

I used to watch the ‘Buffy The Vampire Slayer’ series because Sarah Michelle-Gellar is a good actress and I thought the show to be a good action/adventure one.

Other people who tuned in to watch the show, may have done so for other reasons, like maybe they were fascinated with vampires and wanted to see how the main character, Buffy, was going to slay the next immortal, blood sucking creature of the night. But that’s where the fascination ended with me, for I am not fascinated with vampires and wonder why those who are captivated by such creatures are indeed just that.

Is it the idea of being immortal that draws the viewer? And if you could be immortal, would you want to be one who survives by seeking out unsuspecting and innocent humans just so you can drain them of their blood? To me, that does not sound like a good way for someone to want to live an immortal life. Or is it the danger?

Some people who think a safe and comfortable life can be boring, might be fascinated with a sense of danger. You know, you are out on a cool and dark evening for a leisurely stroll when you are suddenly accosted by a sinister looking creature that gets your heart and your adrenalin racing at the same time.

And some people may like the adrenalin rush they get from the chase. Others who might want less trauma in their lives might resort to to something that does not involve s creature with fangs and a cape, like Bungee Jumping or Sky Diving. Or are some people fascinated with the romantic notion of encountering a vampire?

Maybe like Mina was from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. She was an innocent, naïve young woman whose fiance was away when she was approached by the mysterious stranger of a Vampire.

But before she realized the immortal creature of the dark was just that, she was first fascinated with the notion that the mysterious stranger was interested in her. Someone with whom no one from her immediate surroundings was familiar.

So maybe it’s a combination of elements that draws people to vampires. Immortality, romance, danger, it’s all there for one to find between the pages of an Anne Rice novel or a Buffy The Vampire Slayer series rerun.

As for me. I think I will cling to something with less mystery, danger or romance like video gaming. Then again, there’s always the Castlevania series of video games…

Is The Popular Vote No Longer What It Used To Be

In the Fall of 2000, many of us learned that just because you are winning the popular vote in a presidential elections contest like Al Gore did, does not necessarily mean that you will emerge as the winner of said contest.

We all know what happened then.

So earlier this year during the democratic primaries between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, when observers realized that Senator Clinton was ahead in the popular votes, they were certain she would have been the winner there.

But once again the popular vote led us astray. Certainly, it gave Senator Clinton’s supporters some level of optimism, but that’s about all that emerged from it. As we all know, Senator Obama secured enough delegates and Super Delegates to become the presumptive Democratic Nominee.

And as this presidential elections year progresses, one might wonder, since the candidates with the popular votes failed to secure a victory twice in the same decade, is it suffice to say that the popular vote is no longer what it used to be?

You know, you are ahead in the votes and as a result, you are the supposed winner. And maybe that will happen in some other country. For in the US in a presidential elections year, a candidate needs to win two sets of victories to secure his/her place in the White House; during the primaries it’s the delegates, on elections day in November, it’s the electoral college votes.

If the candidate who is popular with the votes cannot bring him/herself to victory in the primaries with the amount of delegates he/she needs, or acquire the number of electoral college votes needed on elections day, his/her efforts might seem just as meaningless as the popular vote seems today.

In most western democratic countries in the world, the candidate who has the lead in the popular voting category, is usually the winner. It’s not so simple in the US, is it? Not when you have to acquire delegates and electoral college votes in order to win, that is.

India’s Concept Of Non-Violence And Gandhi by Gandhian Scholar: Dr. Ravindra Kumar

India is a great country. Its greatness is not in name only. India is an ancient civilization; its harmonious and composite culture is thousands of years old. India has been a leading nation in the fields of spirituality, science and arts for centuries; it has been accepted as a Jnana-Guru of the world. India brought the gift of the greatest, unique and adaptable concept of universal acceptance to the world; it gave the slogan of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to humanity. Furthermore, India gave so many matchless learned men, the Jagatgurus, representing different branches of knowledge. The Light of Asia, Gautama Buddha, and the greatest initiator of Ahimsa, Mahavira, were born on Indian soil.

