Short Story: The Desert

â€Å"Alex! †¦..Alex! Where are you?† roared Mike running around the desert. He heard loud footsteps coming towards him, they were getting closer†¦ closer but before he could turn around and get a glimpse of the person, he found his legs running again! He ran rapidly. In spite of his efforts, the stranger got hold of Mike. â€Å"Leave me alone, please, I didn't do anything† yelled Mike, who was breathless. Finally, the stranger spoke â€Å"It's me Alex, get a grip on yourself. Why were you running like a wild cheetah?† With grief, Mike spoke â€Å"Oh Alex†¦..I thought it was†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Before he could finish, they hugged each other. Mike's small, pale blue eyes were filled with tears, which were gradually coming out. Besides, Mike's condition was so bad that even Alex's exceptional sense of humour did not even cheer Mike up. Then, Alex said â€Å"Come on Alex, lets go for a stroll† in a weary tone. The lonely brothers were lingering through the boiling desert. Mike was sweltering, particularly his feet, which were crammed in reeking white socks. Ingeniously, as if he had read Mike's mind, he stepped in front of him, with his shimmering, new shoes. Alex's healthy and built-up body managed to give his little, unfortunate brother some shade. Mike, who was extremely exasperated, started bickering to himself. A lust of dirt got into Alex's eyes. As he raised his sweating long arms, his wristwatch was reflecting rays off light; frustrated he cleared the dirt from his eyes. From a far distance, the twin-like brothers spotted a massive tree filled with dead leaves. Finally, they got some rest. As they sat down, a bunch of starving vultures were hovering around the sky. Mike was wearing a thick pair of glasses, a tucked shirt, with a tomato red tie and casual pants. Whilst, Alex wore a sports top, low-waist jeans and shoes which were untied. It seems as if they come from two different worlds; however, they were brothers and did have similarities. The two ill-fated brothers were stuck in the middle of the Sahara Desert. The sun had started to set. It was getting dark, and Mike started to panic. Weird sounds of howling were coming and so were grumbling noises came from their empty stomachs. Alex, who was extremely arid, started licking his sticky, sweating palms. It was midnight, and by now, both the brothers were creeped out and the small brother was so scared, he hugged his elder brother. His two pale arms flung around Alex's back. The two brothers could feel the warmth, although thus peaceful moment didn't last long. BANG!! An extremely loud sound was heard. It seemed as if the sun was shot down into a million microscopic pieces. Mike's heart pounded so loud that Alex could hear it drumming in his chest. An owl hooted closeby and Mike was sure he could see the glimmer of ghostly nocturnal eyes emerging into the night. Wild animals were approaching them hungrily; tonight Alex and Mike would be dinner unless they acted quickly. Mike turned to Alex and said â€Å"What are they frightened of? What can keep them away?† â€Å"Fire† said Alex, â€Å"we must light a fire now, it's our only chance.† Alex had been a boy scout and he suddenly felt thankful for all those cold and damp camping trips, his parents had made him take. Without wasting a single second, Alex told Mike how to make a fire and both brothers gathered the materials together. The flint they found would not light, but all of a sudden a spark ignited and the embers of a fire began to flicker. The dry wood started to burn rigorously and scared the hungry creatures away. It was only then that Mike saw the stranger approaching through the campfire smoke.

Abstract Affirmative

Abstract affirmative (AA) action is a policy that the government created for counteracting discrimination against people. This happened for the reason of presenting people the chance of gaining equal opportunities for employment education and business. Many of our formal presidents has authorized executive orders that was meant for all hiring to be free from discrimination of race, color, or national origin with all government contractors and the other specifically for associations that had accepted federal contracts and subcontracts intended to end discrimination within the workforce towards individuals where the focus was on race, color, religion, and national origin. Soon after affirmative action was changed to include no prejudice against ones gender. Affirmative action consequently established preferential treatment towards all minorities and women in the hiring process and the chance to receive a higher education. affirmative action holds private employers accountable as well. during the civil rights movement affirmation action was a tool that proposed opportunities for women and minorities and to provide equality for them. there are noted changes in how colleges recruit and enroll students housing and also how using public transportation where now blacks can sit anywhere since Rosa Parks. Since affirmative action was primarily intended on improving chances for African Americans in employment and education but there is still a low percentage of improvement that is why an executive order was signed and it required all government and private industry jobs to increase the number of women disable individuals and minorities to either receive employment or to have the ability to gain an education or have additional training for work enhancement. There are numerous organization that uses affirmative action and equal employment opportunity policies within their business structure there is still a controversy today surrounding these issues. I researched to see if equal employment opportunity and affirmative action policies mean the same thing. equal employment opportunity definition is that it bans all types of discrimination. this means that no matter the race or gender everyone has the same chance of obtaining and getting promotions and the added incentive of training as the workforce continues to grow. But then affirmative action focus on past discrimination acts which were meant to give women, disabled individuals, and minorities an equal footing in gaining employment and a higher education. it was to create equality between the workers and employers however it has caused extra adversity in the workforce. because many believed that jobs held by whites were being jeopardized. has affirmative action been consistently and effectively used to create a more robust and productive workforce I would say yes; affirmative action has made it possible for many to see and earn their desired goals such as their life dreams. I feel that there are still many obstacles but if one applies themselves there are no limitations. Barak Obama was our nation's first black president and there are many who hold prominent leadership roles that which also includes women. recently in the news it was announced that the FBI for the first time in history may have a woman heading this department. though affirmative action has come a long way there are those who still discriminate and don't offer equal chances for others to succeed. Affirmative action has allowed the workforce to become more diverse in races genders and cultures. we must remember that the affirmative action is not about letting minorities to get into college or to get a job but it's about giving qualified individuals no matter their race a chance that they may not get otherwise. in conclusion has affirmative action been consistently and effectively used to create a more robust and productive workforce i would say yes it has worked extremely well. I hope to see it continue because there are many more who could benefit from this program.

Religious Health Care Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Religious Health Care - Research Paper Example In order to scale up their productivity, the facility has to eliminate mistakes in its operation. There are fundamental questions that this write-up will address in relation to the strategic performance of Religious Health Care as discussed below ( Milano, 1998). It is important to mention that Religion Health Care is in the forefront and in order to uphold its reputation. It must continue to offer quality services to its patients as the most important stakeholders in the organization. As a facility, they intend to expand in technology with an intention to improve on patient satisfaction. Religion Health Care and consultant team work together to ensure success in every faculty (Svensson, 2003). Q1). A number of critical issues must be solved by the organization as an expert falls on the governing board. The roles of the board are essential to the organizations success. The following suggestions provide steps that are imperative towards ensuring the board of management makes significant improvements. Ø The board should select the chief executive to govern all the operations within the organization. The officer may oversee all activities and direct the most appropriate techniques that should be employed to arrest risky situations. Ø Develop a framework of workmanship by maintaining a healthy relationship to enhance performance. The framework may help to ensure that there is no overlapping of task. Workers will know the activities that they should execute to ensure organization actualize its goals. To begin with patient and family satisfaction, significant decline can be observed from the hospital over the past one and half year. The institution uses a certain firm to tabulate the responses from already discharged patients. Before the start-up of the process, satisfaction reached 91% and from that point forward, it dropped 85 %. This can be

Palestine-Israel Conflict 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Palestine-Israel Conflict 1 - Essay Example Though the Israel is a registered country in the United Nations but many of the countries have yet not accepted it as an independent country and claim it as ‘Jewish Occupied Palestine’. Conflict The primary cause of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is over the land. Jews call this land Israel while Palestinians call it Palestine. Both groups consider a God given right to the territory and base their arguments with the God promise that he did with Ibrahim in Bible. Since both opponents were once part of the same group of people who inherited what they consider as Promise land. The conflict gets harsh with Israelis continuous to deny the Palestinian refugees right to get back to their country which is unacceptable to the Palestinians too. Secondly, some people claim that it is also the fight over water. As water is a very rare source in the Middle East territory so it adds intensity to the issue. Much of the water sources in the region are currently in Palestinian territor y, however Israelis have total control over it. But for sure this war has become a war of ethnicity than anything else. Cause For many centuries there was no conflict in the territory of Palestine and Israel for many centuries. Around 85percent Muslims, 10 percent Christian, and 5 percent Jews were leaving peacefully in the territory till 19th century. Early in the 19th century, a group in Europe decided to take possession of this land, they were called Zionists who were represented an extremist minority of the Jewish population. The major goal of Zionists moment was to create a Jewish homeland. First they thought to create it in Africa or in America but later came to consensus to locate it in Palestine. Thus, they started migrating to the Promise land and started buying the major lands there. At the start, they did not have any problems and the territory remained calm but later, when Palestinians realized they broke out and came to a war with Jews in 1947-49. Five Arab states parti cipated in the war but they were unable to get into the Israeli territory. By the end of war 78% of the territory was under Jewish Control and they never let the Palestinians refugees to get back to their homeland (A Synopsis of The Israel/Palestine Conflict). Intensity of the Situation Israel-Palestine Conflict is very intense and deep. Palestinians face systematic discrimination based on their religion, race, culture, origin and ethnicity. They are deprived of the basic facilities that just across the border in Jewish areas are easily available. For Example, Palestinians have limited or no access to clean water, schooling, electricity or roads whereas Israeli territory is considered among the most modern places in the world equipped with high technological facilities for the mob. Moreover, the Army invasion every once and now at the strip of Gaza killing most of the civilians women and children who have no idea what they are being killed for. More than 10,000 Palestinian women and children are jailed in Israeli’s jail and living a miserable life facing physical and mental abuse and torture. Few of them have had a legitimate trial but nothing could make their life better. Israeli forces have a total control over Palestinian border not only externally but also internally. Israeli forces beat men, women and children; strip search them and resists them to reach to hospitals at times. Food and medicine are blocked to enter from Gaza strip causing escalating human right crises. Few of them have had a legitimate trial; Physical abuse and torture are frequent. Israeli forces invade almost daily, injuring, kidnapping, and sometimes killing inhabitants Opinion I

