Hong Kong Identity

Identity Politic: July 1st, 2003 Protest Agenda 1. Introduction †¢ 1. 1. What is identity politic †¢ 1. 2. Political events that have affected HK Identity 2. July1st, 2003 protest 3. Conclusion 1. 1. What is Identity Politic †¢ Identity politics: Identity as a politic †¢ Development of identity politic †¢ Past v. s Present Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion 1. 2. Political events that affected HK Identity Tiananmen Square After WWI: Refugee Identity Mistrust of Chinese Government Article 23 After 1960: Local HK Identity 1997 Handover 2013Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion 2. July1st, 2003 protest †¢ Annual protest led by Civil Human Rights Front †¢ Article 23 †¢ The Hong Kong SAR shall enact laws on its own to prohibit any act of treason, secession, sedition, subversion against the Central People's Government, or theft of state secrets, to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodiesIntroduction July 1st Protest Conclusion Concerns Pros †¢ British government also had repressive acts †¢ e. g Society Ordinance and the Public Order Ordinance Cons †¢ Police is allowed to enter houses and arrest people without warrant/evidence †¢ No freedom of speech †¢ Violation of Article 23 can result in a life term in a prison †¢ Any organization can be banned by PRC Conclusion Introduction July 1st Protest HK people identityIdentity of general HK people †¢ Pragmatism †¢ Individualism †¢ Narrowing gap between HK people/ mainlanders: ambitious, adaptable, practical and clever †¢ Widening gap between HK people/ mainlanders : valuing free speech, press freedom, privacy and equality Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion HK people identity Parties that affect HK people identity HK people iden tity British colonial period rule of law, democracy, freedom of speech Chinese Government formal education, flag-raising ceremonies visits to the mainland IntroductionJuly 1st Protest Conclusion Identity illustrated by July 1st, 2003 †¢ Widening gap †¢ Antagonism vs. Pragmatic Nationalism and Liberalized Nationalism †¢ Cosmopolitan identity: HK’s dream, opportunities in society, has affected to local’s commitment to democracy Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion 3. Conclusion †¢ Evident that Article 23 politic widened the gap of â€Å"issue in rights of HK people† ex. Free speech, press freedom, valuing privacy, valuing equality †¢ But still the trend is that people feel less gap with mainlanders †¢ ainland’s characteristic change †¢ HK people affected by mainland government’s media, education, and ceremonies. †¢ No identity is perfectly coherent; there is inconsistencies Introduction July 1st Protest Con clusion Questions to discuss †¢ What are the evolving features of the local political identity, culture and participation †¢ What is the essence of the conflicts between the local and national identities of HK people? †¢ What are the reasons for the rise of new activism, and what is its impact? Introduction July 1st Protest Conclusion

Financial Report for Sole Traders and Partnerships Essay

Sole traders: According to Peterson and Plowman : â€Å" As sole proprietorship is a business unit whose ownership and management are vested in one person. This individual assumes all risk of loss and failure of the enterprise and receives all profits from its successful operation†. A sole trader describes any business that is owned and controlled by one person, although they may employ workers, e.g. a newsagent’s shop. Individuals who provide a specialist service like hairdressers, plumbers or photographers, are also sole traders. Sole traders do not have a separate legal existence from their owner. As a result, the owners are personally liable for the firm’s debts, and may have to pay them out of their own pocket. This is called unlimited liability. Advantages * The firms are usually small, and easy to set up. * Generally, only a small amount of capital needs to be invested, which reduces the initial start-up cost. * The wage bill will usually be low, because there a few or no employees. * It is easier to keep overall control, because the owner has a hands-on approach to running the business and can make decisions without consulting anyone else. Disadvantages * The sole trader has no one to share the responsibility of running the business with. A good hairdresser, for example, may not be very good at handling the accounts. * Sole traders often work long hours and find it difficult to take holidays, or time off if they are ill. * Developing the business is also limited by the amount of capital personally available. * There is also the risk of unlimited liability, where the sole trader can be forced to sell personal assets to cover any business debts. Partnerships: Partnerships are businesses owned by two or more people. A contract called a deed of partnership is normally drawn up. This states the type of partnership it is, how much capital each party has contributed, and how profits and losses will be shared. Doctors, dentists and solicitors are typical examples of professionals who may go into partnership together. They can benefit from shared expertise, but like the sole trader, have unlimited liability. A partnership can also have a sleeping partner who invests in the business but does not have dealings in the day to day running of the enterprise. Advantages * The main advantage of a partnership over a sole trader is shared responsibility. This allows for specialisation, where one partner’s strengths can complement another’s. For example, if a hairdresser were in partnership with someone with a business background, one could concentrate on providing the salon service, and the other on handling the finances. * More people are also contributing capital, which allows for more flexibility in running the business. * There is less time pressure on individual partners. * There is someone to consult over business decisions Disadvantages * The main disadvantage of a partnership comes from shared responsibility. * Disputes can arise over decisions that have to be made, or about the effort one partner is putting into the firm compared with another. * The distribution of profits can cause problems. The deed of partnership sets out who should get what, but if one partner feels another is not doing enough, there can be dissatisfaction. * A partnership, like a sole trader, has unlimited liability. Source taken from http://www.bbc.co.uk

Cloudstreet Essay

Cloudstreet: Religion and Spirituality | A Novel by Tim Winton| â€Å"From separate catastrophes, two rural families flee to the city and find themselves sharing a great, breathing, shuddering joint called Cloudstreet, where they begin their lives again from scratch. For twenty years they roister and rankle, laugh and curse until the roof over their heads becomes a home for their hearts.† (Winton, 1991) Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed novel, Cloudstreet is a masterful tale of love, meaning and heartbreaking tragedy that speaks strongly of a post war Australian society that was essentially rebuilding itself after years of political upheaval and financial struggle. Good Morning/Afternoon Ladies and Gentleman. I am a representative of the National English Curriculum board and today I am here to demonstrate to you how Cloudstreet is authentic and believable, and as Marieke Hardy suggests: â€Å"It is Australian. Reading it felt like coming home.† Throughout Cloudstreet, there are numerous concepts that portray the Australian cultural identity; and the theme of religion and spirituality is especially prominent and appealing. The concept of luck, Aboriginal spirituality, and the search for the meaning of life, are all Australian ideas that Winton expertly portrays. Spirituality can be defined as â€Å"a concern for that which is unseen or intangible; as opposed to physical or mundane.† (Greenberg, 2008) It encourages a sense of peace and purpose within an individual and promotes a feeling of belonging. Additionally, religion can be defined as â€Å"the belief in, and worship of a superhuman controlling power.† (Religion) Both concepts are widely integrated into the core of the novel and are depicted through the Australian notion of luck. Luck, which some would argue has long been etched into the Australian consciousness as a common working class superstition, is, whether th ey are conscious of it or not, a form of religion for both families. The Pickles family, most notably Sam, rely on the â€Å"shifty shadow of God† (p 12) to warn them about future events, while the Lamb’s simple game of â€Å"spinning the knife† (p 53) acts as their metaphorical life compass. â€Å"The Lucky Country† (Horne, 1964) is a phrase that originated from a book of the same name written in the 1960’s, and since then, has gained widespread popularity and thus, been attached to the Australian culture for a long time. Winton has  cleverly examined this historical background to incorporate an accurate facet of the Australian identity into the novel and its characters. Also related to the concept of luck, is the fact that after Fish drowns, Oriel, once a devoted and â€Å"god fearing† Christian, begins to question her faith and the reliability of believing in God. When Fish is resuscitated, but only â€Å"some of him comes back†, (p 32) both she and Lester are emotionally forced to abandon God and Christianity and instead, turn to luck, hard work and the idea that â€Å"life and death, was all there was,† (p 65) in order to endure their circumstances. This draws on the common â€Å"Aussie battler† tradition, of which a working class person overcame challenging situations through perseverance, faith and steadfast determination. In terms of the Australian cultural identity, Winton has again taken an important and recognized historical Australian idea and shaped it to evoke feelings of familiarity and intimacy between the readers and the characters of Cloudstreet. The frequent appearance of the â€Å"Blackfella† is yet another example of how the Australian cultural identity is portrayed through examination of Aboriginal Spirituality. However, in many scenes throughout the novel, the blackfella signifies both Christian and Aboriginal spirituality through allusion and comparison. For example, he is likened to Jesus by walking on water and again when he produces a never ending supply of wine and bread in Quick’s car. This comparison is particularly effective as it symbolises the â€Å"coming together† of Christianity and Aboriginality, which was a particularly delicate Australian issue during the time period of the novel, due to Aboriginal marginalisation and the rise of Christian ideals. Essentially, the Blackfella acts as a reminder of the original religion inherent to Australia and its development, during a time when social and political change was overtaking that of its native beliefs. The â€Å"Blackfella† also ac ts as the conscience of the characters when they have lost their way or their family unit is threatened. This can ultimately be seen when he leads Quick back to Cloudstreet after he runs away to the country, knowing that Quick feels secretly lost without his family, and needs them to feel fully alive. He also persuades Sam not the sell the house and states that â€Å"you shouldn’t break a place. Places are strong and important,† (p 406) referring to not only the house and its tragic Aboriginal history, but also to the fragile  families who live inside it. In doing so, he ensures that the families stay whole and together, which is an important and dominating religious value for Aboriginality and Christianity, both during the time period of the novel and in our modern Australian society. Consequently, the â€Å"Blackfella’s† role in Cloudstreet is a significant contribution to the novel’s relevancy to the Australian cultural identity. The Australian cultural identity is also illustrated in Cloudstreet through the spiritual symbolism and personification of the river, and its connection to the character’s search for the meaning of life. This is particularly significant for Quick Lamb, who, is spiritually linked to the river in a number of ways. The river acts as a place of peace, purpose and belonging for Quick. Connecting with his mother when they go prawning, glowing after fishing in the country, and most importantly, falling in love with Rose Pickles, are the most significant spiritually defining events that Quick experiences while on the river. Through realising just how symbolically important the river is to him, Quick finally understands the true meaning of his life, and gains a feeling of belonging that allows him to finally shed his self-degrading title of â€Å"the lost lamb.† (p 310) Australia is a country that values the water. Geographically, we are surrounded by it, with most of our population residing close to the shores. As a result of this, the water is seen as a common gathering place, from which one cannot easily escape nor regard as irrelevant to the Australian way of life. Winton has taken this idea and incorporated it into Cloudstreet, to emphasise and promote a relevant part of Australian culture. Finally, the river’s spiritual and religious connection to Fish Lamb is perhaps the most important concept of the novel. After Fish drowns and has his soul ripped into two separate pieces (spiritual fish and physical fish), the river that he so desperately longs for, essentially becomes his gateway to the spiritual world; to the place where he belongs. It is not until the end of the novel when Fish is finally free to reunite with the water that he is truly whole again. â€Å"I burst into the moon, sun and stars of who I really am. Being Fish Lamb. Perfectly. Always. Everyplace. Me.†(p 424) For many, water in Australia is culturally considered to be the blood of the country; a place of c leansing and rejuvenation. Likewise, for Fish, the river embodies the epitome of the spirit of Australia in the form of life giving water. Although his life was initially taken by the water, it is eventually returned to him when his physical self re-joins his spiritual self. In conclusion, Winton flawlessly encapsulates the cultural identity and spirit of Australia in Cloudstreet through symbolic representations of luck, Aboriginal spirituality and the search for the meaning of life. The characters’ connection with religion and spirituality resonates strongly with the reader and successfully evokes feelings of belonging and familiarity that confirms Cloudstreet is indeed a classic Australian novel. Bibliography Associates, R. Q. (2008, September 16). Ideology in Cloudstreet . Retrieved 2013, from www.englishcurriculum.com.au Cloudstreet Notes. (n.d.). Retrieved 2013, from Sydney Home Tutoring: http://www.sydneyhometutoring.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Details-Cloudstreet-notes.pdf. Dot Point Notes Cloudstreet. (n.d.). Retrieved 2013, from Sydney Home Tutoring : http://www.sydneyhometutoring.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Dot-Point-Notes-Cloudstreet.pdf. Greenberg, N. (2008, October 8). Retrieved 2013, from Can Spirituality Be Defined: http://notes.utk.edu/bio/unistudy.nsf/935c0d855156f9e08525738a006f2417/bdc83cd10e58d14a852573b00072525d Horne, D. (1964). The Lucky Country. Penguin Books Australia. Religion. (n.d.). Retrieved 2013, from Google Definitions: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=religion+definition Winton, T. (1991). Cloudstreet. McPhee Gribble.