India’s greatness also lies in the fact that its land welcomed and offered refuge to all human beings from different parts of the globe. It did not matter if these people had their own religious-community, faith, traditions or values; after reaching Indian soil they received a permanent abode without any discrimination. Resultantly, the followers of the world’s six major religious-communities dwell in India today as well as people belonging to other religious-communities.

Besides national language Hindi, twenty-one regional languages are recognized by the Indian Constitution. However, one thousand six hundred eighteen languages are spoken by the people on a local level throughout India; these dialects are the medium of day-to-day practices of the commonmen. Furthermore, descendants of six ethnic groups are in India. Indian people celebrate twenty-nine major religious festivals. All those who stay on Indian soil are Indians; they are wayfarers of the Indian Way.

The Indian soil welcomes all. Indians see the image of God in a guest. Providing hospitality is one of the main characteristics of the Indian Way. The one who desired a permanent home on the Indian land not only received permission, but received opportunities to march forward on the way to progress as well. Those who assimilated India’s values reached the heights of prosperity and became her own forever. Parsees-the followers of Spitama Zoroaster who reached India from Iran approximately one thousand five hundred years ago-are the living proof of this.

Those who could not fully assimilate Indian values for whatever reason also became part of the Indian Way. However, they did find themselves isolated; and they still find themselves in this same situation today. In comparison to others, they are far behind in development. It is indeed a good lesson to be learnt by those who desire advancement while staying on the Indian soil.

India and Non-Violence

Non-Violence [Ahimsa], which is the first human value, is also a perpetual and natural value. It has played a vital role in India’s greatness, especially from the perspective which I previously discussed. It is Ahimsa which accorded dynamism in the lives of Indians. It directs their day-to-day behaviours in such a manner that they can ensure their own existence; their conflicts-inevitable in daily life-are transformed and resolved. Furthermore, it has given ever new dimensions to the process of cooperation; the outcomes of which are present in the form of unprecedented and unending development in various walks of life.

Now, prior to discussing India and Ahimsa in-depth, it is necessary for us to clarify the meaning of it and the main Indian concepts pertaining to it.

In Jainism Ahimsa has been analyzed minutely. The Twenty-Fourth Jain Tirthankara, Mahavira, gave a unique dimension to Ahimsa via his own humanely practices-making it a subject of self-control, pure conduct and discipline. It is for this reason I have called him the greatest initiator of Ahimsa. The essence of Jain Ahimsa lies in the following words, “Complete aloofness from Himsa [violence] is Ahimsa.”

Clearly, Jainism brings Ahimsa within that comprehensive and extensive scope in which common man’s entry is quite difficult. In it the smallest form of violence is accountable. Every form of violence, big or small, committed by a human being knowingly or unknowingly is worthy of consideration. Therefore, it is not possible for everyone to follow Jainism’s brand of Ahimsa in the practical sense. Moreover, the Jain Ahimsa is completely based upon negative concepts pertaining to it. For this reason it also becomes impractical for the commonmen and can only be practiced by an initiator of anew age like Mahavira himself.

The Vedic [Hindu] Philosophy, which directs day-to-day practices of most Indians on the basis of guidelines, decided by the Vedas, especially the Rig-Veda itself, considers Ahimsa to be an evil-free Dharma. Of course, this Dharma establishes itself in the form of duty as well as goodness. Therefore, along with not harming anyone by thought, speech or deed, and not depriving someone of life, relying for support of violence to maintain order and to accord justice is the basis of Vedic Ahimsa.

Although like Jainism, Buddhism also emphasizes upon self-control, but generally it is not in favour of any such appeal which becomes impractical for the commonmen, as far as the application of Ahimsa in daily routines by commonmen is concerned. Body-control, word-control and mind-control are the means of violence-control; they are the means of developing non-violence. Gautama Buddha called upon humanity to develop non-violence on this basis. He communicated the message of making Karuna [compassion] the basis of maximum possible human practices a vehicle through which non-violence can develop in all walks of life.

