Adolescent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Adolescent - Essay Example The paper will also address some of the areas that a person working with an elderly person should consider. Moreover, the paper will elaborate why these areas can be considered as key issues while working with elderly persons. Lastly, the paper will address alarming issues about a situation whereby a parent neglects a girl aged two years. More specifically, the paper will look into deviations from normal development and the legal, ethical, and procedural responsibilities of a community worker in such a situation. Case Study Question 1 Introduction Teenage years signify the transition from childhood to adulthood; a teenager can be considered as a person who cannot be termed as either a child or an adult. Puberty, which normally starts at the age of 14 years, signals significant changes in physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and emotional aspects. A girl aged fourteen years encounters major hormonal changes, which have an impact on the self image of the teenager, affect moods, the relationship with other people, and the overall outlook that the teenager has about life. A girl aged fourteen years will undergo changes in the named aspects. These changes are as discussed below. Physical Changes According to Rathus (2007), some of the physical changes that can be experienced in a 14-year girl include the development and enlargement of breasts as well as the nipples. The size of breasts becomes larger, signifying the impact of hormones present in the body of the teenage girl. Another physical change that could be experienced in a girl at the age of fourteen years includes growing tall as their hips, legs and thighs become taller. The tone of the voice changes as the voice of the girl becomes high pitched, and the skin also becomes light in color. The girl would also start experiencing acne as the skin becomes oily, thus making the girl prone to having pimples. Another change that could signify deviation from normal growth in a 14-year-old girl includes conside rable weight gain experienced by the girl. The gain in weight for girls usually takes place after the girl experiences the first menstruation. Other changes, which would indicate deviation from the normal, include an increase in height whereby the girl becomes taller than other girls below her age. The girl would also experience physical growth in terms of broadening of shoulders. There would be changes seen in the lower portion of the head, which begins to grow since the nose grows in both length and width and the chin lengthens. Changes in the proportion of the face can also be experienced due to changes attributed to tissue distribution; in a girl aged fourteen years, the contours of both the body and face become round (Malina, Bouchard & Bar-Or, 2004). Psychological Changes As much as puberty contributes to the development of the body, it also impacts on the development of the mind. At the age of fourteen years, a girl may feel the burden of the world on them. The girl loses chi ldhood innocence, thus developing a mind that can process thoughts and concepts that tend to be abstract. Psychologically, the girl strives to find and establish some identity. Psychological changes that the girl will undergo include an increase in self-awareness and development of a feeling of self-consciousness. At fourteen years, the girl will develop the ability to question what happens in the world around her. As a result, they start seeing the bigger picture of life; as a result, they develop a sense of how they want to fit into the bigger picture (Rathus, 2007). Another psychological change that will be experienced in the girl includes feeling sensitive. This emanates from the fact that the girl’

Levels of Judiciary Essay Example for Free

Levels of Judiciary Essay The Judiciary body in India functions independently from the Executive and Legislative bodies in the country. The Judiciary plays a major role in the maintenance of law and order in India. There are various levels of Judiciary bodies that play a key role in ensuring smooth functioning of the judicial system in India. Levels of Judiciary As per decreasing order of importance, the different levels of Judiciary bodies that operate in India have been listed below. * The Supreme Court of India * The High Courts * The District Courts * Lok Adalats The Judiciary system followed in India is a replica of the British Legal System. Over the years, very few modifications have been made to the Indian judicial system. The Supreme Court The Supreme Court, the highest judicial system in India, came into existence on 28th January, 1950. The Chief Justice of India heads the Supreme Court. The maximum number of judges that the Supreme Court can have, apart from the Chief Justice, is 25. Some of the important roles and responsibilities of the Supreme Court of India include: * Protector of the Indian Constitution * Highest Court of Appeal The High Courts The High Courts exist in almost all the Indian states and Union Territories. Out of the 19 High Courts that function in India, the oldest one is the  Calcutta High Court. The High Court judges are elected by the President of India. The High Courts are authorised to handle all kinds of civil and criminal cases. The Supreme Court controls the activities of the High Courts in India. The District Courts District level, judicial matters are referred to the District Courts in India. Administrative and judicial affairs of the District Courts are taken care of by the state High Court. Tribunals Tribunals in India also have a critical judiciary role to play in India. Some of the important tribunals that operate in the country have been listed below. * Income Tax Appellate Tribunal * Intellectual Property Appellate Tribunal, Chennai * Appellate Tribunal for Electricity * Debts Recovery Tribunal II, Chennai * Debt Recovery Tribunal, Coimbatore * Central Administrative Tribunal * Railways Claims Tribunal * Debts Recovery Tribunal I, Chennai * Central Excise Service Tax Appellate Tribunal