Learning about DSM-IV TR Multiaxial System Assignment

Learning about DSM-IV TR Multiaxial System - Assignment Example Therefore he tells them that they should not make his penalty a light one. Father Gabriel takes Mendoza’s arsenal and has them linked in a satchel. He then connects the satchel across Mendoza’s hips. Though thoughtful, he delivers Mendoza to go up the Iguazu drops over and over again. Mendoza, bitter but extremely proud, refuses to take support and continues with the climbing of the drops. He lastly breaks and yowls out to God. One of the monks makes an effort to launch him from the struggling by untying the satchel from his hips so that he gets released from his penance. Mendoza however, reties the satchel. He states that he does not search for absolution from the clergyman but rather from the tribe. On this event, one group participant comes and reduces the satchel. He gets released from his penance. To indicate the tribe’s absolution, the shield gets tossed to the drops. Mendoza continues to create vows of chastity, hardship and behavior. He then becomes a Jes uit and gets approved by the same Indians he used to kidnap. Rodrigo Mendoza is first brought forth as a retched and ruthless man who oppresses the natives in a land where he himself is but a visitor. He kidnaps the natives and sells them to other rich retched farmers without any regard to the natives’ future or even to how the relatives of the kidnapped native will cope. He therefore gives out a negative aurora and causes great unrest to the native tribe. We learn that Rodrigo has a brother by the name Felipe Mendoza and a fiancà ©e called Carlotta. Rodrigo Mendoza shows a complete reverse of the previous personality depicted earlier. He shows great love and concern for the two. This is a complete flip of his attitude towards the rest of the tribe. These two additional individuals are included in order to compare the two that Rodrigo Mendoza shows. As much as

Recommendation report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Recommendation report - Essay Example This recommendation paper intends to discuss on the comparison among eco-tourism and commercial as well as business. The paper also discusses the effectiveness of green marketing on eco-tourism. Comparison between eco-tourism and commercial tourism Commercial tourism is also known as adventure tourism. Commercial tourism enables people to build a coherent amount of experience by organizing their own tools and equipments in synchronizing their recreational habits of making a pleasant vacation (Buckley, 2006). Even though, at the onset, commercial tourism may be identified as a quite distinct from the notion of eco-tourism, both the concepts are regarded to be inclusive parts of nature tourism. However, it can be stated that in comparison to commercial tourism, ecotourism has greater connection with the cultural and rural heritage as well as resources. In ecotourism, the prime objective is the appreciation provided by tourists while observing the natural resources of the environment as well as the assets belonging to the cultural dimensions of the host region. On the other hand, commercial tourism is merely an exercise in the physical aspects and facing challenges from environment al attributes present in the host region. However, from the functional point of view, it can be stated that ecotourism, in the global market place currently represents a small-scale tourism sector while commercial tourism extends from small-scale to luxurious hotel facilities (Wood, 2002). Comparison between business tourism and eco-tourism Apparently, eco-tourism is widely distinct from the concept of business tourism, although, in often instances, it has been observed that eco-tourism tend to have a significant influence on business tourism. It is in this context that eco-tourism endeavors encouragement to the hoteliers as well as foreign nations by supporting them with better expansion opportunities to obtain higher competencies through innovation and differentiation by incorporating the notion of eco-tourism. It is worth mentioning in this context that contemporary business tourism is possibly based on the successful implementation of the eco-system model which further acts as a significant linkage between the two concepts of business tourism and eco-tourism. One of the similarities existing between business tourism and eco-tourism can be identified as the involvement of tour operators, tourists and local communities. The only difference in this context is the size of the industrial implications of these practices (Buchsbaum, 2004). Effectiveness of Green Marketing on Eco-tourism It can be apparently observed from the above discussion, that in comparison to commercial tourism and business tourism, eco-tourism tends to be more challenging in terms of growth prospects, diversity and customer attractiveness. Apparently, the spheres of these concepts are comparatively broader than that observed when assessing eco-tourism. However, one of the positive aspects in ec o-tourism which can be used in order to attain competitive industrial appraisals in incorporating the concept is green marketing (Wu, Zhu & Xu, 2000). Green marketing has become increasingly significant in determining the consequences of relationship that are prevalent among man and the environment which works as a rudiment of the

Operations management and organizational improvement Assignment

Operations management and organizational improvement - Assignment Example Tesco initially began as a food and drink store, but it now offers a wide range of products through its diversified operations including, but not limited to, clothing and consumer electronics, as well as services such as telecoms, health, internet, in addition to, insurance and financial services. In addition to the conventional physical stores, Tesco operates online stores that provide, among other things, groceries, home retailing, and music downloads. The operating processes at Tesco have undergone massive transformations since its inception to date (Kelly, 2000); for instance, the firm’s operating processes are centered on the customers, the suppliers, the employees, the community, as well as the shareholders. The customers are highly valued by Tesco, as the only people that bring revenue to the organization, the suppliers ensure the success of the firm’s operations; Tesco is interested in attracting employees with the relevant skills to carry out the firm’s operations to achieve its goals and objectives (Chubb, 2007). The firm has adopted a customer centered business approach that aims to enhance value creation by focusing on providing products and services that adequately satisfy the particular needs of their customers at affordable costs and convenience accordingly. Tesco is currently exploring new spaces, reaching over to non-food retail services (Tesco Corporation SWOT Analysis, 2012), extending existing stores, as well as, adopting a multi-format approach, and it heavily relies on its ICT infrastructure to deliver consistent and profitable business operations. Operating through group skill is a great part of Tesco’s operation processes as the firm constantly tries to identify the best practice in each market to improve its offerings for the group as seen in the US’s Fresh and Easy models, which have also been introduced in the UK and China (Tesco PLC, 2012). Nevertheless, it should not be assumed that the firm believ es in the â€Å"one size fits them all† strategy, because it also recognizes that customer tastes and lifestyles are not uniform, and it focuses on contextualizing the customer experiences. Tesco adeptly creates value for its customers by developing its people because it is great service that can enhance customers’ satisfaction; Tesco’s success is built on its people’s commitment to their core values of ‘No one tries harder for customers’ and ‘Treat people how we like to be treated’ (Marr, 2009). In return, the people side of Tesco operations ensures they are awarded great job and career opportunities through training, to enhance their engagement, motivation, and commitment to value creation and quality performance. Tesco prides in the best-located and best-designed stores, which in international markets are mostly whole malls that are anchored by a Tesco hypermarket; this makes the firm one of the greatest mall operators in the world. The company is keen on enhancing its sustainability by operating responsibly by bringing real benefits to the communities in which it operates through good, affordable, quality and safe products to the customers, as well as, responsible

Virtualization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Virtualization - Essay Example In fact, recent studies have found that organizations achieved on average an 18% reduction in their budget from cloud computing and a 16% reduction in data costs. Hence, virtualization should be embraced by organizations because it is cost-effective, flexible, and provides safe process of security protocols. As society progressed to 21st century, the criteria of defining and creating a feasible IT infrastructure continue to be a huge focal point for many companies. As mentioned above, many servers tend to create a huge problem with the traditional IT infrastructure. The problem with this idea is the fact that 90% of the time servers are not fully utilized. In order to combat this huge problem, the IT department attempts to install more applications. However, that is only a â€Å"band-aid† approach to a long-term problem. The result often times is the fact that that this solution is ineffective and unreliable. As the accumulation of factors such as: high energy costs, space iss ues, and generating heat become a huge issue, companies must seek a new and better solution that is available. Hence, virtualization is a cost-effective solution because it is a revolutionary concept that allows corporations to dynamically alter the current thinking of their IT infrastructure. ... Another amazing benefit of virtualization is the fact that it allows the organization’s system to be fully robust. Virtualization in essences allows the company to have a system that is flexible, independent, reliable, mobile and secured. Moreover, it can automate the IT process, manage a heterogeneous client environment, enhance application performance, and increase server utilization. Clearly, the biggest need for any organization is to foster an environment is data preservation and availability of service. For instance, a unique type of virtualization that is known as desktop virtualization is a prime example of the benefits that are illustrated in virtualization. Desktop virtualization allows organization to isolate machines in the network in an efficient manner. Moreover, it allows users to have a centralized data management system in which security and compliance is extremely enhanced. The unique element of virtualization is the fact that it can allocate resources effect ively in a client/server model. Unlike conventional model of networking in which power is allocated to one client, virtualization enables users to grant resource and power based on demand, not based on priority. This undoubtedly leads to enhanced business continuity and remote access. Another unique element that is depicted in desktop virtualization is the fact that desktop virtualization enables users to do are flawless switching of application. Lastly, it eliminates the problem of reinstallation. For instance, if the network has to configure upgrades, clients do not have to log off in order to achieve the upgrade. Since the upgrade is so dynamic, virtualization allows companies to be efficient and productive. The third element of virtualization that is highly