Plato - Apology (Five Dialogues) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Plato - Apology (Five Dialogues) - Essay Example Therefore, the form is not a mere idea of roundness in the mind. It exists independently from the basketball and individual thinking of it. It then follows that all round objects, including basketball, copy or participates in this form of roundness. To enhance our understanding of the difference between the properties of forms and those of material objects, there is need to examine the first two properties of forms. Forms are transcendent, that is, they do not exist in time and space. However, a material object, like a basketball, exists in time and space. The roundness of a form does not exist at any particular time or place, thus forms subsist in different ways. This is important as it explains the unchanging property of forms. The roundness property of a basketball will never change: it remains the same at all places and times of instantiation. The form of roundness in present in many spatial locations, and the property or roundness would remain even after the destruction of all r ound objects (192). The second property of forms is purity. Any material object, like a basketball, has various properties: elasticity, roundness, and others, which combine to make the individual basketball. A form is one of the many properties, existing individually apart from time and space. Roundness is purely roundness, without any mixture of properties. The differentiation factors between forms and material objects are pure and transcendent properties, as materials incorporate complex conglomeration of properties in time and space. According to Plato’s principle, humans believe that the reality of a thing dependents on its objectivity. This is because humans tend to distinguish reality and appearance. However, forms are more objective than material objectives, thus forms are more real than the material objects. One of the properties of the soul is eternity. Drawing from the unchanging property of forms, then it means that the soul never dies, nor does it ever begin. It t hen follows that the soul is immortal, and thus exists before and after the â€Å"birth† of the body. Question Two In the Apology, there are four charges against Socrates. First, Socrates faces accusation for studying things in the heavens and below the earth. Second, he tends to make the worst arguments into better arguments, thus persuading others to follow him and his beliefs. Third, he is guilty of corrupting young people, and fourth, he does not believe in the gods of the city. The charge against studying matters of the skies and the ground below contradicts Socrates position as an atheist. Matters of heavens and beneath the earth primarily focus on religious belief of individuals and the gods, thus countering Socrates’ position as an atheist. The basic definition of atheism is the lack of belief in deities. It thus follows that the first charge against Socrates contradicts his position as an atheist. The charge that Socrates turns the worst arguments into stronge r arguments identifies him with the Sophists. Sophists were a group of people with techniques of persuasion that enabled them to influence people to adopt their beliefs and points of view, despite their ignorance on the subject matter of the topic. Athenians accused Socrates of being a Sophist. The charges against corrupting the youth came from Meletus. According to him, Socrates was responsible for corrupting the minds of the youth in Athens.

Case Analysis of Mattel's China Experience Study

Analysis of Mattel's China Experience - Case Study Example Following the launch, Mattel transformed the toy commerce with the production of talking dolls and toys. Mattel went public in the year 1960 and almost immediately managed to feature among top five hundred largest U.S industrial syndicates. Mattel introduced Hot Wheels in 1968. This was an instant success, second to only Barbie in terms of popularity and sales. Mattel experienced massive recall of a variety of its products manufactured in and shipped from China in 2007. They included toothpaste, automobile tires, dog food, and seafood. CEO Robert Eckert was staring a crisis in the eye and by the time things cooled down, the firm had recalled 19 million toys Chinese manufactured toys. Upset customers threatened to shun Chinese made toys as the recalls elicited concerns over the quality of outsourcing in China. Key Issues In August 2007, Mattel recalled millions of their toys as a result of threatening amounts of lead paint. Mattel had contracted Chinese manufacturers to produce toys o n their behalf, but overlooked the fact that some restrictions enforced in the U. S. were not valid in China. Because Mattel had contracted Chinese manufacturers for 20 years without hiccups, they found no reason to doubt their workmanship in 2007. Definition of the Problem The problem for Mattel was not the recall of the products, but the events, which occasioned the recall. The management neglected the fact that the regulations in China were different for the U.S. Disappointed customers warned of shunning Chinese made toys as the recalls elicited concerns over the toy safety assessment procedure, the quality of outsourcing in China. Alternative Solutions Some effectual plans, which the company may have utilized, include adding-on to and re-innovating their current product lines, stepping up its advertising endeavors in its main product lines and also leadership change. These would steer the company to even greater height in terms of revenues, staff commitment and implementation of safety regulations. Selected Solution to the Problem Apart from being business oriented, leadership should also be a key priority for Mattel. Before Robert Eckert became its CEO, Jill Barad, the former CEO had presided over a period of deteriorating performance in terms of sales and production and many found her management approach unacceptable. Robert Eckert can be credited by bringing steadiness and certainty in addition to introduction of new packaging procedures, among them labeling in various languages to dispatch them to the various destinations. Eckert managed to boost international through globalization. Some of their most distinguished products like Barbie were availed in international markets and did remarkably well. The numerous leadership changes could be party responsible for the recall incident, since every leader had their own approach for making Mattel successful. Some stability in leadership can ensure consistency in performance and stem oversight which may adverse ly affect business. Implementation Some of their Mattel’s most distinguished products like Barbie were availed in international markets and did remarkably well. Simply put, the better the manager, the more engaged the staff. Best leaders supervise the happiest, most engaged, and most committed employees, translating to higher returns and happy clients. Recommendations For Mattel to remain an industry trailblazer, it must utilize leadership skills to

CVD Proposal Prrofreading Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

CVD Proposal Prrofreading - Essay Example Our long term goal is to utilize the outcome of the study in individualization of drug therapy and diagnosis of T2D with CVD bases on the genetic profile of patients from Arab Population. This would result in substantial improvements in quality of life of the affected individuals and a reduction in healthcare costs. Identification of target genes may also lead to development of novel therapeutic modalities. Furthermore, the characteristics of Arabic population make them ideal for the genome wide study of diabetes, a complex, polygenic, multi-factorial disorder. 3. Relevance It is hoped that this proposed study will pave way in identifying susceptibility genes for the Type 2 Diabetes with CVD in UAE population moreover. It will assess if genetic profiling could be used successfully to identify high-risk individuals, this would result in substantial benefits to both individuals and society. ... 4. Project Personnel Dr. Habiba alsafar is the lead investigator on this program and will dedicate 1.2 calendar months approximately 10% of her time overseeing the project. Dr. Nicolas Christoforou is a molecular-cell biologist and an academician at KUSTAR and will, he will avail essential tools in all aspects of molecular biology. He will also provide training and supervision to interns. Dr. Christoforou will dedicate 0.8 calendar months, approximately 8% of his time supervising the project. Dr. Ahsan Khandoker will dedicate 0.5 calendar months i.e. approximately 5% of his time preparing tools in the assessment of cardiac autonomic function for this study. Dr. Maher Maalouf from Industrial department in KUSTAR is planned to dedicate 0.5 calendar months approximately 5% of his time providing valuable support and consultative advice regarding statistical methods and analyses of the project KUSTAR nominees have also invited Drs. Ahmed Hasson to be a co-investigator in this study. He is a consultant Endocrinologist and chairman of Research & Medical Education from Dubai Diabetes Center in Dubai. Dr Ahmed will contribute as clinical expert, access to T2D patients with CVD and provide guidance on clinical matters. 5. Objectives and Goals This proposal present plan to initiate a seed project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) particularly in Abu Dhabi with an aim of identification of genetic associated with Type 2 Diabetes resulting to development of cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction) among Arabs in UAE. Furthermore, address genetic diversity in UAE providing insight into mechanisms that cause this disease. These developments could possibly lead to improved intervention and prevention programs to improve quality of life throughout UAE and

Bulling in Schools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Bulling in Schools - Essay Example This essay approves that the first solution offers the scope that since bullying usually happens in the school premises, teachers will be able to identify any such activity quickly and will be able to educate their students about it. However, teachers cannot be present everywhere all the time and they will not be able to do much about the bullying that happens outside of school premises. The second solution will be of help outside of school premises and since children fear their parents more, they would probably listen to them. However, this does not guarantee that the students will abide by what their parents tell them even in the school premises. The third method is a more direct approach and hence perhaps the best. Educating students directly will help in curbing the activity both within the school premises and outside of it. Though explaining things to students is always a difficult job, however, once the students decide to listen, this method will be the most effective. This report makes a conclusion that the project regarding the problem of bullying in schools was not just an interesting project for me but it also helped me understand the various factors that are associate with bullying. Bullying is a growing nuance in schools and the best solution that can help curb the nuance is to educate people involved in the cycle, the students, parents and teachers. Educating the three will help in complete elimination of the problem. This project helped in developing my knowledge about the problem of bullying and the research helped in increasing my understanding about the various factors associated with the problem. Bullying is certainly a major problem and stern measures need to be taken to curb this nuance.

Violations of Human Rights and Slavery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Violations of Human Rights and Slavery - Essay Example Upon arrival into America, slaves had to deal with dehumanizing effects that destroyed their African culture. Although slave trade is no longer practiced in America today, Friglich, Kent, Hess, Mclyntyre, & Allen, (1-6)Â   confirm that there still are 10 states in America that deemed to be the worse for African American to live in. The index used to determine the ten states included household income, rates of home ownership, educational attainment costs, educational attainments, and poverty rates. These states are Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, New Jersey, Kansas, Rhode island, Illinos, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In these states, the disparity between the White and Black Americans is very pronounced resulting to uneven accessibility of job opportunities, payment, and better housing. In addition to discrimination, African americans have been stereotyped as lazy and are left to deal with their problems.