Companies In Controversial Industries Management Essay

Companies In Controversial Industries Management Essay Is it possible for companies in controversial industries to be socially responsible if their products are detrimental to human beings and the environment. Many claim it is impossible for them to be socially responsible because their CSR will always be an inherent contradiction since their business goal is at odds with the aims of public health policies. However as these companies already have a bad reputation, they have no need to be associated with doing good in order to boost sales. Hence when they engage in CSR, it could mean that they are genuine CSR practitioners. This paper examines CSR of firms in alcohol, tobacco and gambling industries and determines whether they can be socially responsible through their CSR implementation by using Porter and Kramers concept of shared value. However while assessing any motives companies may have to determine whether they are genuinely interested in CSR, it may be presumptuous or even unjust to these companies to assume their motives based on the consequences of their actions. Also, the approach used to determine whether the companies have been socially responsible may be too narrow. Nonetheless, companies need not have the best intentions for the society to be socially responsible. Introduction At the mention of controversial industries such as alcohol and tobacco industries, some may be quick to conclude that these industries cannot be socially responsible since they are producing goods that are detrimental to human beings and the environment. Even when firms in these industries practice Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), some may still find it difficult to start regarding them as being socially responsible. The motive behind these companies for practicing CSR is also often disputed over. As these firms already have a bad reputation, they need not be associated with doing good for consumers to demand for their products, unlike inherently good companies. When these firms practice CSR, does it then mean that they genuinely have the societys welfare at heart? Or could they be doing CSR as a way of obscuring their questionable business and gaining social acceptance? Keeping these arguments in mind, we will now look at specific firms in alcohol, tobacco and gambling industries and their CSR practices in particular to evaluate the possible incentives behind their CSR initiatives as well as to determine whether they can be socially responsible through their CSR implementation. In consideration of the controversies of CSR, in particular, the view that CSR should be conducted in such as a way that it benefits both the society and the owners of the firm, rather than only one side of the parties, we will be using Porter and Kramers concept of shared value to decide whether a company is socially responsible. This requires firms to adopt CSR practices that concurrently benefit the society and the owners of the firm, by addressing societal weaknesses or harms while improving the financial performance of the firm, to be socially responsible. Alcohol Alcohol is an important risk factor for disease. It has implications in birth defects, cases of assault and family violence, alcoholism-related abuse, traffic accidents, reduced workplace productivity and lower life expectancy (Collins Lapsley, 2008; WHO, 2011). Consumption of alcohol is estimated to cost the American society a staggering $223.5 billion/year in health care, road-related accidents, reduced workplace productivity, violence and crime in 2007 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). In comparison, federal alcohol tax revenue only amounted to $9.3 billion/year in 2007 (Congressional Budget Office). Case Study Take Diageo for instance. It is the worlds largest producer of spirits and an influential producer of beer and wine. It has 59 brands including Johnnie Walker and Guinness, two of the best-known brands of alcohol, under its portfolio. It generates $25 billion in sales revenue yearly. Diageo uses public awareness campaigns as part of its CSR initiative. It creates advertisements that educate drinking responsibly, including those aimed at discouraging excessive drinking, drink driving as well as underage drinking. However, these may have been the companys subtle attempts at bypassing regulations to advertise its alcoholic beverages to consumers. In Diageos the choice is yours campaign in 2008, it has also conveyed the message that overdrinking would inevitably lead to social disapproval, such as the embarrassing consequences of being thrown out of clubs. However, the University of Bath has found that such incidents are actually perceived as fun by youths (EUCAM, 2009), putting the intended effect of the campaign into question. Furthermore, the website of the campaign highlights the logos of Diageo drinks, casting doubts on whether it may have been aimed at advertising the companys alcoholic beverages to the consumers. The company also has campaigns that are aimed at reaching out to minors in schools. By claiming that they are contributing solutions to alcohol-related problems, the company is able to reach out to a target audience that they would otherwise not be able to reach due to alcohol marketing regulations. By using CSR as marketing gimmicks to make greater profits, the company has failed to manifest itself as a genuine CSR practitioner who does not have the societys best interests at heart when carrying out CSR practices. However, Diageo is making improvements to its corporate governance and has created a multi-prong strategy to take care of the interests of all its