By Juleyka Lantigua

Every year, the third Saturday in April is officially “Husband Appreciation Day.” This year, it falls on the 18th.

Wives, you have a few days to plan something nice for your “adorado tormento” (beloved torment), as a veteran wife I know calls her one and only.

Husbands, here’s your chance to show off to you single friends. Below are a couple of lists that detail just how good being married is for you. Feel free to hit forward and add “Told you so!” to the message.

“The 7 Benefits of Marriage for Men”

1. Healthy children
2. Healthy marriages lead to strong relationships with children
3. Better family finances
4. Fuller, happier lives
5. A Long, healthy life
6. More, better, and safer sex
7. Increased faithfulness

From the National Fatherhood Initiative. For the full article, visit: www.centraltexasfatherhood.org

“The Benefits of Marriage for African American Men” by Claudia Sitgraves

Some excerpts:

“Married black men have higher incomes and are less likely to experience poverty. They enjoy better physical and mental health than their unmarried counterparts, and are less likely to engage in unhealthy or antisocial behavior. Moreover, the benefits of marriage are transmitted from married parents to their sons, and these boys do better in life from childhood into adulthood.”

“Evidence suggests that African American men benefit economically from marriage to a greater extent than other men, because married black women are more likely to be employed than other married women.”

“Married African American men are more likely to be employed than never-married or divorced men, and they work longer hours and earn higher wages than unmarried men with similar characteristics…Studies focusing on black men estimate that married men work two-and a-half weeks more each year on average and earn wages between 14 percent and 18 percent higher than never-married black men…”

“Married African American men have higher household incomes than never-married African American men, hold higher levels of assets, and are less likely to live in poverty. Households headed by a married black couple earned almost two-thirds more than the average black household, and black men are 30 percent less likely to live in poverty once they marry.”

“Evidence suggests that African American men benefit from resource sharing within marriage to a greater extent than other men…married black households earn 31 percent more than their never-married counterparts, while married white households earn only 23 percent more.”

“African American men also change their behavior after marriage in ways that are beneficial to their health. The social and emotional support that married black men receive from their wives is instrumental in encouraging healthy activities and protecting men’s emotional health.”

“Married African American men receive more support from their extended families and religious communities, and in return contribute to the social functioning of their neighborhoods and communities. In this way, married black men are more socially integrated into their communities than their unmarried peers.”

Check out the article at: www.center.americanvalues.org

“Benefits of a Healthy Marriage for Men”

1. Live longer
2. Physically healthier
3. Wealthier
4. Increase in the stability of employment
5. Higher wages
6. Emotionally healthier
7. Decrease risk of drug and alcohol abuse
8. Have better relationships with their children
8. More satisfying sexual relationship
10. Less likely to commit violent crimes
11. Less likely to contract STD's
12. Less likely to attempt or commit suicide

From the Family Dynamics Institute. Check out the complete list: www.familydynamics.net

--

Juleyka Lantigua is a writer whose work has appeared in books, magazines and newspapers around the world.

By Juleyka Lantigua
Hugh Hefner’s daughter, Christie, recently announced that she has decided to step down as chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises. After twenty years at the helm of the premier purveyor of all things sexual, Hefner wants to get involved in public service. I have an idea: she should be named Sex Ed Czar by the Obama Administration.

Think about it. Who better to find innovative, catchy and ultimately addictive ways to present sex-related information, especially to our listless teens? This is the person who has been able to remarket, repackage, resell and reinterpret one of the oldest and most known-about topics in the world.

I can see it now. As Sex Ed Czar, Hefner can launch glossy, stylized but highly informative monthly magazines in multiple languages that entice readers to sneak out their fathers’ copies and share them with their friends in smelly locker rooms. She can create episodic abstinence PSAs with quirky and buxom blonde virgins in starring roles. Kids will watch them over and over on YouTube and email links to their friends after posting them on Facebook and MySpace.

Of course, she would also oversee the creation of an iconic symbol (think Playboy bunny meets Japanese anime) to solidify the branding power of the sex education initiative. It would also be a brilliant way to capitalize the organization’s efforts by merchandising the bejeezes out of the logo to a demographic whose spending seems to surge with its hormones.

Need more convincing? Her company’s stats back me up.

“Playboy is the world's best-selling men's monthly magazine. More than 10 million American adults read Playboy every month.” (Have you ever tried talking to just ONE teen about safer sex?)