Critical Research Paper (Mark Twain) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critical Research Paper (Mark Twain) - Essay Example Her alo tarted hi career a a journalit by writing for the Hannibal Journal. Later Twain worked a a licened Miiippi river-boat pilot (1857-61). Hi famou penname Twain adopted from the call ('Mark twain!' - meaning by the mark of two fathom) ued when ounding river hallow. But thi in't the full tory: he had alo atirized an older writer, Iaiah eller, who called himelf Mark Twain. In 1861 Twain erved briefly a a confederate irregular. The Civil War put an end to the teamboat traffic, and during a period when Twain wa out of work, he lived in a primitive cabin on Jacka Hill and tried hi luck a a gold-miner. "I would have been more or le than human if I had not gone mad like the ret," he confeed. Twain moved to Virginia City, where he edited two year Territorial Enterprie. On February 3, 1863, 'Mark Twain' wa born when he igned a humorou travel account with that peudonym. In 1864 Twain left for California, where worked in an Francico a a reporter. After hearing a tory about a frog, Twain made an entry in hi notebook: "Coleman with hi jumping frog - bet a tranger $50. - tranger had no frog and C. got him one: - In the meantime tranger filled C' frog full of hot and he couldn't jump. The tranger' frog won." From thee line he developed 'Jim miley and hi Jumping Frog' which wa publihed in The aturday Pre of New York on the 18th of November in 1865. It wa reprinted all over the country and became the foundation tone of THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERA COUNTY, AND OTHER KETCHE (1867). Thi work marked the beginning of Twain' literary career. In 1866 Twain viited Hawaii a a correpondent for The acramento Union, publihing letter on hi trip. He then et out world tour, travelling in France and Italy. Hi experience Twain recorded in THE INNOCENT ABROAD (1869). The work, which gained him wide popularity, poked fun at both American and European prejudice and manner. Throughout hi life, Twain frequently returned to travel writing - many of hi finet novel, uch a THE ADVENTURE OF TOM AWYER (1876), dealt with journey and ecape into freedom. The ucce of The Innocent Abroad gave Twain enough financial ecurity to marry Olivia Langdon in 1870, after writing about 189 love letter during hi courthip. William Dean Howell praied the author in The Atlantic Monthly, and Twain thanked him by aying: "When I read that review of your, I felt like the woman who wa o glad her baby had come white." Olivia, Twain' beloved Livy, erved and protected her huband devotedly. They moved to Hartford, where the family remained, with occaional trip abroad, until 1891. Twain continued to lecture in the United tate and England. Between 1876 and 1884 he publihed everal materpiece. Tom awyer wa originally intended for adult. Twain had abandoned the work in 1874, but returned to it in the following ummer and even then wa undecided if he were writing a book for adult or for young reader. Eventually he declared that it wa "profeedly and confeedly a boy' and girl' book". THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER (1881) wa about Edward VI of England and a little pauper who change place. The book wa dedicated "to thoe good-mannered and

Walden Two by B.F. Skinner Essay Example for Free

Walden Two by B.F. Skinner Essay B. F Skinner published Walden Two in 1948. The novel takes place in the United States shortly after the end of World War II. Rodge Rogers, whose first name is not given and Steve Jamnik became friends while serving in the military during the war. After the war, they find that it is difficult to return to a normal life, Jamnik and I are like a lot of other young people right now. We cant make up our minds. We dont know what we want to do (Skinner, 1948, p. 7). In an attempt to find the life they want to lead they visit Professor Burris, one of Rodges former professors, to discuss his ideas about utopia. Ironically Burris barely remembers mentioning the subject but finally recalls a fellow student he knew in graduate school named Frazier who had designed a utopian community named Walden Two. Burris contacts Frazier and arranges the three of them, as well as Castle, a colleague of Burris, Barbara Macklin, Rogers girlfriend, and Mary Grove, Jamniks girlfriend, to visit Walden Two (Skinner, 1948, pp. 7-15). When they arrive, Frazier shows them around the community and explains how it operates. They meet some of its approximate 1,000 inhabitants. The people appear to be happy. They live in communal quarters, share meals at communal dining halls and share the facilities of the community. Each of the adults works about four hours each day to provide for the needs of the community. They are not paid a salary because money is not used within Walden Two. The people in roles of leadership carefully monitor life in the community. If there is evidence suggesting a change should be made for the communitys good, it is made and its consequences carefully evaluated (Skinner, 1948). During their three-day visit, Burris and the others experience the community lifestyle. At the end of their visit, Steve Jamnik and Mary Grove love life at Walden Two so much the decide to stay. Rodge also likes the life there and wants to stay, but his girlfriend Barbara refuses to say so they both return to society. Castle likes nothing about Walden Two and returns to his regular lifestyle as a college professor. Professor Burris finds himself intrigued with life in the commune, but decides to return to his academic life. However, once he is at the station, he changes his mind and returns to Walden Two to live and gives up his life as a professor. I found this book disturbing, even threatening. As I read through the book, I found myself thinking of Orwells 1984 and Aldous Huxleys Brave New World. I felt like this even though 1984 wasnt published until the same year as Walden Two so it couldnt have influenced Skinners writing, and Skinner explicitly denies this with a vague reference to Huxleys work, I suppose you put phonographs in your dormitories which repeat I like to work in sewers. Sewers are lots of fun, said Castle. No, Walden Two isnt that kind of brave new world, said Frazier. We dont propagandize' (Skinner, 1948, p. 53). Although Walden Two was an insolated community, there is a latent undertone of expansion and trying to convert society as a whole to the Walden Two model. Castle argues with Frazier, Ill bet you have designs on the political machinery too . . . [youll] want to get the offices yourself, . . .. Yes, [Frazier responds] I must admit youre right. . . . As soon as were in the majority in any locality, we shall exercise our rights under a democratic form of government and take control' (Skinner, 1948, p. 231). As disturbing as the thought of communities such as Walden Two taking over the government is, this isnt really what disturbs me. Throughout the three-day visit, whenever anyone challenges Frazier about a point or questions something about the life in Walden Two, he always has what feels like a dispassionate, rehearsed response. Frazier is reminiscent of a used car salesmen who can deflect any criticism of the car he is trying to sell. He always has an answer at the ready that he delivers with a confidence and authority that appear to brush away the visitors objections as if they are unfounded and insignificant. It feels as if he is running a con game and the six visitors are the marks. According to Frazier Walden Two provides an ideal, satisfying lifestyle. It appears that all of the needs of Walden Twos inhabitants are provided with everything they need, they work only four hours per day, have recreation, and appear to have a great deal more freedom than people enjoy in the United States today. Despite this assurance, I would not want to live there. What Frazier has done has removed the individual person from consideration. There is a paternalistic quality that implies the managers of Walden Two know best and the inhabitants should just agree and enjoy the life there. In effect, Frazier/Skinner has reduced people to their basic responses to both internal and external stimuli. Of course this is precisely what Skinner, as a behaviorist, wants to do. For my part I prefer to think of myself as an adult person with a free will who takes an active part in living his own life. I would rather believe this, even if it is incorrect, than to submit to Skinners philosophy even if his theories were correct. References Skinner, B. F. (1948). Walden Two. New York: Macmillan.