stakeholders. This year, it has reduced 9.4% of carbon emission in spite of its increased production and has increased water efficiency by 20% in Uganda through its implementation of better water recovery systems. In addition, it has organized internal DRINKiQ workshops to educate employees on responsible drinking. It also conducts independent audits on its suppliers with issues relating to health, safety and hygiene, working hours and wages. It also provides a confidential whistleblowing service, SpeakUp, to allow anyone who has come across a breach of its Code to report it. This ensures that Diageos Code of Conduct is strictly adhered to. Looking at the various Diageos CSR initiatives and going back to Porter and Kramers concept of shared value, Diageo would be considered a socially responsible company. Through its public awareness campaigns that concurrently discourage excessive drinking and advertise its brand of alcoholic beverages, the company is able to reduce the societal harm of its products and improve the profitability of the firm at the same time, although the effectiveness and the intended effect of the campaigns may be questionable. The implementation of better water recovery systems could also help the company save cost. These show that Diageo is a socially responsible company. Tobacco The health effects of tobacco have long been known. Smoking in particular is a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary heart disease, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease and cancer. Each year, 6 million deaths are caused by the inhalation of tobacco smoke. The irony becomes salient when tobacco becomes the single greatest cause of preventable death globally. With products deemed universally harmful allowed for sale, can tobacco companies be socially responsible? Case Study Altria Group Inc. is one of the largest tobacco companies in the world. It is a pioneer of the tobacco corporate responsibility movement in the late 1990s. Recently, it has come out tops in social responsibility rankings, placing 15th on CR Magazines 100 best corporate citizens list and 4th in Fortune magazine. Altria has implemented a comprehensive corporate responsibility program targeting nine specific issues: tobacco product management, marketing practices, combating illegal trade, environmental management, sustainable agriculture, supply chain responsibility, employees, investing in companies and governance and compliance. Despite the multi-faceted approach, its CSR practices have been a subject of constant criticism, with critics questioning their motivations behind the acts of responsibility. Most argument centers on tobacco product management and marketing practices. Over the years, Altria has sought to manage its tobacco product issues and marketing practices as ethically as possible. They voluntarily communicate health effects with transparency, including health warnings on all its packages and websites. They undertake research and development in developing products with lower risks and also actively partner and collaborate with governments in support of cessation. In marketing practices, they voluntarily limit their reach of marketing to unintended audiences. Based on their actions, we can see the moral duty that Altria has undertaken as a company. Critics however argue against the motivation of their CSR, likening it to the washing of blood money. Some even argue that it is used as a sword and shield against product issues (Friedman, 2009). Yet it can also be seen as an atonement of sin. The term blood money seems to convey a form of coercion or illegal means to gain, yet from how Altria practices its CSR, we can clearly see their admittance to liability, transparency and the absence of coercion. Ironically, Altria has been embarking on initiatives to discourage people from smoking, which is counterintuitive of a profit-oriented business model. This seems to highlight the effort Altria has undertaken as a moral duty to doing right what it has done wrong, clearly fulfilling Kantian and even virtue ethics, and is a display of an ethical practice of social responsibility. Critics also argue that CSR allows tobacco companies to improve their image, leveraging CSR to add value to the otherwise evil company, thereby concluding that such a motivation may be of a selfish cause. However, unlike other corporations with the freedom of liberal marketing practices, tobacco companies including Altria undergo some of the strictest regulations on advertising and marketing. In fact, the company is creating advertisements that devalue its products, essentially decreasing the companys value further. There seems to be no tangible benefit for their bottom line with the implementation of CSR; instead, a greater amount of losses are being incurred. This thus further support the ethical motivation behind their CSR practices, as not much value can be leveraged off CSR for the benefit of the companys overall bottom-line. It is evident that a tobacco companys CSR does fulfill Porter and Kramers concept of shared value for both the company and society. However, it is more of a transactional value rather than a transformational one (Palazzo Richter, 2005), after all if tobacco companies really want to change society, the greatest impact will come from its voluntary demise. Therefore, it is justified for tobacco companies to do CSR, but it will never be able to transform or make good itself. Casino Casinos, like tobacco and alcohol, have contributed to a range of social and economic harms to the society (Hancock, Schellinck Schrans, 2008), with the most apparent social impact being the increase in problem gambling. It has been estimated that 1.2% of U.S. adults are pathological gamblers and another 1.5% are problem gamblers at some point of their lives, with the likelihood doubling for people living within 50 miles of a casino (Community Research Partners, 2010). Problem gambling impacts peoples lives in many negative and consequential ways; this includes unemployment, poor physical and mental health, risked social relationships as well as increased crimes (Community Research Partners, 2010). Large sums of social costs, including those spent on bankruptcies, imprisonments and divorces; have to be spent every year as a result of these impacts. Case Study Caesars Entertainment Corporation is the largest gaming company in the world with $8.83 billion in revenue in 2011. The company has carried out CSR extensively. It launched its comprehensive sustainability program, the CodeGreen, in 2004 and has displayed a strong commitment to achieving a broad set of sustainability goals for carbon emissions reduction, energy conservation, water consumption as well as waste recycling. Harrahs Lake Tahoe Casino and Harveys Lake Tahoe Casino, two of the companys casinos, have received the prestigious Gold Certification from Travelife, a certification body that recognizes companies within the tourism industry that adopt sustainable practices. Only four U.S.-based hotels out of 400 worldwide are Gold Certified in 2013 and three of them are Caesars properties (Stevens, 2013). Besides their commitment to responsible stewardship of the environment, the company also has codes of commitment to treat all their employees with respect and to provide them with good career opportunities, to promote responsible gaming as well as to help make all their communities healthy and vibrant places to live and work. To foster responsible gaming, the company only allows adults to visit their casinos, trains their employees on how to offer help to customers who may need it and provides toll-free helpline numbers for problem gambling. They have also adopted a policy to donate part of the company profits to community and charitable causes (Caesars Entertainment). As casinos fundamentally offer products that have adverse social and economic consequences, it may be unnecessary or even irrelevant for the company to conduct CSR to appear altruistic to the public. This may therefore imply that any CSR efforts from such companies could only be genuine. However, companies nowadays are increasingly expected to embrace wider responsibilities and roles and adhere to greater ethical, legal and responsible standards. Companies that fail to do so are found to receive weakened public support and less positive views from the media (Yani-de-Soriano, Javed Yousafzai, 2012). Therefore, it remains unclear as to whether Caesars Entertainment Corporation is a genuine CSR practitioner, or that they have conducted CSR to gain social acceptance. Caesars Entertainments CodeGreen sustainability program is a great example of creating a shared value through CSR. Through committing to responsible stewardship of the environment, the company strives to conserve energy, save water and recycle waste. These are environmental-friendly practices that also bring about cost-savings for the company. While not all the companys CSR initiatives, such as those targeted at promoting responsible gaming, directly bring about economic benefits to the stockholders of the company, they can help to gain social acceptance of the public, increasing sales and thereby giving rise to indirect economic benefits. Since Caesars Entertainments CSR practices create shared value for both the society and the owners of the firm according to the Porter and Kramers model, it is a socially responsible company. Limitations In evaluating the respective companies on whether they are genuine practitioners of CSR given that there do not seem to be a need for them to appear socially responsible, we have looked at how conducting CSR could benefit them to assess the motives that they might have in executing their CSR initiatives. However, it may be presumptuous or even unjust to these companies to assume their motives based on the consequences of their actions. The companies may indeed have been genuine practitioners of CSR, even if their CSR initiatives turn out to benefit the company as well. The approach that has been used to establish whether the specific companies have been socially responsible may also have been too narrow. In applying Porter and Kramers concept of shared value, our criteria for determining whether the companies are socially responsible only lies on whether the companys CSR initiatives benefit both the stockholders and the other stakeholders of the firm; however, we did not apply the model to take into account the inherent nature of the company that their products are detrimental to the society in determining whether they are socially responsible. As a result, all the three firms examined can easily be classified as being socially responsible. On the other hand, to take into consideration the inherent nature of the company, which could only create value for the owners of the firms at best, would mean that these companies could never be socially responsible so long as they continue to operate, according to Porter and Kramers model of shared value. Conclusion Corporate social responsibility is a complex and contentious subject that many businesses have to address and commit their resources to implement. When companies whose products are detrimental to the society practice CSR, their motives are often questioned and their ability to be socially responsible may still be contested. However, as have been discussed and elaborated on above, companies do not need to have the best intentions for the society to be socially responsible. In fact, companies who are not genuine practitioners of CSR, but have both the firm and the society at heart when practicing CSR are the ones who are the most socially responsible. Finally, we conclude that companies whose products are detrimental to the society can be socially responsible companies.