Racism in the World and how is reflected in the Movie Hotel Rwanda Essay

Racism in the World and how is reflected in the Movie Hotel Rwanda - Essay Example Many factors can contribute themselves to racism and racial discrimination. Racism is always a product of inequality – whether it is cultural, economic or personal. A probe into history reveals to us how many countries and races have considered themselves superior to others and looked down upon others with scorn, contempt and hatred feelings. We know how Adolf Hitler and his belief that the Aryans are the best and most superior race in the world has caused a lot of violence, unrest and anti-humanitarian actions in the past. It is also advisable to bring into mind how the Negros in America and South Africa suffered various setbacks due to racial discrimination. Racism is a product of marginalization; the marginalized and suppressed races or communities strive themselves for existence, whenever they come to the realization that they had been suppressed and oppressed and their own individual human rights and that of the race are very adversely affected and endangered. The only po ssible solution to racism is the understanding that there is only a single race. There is no superior or inferior in the society; every individual equally deserves respect, humanitarian concerns and the opportunity to develop his/her potentialities irrespective of what race or culture he/she belongs. The issue of racism has something to do with culture and education. There are many who believe that the issue of racism is a cultural phenomenon and that effective education and the promotion of various ethnic identities can create better understanding and respect for others in the minds of people. â€Å"Racism has always been both an instrument of discrimination and a lot of exploitation. But it manifests itself as a cultural phenomenon, susceptible to cultural solutions such as multi-cultural education and the promotion of ethnic identities.† (Shah, Anup 2004). In the past many have tried to bring the issue of racism into light through literature, art, science

Raw Food Diet report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Raw Food Diet report - Research Paper Example The benefits of raw foods can be seen and felt in society today as these dietary changes continue to evolve enabling individuals to escape the fast lifestyle that was and is still developing in many parts of the world. The natural enzymes that are found in these raw foods often combat diseases that make their way into the body, and at the same time, work on improving digestion. Minerals, vitamins, and fiber are the main elements in these foods and are essential in boosting the immune system’s functions. Due to the lack of high sodium, fat, or calorie content in these natural foods, assumptions are made that they assist individuals in reducing weight. Eating fruits and vegetables may assist in keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at bay (Ungar, 2007). This is if this pattern is complimented by low fat and salt consumption. As this diet assists in controlling body weight, it is assumed that it may also assist in controlling or regulating diabetes. There are some limitations to following a diet that simply revolves around raw foods. Protein, an essential element in the development of an individual, may present a challenge for some the raw foods present. Seeds and nuts can provide these protein needs, but they need to be consumed in rather large quantities in order to fulfill the dietary requirements. In order to acquire certain vitamins found only in animals, for example; vitamin B12, individuals on a raw food diet may be required to use supplements to satisfy this dietary requirement. Calories may be seen as a detrimental aspect in countless diets, but it is essential in the human body. Raw food diets and their low calorie content require that individuals consume a lot in order to satisfy this requirement in their diet (Ungar, 2007). Raw food diets may run into the issue of poisoning, especially if there is the issue of being undercooked. Individuals who eat meat may want to pay close attention to this problem as it

The theatre works of Orson Welles Essay Example for Free

The theatre works of Orson Welles Essay George Orson Welles became known as an American actor who is also into radio, motion picture and theatrical producer. He was born Kenosha, Wisconsin on May 6, 1915. He finished his high school in Woodstock, Illinois and began his acting career with the Gate Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, in 1931. Two years later he toured the United States with Katherine Cornell and in 1937 founded the Mercury Theatre, the same year producing actors in modern-dressed version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Among his other stage production were Christopher Marlowe’s Dr. Faustus (1937) in which he played the title role and Thomas Dekker’s â€Å"The Shoemaker’s Holiday†. Welles made Mercury text recording of Shakespeare’s plays, at the same time producing radio broadcasts. The War of the Worlds, broadcast in 1938, a fictionalized narrative of the invasion of earth by creatures from other planets, is said to have created panic in the New York Metropolitan area because of its realism, although there has been some misgivings recently on the account of write-ups that there was real panic leading people to vacate the area. In 1940, Welles began his motion picture career as producer, writer, director, and actor. His most notable motion picture, which has received current acclaim as the Hollywood’s most important work to have produced, was Welles’s Citizen Kane, released in 1941. Other more prominent works includes The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), Journey into Fear (1942), Macbeth (1947), Moby Dick (1956), and Compulsion (1959). He made a documentary film in Latin America. II. Discussion A. The Issue of Politics on Welles’ Life and Works During the early years of Mercury Wonder Show, Welles took to the task of bringing travelling shows, performing before military troops during the war years. His initial performances were relegated to performing comedy shows and showcasing his abilities for magic tricks. As the broadcasting of this show became regularly heard by troops at camps while being deployed abroad, and as the war dragged on, Welles started to incorporate political issues by using war themes. The show however, had to be dropped because of its unpopularity, failing miserably on public ratings. The New York Post took Welles as one of its writers where he began to take political issues to the fore. He often considered subjects that were bordering on the controversial that had come to illustrate Welles’ works whether it be in print, radio broadcast or films. The chief problem however, for Welles and for those who employ his talent, the focus would end up in politics instead of strictly adhering to the project’s original format. The New York Post work for instance, had wanted to cash in on the saleability of Hollywood gossips to boost sales for its newspaper. The character and presence of Welles was to bring a different flavour to the columns’ set-up. This brought him constantly at odds with producers who would not gamble their financial investments on his works that catered more on his personal political passions that went for most of his lifetime unappreciated by co-workers in Hollywood. He later lost his writing space at the New York Post. Undaunted, Welles continued to take up serious political issues on air through his radio broadcast Commentaries. He would often pick up relevant issues of the time, usually speaking up to question (or ‘attack’) the validity and morality of actions and decisions done by a single individual, company, or political government. Political matters taken up in this program includes: †¢ Bikini Atomic Test – was on his radio program that questioned the validity of the government’s action of test explosions. His opinion was supposed to mirror the fears and anxieties of the public towards its safety for such undertakings. †¢ Affidavit of Isaac Woodward – the case concerning Isaac Woodard was not readily revealed, but Orson Welles made extensive efforts to expose the injustice done against Woodard. His was a case of police brutality and prejudice against blacks. South Carolina’s authorities were indicated to have grossly violated the rights of Woodard, who had been severely beaten by a police officer that left him blind for the rest of his life along with partial amnesia. The plight of this former bemedalled Naval war veteran of the 2nd World War, created a national outrage, owing largely to the works of Welles. (â€Å"1946 Orson Welles Commentaries†) B. Film The films of Orson Welles, finished or unfinished, is gaining considerable attention. This was not so during his time, wherein his unrelenting manner of insisting his way of doing his project alienated him from the major players of the studio by which he worked for, who happen to gain much control of Hollywood’s world (â€Å"Orson Welles†). Welles however, gave Hollywood two major innovative films: †¢ Touch of Evil Welles was keenly involved in upholding other Civil Rights issues. But twelve years after the outcome of Woodard issue, Welles worked on the film ‘Touch of Evil’. Its story was heavily motivated out from the Woodard case. Chiefly because of his active support for the Woodard case, Welles formed and later revealed his unconventional perspective towards the police work in general. Welles recognized the difficulty of a policeman’s predicament in fulfilling his profession. However, he redirected the focus and common view of the public, by saying that the main task of a police officer is to defend the law abiding citizen, and not to be fixated with pursuing criminals. This became the very basis in Welles’ Touch of Evil. †¢ Citizen Kane (1941) Now considered by many new filmmakers with great respect, Citizen Kane both established and destabilized Welles’ reputation. By creating citizen Kane, he also recreated Hollywood’s system of presenting its movies. Whereas, main actors and actresses commonly cause the stir among films projects, Welles was the first to put the director, Welles’ himself, into the limelight. Moreover, he had been given much freedom and control over the making and editing of the film (McAbee, â€Å"Orson Welles: Martyr of the Underground†). The story revolves on solving the meaning of the word â€Å"Rosebud† uttered by a newspaper tycoon, Charles Foster Kane before his death. Kane’s life was initially impassioned with idealism upon his entrance into the publishing business, but gradually waned off and replaced by a lifetime callous pursuit of power. The manner of unfolding the story is done by going backwards, as the reporters tries to solve the mystery of the dying man’s last words. The theme is heavily derived from the life of real newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, although Welles’ own life is also incorporated in the story. It was widely believed to be intended to deride of Hearst’s ruthless exploitation. Hosting lavish parties in one of his many luxurious homes, Hollywood celebrities were welcomed, for as long as they were said to divulge juicy information that could be printed in his newspaper and help keep boosting sales. This kind of abuse of power and influence was the sorts of thing that an Orson Welles would not let pass, unscathed. Known for condemning any forms of oppression or unfairness, Citizen Kane was Welles’ medium to hit upon a ruthless system of greed that has eaten up the idealistic spirit of Americans in general. The movie expectedly earned the ire of Hearst, who used his every clout to bring Welles down, and could partially be held responsible for Welles downfall. The release of Citizen Kane made Welles’ a sensation in ‘moviedom’, but Welles’ unstable directorial career was no match for a man of status such as Hearst’s whose influence and wealth blocked every progress of Welles in the field of filmmaking (Epstein Lennon, 1997). III. Conclusion Some strongly believed, along with Welles himself, of him being of outstanding ability. But there are those who debate upon the validity of Welles’ genius. Although he became well-known, his career and works were far from being fulfilling. In truth, he failed to see his efforts of being truly appreciated. While it is common and vogue to see today’s celebrities standing up for political, social or environmental cause, Welles was already way ahead of his time fighting mainly for civil rights for most of his adult life. He recognized the power wielded by the media and used it to advance the issues which he sought to find justice. He did succeed in getting public attention. Some of those attentions though, were naturally hostile to his cause mainly because they were the object of his complaints. He was not also lacking of people within his own field of work, wherein he had a run-in which had dearly hurt his career. The many works which he left unfinished were alleged to be indications of having a lack of focus towards his career or worse, of being undisciplined. But one cannot say that Orson Welles lacked a focus in his life, for he was truly zealous about going against any forms of oppression. Whether it is social injustice towards women, racial prejudice against men of colour, or expression of personal faith, Welles was sure to take it up personally, not even minding if it would cost him financially. It is within in this context in which sets him apart. The number of projects which he left unfinished may have earned him ill-refute and tainted his brilliance. But many geniuses were left un-applauded by their generation. Besides the social and political relevance of his objections, Welles talent for his craft could not be forever hidden in the vaults of movie history. His major works, Citizen Kane is now being hailed as besting all other works of all time (â€Å"Critics’ Top Ten Poll†). Another work, Touch of Evil, is not far from the number one list. There may had been some considerable projects that he failed to deliver, a sorry state to have missed what could have been another significant contribution to the field of filmmaking. But a more sorry state is the public’s failing miserably to deliver during Welles’ time, the recognition and applause that was due him. Man, has sorely lost another opportunity to give a reward on time for one of its own geniuses. References: â€Å"Orson Welles†. Reel Classics. 2008. December 21, 2008, p. 1 http://www. reelclassics. com/Actors/Welles/welles. htm â€Å"1946 Orson Welles Commentaries†. Internet Archive. 2001. December 21, 2008 http://www. archive. org/details/1946OrsonWellesCommentaries McAbee, Sam. â€Å"Orson Welles: Martyr of the Underground†. December 21, 2008 http://5mtl. com/ft/orson%20welles2. htm Epstein, Michael and Thomas Lennon. â€Å"The Battle Over Citizen Kane†. The American Experience. 1997. December 21, 2008 http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/amex/kane2/kane2ts. html â€Å"Director’s Top Ten Poll†. British Film Institute. 2007. December 21, 2008 http://www. bfi. org. uk/sightandsound/topten/poll/critics. html