Their television divisions, create “1,500 hours of original programming annually.”  (1,500 hours of sex ed episodes at 22 minutes each and 13 episodes per season would yield just over 5 new seasons of titillating but educational entertainment. That covers a teen from freshman year in high school trough freshman year in college.)

Most tellingly, Hefner has already started to use new technologies to reach her audience: “Playboy Wireless offers … custom wireless content including Playboy-themed games, images, video clips, voice clips and ring tones.” (Ring tones! Imagine a sassy young urbanite answering her Sidekick after two rings of  a hip-hop verse that goes a little something like, “Wanna holla at me? Check yourself for STDs.” Priceless.)

"Juleyka Lantigua is a journalist and editor whose work appears in national newspapers and magazines. For more info visit: www.juleykalantigua.com."

By Juleyka Lantigua
As you encourage your kids to enjoy that second helping of turkey and pernil this holiday season, keep in mind that a childhood obesity epidemic is sweeping across the country. What's more, Black and Latino kids are at greater risk of being affected.

The reality of overweight and obese children is startling: one in three children ages 6-19 is overweight, a number that has doubled in the last decade, according to the CDC. This translates into 15% of children (6-11) and 15% of teens (12-19). Being overweight is defined by having a body mass index of 25-29.9%, while being obese is defined by having one higher than 30. A normal BMI would fall between 18.5 and 24.9.

"Most excess weight is caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little," explains a 2008 report by the Mayo Clinic, a leading research organization. Among Blacks and Latinos, more than one in six (just over16% respectively) of high school students is overweight, compared to about 12% of white high school students, reports the National Council of La Raza, a major advocacy group.

But Black and Latino children are not alone in suffering from this health problem. Nearly 50 million adults (ages 20-74)—or 27% of the adult population—are obese. Overall, more than 108 million adults, or 61% of the adult population are either obese or overweight, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Genetics play a role so parents who are overweight or obese must take charge of their health first, since their kids are at greater risk of becoming obese. "Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults," confirms the Surgeon General. "This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese."

Obesity has serious health and social implications. Health problems include: asthma, type 2 diabetes (over 80% of people with diabetes are overweight or obese, according to the Surgeon General), certain types of cancers, high blood pressure, increased stress on bones and cartilage (which in children leads to poor growth and can cause pain and limit range of motion), sleep apnea, low self-esteem and depression. Social consequences include bullying, discrimination, harassment, isolation and violence.

In tens of thousands of cases the condition is lethal: every year 300,000 deaths are associated with obesity in this country, according to the Surgeon General.

As a parent, you have the greatest impact on your child's health by the choices you make every day. Start by making your house a sugar-free zone, substitute potato chips for grapes and other fresh fruits, turn TV off during meals, switch from soda to milk or water, take a walk together after meals a couple of times a week. Model the positive behavior for your children and it will become a normal part of their lives at home and when they are on their own and face unhealthy food, exercise and life choices. The most important factor is your commitment to participating and also to changing your own habits.

"Juleyka Lantigua is a journalist and editor whose work appears in national newspapers and magazines. For more info visit: www.juleykalantigua.com."

For the month of November, Djoniba Dance Fitness Centre invites you to join their high-energy, fun, and easy-to-follow Joneeba African Dance, accompanied with live music (every Wednesday 7:30pm). Beginner Salsa/Mambo class is also available for FREE trial (every Tuesday 7:30pm). No experience necessary.

Just mention "REPUBLICA" or print this posting and present it at our front desk. This offer is only available to new students. For classes featuring live music, there will be a $3.00 charge.

Check the technique: www.youtube.com

Djoniba Dance Fitness Centre
37 E. 18th St. 7th Floor,
New York NY 10003.

For more info visit: www.djoniba.com

As Americans go to the polls and we get ready for our presidential elections in November, this important story on Remote Area Medical that ran this past Sunday on 60 minutes underscores the urgent importance of developing some form of Universal Healthcare for all Americans.

As the proverbial white picket fence surrounding our American Dream collapses, it makes us wonder how it is that Stan Brock (who's a foreigner) can manage to provide medical services to 17,000 people for $250K a year while our politicians and healthcare industry can't even produce a white paper report for this same amount.

Check out the 60 Minutes report by Scott Pelley.

No more Heineken's in your Maxima! Japanese car maker Nissan recently unveiled a new concept car who's main purpose is to reduce drunk driving. The various sensor driven technologies detect your state of inebriation and will automatically activate accident prevention technologies including the pulling over and even shutting down of the vehicle. Check it out: For more info visit: www.nissan-global.com

Costco Insurance Agency, Inc., has teamed up with quality insurance carriers in select states to offer a health and dental insurance program designed to meet small business needs. Now small businesses can enjoy quality health and dental benefits at competitive rates.