Linear Time Structure of the Western World Essays -- Sociology, Cultur

Thanks to the linear time structure of the western world, time is no longer infinite. People of our culture constantly have to stress over rushing to arrive at an appointment on time, turning in an assignment by a particular day, or having a prepared meal on the table at 5 o’clock on the dot. As days are filled with schedules dictated by time, the time itself just seems to slip away. This passing of linear time creates the worry that life is too short and this generates the concern about death, especially about what happens when one dies. In the western world, we as a people are highly conscious of milestones measuring passing time as these marks signal the approach of the enigmatic death and remind us that our time is limited. Before diving into this argument, it is interesting to understand the origin of this time structure in our society. The western world’s idea of linear time comes from the Hebraic influence on the culture. Outside of the Judeo-Christian sphere many cultures developed abiding by circular time which is based on natural cycles and happenings, such as the movement of planets. Circular time embeds people into the natural world -- linear time allows people to follow their separate path and with this comes the ability to dominate. By following this time structure people can be free to understand history and progress (â€Å"Chapter VII: Western Culture and Its Sources†). It is quite ironic, then, that a structure that was once meant to liberate people has caused suffocation. This linear time structure has made time no longer seem infinite. This framework emphasizes a chronological order -- with time, of course, neatly organized into little intervals. This is drastically different from circular time which never ends ... ...intless if we do not know what the unavoidable death will bring. In the western society, our linear time structure has caused us to habitually separate time into intervals that consistently continue. The pressure these milestones place on people is enormous -- we are demanded to live life a certain way as there is always a time limit, even on the length of time we have in this world. Although these constraints tend to create the worry that life may not have meaning and bring with them the mystery of death, one must learn to emotionally separate oneself from this structure. Time as we have defined it is merely a human invention; aging and curiousness about the future are natural human instincts but when a man-made structure begins to cast a shadow of doubt on life’s meaning one must take a step back a realize that there is more to life than the ticking of a clock.