PBA Murr vs Wisconsin Case Analysis

PBA Murr vs Wisconsin Case Analysis Adem Mehmetaj I. The question being asked is should two legally distinct but commonly owned contiguous lots of land be combined for takings analysis purposes? Joseph P. Murr and his family bought 2 lots approximately the same size and at different times. The issue before us is that Murr no longer wishes to hold one of the lots and St. Croix rules that he is not allowed to sell only one of the lots due to environmental concerns. Petitioners claim that state and federal courts are in substantial conflict with respect to the issue at hand and cite numerous cases in an attempt to derive support for their proposition. Those cases as well as the examples provided below all involve different facts and circumstances. They confirm that a flexible, ad hoc, approach has consistently been used by the lower courts to define the relevant property and to determine whether compensation is due. The Wisconsin appellate court ruled that because the two lots are contiguous, and happen to be owned by the same people , this Courts parcel as a whole rule from Penn Central requires combining the two parcels for takings analysis. From the Murrs perspective, Lots E and F are two separate parcels, created as legally separate lots, taxed separately, and purchased separately. The lots were never developed together, and were purchased for completely different reasons. Nevertheless, because the Murrs own both parcels, the Wisconsin court ruled that these two parcels combined were the Murrs parcel as a whole. This conclusion was driven by the contiguous ownership. II. The parents of Joseph P. Murr and his siblings (the Murrs) purchased two adjacent lots (Lots E and F) in St. Croix County in 1960. The two lots together made up approximately .98 acres. In 1994 and 1995 respectively, the Murrs parents transferred Lot F and Lot E to their children. In 1995, the two lots were merged pursuant to St. Croix Countys code of ordinances. The relevant ordinance prohibits the individual development or sale of adjacent lots under common ownership, unless an individual lot was at least one acre. The ordinance further specified that if each lot is not at least one acre, the lots may be measured together to equal one acre. Seven years later, the Murrs wanted to sell Lot E and not Lot F. The St. Croix County Board of Adjustment denied the Murrs application to sell the lots separately. The Murrs sued the state and county and claimed the ordinance in question resulted in an uncompensated taking of their property and deprived them of all, or practically all, of th e use of Lot E because the lot cannot be sold or developed as a separate lot. The circuit court granted summary judgement to the state and county. The Court of Appeals of Wisconsin affirmed and held that the Murrs were not deprived of their practical use of the property. Nevertheless, Petitioners submitted their plan to the St. Croix County Board for consideration. The Board denied their plan and refused to make an exception to the longstanding regulations. Instead of modifying the plan or submitting a less-intrusive plan that complied with the existing regulations Petitioners filed this lawsuit alleging a regulatory taking. The Supreme Court confirmed the parcel as a whole rule in Keystone Bituminous Coal Association v. DeBenedictis, where coal operators asserted that a court should only consider the coal that could not be mined to determine whether a state law requiring them to leave a certain amount of coal in the ground amounted to a regulatory taking. The Supreme Court again endorsed the parcel as a whole rule in Concrete Pipe Products, Inc. v. Construction Laborers Pension Trust. There, Concrete Pipe claimed that a regulatory taking occurred when federal law required it to pay withdrawal liability to a pension trust. In 2006, the Murrs brought suit in St. Croix County Circuit Court, which ruled against them and affirmed the Zoning Boards decision denying the variance to sell or use the two lots as separate building sites. The Murrs claim that since Lot E and F were created as legally separate lots purchased separately for different purposes and taxed separately, they should also be able to sell them separately. The Murrs reject the claim that Penn Central v City of New York[1] established a rule stating that two legally distinct properties should be considered as contiguous parcels. Under Penn Central, to determine whether a particular government action has accomplished a taking, courts are to focus both on the character of the action and on the natur e and extent of the right interference with rights in the parcel as a whole. [2] On appeal in 2011, the Wisconsin State Appellate Court once again upheld the boards decision. It held that the two lots are contiguous and also happen to be owned by the same people, so implementing the Courts parcel as a whole rule from Penn Central does in fact require combining the two parcels for takings analysis. Furthermore, the Court of Appeals rejected the petitioners notion that the lots had not merged as a result of the Grandfather Clause because the lots were already subject to the 1976 environmental regulation when they had been merged under joint ownership in 1995. The Appellate Court ruled that it was not a taking because the Murrs property, taken as a whole, could be used for residential purposes, among other things. [3] The circuit court had also stated that a year-round residence could be built on top of the bluff and the residence could be located entirely on Lot E, entirely on Lot F, or could straddle both lots. [4] III. The Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution states simply nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. However, that clause has taken on a distinguished role in constitutional jurisprudence, notably with relation to the boundaries of state and native restrictive power. Any discussion of the Takings Clause ought to begin with the history that led to its enactment and therefore the approach case law has developed. The Takings Clause found its origin in Section 39 of the Magna Carta, which declared that land would not be taken without some form of due process: No freemen shall be taken or imprisoned or disseised or exiled or in any way destroyed, nor will we go upon him nor send upon him, except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land. The Fifth Amendment was solely a restriction against the central. Whereas there have been some limits on the powers of the States before 1865, the Civil War caused the federal government to rest rict the powers of the state governments against their own voters through the passage of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments. The Fourteenth Amendment created restrictions to the States through Due Process clause. The Due Process Clause gradually shifted. One shift was procedural and was developed to assure that hearings and alternative governmental decision-making processes were conducted fairly. This review of the processes of government is understood as procedural due process of law. A second line of cases extended the boundaries on the federal government within the Bill of Rights to state and local government action exploiting the Due Process Clause. For roughly one hundred years after the passage of the post-Civil War amendments, The Due Process Clause judicial proceeding resulted in incorporation of a number of the restrictions on the federal government within the Bill of Rights to state and local actions moreover. The Supreme Court applied the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the States through the Fourteenth Amendment Due Process Clause in Chicago Burlington and Quincy R.R. v. City of Chicago, 166 U.S. 226 (1897). Beginning with Mugler v. Kansas, 123 U.S. 623 (1887), during which the U.S. Supreme Court indicated that that Court may review, through the due process of law Clause, the substance of legislation. To review both the procedure as well as the substance of legislation can be referred to as substantive due process. This part of the Due Process Clause allows judges to second-guess state and local legislative decisions. Under substantive due process, a court may verify whether or not the ends and means of legislation were acceptable and whether or not the legislation was unduly oppressive to regulated parties.In Kelo v. city of new London, 125 S. Ct. 2655 (June 23, 2005), the question arose on whether or not the utilization of eminent domain alone for economic development purposes may be a valid public use. Any regulations placed on ones property does indeed infringe on their right of land. That does not mean however it can be deemed a taking. Takings Clause is tricky, because it is not always clear what is a taking and what is not. The unclear interpretation of what a takings is expected to remain in an unpredictable path. IV. St. Croix County and the State of Wisconsin cite numerous environmental interests with the regulations in question. According to the St. Croix County Zoning Board, granting the Murrs the variance could result in yet another residence with access to the river, additional tree cutting and excavating, and another sanitary system in an area with serious limiting factors. We must discuss if these environmental interests are legitimate in preventing landowners from selling. We must decide to either uphold or reverse the Appellate Courts decision that Penn Central, whose building and airspace were considered contiguous parcels, establish a rule that is applicable to the case in question. Furthermore, we must decide if under Lucas v South Carolina Coastal Council,[5] in which the land essentially useless, the Murrs could be entitled to Monetary compensation. Congress enacted the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (Act) in 1968 to preserve certain rivers for the enjoyment of present and future generations, to wit: It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that certain selected rivers of the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values, shall be preserved in free-flowing condition, and that they and their immediate environments shall be protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Congress declares that the established national policy of dams and other construction at appropriate sections of the rivers of the United States needs to be complemented by a policy that would preserve other selected rivers or sections thereof in their free-flowing condition to protect the water quality of such rivers and to fulfill other vital national conservation purposes.[6] Under both cases, I suggest that we uphold the Boards original decision in 2005. As the circuit and appellate courts both stated, aft er the lots were placed under common ownership as contiguous parcels, they are subject to the countys current zoning regulations. In 1986, Lucas bought two residential lots on the Isle of Palms, a South Carolina barrier island. He intended to build single-family homes as on the adjacent lots. In 1988, the state legislature enacted a law which barred Lucas from erecting permanent habitable structures on his land. The law aimed to protect erosion and destruction of barrier islands. Lucas sued and won a large monetary judgment. The state appealed. Since unlike Lucas, the Murrs may build on both parcels and sell them together for a reasonable price, there is no need for compensation. Furthermore, the Countys environmental interest outweighs that of Murrs. Just v. Marinette County, 56 Wis. 2d 7, 201 N.W.2d 761 (1972), a shoreland zoning ordinance established a conservancy district over wetlands within 1,000 feet of a lake and prohibited any filling without a permit. This, in effect, prev ented the changing of the natural character of the land à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.[7] The landowner asserted the ordinance was unconstitutional because it amounted to constructive taking without compensation. The court disagreed, finding the ordinance a valid exercise of the police power to protect navigable waters and the public rights therein from the degradation and deterioration which results from uncontrolled use and development of shorelands.[8] In Penn Central, New York Citys landmark preservation interest outweighed the use of airspace as a skyscraper. V. Based on the foregoing, we conclude the circuit court properly granted summary judgment in favor of the County and State of Wisconsin. The undisputed facts establish that the Murrs property, viewed as a whole, retains beneficial and practical use as a residential lot. Accordingly, we conclude they have not alleged a compensable taking as a matter of law. Bibliography Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954). Chicago, B. Q. R. Co. v. Chicago, 166 U.S. 226 (1897). Just v. Marinette County, 56 Wis. 2d 7, 201 N.W.2d 761 (1972). Kelo v. New London 545 U.S. 469 (2005). Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council 505 U.S. 1003 (1992). Magna Carta, Chapter 39, June 15, 1215. Mugler v. Kansas, 123 U.S. 623 (1887). Murr v. Wisconsin, Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/2016/15-214 (last visited Dec 19, 2016). Nectow v. City of Cambridge, 277 U.S. 183 (1928). Penn Central Transportation Co. v. New York City, 438 U.S. 104 (1978). Slaughterhouse Cases, 83 U.S. 16 Wall. 36 36 (1872). United States v. Carolene Products Co., 304 U.S. 144 (1938). Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., 272 U.S. 365 (1926). [1] Penn Central Transportation Co. v. New York City, 438 U.S. 104 (1978). [2] ibid. [3] Murr v. Wisconsin, Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/2016/15-214 (last visited Dec 19, 2016). [4] ibid. [5] Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council 505 U.S. 1003 (1992). [6] Murr v. Wisconsin, Oyez, https://www.oyez.org/cases/2016/15-214 (last visited Dec 19, 2016). [7] Just v. Marinette County, 56 Wis. 2d 7, 201 N.W.2d 761 (1972). [8] ibid.