Neurological Effects of MSG

Neurological Effects of MSG Abstract Due to evolving since in fields such as food science pharmacology, pediatrics, medical psychology, and toxicology, various food additives have come under a sharp review. In the medical field, a controversy has been ranging as to whether MSG should be used at all since diverse research case studies have not only shown its negative effects on health in general but also its neurological effects. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) has been used as a flavorant in the food industry for close to one hundred years in foods consumed by the masses daily. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies MSG as a food ingredient that is considered generally safe for use by the public, a number of researches such as by Schwartz have shown that it is harmful to the users health and should therefore be banned. Glutamate is naturally found in foods such as milk, poultry, meat and vegetables. Further, the body naturally produces glutamate which is essential for the nervous system. However, syntheti c manufacture has been proven to be harmful. This study purposefully outlines such effects on the nervous sytem and serves to support other recent findings against the use of MSG. Introduction MSG is a food additive that is found in most of the commercial foods. It improves the flavor of the food hence attracting customers. In itself, there is no value addition in terms of nutrition. It actually does nothing to food, but to the eater it is detrimental to their health. MSG is referred to as an excitotoxin or neurotoxin. This is the case since it widely involves the neuroscientists field in that it has degenerative and deadly effects on the brain and the nervous system. MSG actually over stimulates the brain neurons to exhaustion leading to their death. MSG goes to the brain through the membranes in the mouth and the throat. It also enters the blood stream through the digestion of food in the digestive system. MSG will trick the brain to thinking that it is getting value from the foods that are being taken in. MSG is not natural in nature. It is manmade from glutamic acid which is an amino acid which is found in complete proteins. Amino acids do occur naturally from many pla nts and animal tissues. The artificially created types of Amino acids are processed through the breakdown and the change of the natural form of glutamate. Some of the natural substances used for this purpose are molasses, grain starches and corn. The manipulation process produces various form of glumate. The d-glumate is never found naturally. The free glumates could enter the body 8 to 10 times faster than the bound or the natural glumates. Natural glumate is found in foods like tomatoes, milk and the mushrooms. The commercial methods or techniques used to manufacture glumate were not in use until the 1960s. The MSG in use today is not at all natural Literature review The current research shows that MSG is the cause of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers Huntingtons, Parkinsons and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuroscientists, such as Adriene, have explained that MSG attacks the blood-brain barrier of the brain cells which is responsible for protection and regulation of the delicate chemical exchange within the brain cells. The chemical exchange process is normally well balanced and its functionality is unquestionable. Under normal conditions also the brain and the body immune system handles all kinds of pollutants, diseases and stress. A very small amount of toxic substance can actually cause the brain call to over react leading to excessive exhaustion and death (Samuels). MSG is one of the major excitotoxins and is widely known to cause damage to the brain part that governs or controls other systems in the human body. The damage will probably appear as a disorder in the nervous system and the endocrine system. This can be manifested in the cases of unusual sleeping patterns, persistent hunger and food cravings. This usually leads to obesity. MSG is also known to cause migraine headaches, behavioral disorders, asthma attacks, depression, heart irregularities, arthritis, sinus problems and digestive problems (Anglesey). MSG is a neurotoxin that takes a very short time to create a widely diverse and dramatic effect on the human body. An individual may take a mild dosage of a prescription drug and have mild effects which may even be favorable. However, another person may take the same prescription drug and instead, get depressed, have stomach disorders, a swollen tongue and aching joints. The different parts of the brain do govern various body functions. The part which is attacked will directly depend on the brain part that has been attacked by the excitotoxin. If for example a person has had a head injury, a genetic pinch in a given part of the brain, has had a fever that is attacking parts of the brain, or even has had a stroke, then it is certain that the part of the brain that has been affected will be due to the toxins. Some of the foods that are sold are sold as weight loss promotions to the people. When food substances such as fat and sugar are removed from the foods, MSG together with aspartame is usually added. These excitotoxins are known to cause obesity and irregular heartbeats in many people. FDA usually allows the labeling of MSGS as natural flavors, hydrolyzed proteins and autolyzed yeast when used as just a component ingredient in an additive and not purely MSG. Americans today are consuming 160 million pounds of MSG per annum. A toxicologist and an author by the name Dr, George Schwartz claims that two table spoons of MSG on a piece of bread could kill a medium sized dog within a minute. The FDA in the year 1995 claimed that no one can react to less than 3 grams of MSG per meal. However, despite their confirmation, they have warned that MSG should be avoided by children, pregnant or lactating women, the elderly and those who suffer Asthma. A highly sensitive individual can react even to less than a gram of MSG (Blaylock). Effects and Related disorders Research has shown that in the late 1950s, an estimated amount of 12 grams per person per year of MSG was used by the Americans. Looking at the same issue today, the estimate has shot to between 400 and 500 grams per person per year. This is an amount that needs evaluation by FDA. (Anglesey) The wide usage of MSG came in the mid 1970s. It gained much popularity with producers of food through the 1980s. Two powerful excitotoxic food additives that took the food industry by storm were the MSG and aspartame. MSG has been widely associated with a wide range of diseases, symptoms and complaints. As earlier stated, it affects the neurological system of the body. The same ailments are today being reported to be on their rise. Often the ailments are quite unexpected and hard to explain either. Neorological effects of MSG and statistics of interest published by national organizations have been listed here-in. Fibromyalgia: this is a growing epidemic. Its patients eliminated MSG and aspartame during the study conducted by Florida University which reported complete relief of symptoms in 2001. However, the most cognitive study was carried by Smith, Shmidt and Guns who sought to prove the link between Fibromyalgia and MSG with several other additives as a common rheumatologic disorder. In this case, 4 patients were diagnosed for 2-17 years with fibromyalgia syndrome. However, they had undergone various modalities of treatment while failing to consider MSG as the causative agent. After eliminating aspartame and MSG from their diets, complete or near complete resolution of symptoms diagnosed were recorded within months. In this case analysis, the subjects were women who had multiple comorbidities and recurring symptoms after the ingestion of MSG. It is therefore indicative that t he excitotoxins, present in substances such as Aspartate and MSG, become excitatory neurotransmitters once ingested, and if consumed in excess can lead to neurotoxicity. These 4 patients may therefore represent this fibromyalgia syndrome and act as a link to conclusively establish a link to MSG. Therefore, persistent studies, if carried out on a larger sample, might serve to link the fibromyalgia syndrome to MSG and aspartame more concretely (Murray). Further, a study posted in MSGTruth.org is instrumental in linking MSG to pituitary adenomas. MSG overstimulates the hypothalamus which consequently leads damage on the neurons. The hypothalamus is responsible for directing the pituitary glands actions, which is also referred to as the master gland since it in turn directs all other glands in the body and their actions such as metabolism, development of sex and reproductive organs and other key development functions. Statistics have shown that 25% of Kenyans develop a pituitary adenoma in the course of their lives. However, studies linking pituitary adenomas to MSG are inconclusive. Some studies had previously depicted this as a genetic disorder but have however been proven wrong. About half of the pituitary adenomas secrete prolactin. Prolactinomas vcan become extremely large over time to crowd the optic nerve thereby affecting vision. It is however detected early in women since it interferes with menses and stops ovulation. This prevents conception or pregnancy in general. Further, since prolactin is responsible for lactation, secretion can cause lactation in the victim even if they were never pregnant or even if they are male. Hence, men with these adenomas develop breasts which have the capacity to secrete milk. Unlike in women who are forewarned by the effects on vision or associated headaches, this condition is deadly in men since the tumor can only be detected when it is large and dangerous. Further, research records by most governments are only kept for cancerous tumors while benign tumor, such as in this case, are neglected hence making it the more difficult not only to research on especially as to its link to aspartine and MSG but also to treat. Trea tment is very expensive. There are only two treatments with Dostinex, a carbegoline, is normally preferred which costs approximately $ 30 a tablet. Therefore, there is a need to sponsor more research as to the link to MSG and brain tumors (Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) and Aspartame). Other effects that have been attributed to MSG and its neurological disorders are headaches and migraines, asthma, obesity among others. In headaches and migraines: an approximate amount of $ 2.2 billion per year are being spent on drugs which treat headaches. This chronic condition has received a 74% increase from the years 1980 to 1990. Secondly, Asthma has been linked to MSG and related to the brain effects. According to statistics there was a decline of asthma until the mid-eighties. Since then however, there has been a recorded 100% increase in the rate of death among the children and the seniors. This incidence has increased 600% in the last 10 years. FDA has identified that the uncontrollable asthma can be caused by MSG, unfortunately no further measures are taken to deal with the situation. Defects of birth and disorders of production: MSG has been identified as a mutagen i.e. mutates fetuses. It is said to cause damage to the intellectual development, reproduction, growth pa tterns and the gonadal functions. However, such research has not been concrete. Other effects are neurological or emotional disorders. Laboratory studies have shown devastating effects on brain development. This includes autism, attention deficit, dyslexia, hyperactivity, violent episodes or rage, panic attacks, depression, paranoia, seizures and cerebral palsy. Rats were used for this study. However, human beings are 5 times more sensitive to MSG than rats. Obesity too has been linked to MSG and the nervous system. This is the most consistent effect of excitotoxins exposure and can be termed as a growing problem that does not respect age or sexual boundaries. In fact scientists uses glumate to feed animals used in the laboratories with an aim of inducing obesity. MSG will trigger insulin or adrenalin or fat storage or even a food craving response. This actually depletes the serotonin levels which in turn trigger headaches, depression and fatigue and also leads to food cravings. Finally, it is vital to note the following maladies and diseases are also attributed to MSG. Heart maladies: for the Americans, more than 70 million of them do suffer one or more forms of cardiovascular disease. 43% of all deaths in America are related to this same problem. Cardiovascular operations in the US went up with 287% from the year 1980 to 1990. Alzheimers disease: in the 1980s, this disease was nowhere among the highly identifiable health threats. It is however ranked third in todays statistics after cancer and heart disease. There are 4 million people afflicted by the disease at a cost of $47,000 per person per year in healthcare costs. Parkinsons, ALS, MS and the Huntingtons diseases like Alzheimers are all progressively growing neurogenic diseases that show brain and nerve cell damage. There are also other symptoms of MSG sensitivity that include swollen throat and tongue, joint pain, skin disorders, sleeping disorders, burning, tightness of the face or its redness, vert igo and gastrointestinal complaints. This subject of disorders in behavior for children is becoming a common discussion among professionals. The Studies that are already done have widely associated the violent behavior, attention deficits and emotional instability to chemical imbalances occurring in the brain. The reason that young brains are developing the blood-brain barrier, it is now becoming an extreme possibility that there will be early damage caused by excitotoxins. In April 1994, a time magazine article confirmed the rising problem of behavioral disorders. The magazine stated that the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was not in existence 15 years ago. It is however said that it is now affecting 3.3 million American children. This magazine article quotes a prominent research which 10 years ago stated that symptoms of ADHD and ADD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) vanished with maturity. Today however, ADD is now the fastest growing diagnostic category for the adults. The combination of excitotoxins i.e. MSG and aspartame came into wide usage in the 1980s. The drug sale rate for these disorders has shot up by almost 400% in a period of 4 years only. MSG is now a known mutagen. Its damage occurs in the womb as chemicals pass from the womb of the mother into the blood system of the fetus. The old people do show high vulnerability rates to the progressive neuro-generative diseases. An example of such diseases is Alzheimers.