Some five hundreds years ago, another religious philosophy, known as the Sikh, arose on the Indian soil. As the Sikh philosophy came into existence in accordance with the Indian traditions and like Gautama Buddha, outlet of its founders and developers was also from the followers of Vedic religious-community, this philosophy also had deep impact of Vedic philosophy on it. Like Buddhism it accorded its due place to Ahimsa. All Sikh Gurus, and Guru Nanak Dev in particular, emphasized upon pure and virtuous humanly deeds and self-control to pave the way for developing Ahimsa in man’s daily practices. Furthermore, like Buddha who conformed to the prevailing conditions of his time by making compassion the basis of developing Ahimsa, Guru Nanak, the first Sikh Guru, made harmony the basis of non-violence during his time and motivated people to regulate their actions according to it.

The four common points which we find in the context of non-violence in the four chief philosophies established and developed in India that played vital roles in making India great by strengthening the Indian Way are as follows:

1. Within the domain of non-violence are all living beings;

2. In spite of being eternal, natural and the first human value, it is a subject of practice according to the demands of time and space;

3. It is an active value; it has nothing to do with cowardice as it is an ornament of the brave; and

4. It is not a subject to be practiced occasionally; in theory and in practice it is all-timely

Non-Violence and Gandhi

All the above four points which are present almost with unanimity in four major philosophies which were established and developed in India-Vedic-Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Sikh-can easily be found in the Gandhian concept pertaining to non-violence. And, I would go to the extent of saying all the above four points are present overall in Gandhi’s ideas and practices-the centre of which is non-violence. Gandhi brought a good harmony among all Indian concepts pertaining to Ahimsa. This clearly indicates that Gandhian non-violence is an excellent introduction to the Indian concept of Ahimsa overall. If someone desires to know and understand non-violence in India, he should do so by understanding the Ahimsa of Mahatma Gandhi.

Accepting those Rishis greater geniuses and warriors than Newton and Wellington who discovered the rule of Ahimsa in the primitive age, Gandhi declared non-violence to be an active force. Gandhi proved on several occasions that Ahimsa is not the meek submission before the will of the wrongdoer; rather Ahimsa is a fight using soul-force against the will of a tyrant which ultimately yields victory. In this regard through his own non-violent actions, he astonished the whole world.

For centuries it was the opinion of many in the world that Ahimsa was a subject limited to hermits or cave-dwellers. They believed that it was an individual matter and could be applied in the religious sphere only. Gandhi, however, shattered this myth. He used Ahimsa in the political sphere and proved that it could be successfully applied in all walks of life and at all levels-individual to international-so long as the applier’s intention is clear and full of honesty.

Gandhi spoke of achieving victory over the injustices of the world’s mightiest empire through the non-violent actions of the individual. And as we know from history, his ambition was achieved. For confirmation, the whole series of events pertaining to India’s freedom struggle [1920-42] under his own leadership is before us.

In fact, for the first time in history, Gandhi added a new dimension to Ahimsa in theory and practice by working to unite the commonmen. He established non-violence as a means which could be most effective in the political sphere. By doing so, although he accepted not hurting anyone by own thought, utterance and deed and not depriving of someone of life to be the supreme spirit of Ahimsa, but made the intent behind the act the acid test of it. Hence, he removed the doubt that Ahimsa is a subject beyond the reach of the masses.

Mahatma Gandhi clarified the eternality of non-violence, and spoke of its naturalness before the commonmen. He expected the whole world and Indians in particular to be as warriors and develop non-violence to the maximum possible extent. People should apply Ahimsa in their behaviours, ensuring their own personal freedom while securing freedom for all citizens of the world.

Indians have been capable of achieving this goal; history proves this fact. The main reason for India’s capability is its people’s commitment to non-violence. During the course of his non-violent actions Mahatma Gandhi too believed this, and on the basis of this he stated, “India attracts me. It has everything that a human being with the highest possible aspirations can want.”