Schizophrenia Essay -- essays research papers

Schizophrenia Child schizophrenia, like other psychopathologies has many documented, and several uncertain causes. Some scientists have evidence that pregnant mothers have experienced an immune reaction that present dangers to the unborn child. Schizophrenia is a disorder where the body=s immune system attacks itself. Schizophrenia is not present at birth but develops during the adolescence period or young adulthood. ASchizophrenia is a biological brain disease affecting thinking, perception, mood, and behaviour. Its exact cause is unknown but overwhelming evidence points to faulty chemistry or structural abnormalities in the brain. In some cases schizophrenia is generic. Schizophrenia strikes one in 100 people at some point in his/her lifetime.@ (Compiled by Ontario Friends of Schizophrenia, Oct 94). Schizophrenia worsens and becomes better in cycles, also known as relapses and remission. People who are suffering from schizophrenia look relatively normal. Schizophrenics suffer from such symptoms as: delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders. Delusions are false beliefs that aren=t based on reality. Schizophrenics may believe that someone is following them, or planning to harm them. Schizophrenics believe that others can hear their thoughts , also known as Abroadcasting@ and even change them. A...hear their thoughts, insert thoughts into their minds, or control their feelings, actions or impulses. Patients might think they are Jesus, Napoleon, or Franklin D. Roosevelt.@ (American Psychiatric Association Annual >90 page 1) Pregnant women who experience an immune reaction that presents danger to their unborn children, this reaction raises sharply the rates of schizophrenia in the unborn child. Severe malnutrition in the early months of the fetal development may contribute to schizophrenia. It is also known that schizophrenia runs in families. AThe probablitilty of developing schizophrenia as the off spring of one parent with the disease is approximately 13%. The probability of developing schizophrenia as the off spring of both parents with the disease is approximately 35%.@ (Pamphlet by: American Psychiatric Association Annual >90 page 7) Hallucinations another symptom which schizophrenic patients suffer from. Hallucinations may be seen or heard. The most common hallucination are those heard by the schizophrenic. The schizophrenic may hear v... ...sorder.@ (Pamphlet by: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill June >90 page 1) Since the funding is increasingly being cut so is the research for schizophrenia, leaving many unanswered questions. As Child and Youth Workers we need to provide support to parents and childern with this illness, we ourselves need to have a better understanding of schizophrenia.m The most important message for us to convey is Ayou are not alone.@ References a. More than two authors Pamphlets: Compiled by Ontario Friends of Schizophrenics. (1994). The Facts, Schizophrenia: Compassion Through Understanding, Risk of Suicide b. More than two authors Pamphlet by: Natonal Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (1990). Schizophrenia c. One author Bower, B. (1996). New culprits cited for schizophrenia. Science News, vol. 149, 68. D. More than two authors Pamphlet by: American Psychiatric Association Annual. (1990). Schizophrenia, 1-10 e. More than two authors Pamphlet by:National Institute of Mental Heath Annual. (1990). You are not alone: Facts about mental health and mental illness, 1-9 f. One author Dauphinais, D. (1992). Pamphlet: Medicatons for the treatment of schizophrenia: questions and answers, 1-4

Vouchers and School Choice are Long Over-due :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

School Choice: Long Over-due    This paper reports on my position on school choice, what I believe is the ideal school choice program and the steps that must be taken to successfully implement school choice. First and foremost, the idea of school choice is not a new concept. Those who could afford it always have had school choice. Now as a potential option for more parents, choice will be constricted by the amount of money and the type of resources (transportation, political influence, etc.) one has.    I approve of the idea of school choice that empowers parents to select their children's school. However, as choice is now proposed this empowerment will not happen for all parents. Those with the least amount of money and resources will have the fewest choices. In cases where lower income parents lack transportation to the school of their choice, the nearest school will most likely be their only option. Also, where will the additional money come from when lower class parents do not have enough to pay for the school of their choice?    According to economist Lester Thurow (1996), the middle class was created by the government's investment in education, i.e., GI Bill. School choice seems like the government's way of sharing the wealth with the middle class in addition to providng more schools to choose from. This effort appears to be an attempt at widening the ever-closing gap between the middle class and the lower class (a.k.a. working poor). School vouchers or educational opportunity grants may even entice parents who send their children to private schools to send their children to public charter schools thereby reducing what they now spend on tuition.    Although school choice does not guarantee a quality education or the employability of graduating students, I believe that school choice will offer competition and have a positive influence on operational efficiency. Based upon conditions in some inner-city public schools (crumbling infrastructure, lack of access to technology, few and/or outdated books, etc.), there will probably be even less students in traditional public schools thereby having a positive effect on reducing the classroom size. This could make teaching in a traditional public school more manageable.    In the readings an argument made for school choice was that children who might otherwise fall through the cracks will be given the chance at an education best suited to meet their needs. Vouchers and School Choice are Long Over-due :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics School Choice: Long Over-due    This paper reports on my position on school choice, what I believe is the ideal school choice program and the steps that must be taken to successfully implement school choice. First and foremost, the idea of school choice is not a new concept. Those who could afford it always have had school choice. Now as a potential option for more parents, choice will be constricted by the amount of money and the type of resources (transportation, political influence, etc.) one has.    I approve of the idea of school choice that empowers parents to select their children's school. However, as choice is now proposed this empowerment will not happen for all parents. Those with the least amount of money and resources will have the fewest choices. In cases where lower income parents lack transportation to the school of their choice, the nearest school will most likely be their only option. Also, where will the additional money come from when lower class parents do not have enough to pay for the school of their choice?    According to economist Lester Thurow (1996), the middle class was created by the government's investment in education, i.e., GI Bill. School choice seems like the government's way of sharing the wealth with the middle class in addition to providng more schools to choose from. This effort appears to be an attempt at widening the ever-closing gap between the middle class and the lower class (a.k.a. working poor). School vouchers or educational opportunity grants may even entice parents who send their children to private schools to send their children to public charter schools thereby reducing what they now spend on tuition.    Although school choice does not guarantee a quality education or the employability of graduating students, I believe that school choice will offer competition and have a positive influence on operational efficiency. Based upon conditions in some inner-city public schools (crumbling infrastructure, lack of access to technology, few and/or outdated books, etc.), there will probably be even less students in traditional public schools thereby having a positive effect on reducing the classroom size. This could make teaching in a traditional public school more manageable.    In the readings an argument made for school choice was that children who might otherwise fall through the cracks will be given the chance at an education best suited to meet their needs.

Spears or Mozart :: Music Compositions Composers Singers Essays

Spears or Mozart _"Consider, for instance, one of Mozart's compositions, one that is retained stably in our concert repertoire... The persistence with which a Mozart symphony reappears in our concert programmes is solely a consequence of its high selection value. In order for this to retain the effect, the work must be played again and again, the public must take note of it, and it must be continually re-evaluated in competition with other compositions." (Dennett, 348) _The first thought to develop in my mind after digesting the above passage was this: Mozart achieved notability and longevity in the field of music, and so did pop queen Britney Spears. The thought continued to plague me. Use of the phrase "concert repertoire" is easily applicable to Britney. She performs music in a concert to an audience that adores her. They may be twelve-year-old girls and infatuated boys, but she keeps them as fans as her career progresses. Is this "solely a consequence of high selection value?" Britney's public continues to "take note" of her, a requirement for "persistence." The radio ensures that the work is repeatedly played to obtain the desired effect of inebriation and subsequently enforced pleasure. _According to Dennett, permanency is acquired when "human conservators" prevent a piece of culture from a fate that means, "to dissolve in time." We all long for immortality, do we not? If a genie appeared and informed us we had three wishes, would not one of them be for something like fame, fortune, or immortality? Mozart has been conserved because of his selection value, because people have enjoyed his music and continue to enjoy it and deem it worthy of reputable celebrity. Britney Spears has achieved a similar preservation because her public has deemed her in possession of a high selection value, but does she warrant the reputable celebrity we give to Mozart? _Once her public turns away from her, Spears will dissolve in the mind's eye. The same could someday occur to Mozart. Can we study Mozart and Spears under the same lens with the same rules? Dennett believes we have "competitions that rage through a human mind (359)." Competitions take place to achieve a high selection value, to gain longevity. There are memes that fight to occupy our attention, and somewhere inside of us there is something pulling on us to decide what we like or do not like, what we strive for or do not strive for.