Effect of Beijing Olympic Venues on China

Effect of Beijing Olympic Venues on China Section One: Identification of research area (10% 250 words) In this section you will be expected to identify an area of research. You must justify it as an area of research in your academic field; explain why it is topic of importance, why it is of interest and how it will help for the industry your subject area is located in. Research question: Did the venues built for the Olympic Games in Beijing have a positive effect for china? This research topic exemplifies an excellent business model for growth and change and an opportunity to exact best practice for a city in need of renovation, inspired by the International presence of the Olympic Games. It seeks to demonstrate the cause and effect of long-term change and sustainable development that can occur and the value placed upon often risk-taking investment by way of national necessity. From a business perspective the research will focus on determining what the economic, social, political and technological implications have been for China in the light of their internationally profiled focus on making the city of Beijing a more environmentally stable location, having been rated one of the most predominantly polluted and energy and resource hungry cities in the world. The Olympic Village itself contained a number of innovative technologies including a heat pump system, solar collectors, water saving devices, and rainwater collection. Introducing the use of sewage water is likely to save tons of coal each year The Olympic Village also contains a vacuum glass tube solar collection system installed on the buildings roofs which heats tap water. There are water collection tubes installed as part of the roof gardens on the buildings. The 2008 Headquarters Office has estimated that this solar heating system will save nearly 2,400 tons of coal per year. This building will now function as a kindergarten following the Games and the Olympic Village will serve as a residential area. The architecture was designed to save as much energy as possible, through, for instance, orienting the building to take in sunlight in winter, and an exterior sun shading system to cool the inner spaces in summer time.[1] Overall the environmental design and construction of these buildings and surrounding carbon neutral woods, parks and greenbelt areas paved the way for the implementation of new systems that impacted on air quality, energy use, transportation, water, forests and toxics and waste across the city which has influenced the way in which China as one of the most rapidly developing nations in the World is now appreciating its responsibilities to exact environmental standards universally. Beijing now provides an example of China’s commitment to expand in an environmentally cautious way. Section Two: Setting your research aim(s) and objectives (15%) State your research questions, develop a research aim and set your objectives. The hypotheses for this research will aim to answer the question as to whether the building and environmental measures adopted that took place in Beijing for the benefit of the Olympic Games has impacted at all significantly on the wider future appreciation by China to adapt its buildings, resource usage and the subsequent way in which it will continue to conduct its business. This will need to be achieved by presenting the changes that occurred in Beijing, prior, during and following the Olympic Games, to assess the environmental objectives that were woven into the design and implementation of all its new venues and landscapes. A comprehensive summary of the types of buildings and venues that were constructed for the benefit of the Olympic Games in Beijing will need to be provided. Once this has been established, the ways in which these environmental additions proved successful can be measured alongside their sustainability and productivity from a business and environmental perspective. An historical evaluation of the city before it became the chosen host of the games will need to take place in terms of investigating its original economic, political, environmental and technological situation and how this was viewed globally by other nations, as well as in relation to China itself. This will then build an understanding of the way in which the city function ed in comparison to how it now functions in 2008; whether any significant changes have occurred in its growth and fiscal situation. Consequently evidence to support how China has responded to the success of these buildings in relation to the way in which they have increased Beijing’s political, economic and social standing will need to be ascertained with regard to whether this has raised the profile of China generally around the world. Evidence of influence and genuine impact will need to be provided. Section Three: Literature Review (25% 1000 words) Identify the areas of secondary literature you need to be looking (The subject areas which will assist you (Think theoretical areas) Then you will need to give a prà ©cis of the main issues, indicating their relevance to your subject. Literature reviews should also raise issues and develop an argument in the literature if possible. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the fundamental rationale for determining the best way in which to build a framework to take forward a research paper tackling the subject of the effects of Leisure Tourism on a whole nation. Examples of literature will be illustrated through a variety of texts, journals and internet references in order to demonstrate the numerous academic theories and examples that can help shape a contextualised argument exploring a number of hypotheses. The investigative approach for determining the question Did the venues built for the Olympic Games in Beijing have a positive effect for china? can be measured and rationalised by way of several hypothesis; What is the political, economic, technological and social background of Beijing prior to it being awarded host city to the 2008 Olympic Games? How does China function currently as one of the World’s most developing countries economically, what type and level of resources does it use in order to sustain its growth? What was the nature, design remit and approach to building in Beijing in relation to preparing for the Olympic Games and how was it influenced to apply an environmental approach – what physically was constructed and for what purposes? Has the city’s reconstruction made an impact on its environmental situation at all? How has this been communicated to the rest of the world and consequently raised the profile of China? A number of sources relating to these questions can be utilised from journals, texts, reports and online material that will form the fundamental framework to this study and the dissertation will flow in accordance with these lines of reasoning. In order to demonstrate the history of Beijing and its context within China there are a number of sources of material Growth Without Miracles: Readings on the Chinese Economy in the Era of Reform illustrates Chinas economic reform during the second half of the twentieth century. How not just the living conditions of the Chinese population but through its economic transition from central planning to a market economy. The book is complied of thirty widely-cited articles by well known economists in the field of China studies.[2] The Cambridge Handbook of Contemporary China by Colin Mackerras and Amanda Yorke emphasizes China’s openness to Western technology as well as its rejection of Western democratic ideals. This volume offers up-to-date information on all aspects of Chinese life since 1949, with particular emphasis on the 1980s. Maps and tabled statistics accompany the text relating to all areas of Chinese life. China in the Global Economy Environment, Water Resources and Agr icultural Policies: Lessons from China and OECD Countries, by Nong ye bu informs the reader about Chinas water resources which are extremely low, poorly distributed, and increasingly polluted and how Chinas future development depends on initiatives that will raise the efficiency of how water is used. More specific to Beijing many studies have been conducted over the years into the environmental affects of this busy expanding city. One example can be found in Air pollution and daily mortality in residential areas of Beijing, China. Is a research paper which documents the relationship between air pollution and daily mortality in 1989 two residential areas in Beijing, China. ‘A highly significant association was found between [sulfur dioxide] and daily mortality.The association of [total suspended particulates] with total daily mortality was positive but not significant.In the cause-specific analysis, the strongest effects on mortality were consistently seen for respiratory diseases in both [summer and winter].’ [3] The most modern analysis of the processes undertaken by Beijing in the run-up to the ensuing Olympic objectives for the city are highlighted in The Concrete Dragon: Chinas Urban Thomas J. Campanella discusses China’s great building boom that there were fewer than 200 cities in China in the late 1970s compared to the 700 odd today. The scale of China’s urban revolution is detailed, alongside its roaring economy and rapid urbanization elsewhere compared to the rest of the world. In relation to articles and journal citations this area of understanding is well documented. Most useful examples can be gained from examining Spectacular Beijing: The Conspicuous Construction of an Olympic Metropolis which presents a critical review of Beijings Olympic redevelopment, and of the social, economic, and political impacts of hosting ‘mega events’ as a means of urban image construction. How Beijings restructure played an important role in Chinas transition to capitalism as the Olympics have helped concentrate economic and political power in the hands of a coalition of government leaders and private investors. [4] (Broudehoux, 2007) With similar information to be accessed from New Beijing, Great Olympics: Beijing and its Unfolding Olympic Legacy by Ryan Ong and Olympiad Dreams of Urban Renaissance by Rob Imrie. In terms of the most recent analysis carried out in relation to the impact of the games physically and financially, this is a well documented area of dialogue in the media and with scholars. Estimating the Cost and Benefit of Hosting Olympic Games: What Can Beijing Expect from Its 2008 Games? Represents a forecast of what will ensue as a result of the impact on Beijing whilst anticipating ‘The potential for long term economic benefits from the Beijing Games will depend critically on how well Olympics related investments in venues and infrastructure can be incorporated into the overall economy in the years following the Games.’[5](Owen, 2005) For a more generic approach to this argument James Higham’s Sport as an Avenue of Tourism Development: An Analysis of the Positive and Negative Impacts of Sport Tourism looks at the positive economic repercussions for cities who host the Olympic Games. As this is still quite a modern debate it is difficult to source a great deal of scholarly information that determines the subsequent impact to be had on China as a whole. Evidence for this is still emerging and it is suggested that news archives, economic reports and environmental reviews be explored in greater detail in order to address the outcomes of the question under discussion. Many have prophesized or forecast this debate but for factual information a most up to date study of observations being reported from China will be required to substantiate the debate. Another helpful source can be utilized from documents associated with the Beijing Municipal Government and United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). The most relevant of these being the UNEP report Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – An Environmental Review and the official Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games paper Beijing 2008: Environmental Protection, Innovation and Improvement, 2001-2006, Update Report. Section Four: Research Methodology and Design (10% 500 words) Here you will need to focus on the types of methods you intend to use and why. Why for instance will you use one research method over another or why do you need to use more than one method? As a rule of thumb, think about The problem being addressed in this dissertation is to attempt to demonstrate evidence that is both economic and environmental, not only to Beijing but in the broader context of China and how this has essentially been strengthened by the influences of leisure and tourism. It is necessary to conduct considerable research across a number of areas in order to reach the conclusions that will effectively answer the question. Many dissertations of this nature require a definitive method of research in order to build a framework to take forward the means to answering the hypothesis. For the purposes of this essay the way in which the methodology for developing this framework came about is primarily informed by the Literature Review. This type of secondary analysis helps clarify both the type of information available as well as the limitations of that material. Burns’s An Introduction to Tourism and Anthropology demonstrates the fast-growing field of tourism studies. How anthropology is the window through which tourism dynamics should be analyzed and evaluated. [6] In terms of assessing the impact of tourism and how in the case of Beijing it acted as a catalyst for change as well as changing the world’s opinion of the region; this volume suggests an anthropological approach to research, in other words statistical data to explain the phenomena under discussion. Appreciating that this may be the best way of assessing an outcome with which to measure impact, Tourism and leisure research methods: data collection, analysis and interpretation provides the tools to recognise and produce good research through qualitative and quantitative research techniques focusing on reliability, validity and representativeness of data using SPSS for Windows and an SPSS data file to undertake statistical analysis, data management and data documentat ion. In terms of the business studies approach to solving this question, carrying out quantitative research which in the context of Social Sciences includes a wide range of examples and activities offers a solid foundation in research design, measurement, and statistics.’ [7] Applying quantitative research to this study should help develop and create a model for the hypotheses and measure the connection between the data received from the Government and UN reports cited in the Literature Review alongside the empirical results fielded from any contrasting qualitative research that emerges from subsequent interviews, surveys or observations collated from relevant citizens of Beijing, China, officials connected with the construction programmes and the Construction and Environment department of the Beijing Organising Committee as well as analysing relevant documents and material. With the emphasis on quantitative research methods this will largely involve planning, sampling, designing measurement instruments, choosing statistical tests, and interpreting the results [8] In order to effectively analyse leisure and tourism within the business, management and environmental disciplines a number of factors will need to be taken into consideration including anthropology, the economics of China, the history of its growth exemplified by Beijing, human geography, the philosophy and sociology of the environment. Fieldwork will need to be planned and conducted according to ethnographic methods including participant observation, interviewing, focus groups, and video/photographic work to capture and appreciate the changes occurring in China and the move towards an environmentally more astute philosophy. [9] Section Five: Your reflection on the overall process (15% 200 words) Sum up your reflections on the whole research methods process, how you coped with it and how you will approach final year study. This can be in the first person (i.e. ‘I think this I think that.’). This is a fairly challenging area of study which requires the collation of a number of different areas of research to be processed and analysed. In order to quantify and qualify data such as this from a fundamentally empirical approach it is imperative to categorize the subjects or ‘instruments’ in much greater detail. For example should the data be gathered from specific areas in order to provide a holistic approach to determining the question, if so should these reflect economic, social, political and technological affects and form the categories that make up the focus of the discussion points? The need to establish a well thought out framework is crucial. It seems very clear from all of the complexities involved with assessing the impact of construction and technology for the purposes of staging the Olympic Games and how it can best be implemented requires further attention in terms of what is achievable and justifiable in this study. Primary research needs to be completed in order to establish the exact nature and challenges of existing opinions, observations and comparisons relating to the city of Beijing; compared to official government documentation, measured in relation to the overall accepted international objectives of China as a nation in its own right. The different actors, cultures, structures and goals will vary, sometimes considerably between communities under scrutiny. A common vision relating to the objectives of Beijing and its country needs to be legitimised in order to argue whether this has directly influenced China in a beneficial way. Depending on how this research is developed and taken forward in the future will influence the way in which data is recorded and the evidence presented. References Black, T.R. (1999). Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences. London. Sage. Blaxter, L et al. (1996). How to Research. Buckingham. OU Press. Broudehoux, A Spectacular Beijing: The Conspicuous Construction Of An Olympic Metropolis, Journal of Urban Affairs, Volume 29 Issue 4 Brunt, P. (1997) Market Research in Travel and Tourism. Oxford. Butterworth – Heinemann. Bryman, A and D. Cramer. (1997). Quantitative Data Analysis with SPSS for Windows. London. Routledge. Burns, P.M. (1999). An Introduction to Tourism and Anthropology. London. Routledge. Campanella, T.J (2008) The Concrete Dragon: Chinas Urban Revolution and What It Means for the World: Princeton Architectural Press Clarke, M, M. Riley, et al. (1999) Research methods in hospitality, tourism and leisure. Thompson International. Cook I and Crang M. (1996) Doing Ethnography. CATMOG. Norwich. Garnaut, R, Huang, Y (2001) Growth Without Miracles: Readings on the Chinese Economy in the Era of Reform: Oxford University Press Higham, J (1999) Commentary — Sport as an Avenue of Tourism Development: An Analysis of the Positive and Negative Impacts of Sport Tourism, Current Issues in Tourism Vol. 2, No. 1 Imrie, R (2007) Olympiad Dreams of Urban Renaissance, Modern Language Assoc, Volume 122, Number 1 Mackerras, C, Yorke, A (1991) The Cambridge Handbook of Contemporary China: Cambridge University Press Nong ye bu (2006) China in the Global Economy Environment, Water Resources and Agricultural Policies: Lessons from China and OECD Countries: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Ong,R (2004) New Beijing, Great Olympics: Beijing and its Unfolding Olympic Legacy, Stanford Journal of East Asian Affairs, Vol 4, no.2 Owen, J.G (2008) Estimating the Cost and Benefit of Hosting Olympic Games: What Can Beijing Expect from Its 2008 Games? The Industrial Geographer, vol 3, issue 1 Saunders, M.K. Lewis, P. Thornhill, A. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, (4th ed), Harlow, Prentice Hall Publications. UNEP (2008) Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: An Environmental Review By United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Environment Programme Published by UNEP/Earthprint, 2008. Available from http://www.unep.org/publications/eBooks/beijing-report/Default.aspx?bid=ID0EWBBG Wu, F, Webber, K (2004) the rise of â€Å"foreign gated communities† in Beijing: between economic globalization and local institutions: Elsevier Ltd. Xu, X, Gao, J, Dockery, D.W, Chen Y (1997) Air pollution and daily mortality in residential areas of Beijing, China. In: Research papers on interrelationship between population growth in developing countries and global environment, Volume II. Tokyo, Japan, National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, 1997 Mar 3. : 321- 1 [2] Garnaut, R, Huang, Y (2001) Growth Without Miracles: Readings on the Chinese Economy in the Era of Reform [3] Xu, X, Gao, J, Dockery, D.W, Chen Y (1997) Air pollution and daily mortality in residential areas of Beijing, China. In: Research papers on interrelationship between population growth in developing countries and global environment, Volume II. Tokyo, Japan, National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, 1997 Mar 3. : 321- [4] Broudehoux, A Spectacular Beijing: The Conspicuous Construction Of An Olympic Metropolis, Journal of Urban Affairs, Volume 29 Issue 4 [5] Owen, J.G (2008) Estimating the Cost and Benefit of Hosting Olympic Games: What Can Beijing Expect from Its 2008 Games? The Industrial Geographer, vol 3, issue 1 [6] Burns, P.M. (1999). An Introduction to Tourism and Anthropology. London. Routledge. [7] Saunders, M.K. Lewis, P. Thornhill, A. (2006) Research Methods for Business Students, (4th ed), Harlow, Prentice Hall Publications. [8] Black, T.R. (1999). Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences. London. Sage. [9] Cook I and Crang M. (1996) Doing Ethnography. CATMOG. Norwich.