Being an ancient civilization India has maintained its special place in the world; today has its own identity and role to play. Without a doubt, India must march forward with the eternal and natural value of Ahimsa at its centre. By plying its role in international affairs it must lead the world, and on the basis of Mahatma Gandhi’s following message it must transform the slogan of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam into reality:

“I feel that India’s mission is different from that of others. India is fitted for the religious supremacy of the world. There is no parallel in the world for the process of purification that this country has voluntarily undergone. India is less in need of steel weapons, it has fought with divine weapons, it can still do so. Other nations have been votaries of brute force….India can win all by soul force. Poets have sung about it and seers have described their experiences.”

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*Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a renowned scholar; he is the Former Vice-Chancellor of Meerut University, Meerut [India]

References:

What If You Became Famous And A Sibling Wrote…

Before Madonna’s younger brother, Christopher Ciccone published his book: ‘Life With My Sister, Madonna,’ I did not know Madonna had any siblings. For sometimes, the only occasions one might learn that a celebrity has/had siblings is when that celebrity passes away or something outrageous or tragic takes place.

And in light of Mr. Ciccone’s book, I wondered that if I became a celebrity and a sibling were to write a book about me and my life, how I might react, I might be petrified.

Other than one’s best friend, or parent(s), who else knows you better. For your sibling, whether he/she is two years younger or older than you, is one person who knew you before the fame and fortune came along and drastically changed your life.

Strip away the make up, managers, agents, publicists, security personnel, avid fans and a life of luxury and what you have is a person who knew you before it all came along. A person who stood by your side when you had that high temperature fever or case of pneumonia.

A person who witnessed you rush to get that important grade school or high school assignment done, watched your behaviour after your first dating experience, saw you blossom into the person you are today from what you used to be; perhaps a shy, naïve girl at one time.

Right now, Mr. Christopher Ciccone’s book is a hot seller, for in all reality, if we want to get to know someone better, most of us would turn to that person’s sibling or best friend. Mostly for the honest details of that person’s life, if nothing else.

I guess it does help to be pleasant to everyone including that sibling most of us tend to take for granted. For you never know, one day you might become famous and that same sibling may just write a book about you and your life.

And Madonna Likes Sports Too

It’s been said that if you are in the music business and you survive the first twenty years or so and still maintain a high success rating, that you have, in a way, made it.

So since Madonna has done just that and is still going strong with her success in the music business, you could say her many fans might be happy for her success in the music business.

But she also seems to have a taste for sports.

Around the mid 1990s, about the same time I began to take an interest in the game of basketball, Madonna began to take an interest in a few of the NBA’s players.

I recall her being linked to such NBA stars as: John Stark, Dikembe Mutombo and Dennis Rodman. But lately it seems as though she has taken an interest in Baseball.

And the player she is being linked to this time is Alex Rodriguez or AROD, as he is widely known by many of his fans.

Of course, whomever the star who is known for such hits as: Like a Virgin, Papa Don’t Preach, Frozen and lots more, chooses to associate with is her prerogative.

What I sometimes wonder, is if she will someday choose to socialize with an NFL Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver or even an NHL player someday.

Her choice.

His Magic Wand

Many fictional tales have magic sprinkled in certain situations in those stories to make them more interesting. From Snow White to Cinderella to the Harry Potter series, magic is a constant entity.

Even my own fictional book, Karen’s Adventure, has a Princess who wields magic in it. But when you are faced with a real life situation, like the possibility of the price of a gallon of gas increasing to $5 and you ask your current president about that and his answer includes not having a ‘magic wand,’ that he can use to lower the price of gas, one might wonder about a few things.

And while I was pondering the issue, I came up with a few things President George W. Bush could do, did he indeed have a magic wand. Here are those things:

If George W. Bush had a magic wand, he could:

Lower the price of gas.