Experience Economy

Lecture 1. EXPERIENCE ECONOMY – when the person buys experience, he pays to spend time enjoying a series of memorable events that a company stages -> as in theatrical – businesses must orchestrate play memorable events for their customers [pic] – EE is applied- new experience concept, experience included ins services and products, experience venues, additional offerings supporting memory of the experience – The anatomy of an Experience 1. The First part/ BEFORE : The expectation 2. The Second part/ DURING: Breakaway from the everyday life 3. The Third part/ AFTER : The memorable experience EXPERIENCE HYBRID – combination of 2 different sectors/products; creating a unique experience to the customer ( for example cafe with a travel store and a book store) Lecture 2 The 4 Realms of Experience ENTERTAIMENT †¢ Something that entertain the customer, and something that is relaxing and enjoyable without being to thorough. †¢ An active professional communication to a passive receiver/customer †¢ is a passive aspect of an experience †¢ when the customers are entertained, they are not really doing except to responding to the experience ( enjoying, laughing, etc. †¢ customers passively absorbed through the senses †¢ EXAMPLE: cinema, concert, sport event †¢ What entertainment would help your guests to enjoy the experience better? How can you make the time more fun and more enjoyable? EDUCATIONAL †¢ Learning takes place during everyones life and in all situations. †¢ It can be the learning based on experiences, called †learning by doing† and it can also be the learning that takes place in an interaction between the person and its surroundings †¢ is essentially active aspect †¢ the guests absorb the events unfolding before them the educational events must actively engage the mind †¢ What do you want your guests to learn from experience? What interaction or activities wil l help engage them in the exploration of certain knowledge and skills? ESTHETIC †¢ Is the sensuous realisation. †¢ Is subjective and determined by culture and is often about art, nature, music and food. †¢ passive aspect of an experience †¢ to create an atmosphere where the guests will feel free † to be â€Å" †¢ the guests immerse themselves in an event or environment; when the event has only little or no effect on it, they leave the environment untouched What can be done to enhance the esthetic value of the experience? What would make your guests want to come in, sit down, and just hang out? How you can do to make the environment more inviting and comfortable ESCAPIST †¢ Is the escape from the reality †¢ It can be an intentional or unconsious escape from the reality †¢ In both cases there is a huge degree of empathy †¢ is an active aspect †¢ the guest of this experience is completely immersed in it †¢ the guest becomes an actor able to affect the actual performance †¢ EXAMPLE : cyberspace is a great place for escapism What you should encourage guests to do if they are to become active participants in the experience -experiences can be built around one or more of elements. -where the strongest experiences consist of more than one of these elements. The more elements included in a experience, the stronger and more memorable the experience gets. THE EXPERIENCE ROOM – is a place where we alive our experience-> the stage, the staff, other customers and waiting time – these factors are affected whole experience for the customers ? THE STAGE – Where, How long, visual picture, differentiation, attracts customers, affect feelings and behavior the visual place where the people alive the experience; decoration, details are very important-> memorable experience ? THE STAFF Meeting new customer Create an experience Disney World ( Mickey Mouse figureoutfit) ? OTHER CUSTOMERS- positive or negative sites of many other customers ? WAITING TIME – often like a negative aspect EXPERIENCE OVER TIME The Pre-experience †¢ Planning the trip or experience †¢ Expectations The experience ( during ) †¢ The four realms The After-experience †¢ Memory (pictures) †¢ Expectations ( are they met) †¢ Narrative of the experience The involvement of sensesSmell, Taste, Sound, Feel, View [pic] Lecture 3 Variety -means producing and distributing product choices to outlets in the hope that some customer will come along and buy them Customization – customizing a service can be a sure route to staging a positive experience – customizing a good automatically turns it into a service Mass customization ? is supported by several conditions: increased demands for individualized products, information- and production techniques allow mass customization COLLABORATING Cust. – The Exploring Experience – the consumers are helped to take t he choice and actively NIKE,Ikea ADAPTIVE Cust. – The Experimenting Experience – helps customer to find the right configuration – does not change the product – the selection of TV-channels COSMETIC Cust. – The Gratifying Experience – the packing is adapted to the consumer, not the exact product- personalized – delivered as the consumers want – Interflora TRANSPARENT Cust. -The Discovering Experience -the product is adapted to the consumer and the consumer do not have to do anything Lecture 4 EVENTS – an event is a single or periodic returning event defined by time and space are planned in preparation for observation and participation Types of events ? as a product – World Cup, The Olympics , The local city party, Eurovision Song Contest ? in marketing and sales – diesel, penthouse, product samples The model for an events DNA -unique, historical, unpredictable, predictable, star quality, audience interaction , history narrative, media friendly, forging identity 5 CATHEGORIES OF THE AUTHENTICITY †¢ Natural authenticity (the original) †¢ Original authenticity (original in design, first on market) †¢ Exceptional authenticity (implemented with ideal empathy and compassion) Referential authenticity (the product has a context which is linked to the history/culture) †¢ Influential authenticity (the product which to take the customer to a higher level) 4 PRINCIPLES OF THE ACTING †¢ PLAY †¢ MAKE THEIR DAY †¢ BE THERE †¢ CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE Lecture 5 IT- Information technology – this is one of the central aspects in the experience economy since more and more types of experiences become IT-based – is an important tool used to make experiences efficient The purpose of experience economy The transformation economy [pic][pic]