Free Essays On Shakespeares Sonnet 153 :: Sonnet essays

Analysis of Sonnet 153 Cupid laid by his brand and fell asleep. A maid of Dian's this advantage found, And his love-kindling fire did quickly steep In a cold valley-fountain of that ground; Which borrow'd from this holy fire of Love A dateless lively heat, still to endure, And grew a seething bath which men yet prove Against strange maladies a sovereign cure. But at my mistress' eye Love's brand new fir'd, The boy for trial needs would touch my breast. I, sick withal, the help of bath desir'd, And thither hied, a sad distemper'd guest; But found no cure: the bath for my help lies Where Cupid got new fire-my mistress' eyes. This and the next sonnet both share the theme of love through Cupid. The conceit is not new, for it has been found in many poems. One example is from an epigram of Marianus Scholasticus from Henri Estienne's edition to which the theme is shared: "Under these plane trees Eros was resting, held in gentle sleep, having given his torch to the nymphs to take care of. 'What are we waiting for?' said the nymphs to one another. 'If only we could quench together with this same fire in human hearts!' But as the torch set the water also on fire, since then the love-nymphs pur hot water into the bath." Speculation remains as to whether Shakespeare is the author of these two sonnets, but it has never been proven successfully. The source for these sonnets, whoever the autheor, still remains unknown, but I suppose the scholars who diespel Shakespeare's authorship do so on the grounds of it being fairly simple in context, that is, there is not too much ambiguity. Due to the simplicity, I will do a brief paraphrase of the three quatrains and the couplet. 1st: 'Cupid falls asleep and one of Diane's maids (known for her chastity) tried to extinquish Cupid's fire in a pool of water'; 2nd: 'The maid borrowed an endless, lusty fire, which still goes on to this day, and provided [to her dismay] a bath of healing properties'; 3rd: '(Cupid) would curiously touch my heart (leading me to stray towards lust), unless I am in the sight of my lover, because of the "Love's brand" being newly fired [started].

Buddhism Essay -- essays research papers fc

The origin, traditional Buddhism began in the 6th century BC with the historical personage born Siddhartha Gautama, but better known by a variety of titles including Shakyammi, Tathagata, or most commonly Buddha, the enlightened one. The legend of the Buddha’s life has acquired plenty of variations and embellishments over the years, but the basic facts are accepted as traditional, including the dates of his birth and death (563-489 BC by Western reckoning, 624-544 according to Sri Lankan tradition). The story of Buddha’s birth is encrusted with myth and fable as that of any God-figure in human history. For instance, he is said to have issued from his mother’s womb stating that his cycle of rebirths was about to end. Again, some Buddhists devoutly accept the fables as we in the west accept Christmas narratives, while others choose to focus on the truths beneath the myths. We do know with some certainty that the Buddha was born to a royal family in northern India, in the foothills of what is now Nepal. Siddhartha Gautama led a sheltered existence in the court of his father, Shuddhodana, the king of the Shakya clan, who shielded him from any knowledge of human suffering or religions of the time. Soon after his birth a soothsayer named Asita predicted that he would become either the emperor of all India or if the "Four Passing Sights" should come to pass he would renounced the world and would become the greatest spiritual leader the world has ever known. Shuddhodana, Gautama, a member of the warrior-ruler caste, preferred the royal vocation and provided his son with three palaces located so that his son would not experience the dramatic seasonal changes. He placed at his son disposal anywhere from 10,000 to 40,000 dancing girls to keep his mind firmly rooted in the "real" world. He also gave orders that his son should never see t he sick, the aged, dead bodies, and nor should a monk be allowed near his son. But, as so often happens when manipulative fathers groom their sons to take over the family business, Siddhartha rebelled. At 16 he married a beautiful young princess named Yasodhara, by whom he fathered a son, Rahula. Over the ensuing years Gautama, was shielded from the facts of the real world. But legend states the gods intervened with what is now called the "Four Passin... ...He then continued to meditate for a total of 49 days, for it was at this time all Buddhist down through the ages believed, Gautama, first experienced Nirvana: the goal of Buddhism; it means freedom from karma; extinction of all craving; the realization of the true nature of the mind. This is the closest thing in Buddhism to the western world’s idea of salvation, the ultimate goal of all religious faiths. Traditionally, the accounts were committed to writing in Sanskrit and in Pali, a Sanskrit derived Indian dialect within 100 years of the Buddha’s death, but modern scholars places the dates closer to the 2nd and 1st century BC. The written records of his sermons and dialogues are known as sutras. Unlike other major religions of the world the concept of a divine being, as in, Hinduism’s Atman-Brahman, Judaism’s Yahweh, and Islam’s Allah, Buddhism does not proclaim any worship of any god. Buddhist believes that the divine being, per say, is not something you believe in, or worship, or can describe but instead something you experience. Bibliography 1. http://buddhism.about.com/ 2. http://www.buddhanet.net/ 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