Premiums are negotiated exclusively for Costco Executive Members and include:

• Competitive Rates
• Desirable Deductible Levels   
• Comprehensive Package of Medical and Dental Benefits
• Wide Selection of Participating Providers
• On-line Quoting, Enrollment and Billing
• Electronic Payment
• Dedicated Sales and Support Team

The Small Business Health and Dental Insurance Program is currently available only in California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The program is available only to Costco Executive members.

For more information about this service click on your state below:
California | Hawaii | Nevada | Oregon | Washington
or call 1-800-611-9056 for more information.

Dear CNN,

Well, the week is over -- and still no apology, no retraction, no correction of your glaring mistakes.

I bet you thought my dust-up with Wolf Blitzer was just a cool ratings coup, that you really wouldn't have to correct the false statements you made about "Sicko."  I bet you thought I was just going to go quietly away.

Think again. I'm about to become your worst nightmare. 'Cause I ain't ever going away. Not until you set the record straight, and apologize to your viewers. "The Most Trusted Name in News?" I think it's safe to say you can retire that slogan.

You have an occasional segment called "Keeping Them Honest." But who keeps you honest? After what the public saw with your report on "Sicko," and how many inaccuracies that report contained, how can anyone believe anything you say on your network? In the old days, before the Internet, you could get away with it. Your victims had no way to set the record straight, to show the viewers how you had misrepresented the truth. But now, we can post the truth -- and back it up with evidence and facts -- on the web, for all to see. And boy, judging from the mail both you and I have been receiving, the evidence I have posted on my site about your "Sicko" piece has led millions now to question your honesty.

I won't waste your time rehashing your errors. You know what they are. What I want to do is help you come clean. Admit you were wrong. What is the shame in that? We all make mistakes. I know it's hard to admit it when you've screwed up, but it's also liberating and cathartic. It not only makes you a better person, it helps prevent you from screwing up again. Imagine how many people will be drawn to a network that says, "We made a mistake. We're human. We're sorry. We will make mistakes in the future -- but we will always correct them so that you know you can trust us." Now, how hard would that really be?

For the rest of this letter visit: www.michaelmoore.com

By Led Black

You have to love Michael Moore.  America’s favorite maverick put the smack down on CNN not once but twice.  The first occurred on Wolf Blitzer’s Situation room on Monday night after Wolf ran a somewhat negative report, right before the interview, by CNN’s own Dr. Sanjay Gupta which attempted to cast aspersions on some of Michael Moore’s assertions in his latest documentary SICKO.  Michael Moore was not having it, he proceeded to tear Wolf Blitzer, Sanjay Gupta and CNN a new one for their biased and corporate dictated agenda.  Michael told Wolf Blitzer the following; "why don't you tell the truth to the American people? I wish that CNN and the other mainstream media would just for once tell the truth about what's going on in this country."  The next beat down occurred on Tuesday night on The Larry King Show when Mr. Moore went head to head with Dr. Sanjay Gupta and made him look foolish and tainted for his corporate and partisan reporting.  Michael Moore continues to speak truth to power and his calling out of the mainstream media is not only timely but absolutely essential in preserving some semblance of Democracy and a decent standard of living for all Americans.   

Moore VS Wolf:

Moore vs Gupta Pt. 1 | Moore vs Gupta Pt. 2 | Moore vs Gupta Pt. 3

Major League Baseball and its 30 Clubs are again joining Susan G. Komen for the Cure for “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer,” a program that incorporates numerous facets of the game on and off the field to generate awareness about breast cancer and raise funds to help fight the disease. The initiative, which runs until May 19th, will celebrate Mother’s Day with special programs at each ballpark hosting a home game on Sunday, May 13th.

Major League Baseball players will have the opportunity to use pink bats on Mother’s Day.  The total number of players participating is anticipated to be more than 200 -- double the number who used the pink bat in 2006.

Player bats used on Mother’s Day will be available via auction on mlb.com  after Mother’s Day, May 13th.

Fans can purchase personalized pink bats at www.slugger.com and mlb.com, and non-personalized pink bats at clubhouse shops at ballparks around the country.

$10 from the sale of each pink Louisville Slugger bat will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

During the week leading up to Mother’s Day fans can donate money to MLB’s Mother’s Day promotion, “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer,” via www.komen.org/mlb.