Marine Barracks Attack

On May 30, 2003, CNN law center made a report, that the attack on the U. S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 241 American servicemen was an example of a state-sponsored terrorist attack. The report goes on to say that U. S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered that the plaintiffs in this case – the servicemen wounded in the bombing and families of those killed, â€Å"†¦have a right to obtain judicial relief†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (see CNN. com, 2003). This piece of news is referring to an event that happened two decades ago and yet carried so much significance that even after twenty years a U. S.District Court deems it worthy of its precious time and resources. The event in question transformed the way the world view terrorism. More importantly the said event transformed the way the United States perceive the capabilities and commitment of a new breed of enemy that does not believe in or rely on conventional warfare. This paper will take a closer look into the bom bing. And to understand its context a part of the study will be devoted to into looking at other acts of terrorism that used the same modus operandi. Beirut, Lebanon In the year 1982, Lebanon was at war with Israel.It is an understatement to say that the country was war-torn. The situation was bad enough that it required the presence of Western soldiers to achieve peace and if this is not possible then at least creating a sense of order in the midst of chaos. In August of 1982 American soldiers came to Lebanon as part of the multi-national peacekeeping force, which included French, Italian, and British personnel. Yet according to Kushner, the peacekeepers had one other thing in mind and it was to negotiate a cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel (2003, p. 386). It was one of the costliest mistakes the U. S. government and its armed forces ever made.They were not welcome in Lebanon and their desire to end the war was seen as a ploy to help their ally the Israelis. So on the 23rd of O ctober 1983, on a beautiful morning, at about 6:20 AM, a yellow five-ton truck was carrying hundreds of kilos of explosives. The unsuspecting Lebanese guards who worked at a nearby checkpoint, â€Å"†¦did not notice that the bed of the Mercedes-Benz truck was pushed lower than it should have been. The truck was carrying a heavy load† (Olson, 2003, p. 4). For days the enemy has been pounding the airport with artillery fire but on this and the day before that all was peace and quiet.This prompted many marines to take a well deserved rest. While the truck was easing its way past the checkpoint most of the marines were asleep in the Battalion Landing Team (BLT) headquarters at the Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) compound (Olson, 2003, p. 6). The Mercedes truck was waved through and â€Å"†¦it proceeded southward at a steady pace along the airport road. To the driver’s right beyond the airport runway, lay the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. To his left ran iron fence t hat separated the road from the marine’s compound† (Olson, 2003, p. 6).Then without warning the suicide bomber driving the vehicle accelerated and made a mad dash to its intended target. The vehicle went crashing into the front door of the BLT buildings were hundreds of marines were sleeping. And then, â€Å"Twelve thousand pounds of dynamite detonated among the sleeping marines. The four-story building collapsed to eye level, and many who were not lucky enough to die instantly were buried under tons of rubble† (2003, p. 7). As a result of the attack Shai remarked, â€Å"Two hundred and forty-one people were killed and eighty were injured, most of which were U. S.Marines †¦ This terror attack took the heaviest toll on the United States prior to the attacks of September 11, 2001† and quoting the then commander of the U. S. Marines Corp General Kelly who twenty years ago said, â€Å"It was the largest terrorist act in the United States history †¦ the day became the Corps’ bloodiest since February 1945, when Marines fought to secure Iwo Jima† (Shai, 2005, p. 91). It is indeed difficult to grasp the significance of this event post-911. But before the September 11, 2001 attacks there was no precedence to the use of guerilla and suicidal tactics to achieve this kind of destruction.A member of the U. S. Marine Corp is considered to be creme de la creme of the U. S. Armed Forces and taking a few out without firing a single shot is considered very unfortunate. But in the car bombing there were not only a handful of marines that were eliminated, there were hundreds of them and it dealt a severe blow to the collective psyche of the American people and perhaps the peacekeeping team sent to Lebanon. It was later found out that the true perpetrators were coming from the Hizballah (Party of God) which according to a fact finding committee of the U. S. government is a:Radical Shia group formed in Lebanon; dedicated to creatio n of Iranian-style Islamic republic in Lebanon and removal of all non-Islamic influences from area. Strongly anti-West and anti-Israel. Closely allied with, and often directed by, Iran, but may have conducted rogue operations that were not approved by Tehran (see United States Department of State, 1993, p. 46). Car Bombs The modus operandi used here is of course a car bomb which can be a sedan, van or in this case a truck. It is a favorite method of inflicting severe damage. Shaul Shai asserts that the use of a car bomb has several advantages:†¢ A relatively large amount of explosives can be hidden inside a car and transported to the target. †¢ A car can prevent early detection because it blends in the background; cars, vans and trucks are a normal occurrence especially in a very busy area. †¢ The vehicle offers the attackers mobility and flexibility in choosing the target and reaching it. †¢ The vehicle enhances the lethal effect of the attack. †¢ The vehic le enables the arrival at the target under an innocent guise (2003, p. 15). When it comes to a terrorist attack there is nothing more frightening than the prospect of a car bomb being used against a target.Shai (2003) was correct in saying that a vehicle provides a disguise and place to hide the explosives while at the same time allowing the device to be moved from one place to the next. Detection is almost impossible unless the bomb maker or its accomplice would specifically point out the location of the vehicle. Imagine for a moment a car bomb parked outside a shop, outside a school, outside an office and no one would think twice that there is something wrong with that. Another advantage of a car bomb is the fact that it can be delivered to the target by surprise and moving the device very quickly from point A to point B.In the case of the Beirut bombing the truck was able to cover the relatively long distance from the airport gate – an area designated for the general publi c – to the restricted zone where the temporary barracks was situated. There is no other weapon for a suicide bomber that would have fit his requirements for this specific job. A truck was used not only to provide concealment of the explosive device but it also provides for ample space to store significant amounts of explosives. Also, a truck is one of the most common things that one can see in an airport.And finally a truck has an engine powerful enough to ram through reinforced gates and checkpoints and able to crash through doors. At the same time the bomber can get added protection from the more sturdier frame of a truck than a sedan. Moreover, a car bomb has one final advantage, â€Å"The preparation of a car bomb does not require any special infrastructure; any repair shop or garage can be used for these preparations† (2003, p. 15). With a car bomb a terrorist has a very flexible yet very powerful weapon and if they continue to use it and be successful with it the n they would be able to achieve their main goal which is to instill fear.Serious Intent The bombing of the U. S. Marines barracks was not an isolated case where a group suddenly decided to bomb an enemy outpost. It was a premeditated, calculated, and highly coordinated attack. In fact six months before the military barracks’ bombing a similar signature attack was successfully carried out in the U. S. Embassy in Beirut. On April 18, 1983 a Chevrolet pickup truck loaded with about 2,000 pounds of explosives sped through the gate of the Embassy in West Beirut and then rammed itself into the building (Kushner, 2003, p. 386). According to Kushner, the explosion killed 63 people, â€Å"†¦in a blast so powerful it shook the U.S. S. Guadalcanal, anchored five miles away† (2003, p. 386). After the U. S. Marine barracks bombing there was another attack using the same method of bombing the target. In less than a year from the said bombing – on September 20, 1984 †“ another car bomb was successfully detonated in the U. S. Embassy Ideology of Terrorism In all three attacks one can be see a pattern developing. The method used can be broken down into two major aspects. The first one is the use of car bombs and the second part is the use of suicide bombers. Together these two formed a new kind of enemy which is currently being labeled as terrorists.Terrorism is not a very easy thing to comprehend and at the same time a difficult concept that one can put a handle on. As they say, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter is profoundly true in many respects. But there are still a few valid arguments that would separate the fanatics from a true soldier that is merely defending their homeland from a zealot who will even take pride in taking out non-combatants. In the case of the terrorists like members of the Hizbollah they attack those that are not even remotely interested in taking away their lands or their freedom.It is at this point when trying to decipher their actions is a mind boggling experience. This is perhaps the reason why the American soldiers stationed in Beirut at that time did not anticipate such savagery and suicidal intent because to their minds they were not their as oppressors but brokers of peace. And is it not that peace and goodwill are part of a universal language understood by all peoples of the world? Apparently the answer is no and it will take more than the scope of this paper to fully understand the enemy’s point of view.It is sufficient for the sake of this study to argue that the Americans made a very costly mistake. They approached the situation from a purely political standpoint. Lebanon was at war with Israel. So, they came in, putting lives and reputation on the line, being so sure that this would have been understood by the enemy as something worthy of respect, even admiration. But what they did not realize is the fact that there are heavy undercurrents opera ting just below the surface and it can be said that the American government was naive enough – at that point in time – not to understand all these.At that time the idea of fanaticism and radicalism was not fully understood. It has to be put in perspective that the nation of Israeli was still in its infancy. And this is a major issue that is driving the fanatics crazy; they do not want the existence of Israel in the Middle East. Now, here come the Americans with an offer to mediate between the two warring groups. Yet it was clear to all non-Israelis living in the Arab world that the Americans are partial to Israel. The American soldiers had no inkling that in these parts, no one saw them as peacekeepers but on the contrary they are enemy troops defiling a sacred land.It will be found out later that the attack was driven by ideology rather than a kind of nationalistic or ethnic motive driving the perpetrators. This is because the attack was state-sponsored not by Lebanon but by Iran (see CNN. com). According to Shai, the Marine barracks bombings was claimed to be the handiwork of the Islamic Jihad organization which was nothing more than a cover name for Pro-Iranian radical Shiite entities (2005, p. 91). Describing the attackers as a product of a movement or an ideology is not an accurate description.If one uses the argument of ideology then one should use Communism or Marxism as an example which is the struggle for an idea. Communists and Marxists would go to war for this idea and this is similar to what has transpired in the said attacks but there is something more to the suicide bombers than meets the eye. This is because they are not simply fighting for an idea but they are advancing a different kind of spirituality mixed with their own brand of politics. In fact it is difficult to see where politics end and where religion begins in the bombings that occurred in the 1980s and all those that followed subsequently.It is therefore more helpful to see the bombing from the perspective of some theorists like Tore Bjorgo who suggests that the perpetrators of the car bombings were terrorists and that they use methods or strategies of combat that, â€Å"†¦involves premeditated use of violence against (at least primarily) non-combatants in order to achieve a psychological effect of fear on others than the immediate targets† (2005, p. 2). These acts of terrorism are guided by a spiritual and political framework which makes it so difficult to anticipate and so hard to neutralize. Human nature is predictable, it is the preservation of ones own life.People will kill others for self-defense and they would even kill their friends for self-preservation but they will not offer their lives for others. In many instance a person will perhaps die trying to save someone but it is rare to see someone die to make a statement or to force others to do something. It is no wonder why the U. S. personnel were ill-equipped to neutralize a n ew type of enemy soldier that emerged in the battle grounds of the Middle East. The Aftermath From the definition above of terrorism one can say that the attack on the U. S. Marine barracks was unique because in a normal terrorist attack the targets are non-combatants.But in this case the terrorists were able to strike hard and fast against the intended target which are the soldiers. According to Shaul Shai, â€Å"One of the guidelines pertaining to the issue of suicide attacks require that the attack achieve exceptional results which can be applied as leverage for political or military changes, and inflict significant losses upon the enemy. In addition, the suicide terrorist must carry out his deed out of a sense of complete understanding and recognition regarding the value of his deed and his personal martyrdom† (2005, p. 91)Considering the above statement it can be argued that the terrorists responsible for the attack were indeed successful and that they achieved what they set out to do. With regards to the goal of creating leverage for political or military changes, Kushner – referring to the Embassy and Marine barracks attacks – alluded to how the terrorist group indirectly influenced the outcome of the political and military scenario. And Kushner wrote, â€Å"The double horror of these disasters led to a drop in public support of the U. S. military presence in Lebanon and hastened the withdrawal of U.S. and Western European troops from the country† (2003, p. 386). The attacks also achieved one of its primary goals which is to wage an effective psychological warfare over their enemies situated thousands of miles away. In a report to the former President Reagan, Vice-President George Bush made the following remarks, â€Å"Terrorism deeply troubles the American people. A Roper poll †¦ showed that 78 percent of all Americans consider terrorism to be one of the most serious problems facing the U. S. Government today †¦Ã¢ €  (Bush, 1987, p. 22).Conclusion The attack on the temporary U. S. Marines barracks on October 23, 1983 at Beirut, Lebanon was one of the deadliest ever. What makes it sadder is the fact that those who died were one of the best and brightest that the U. S. military forces could offer. They died not from combat but from the hands of a fanatical terrorist group that did not consider the fact that they came for peace. The Americans were given strict instructions on maintaining extreme tolerance. They were there to initiate a cease fire between Lebanon and Israel.For their noble efforts they were rewarded with a deadly car bomb that took 241 lives – most of them died in their beds without given a chance to defend themselves. The motivation is a crazy mix of politics, ideology, and religion. Conventional warfare is out of the question and the enemy is content in eliminating even non-combatants. In the case of the barracks bombing they felt double pleasure in knowing that they were not only able to take out American lives but also that they dealt a major blow to their primary targets which were the elite U. S. Marines.