The Lost Generation in Ernest Hemingways The Sun Also Rises :: Hemingway Sun Also Rises Essays

The Lost Generation in The Sun Also Rises The book The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway is a perfect example of what life was like after the war. It was about unrealistic love of a young Lady Brett Ashley, and the post war adventures of Jake Barnes and his friends. "In an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusion, this is the lost generation," and that is exactly what Hemmingway writes about in The Sun Also Rises. Jake Barnes lived a real casual life style. He is a writer that goes out with his buddies almost every night, and drinks. "Oh Jake", Brett said," we could have had such a damned good time together." His only true desire is a Lady Brett Ashley, he is madly in love with her but all he can do is sit back and watch her toy with the other men. Many times he has purposed his love to Brett, she loves him as well, but will not have a romantic relationship with him because her sexual desire is too great and Jake cannot have a sexual relatioship because he has no penis, it was castrated during the war. Jake was also an "aficionado" of bull fighting during one of his fiascos he and his friends and Lady Brett Ashley went to Pamplona. First Brett introduced her new fiance named Mike, a war veteran and a bankrupt drunk. Mike would later get on Robert Cohn's case for bugging Brett and acting like a stalker. Cohn and Brett had a brief fling in San Sebastian, but Cohn could not excpet that Brett had no emotional feelings for him and that love affair meant anything. Cohn doesn't realize that Brett is a permiscius lady. During that week, Jake, Mike, and Bill (Jake's Friend) relize how much they hate Cohn and they all start to antagonize him. While at the bullfights, Brett falls in love with a young "matador" named Pedro Romero, Jake helps her get involved with Romero, Cohn finds out and beats up Jake, and Romero, and then Cohn leave Spain and goes back. Brett realizes that she will only do Romero harm and asks Jake to take her away from him. It seems everytime Brett would get in trouble Jake would always come to the rescue, because he is hopelessly in love with her.

Life of Bob Marley

Gabrielle Coelho ENC 1101 Informative Essay Bob Marley â€Å"Who are you to judge the life I live, I know I'm not perfect and I don't live to be, but before you point fingers make sure your hands are clean†, one of my favorite Bob Marley quotes; I know it by heart. This quote is perfect to me because I know I'm not perfect and I don't allow anybody to judge my lifestyle or decisions especially if they have or made the same or worse decisions. I grew up listening to Bob Marley's music because of my dad. Nobody loves reggae or Bob Marley more than my dad.So ever since I've been little I've had a love for Bob Marley. Bob Marley, born Robert Nesta Marley, is a singer, song writer and musician. He was the most widely known reggae performer and was a great aid in spreading Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement. Marley first began his career as the lead singer of the music band â€Å"Bob Marley and the Wailers†, making songs such as â€Å"I Shot the Sheriff† and â⠂¬Å"Get Up Stand Up† which are still known today. The Wailers later broke up while each of the members continued to pursue solo careers.Marley later had his first international hit, outside of Jamaica â€Å"No Woman No Cry†. Marley was also very much involved with the social and political issues going on in Jamaica. He held rallies and free concerts, which some turned violent where Marley was shot, but fully recovered after. Bob Marley had many children; two from is wife Rita Anderson, two adopted from Rita's previous relationship and several others from different women, according to the Bob Marley official website. Bob also has many grandchild, a few I personally know myself from middle school.Most of Marley's children and grandchildren reside in Miami now. Bob Marley continued to make the best lyrical and influential reggae music, with songs like â€Å"One Love†, â€Å"Jamming† and â€Å"Redemption Song†. In July 1977, Marley discovered a type of melanoma under his toe, which was a symptom of already existing cancer. Doctors told Marley that he should get his toe amputated, but refused because of his religious beliefs. Despite his illness Marley continued on with his world tour up until his final show in at the Stanley theater in Pittsburg.Marley became very ill and the cancer spread through out his body. After fighting the cancer for eight months without success Marley died on the morning of May 11, 1981, in the Cedars of Lebanon hospital in Miami. All in all, Bob Marley introduced the world to the mystic power of reggae. His influential music is loved by everybody all over the world. His music was educational, lyrical and very positive. Bob Marley always stood up for what he believed him which is why I adore him too. Marley is still very popular after his death and his legacy still lives on today.

Nature of Humanity Portrayed in Hamlet Essay

â€Å"The destiny of man is to become progressively less human and more humane, less compulsive and more creative, less instinctive and more intuitive, less material and more spiritual. Man’s destiny is to always become more fully divine. † Hamlet shows human nature to be greedy, self-involved and vengeful. Claudius is driven by his own greed to commit murder. Polonius is always looking out for himself. Hamlet thinks of vengeance from the moment he finds out about Claudius killing his father. Human nature has been all of these things, but it has also changed through the ages. We can be cruel, but we can also show great compassion and kindness. Claudius kills his own brother so that he can claim the crown and the Gertrude. He gets rid of a good king to satisfy his greed. He kills his own brother, the good of the country, and the happiness of most of the characters in the play to fulfill his desire of being king. He cares only for himself. Most people at one point or another will be driven by greed. Most humans will not have the desperation that Claudius shows in Hamlet. Greed is part of all everyone. It’s just they way people choose to deal with that feeling or if they feel is what separates many from Claudius. They see something they want and they tell themselves that it is only what they deserve. It is inevitable but we can control it to a certain degree I think. Polonius shows the characteristic of human nature that is self-concern. He is always looking for ways to get closer to the king. He sacrifices his own daughter’s happiness so that he can prove his theories about Hamlet’s madness to the king. Self-concern is another trait that humans cannot seem to avoid. People are constantly thinking about themselves and how things are going to affect their lives. They care deeply for their own well being. Certainly they think about others occasionally, but their own person is always number one in their minds. Vengefulness is yet another human trait. Hamlet’s entire character is changed by his revenge. He starts out as a calm smart young man but the need for vengeance corrupts him, where he is driven only by his need for pay back. Hamlet shows how the desire for vengeance that humans experience can completely change a persons very being, making them totally single-minded. Every person experiences a need for revenge in his or her life but the power to resist that feeling shows a lot more. In the beginning when man lived in caves and used rocks for tools. During this time man had no use for emotions or how his actions would affect someone else, just the will to survive. Man’s nature was to protect himself and his family, and to just live. As man has changed so has his nature. For a certain period human nature involved greed, self-concern, and vengeance. But man has come a long way since then. Along with change came a wanting for learning and justice. I think Shakespeare was trying to show us is how basic human nature is and that acting spontaneously on those emotions does not solve anything. I believe when you grow older and learn upon your decisions many find that doing the opposite of these instinctive feelings prove to have better outcomes. So I do agree that human nature is instinctively and inherently bad but you have the potential to change that.