Give those persons whose homes went into foreclosure their jobs back, so they could keep their homes.

Find out what’s really causing the Salmonella outbreak. First it was reported that it was the tomato, now they are saying it could be the jalapeno or serrano peppers.

It’s enough to make one wonder if some tomato lovers will ever purchase tomatoes again. Ever.

And the one thing he could do to make good use of a magic wand is to go back in time, about five years back and cancel the order to invade Iraq.

For when the American economy is found to be a little unsteady, that has an impact on other countries in the world. A great impact. For example, the price of a gallon of gas in some European countries is now $9 and it seems everything else is being affected. Transportation and the transportation of goods and merchandise.

Something that is also causing the price of those goods to be a little higher by the time they get to you, the consumer, magic wand or not.

Sadhana: The Means of Spirituality and Ahimsa by Gandhian Scholar: Dr. Ravindra Kumar

It is well evident from many references in Vedas, and especially the Rig-Veda that man has always desired to escape suffering, sorrow and any kind of injury which are the consequence of himsa [violence] through prayers. In spite of difficulty of assessing the condition to that prevailed in Vedic era, when Vedas were composed, it can also be well presumed from these references that right from ancient times for comfort and support people looked to Supreme Power, God; for, they were inclined to spirituality.

Spirituality and Ahimsa [non-violence] are in fact one and the same in the sense that both can be attained through Sadhana. That is why; savants of Vedic era concentrated more on prayer which is the simplest form of Sadhana for commonmen and composed the panes of glory to propitiate gods and ancestors calling upon them to bless and protect mankind from all those things that implied violence than preaching non-violence which can only be attained through a rather difficult process of Sadhana-‘Indriyanigraha’, i.e. control of senses. In this regard a story from Mahabharata can be quoted here.

It sates that Maharshi Vishwamitra, who was formerly a king, relinquished his kingdom to do tapa. So severe was his Sadhana that he was soon known as Maharshi and was addressed so by all except Maharshi Vashishtha who always called him Rajarishi. It annoyed Vishwamitra and feeling insulted, he decided to kill Vashishtha, the only obstacle to his great fame. So, one day he went to his Ashram and hid himself behind his hut in order to kill him when sleep. It was a full moon night. Vashishtha and his wife Arundhati were sitting outside their hut and were talking. Vishwamitra heard Arundhati saying how beautiful the moon-light was, and Vashishtha’s remark that it was as lustrous as the tapa of Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra felt ashamed thinking that he had come to kill such a great soul who had noble ideas for him. Throwing his sword away, he went before him and saluted him with all reverence. Vashishtha welcomed him addressing him Maharshi Vishwamitra and asked him what had brought him there at that odd hour. Vishwamitra replied he had come there to kill him and asked him, “Why you who always called me Rajarishi welcome me as Maharshi?”

Vashishtha replied, “Because your Sadhana is complete today. You have overcome the violent emotions of envy, enmity, anger and revenge and thus have elevated yourself to the highest level of saints.”

Thus, it can be rightly inferred that through Sadhana one can overcome the violent emotions and he can attain the highest level of spirituality.

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*Dr. Ravindra Kumar is an Indologist and writer. He is the Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Meerut, India.

My Life’s Lists Of Lists… So Far…

Life can be strange at times. One day you feel as if nothing negative anyone can say to you can bring you down, and the next day you are down. And although we will meet many persons throughout this interesting journey known as life, we may also learn as many lessons and make a few keen observations along the way.

Listed here are a few of those observations and lessons I have seen, heard, read of, experienced and learned so far.

1) When conversing with someone, never be afraid or too shy to ask: What do you mean, if there is something you don’t quite understand. We are not mindreaders. Just because someone assumes that we understand what he/she means, does not necessarily mean that we do.

2) Never refer to an Irish person as an English or vice versa. Some people are quite sensitive about this.

3) If you have been dating someone, all is going well, but you have not received a piece of communication from him/her in over a week, don’t make excuses like he/she might be busy. He/she might be silently dumping you and you might be the last one to know it.