Censorship and New York Times

Ans1) Susan Jacoby was a journalist since the age of seventeen and she is well known for her feminist writings. Susan Jacoby was referred as a â€Å"First Amendment junkie† by some other women for her personal views concerning the censorship of pornography in society. She gestated that censorship of any kind against pornography was wrong. Susan Jacoby did not necessarily agree with pornography, but still she felt that its rights guaranteed under the First Amendment should not be excluded. She is not advocating for off seen material but she is worried even important and vital issue for women may be censored. It takes away the choice of the individual, when government steps in and censors something. This is what she believed as there is no such thing as an overdose of the First amendment. Ans2) Though writer talks about some feminists who try to censor pornography that appeals to some heterosexual adult male but, in last two paragraphs she discuss about the television and children. Yes, in my opinion second last paragraph about television and children are connected with Jacoby’s overall argument. This is because, she relates the feminist porn opponents. She also believes that pornography is more harmful to women then other forms of hate or offensive speech. She disqualifies the â€Å"kiddy porn† argument as kiddy porn being an issue of child abuse, not an issue of free speech. She argues that women’s reactions to the same nude pictures are as varied as the women themselves. A main argument made was that censoring of porn could lead to the censoring of other women’s issues. She is even worried that if these kinds of issues are ignored or considered as a part of first amendment, the serious issues of women, such as; rape and other vital issues of women could be censored. So, in my opinion, her argument is correct as all her arguments are related and a serious issue. Ans3) In final paragraph she has specified that she is amendment junkie, because she has written in second paragraph of her article that she was called first amendment junkie by her friends and even by some booklovers. At the mean time, some other women tagged Susan Jacoby as a First Amendment junkie for her personal views regarding the censorship of pornography in organization. Hence, her views and ideas along with some examples of involvements in her life, she admits that she is the first amendment junkie. Ans4) Susan Jacoby, the writer of the article first appeared in the New York Times magazine, doesn’t believe that First Amendment is applicable in all terms and conditions. Well, the First Amendment includes the right to freedom of press, assembly, speech, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances and implied rights of beliefs and association. She is against mainly the kid porn and pornography, she clarify that these stuffs shouldn’t be published or censored. Therefore, some of the feminists and readers believe that she is the First Amendment Junkie and as well as she is often exaggerating. Ans5) The First Amendment, best known for liberties and securities, bans the establishment of a state-supported church, requires the split of church and state, and guarantees freedom of adoration, of speech and the press, the rights of amiable assembly, association and petition. But this amendment does not permit racket pointless on the road or spreading false news about others in the society or even hurting and offending the member of the society and disturbing them without any reason. Hence, this amendment as inferred by Supreme Court today does not authorize unnecessary claims but only supports in related and necessary claims. Ans6 ) Jacoby in the ninth paragraph of her essay implies that, permitting prosecution of persons on obscenity charges will lead eventually to censorship of â€Å"open discussion† of important issues such as â€Å"rape, abortion, menstruation, contraception, etc†. Yes, her fears are convincing in my view. Censoring pornography is a real threat to women. This issue can slowly reach to the height where it can destroy many things. She relates her fear with some of her experiences as evidence. She says, when she was a kid, her parents would turn off the television if some adult scenes were being censored but now she shares the incident of a movie theater, where she saw a women taking her daughter to watch such movie. Therefore, she is worried about these issues and thinks these issues would be under-estimated some day. This can really be a serious problem and can be offensive along with harmful act for women’s.

The Word “Ghetto”

A word’s meaning can usually be traced back for hundreds of years. Over such long periods of time, words become manipulated, many times to the point where the meaning changes entirely. This is the case with the word â€Å"ghetto. † The word ghetto can be traced all the way back into the 1500’s. This word has infiltrated itself into today’s society and culture seamlessly. However the current definition of the word is far from what the original definition was. Perhaps due to the connection that the word ghetto has with urban culture, the word has evolved over time to have a more positive, less intolerant meaning.The word ghetto, which would come to be used throughout Europe to describe communities of isolated minority groups, originated in Venice in the 1500’s. According to the Oxford English Dictionary a ghetto was â€Å"The quarter in a city, chiefly in Italy, to which the Jews were restricted† (OED). In 16th century Italy, Pope Paul IV estab lished ghettos in Venice as a place of confinement for Jews. His main goal was to gain maximum economic advantage from the Jews’ presence while ensuring minimal social contact with Jewish people.In 1516, seven hundred Jews were forced to move to one small part of Venice, then an abandoned site of a 14th-century foundry that produced cannons. This area known as the â€Å"Geto† was an old Venetian dialect for â€Å"foundry† from the Italian verb gettare which means to pour or to cast, while the island across from it on which waste products had been dumped became known as â€Å"Il terrneo del Ghetto. † The word ghetto in its new usage did not remain long confined to the city of Venice. Generalization of the term helped the word to include all enclosed quarters of Jews in Europe.By the Pope’s edict, Jews remained enclosed in ghettos for two centuries until 1797, when Napoleon and the French army invaded Italy. At that time the ghettos were disbanded an d the Jewish people who lived in them were allowed to go wherever they pleased (holocaustresearchproject). Having immigrated to new countries, Jews tended to congregate in particular areas of a town or a city even when no longer forced to do so as did many minority groups living in a foreign country. This was a matter of choice. The Nazi’s eliminated the choice. â€Å"Ghettoisation† appeared in the countries occupied by Germany during World War II.After their 1939 invasion of Poland, Germans tried to control the sizable Jewish population by forcing Jews, and also Gypsies, to reside in marked-off sections of towns and cities the Nazis called â€Å"ghettos. † Altogether the Germans created at least 1000 ghettos. The largest was in Warsaw, Poland, which was the location from where the Nazis transported more than 300,000 prisoners to death camps. The Warsaw Ghetto was also the site of the largest and most significant Jewish uprising, and the first urban uprising in German occupied Europe (holocaustresearchproject).The Germans usually marked off the oldest and most run down areas of a city for a ghetto site. Thus the word â€Å"Ghetto† came to be associated with cramped dilapidated housing, appalling sanitary conditions, inadequate and poor food quality, absence of medical supplies and facilities that were all common aspects of ghetto living. Inhabitants often died of starvation, disease and exhaustion within the ghetto. These connotations remained attached to the word ghetto even up until modern times. In America, the word changed and evolved.Today, the term ghetto applies primarily to blacks in Northern U. S. cities. While all major immigrant groups coming into the U. S. establish their own residential areas, blacks ended up more segregated then most. Scholars have argued over whether or not poverty created ghettos in America or whether the ghettos created poverty. In any event, the connotation of the word ghetto in America became asso ciated with large-scale housing projects and inner city neighborhoods inhabited by black people who suffer from harsh living conditions.Because of such harsh living conditions, these areas have become notorious for crime, drugs, and violence. Thus the connotation of the word ghetto in America has stayed true to its original usage. It is used to this day to describe places of racial segregation (bos. frb. org). While the word ghetto still is associated with impoverished living environments, perhaps because of gentrification the word ghetto has come to have positive slang connotations as well.For example, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines the expression â€Å"ghetto fabulous† or â€Å"ghetto fab† as â€Å"an ostentatious or flamboyant lifestyle or manner of dress, associated with the hip-hop subculture and characterized as a marker of status in economically disadvantaged urban neighborhoods. † This is a perfect example of how the way we use the word ghet to has changed dramatically over time. The word became part of hip-hop culture in the 1990’s. It was used in a good way for the first time.To describe someone who wanted to be part of that way of life as â€Å"ghetto† or â€Å"ghetto fab† was a complement. It was something that the world had never seen before. The creation of slang words and expressions is one of the ways that language changes over time. A group will use a certain word and after time, it may become widely used. Then it can become a part of most people’s vocabulary. Instead of being a noun with the most negative connotations of poverty disease and even death, the word ghetto is currently used as an adjective to label certain clothing, style, and even attitudes.There are certain brands of clothes that in many cases are described as ghetto. This could be because of the way they look (baggy, brightly colored) or because of the fact that the people who wear them frequently live in urban areas. The word ghetto is used for many reasons. Due to our culture and our society many times the word gains negative meaning. Generalizations may cause people to believe that people from the ghetto have less moral values than someone from out of the ghetto. However, the true definition of the word says nothing about morality.Although the word has a myriad of meanings, it is still understood in a variety of conversations (123helpme). Did the word ghetto really go from being such a negative term to such a positive one while somehow still maintaining part of its original meaning? That’s exactly what the word has done. The bridge between the two polar opposite meanings can probably be attributed to the fact that each has something to do with the city or urban areas. This is just about the most ameliorated a word could ever get.After a few centuries of word evolution, the word ghetto has become part of our culture in a positive way, rather than a negative one. The word has been throug h an incredible amount of semantic change. Through the process of broadening, the word has gained many new meanings. It no longer describes a quarter of an Italian city in which Jews were forced to stay in. It no longer has to describe a run down, over populated city such as Brooklyn, New York. The word ghetto can be used as an adjective now. It can be used to positively describe someone or something.Semantic changes such as broadening and generalization have brought about countless new usages and meanings to what was once a very specialized word (COHA) The word has been altered over time to become much more of a slang term. Many would argue that this term has become slang because of the way it is used by the younger generations. While it shouldn’t be considered a totally different word, the word ghetto represents entirely different meaning then it used to. The word has been used in and seen in such a wide variety of ways that it rarely gets used to describe what it was nitia lly meant to. The real meaning of the word ghetto does not mean much anymore because there is no longer a place where Jews are forced to live or for that matter a place where any group or minority is forced to live. The word now depicts a disadvantaged section of a city or town. The word ghetto was used in America most frequently in the 1970’s. Before that it was probably used a lot more internationally due to the fact that most ghettos in America did not exist until around the 1950’s. In the 1970’s the word is used with certain words very frequently.For example the words â€Å"black,† â€Å"boxed-in,† and â€Å"community. † However over time and into the 21st century the word is used less and less. While the usage decreases, the meaning changes. Today, we see the word ghetto used with words and phrases such as â€Å"fabulous,† â€Å"pimp,† â€Å"track-suit,† and â€Å"gangsta† (COHA). Its evident that as time goe s on, the meaning of the word ghetto is being altered tremendously. The word ghetto is a word that has an important place in not only today’s world, but also in the past. The word contains tremendous meaning for certain groups of people throughout history.For most of these people the word isn’t something they consider a noble word or a cheerful word at all. The people who know best what this word means are the people who experienced the Ghetto, the people who were confined, and people who were restricted. These people couldn’t experience the outside world. They were stuck in what is now defined by the OED as â€Å"the part of the city, especially a slum area, occupied by a minority group or groups. † The term was originally used in Venice, Italy to describe the place where the Jews were meant to live.Eventually the term became widespread. Now used not just for areas where minorities live, but also for poorer areas in general. The word went through the sem antic change of broadening. Ultimately, more than just Europeans in the old world used the word. In later years, the Venetian origin of the word â€Å"ghetto† came to be forgotten, as it was used exclusively in its secondary meaning as referring to compulsory, segregated and enclosed Jewish quarters, and then in a looser sense, to refer to any area densely populated by Jews.Eventually â€Å"ghetto became the general designation for areas densely inhabited by minority groups, almost always for socioeconomic reasons, rather than legal ones as had been the case with the initial Jewish ghetto. Interestingly enough, the word â€Å"ghetto† can be described as a colloquialism, but can just as easily be used as slang. The fact is no one changed the meaning of the word on purpose. This is what happens to words over time. They change meaning time and time again. The word ghetto is no different. The word is a perfect example of language and how it is ever changing.