Marriage vs Civil Unions Essay

Gay marriage is a controversial and often heated topic in American society and often so elsewhere throughout the world. Homosexual behavior is not new. Homosexual behavior and the homosexual lifestyle have been around throughout recorded history, certainly for thousands of years, in fact, was socially condoned in some societies. In Ancient armies, it was often accepted because a man was more apt to fight for a lover than for a casual acquaintance. For example, unlike today’s military, in Ancient Greece, homosexual relationships between soldiers were viewed as a means to intensify the fighting spirit of the soldiers and strengthen the bond between them. (Burg et al. , 2002) Only recently did interest in issues of sexual orientation move from the realm of the social sciences into other areas of science. Freud believed that there was some degree of bisexuality in all humans (Bell and Weinberg, 1978). He and other psychologists of his time believed that homosexuality could be explained by the experiences a person had while growing up, thus focusing on environmental explanations for homosexual behavior. Psychologists once pursued the study of homosexuality in an effort to prove that it was an abnormal behavior, but such studies have now led researchers to conclude that homosexuality is somehow linked to the individual experiences and environment a person has while growing up. While this may be the general view of homosexuality in psychology, my experiences with homosexuals are not consistent with this view. The few individuals I’ve known who were homosexual coexisted in the same environment as everyone around them, but their homosexual tendencies were obvious throughout their lives. Today we realize that if environment plays a role in homosexual tendencies, environment is not the entire explanation. Now we know that genetics and biology also play a role. No matter what biological and genetic studies show, there can be little doubt that opponents of gay marriage and the gay lifestyle will only accept that the gay marriage is some kind of sickness or perverted behavior. While homosexual behavior is obviously out of the norm, there is no scientific research or evidence to suggest that is it either perverted or abnormal. Despite what opponents might claim, our view of homosexuals and our denying them the right to marry is no more than a form of discrimination—irrational, illegal, biased and illogical. Regardless as to how a person views same sex marriage, there is no rational or logical reason to ban it or to discriminate against it except for personal preference/choice. Genetic Studies, Biology and Environment It is important to consider the biology and genetics behind homosexual behavior. If people insist that homosexual behavior is a matter of personal choice when evidence exists to demonstrate genetic and biological factors are involved, their insistence shows and irrational bias against homosexuals based on prejudice and discrimination. Today, most researchers view that a person’s sexual orientation is dictated by a combination of environmental, biological and psychological factors. Recent studies suggest that both biology and genetics play a role in homosexual behavior. Studies suggest that a genetic factor passed from mother to son might contribute to homosexuality in men and that male homosexuality might have a very different genetic influence from female homosexuality. (Pattatucci et al, 1995, Bailey et al. , 2000) Studies of homosexuality in families and between twins suggest that male and female sexual orientation may not have the same genetic influences. (Bailey et al. , 2000) Animal studies reveal that sexual orientation can be influenced by altering the hypothalamus. (Cherry & Baum, 1990), Much of the available genetic data on homosexual behavior suggests that biological and genetic factors are involved. Some studies have focused on X chromosome since males have an XY chromosome and females have an XX chromosome. One study concluded that the gene that influences homosexual behavior is carried by the mother. Heterosexual females appear to pass the Xq28 gene sequence on the X chromosome to their sons. (see below, Hamer et al, 1993) This study focused on homosexual males, and thus, their findings may not be a reflection on homosexual females. When the results of genetics studies are taken together, the most reasonable conclusion is that genetics can account for at least 50 percent of a person’s sexual orientation. In general, genetic studies of homosexuality demonstrate that homosexual behavior and the homosexual condition is a result of genes. When male homosexuals were studied, the data of one study demonstrated that most of the homosexual men arose from a genetic factor that was passed down from mother to son. (Hamer et al, 1993) Dean Hamer of the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D. C. discovered that homosexual brothers are more than heterosexual brothers to inherit the same genetic sequence, referred to as Xq28, on a region of the X chromosome. This suggests that genetics are involved in homosexual behavior although only a region on a gene, not a specific gene, has been identified. The degree of gene influence is unclear. Studies of twins and also of the adoptive brothers of homosexual men reveal a relationship between genetics and homosexual behavior. (Bailey and Pillard, 1991) Thus, the evidence suggests that genetics and biology rather than environment or personal choice gives rise to homosexual behavior and the homosexual condition. Other studies have demonstrated anatomical differences between components of the brain structures of heterosexual and homosexual males. (LeVay, 1991) These are important considerations when we begin to look at the legal questions surrounding homosexual behavior. Thus, discriminating against gay individuals is just as irrational, irresponsible and illegal (or should be just as illegal) as discriminating against an individual on the basis of the color of his or her skin. Furthermore, it should be easier to decide the legality of mistreating people on the basis of the sexual preference than on the basis of their religious preference since religious preference is a matter of personal choice rather than genes. Why, then, is it illegal to discriminate against an individual on the basis of their religion while the legal issues surrounding homosexual behavior are often viewed as unclear? While there may be compelling reasons to favor heterosexual unions over gay marriages, there is actually no unbiased reason to forbid gay marriages. In fact, even favoring heterosexual marriages is a form of discrimination similar to favoring whites over other races. Certainly, the heterosexual situation constitutes the â€Å"normal† or â€Å"typical† interaction between sexes, but considering that biological and genetic studies demonstrate that homosexual situations are dictated by actual biological and genetic factors, there is no rational reason to view such unions as â€Å"unnatural† or â€Å"abnormal†. We cannot even say with certainty that they are an abnormality as much as a biologically dictated variation, not necessarily even rare, just different. While we can â€Å"prefer† heterosexual marriage over gay marriage as a society, there is no rational reason to deny gay marriage or to restrict homosexual individuals to civil unions while denying them a typical marriage (as will be discussed) other than bias. Although theories exist to suggest that environment contributes to and influences the gay lifestyle, it is not clear how this could be true. For example, if biology and genetics contribute to â€Å"at least 50 percent† of gay behavior, why is it that a homosexual male or female raised in the same environment with a heterosexual male or female gives rise to one homosexual individual and one or more (generally a host) of heterosexual individuals? If the environment helped to cause the homosexual behavior, why aren’t there more homosexuals in that environment? To my knowledge, this question has never been addressed or even asked. Likewise with Freud’s idea that childhood experiences contribute to homosexual behavior. While no two individuals have the same childhood experiences, in part because everyone responds differently to the same experiences and environment, two individuals treated the same and raised in the same environment does not lead one to conclude that the differences in their behavior is caused by their childhood experiences or their environment. Biological factors, genetics and internal psychological factors must play a significantly more crucial role in their behavior than do environment and/or childhood experiences. Marriage vs. Civil Union Now that we have briefly reviewed the biological and genetic data to suggest that homosexuality is a genetic and biological condition, at least in part, rather than a matter of personal choice, we are more prepared to consider the legal factors involved with this issue. In states where marriage is allowed between same sex couples, the individuals involved are generally placed on an uneven playing field. Even though they may be allowed to join in a legal union, they are restricted to a civil union rather than a legally recognized marriage. What is the difference and why is this distinction yet another example of social discrimination? Today, gay couples may unite in civil unions but such unions differ from the marriage granted to heterosexuals in a number of crucial ways. Although a civil union grants many rights that would be denied without it, it fails to grant hundreds of others. Furthermore, marriage is universally recognized everywhere while civil unions are not. Civil unions fail to resolve many financial matters, tax issues, insurance concerns, pension protection, Medicaid and even matters such as filing and filling our forms. Another concern arises if those joined in a civil union desire to dissolve their union. They have no means to legally terminate their union unless they live in a state that recognizes it. In fact, at present, only Vermont qualifies for this termination. A Vermont law states that â€Å"Parties to a civil union shall have all the same benefits, protections and responsibilities under law, whether they derive from statute, administrative or court rule, policy, common law or any other source of civil law, as are granted to spouses in a marriage. † One must wonder why there is a need to make such a statement. If there is no discrimination based on sexual orientation, there certainly is no need for this added point of clarification in the law, so obviously, something is amiss. Much of the controversy about and distinction between â€Å"marriage† and â€Å"civil union† boils down to religious issues. In general, Christians are against gay marriage. Therefore, at some level, the issue also involves religious issues and the separation between church and state, religion and politics. While gay marriage is an issue that Christians feel goes against the principles of the Bible, other religions use other holy books and, as a result, do not base their opinions on or form their ideas from the Bible. Although the legal view is that there are no substantial differences in the treatment of a marriage and a civil union, each represents a separate legal category with significant, sometimes glaring differences that only become of concern when they matter the most. While the U. S. Constitution requires legal equality for all regardless of sexual orientation, among other factors, that legal equality exists largely on paper rather than in fact. Clearly, those individuals forced into civil unions rather than typical marriages are not on even playing ground. Civil Unions are a step forward, but they fall short of being satisfactory. Our present approach to force gay couples into civil unions rather than true marriage, perhaps, is as unjust as the former laws that denied interracial marriage. In order to give gay couples true rights, laws must eliminate the idea of civil unions and allow gay couples to form true marriage so as to give them all of the rights and privileges recognized in marriage. We cannot continue to tolerate â€Å"civil unions† as the satisfactory answer to granting unions between individuals who desire to live as a couple. Just as we moved away from banning interracial marriage, we need to move away from banning gay marriage. We have only emotional and no rational reasons to do otherwise. We have pointed out above that if the biological factors, genetics and internal psychological factors play any role at all in homosexual behavior, that role must be relatively trivial. Therefore, discriminating against gay individuals in any manner such as by relegating them to civil unions rather than allowing them to unite in true marriage, for example, is nothing more than unjustified discrimination and bias just as unjust as denying interracial marriage. We must move away from this and other unfair treatments and practices. Continuing to insist that homosexual behavior arises from environment, childhood experiences or personal choice with that belief but no supporting evidence even though there is clear evidence to the contrary is nothing more than further bias and discrimination against homosexuals. While homosexual behavior is clearly different from the norm, there is no real evidence that it is abnormal any more than being black in a society that is 12 percent black and 88 percent white and other means that blacks are abnormal. Faulty logic in the absence of supporting evidence does not justify, prove or support an incorrect conclusion.

Adjusting to Terrorism in the United States

After the terrorist attack of 9-11, the United States made several changes to policies concerning visitors into the United States. More attention is required at the borders, airports, mail system, and intranet to protect citizens of the United States against terrorism. In this paper, we will discuss a proposal to make the criminal justice agencies in the United States better prepared for terrorist attacks. Border Patrol is part of the criminal justice agency and responsible for protecting the borders of the United States against illegal immigrants from entering the U. S. without proper authorization. I would like to propose the United States completely fencing in our country instead of just fencing a third as we do presently. This will enable our agents to enforce the laws more effectively across the United States. Many borders are open along the Vermont and Canadian. People are able to cross the border without detection. People know there is nothing to stop them from traveling route 2 and disappearing (Peak 2010). This issue needs attention so all borders need patrolled equally to ensure the safety of the United States. The world's longest undefended border is between Canada and the United States. This runs along the 49th parallel of the west coast to Lake Superior and following natural boundaries for the remainder (International Boundary Commission 2011). Expense is a negative consequence to this proposal however, the money the United States saves in health care, education, and loss of employment caused by illegal immigrants will pay for the expansion of the border. Safety is the positive to the border issue, we have too many illegal people crossing into the United States and more force needs to take place in order to change the current situation. With more border protection, the United States can control drug traffic, human trafficking, and illegal aliens residing in the United States. Each year, according to the U. S. Customs, 60 million people come to the United States aboard 675,000 commercial and private flights. Six million arrive by sea and 370 million by land and 116 million vehicles cross the land borders with Canada and Mexico. It is estimated around 90,000 merchant and passenger ships enter U. S. ports. Each ship can carry more than 9 million shipping containers and 400 million tons of cargo. This voluminous trade, drug traffickers conceal cocaine, heroin, marijuana, MDMA, and methamphetamine shipments for distribution in U. S. neighborhoods (U. S. Drug Enforcement Agency 2004). The budget for this expansion will include more border patrol officers, weapons, artillery, material, and funding from the government. Each border needs supervisors to supervise the operation of each station. Each officer needs to go through a training period of 6 weeks before assigned to a duty station. The estimated cost for this project is 1. 5 billion dollars. In conclusion, our borders are unprotected around the United States and serious measure need taken to control the illegal aliens entering on a daily basis. Without proper patrol, the United States is at risk of all types of illegal operations coming in and going out of our country through ships, planes, and trains. This proposal will decrease the amount of illegal persons and merchandise transported across what is now unprotected by guards. References International Boundary Commission Canadian Info Retrieved from http://www.craigmarlatt.com/canada/canada;the_world/canada;us_border.html on January 31, 2011 Peak, K, 2010 Justice Administration: Police, Courts, and Corrections Management, Sixth Edition Published by Prentice Hall. By Pearson Education, Inc U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency Drug Trafficking in the United States 2004 Retrieved from http://www.policyalmanac.org/crime/archive/drug_trafficking.shtml on January 31, 2011