4) Many people wonder if Earth will ever be invaded by Aliens or UFOs, without also wondering, who would want to invade a people who seem to be mainly interested in hating, hurting and killing each other.

5) Many people have trouble believing in ghosts or the supernatural, some of which can be seen, felt or heard, but they have no trouble believing in tales of a Supreme Being known as God or Jesus. Tales that can be found in a book known as The Bible.

6) When embarking on a new business, in this age and in the future, make sure you can employ at least one person to answer your business line. Many prospective customers/patrons might not appreciate taking the time to call you, only to realize that they must tolerate a series of pre-recorded audio messages before thay can even get to you.

7) It’s good to have role models. We all have at least one. But also take time to remember who you are and what you are trying to accomplish.

Being in love with someone should be a happy time. But if there is too much secrecy or clandestine meetings involved and you don’t like how all of that makes you feel, make a clean exit and find someone with whom you can be truly happy without all that secrecy.

9) Try to be pleasant with those you meet, even if they are not being nice to you, for being hateful and rude takes up way too much time and precious energy. Much more time and energy than it takes to be nice.

10) The next time you wonder why the world is the way it is or why we are the way we are, remember that everything starts at home: self love, love for others, generosity, compassion, prejudices, likes, dislikes, values.

11) No one person knows everything. But now we have Google.

12) Just like Eve led Adam to temptation, a Drug Pusher can lead you to the road of temptation, but it’s up to you to decide what to do when you get there.

13) Curiosity may have killed the cat, but look at how far it has brought mankind.

14) Saving some people from themselves is not always as easy as it seems.

15) Some politicians are like relentless wooers or wannabe lovers/mates. They will say all the things you want to hear just so they can get you or your vote.

16) If most adults have trouble making sudden decisions, think about the kid/toddler whose parent/guardian asks him/her what he/she wants for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

17) Is patience really a virtue? Or are those words there to comfort those who are waiting for what they are waiting.

18) Everyone is capable of being a jealous/possessive lover/mate; it just depends to what degree someone is jealous or possessive that can make a difference in a romantic relationship.

19) Next time you ask yourself what are you doing here, also ask what is it you would rather be doing or where you would like to be.

20) High tech gadgets, machines and equipment will come and go, but house work is never ending.

Do politics sometimes play a part in some beauty pageants

I never thought that in order for a woman to validate her existence, beauty, and sense of style, she needed to enter some beauty pageant, win said contest, or come in second etc. Using a mirror can give a woman with a healthy self esteem all the validation she needs.

And when it comes to some beauty contests, I have always wondered a thing or two. Like during the display of the evening gown segment, why do the contestants shoe heels need to be so high? I have been to several beaches so far in my life, and never have I seen a woman sporting a bathing suit in high heels in real life. So I think if heels are not worn on the beach by a beach lover in the real world, why should a contestant in a beauty pageant parade on stage in heels during the swim suit display part of the program? And is politics somehow involved?

For most women who frequent the beach may wear sandals, rubber slippers, or no footwear at all. Who wants to be bothered with all that on one of the most relaxing places on the planet; the beach?

Or maybe some beauty contests are more about politics than they are about beauty and a sense of comfort when someone is wearing an evening gown or just out for a stroll along the beach.

Especially since the high cost of gas has been such a heavy issue lately. Almost everywhere you go or everyone you run into, someone has something to say about the price of gas.

So when the Miss Universe 2008 contestant for the oil rich nation of Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, won the title, I was not surprised. The other non surprise? When Miss Colombia, Taliana Vargas was first runner up. A country that was recently in the news about the hostage rescue mission that also included the rescue of Colombian politician, Ingrid Betancourt.

Oh and someone once told me that in life there are no coincidences. Maybe some things are just about politics, beauty pageant or not.

And in case some of you were wondering, the contestant who represented Miss USA, in this year’s Miss Universe competition, Crystle Stewart, made it to the top ten.