Homosexual Propagation in Ukraine

Evelina Habrel The Exploratory Paper Sanna Karosas ENG 113 Academic Writing 6 March 2013 Homosexual Propagation in Ukraine Ukraine is a post-Soviet country; therefore, many Soviet-style values and beliefs still exist in Ukrainians’ minds. Ukraine still shows negative about promotion of gays as it was in Soviet Union. In 2012, Ukraine faced the problem of homosexuality propaganda. Because homosexual couples became very visible, the issue of how to relate to homosexuals propagation became urgent in the society.This issue has influenced not only Ukrainian government and population, gays but also European Union. Ukrainian Parliament presented a bill against promotion of homosexual relationships which is supported even by the president’s representative. The law bans â€Å"propaganda of homosexuality,† which is defined as a positive attitude to gays in public (The Associated Press, 2012). Some politicians proposed to confirm the anti-gay law 8711 where the Ukrainian go vernment wants to prison people up to five years for any positive public depiction of homosexuality.In addition, this bill would ban such events as gay pride parades or TV dating shows for same-sex couples. An author of the Ukrainian bill, Pavlo Ungurian, stated that the bill would help to protect â€Å"the moral, spiritual, and physical health of the nation,† while Ruslan Kukharchuk, a campaigner for the bill and the leader of the â€Å"Love Against Homosexuality† group, named a homosexuality â€Å"a disease †¦ a psychological disorder,† and such people should get â€Å"rehabilitation therapy† (Druker, Boissevain, Caloianu, Persio 2012).Ukrainian political branch is strain because there are many powers that shows negative attitude towards homosexual propagation. This conflict made the Ukrainian population to split into supporters and fighters against gay promotion. Statistics shows that only 3% of Ukrainians have quite positive attitude to sexual mi norities, 10% have rather positive, 14. 5% – rather negative, and 57. 5% – entirely negative (Stern, 2012). In the article â€Å"Tajik Fighting Ends, Ukraine Gets on Anti-Gay Bandwagon† it is reported that people who participated in a march last May in Kyiv promoted the traditional family and rotested against homosexuals’ rights with a slogan â€Å"Homosexuality – No. † People in Ukraine do not want to accept homosexuals in society. As a result, they might do some protests where they express what the feel and think. The way people show their attitude to gays and the words or physical power they use is unethical in some cases. There were situations in Ukraine when homosexuals were beaten by citizens just because they promote nontraditional sexual orientation. For instance, masked assailants kicked and jumped on Svyatoslav Sheremet, the head of Gay Forum of Ukraine.A month later, unknown muggers assaulted Taras Karasiychuk, another of the para de investors, on the street as he was coming home at night (Stern, 2012). These cases show the cruelty of some anti-gay supporters. Ukrainian homosexuals fight for their rights. They ask for help and support for lesbian and gay organizations. Because of the new law, they need a protection because anti-gay movements became very cruel. Homosexuals do not think that propagation of nontraditional orientation can harm Ukrainians population (Danilova, 2012). They ask to provide civil liberties and equity for the sexual minorities.In spring 2012, Ukraine was supposed to have a pride parade, but because of the mass riots against homosexual demonstrations, organizers decided not to conduct it (The Associated Press, 2012). Homosexuals need social comfort because they feel eradication of the prejudiced and stigmatic attitude. Even though they might not promote homosexuality, they still will be treated as those who propagate it. Svyatoslav Sheremet, who leads Ukraine's Gay Forum, said, â€Å"E ventually, society comes to realize that one can only live peacefully when one is tolerant† (Danilova, 2012).Homosexuals feel themselves unsafely and prejudiced in Ukraine, and they want people to be kinder to them. The next perspective of this issue belongs to the European Union that shows its disappointment in Ukraine because of the anti-gay law. For Europe people should be treated equally no matter what sexual orientation a person demonstrates. According to Reid-Smith’s article â€Å"Europe May Punish Ukraine for Gay Censorship Law,† European Union may put new visa rules to punish Ukraine if it confirms law plan against homosexual propaganda. Of course, it will be harder for Ukrainians to have an access to Europe.The draft anti-gay law creates hostility between Ukraine and European Union. The United Nations Human Rights Committee insisted that such law could not exist with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Ukraine approved (Intergro up on LGBT Rights, 2012). The European Union does not discriminate homosexual propagation, and if Ukraine accepts the law against it, than the results will be noxious for the Ukrainian population. Many homosexuals nowadays feel themselves uncomfortable because they cannot be accepted in the Ukrainian culture. Lots of them feel they are not treated in the same way as heterosexuals are viewed.Many Ukrainians began arguing whether homosexual propagation can exist in Ukraine or not. Lots of people were raised in families where traditional relationships were encouraged, and for them it is very hard to accept gays’ demonstrations. Based on previous political power in Ukraine, the government does not want to accept homosexual supporters in the country. Moreover, this issue forced the European Union to be involved. Indeed, Ukraine has had strain relationship with Europe, and now it can become worse. European Union wants Ukraine government to be loyal to homosexual propagation.There c an be some limits for demonstrations, but it is unethical to prison those who promote them, as a Ukrainian government wants to do. Ukrainian Parliament should think about European Commission’s reaction. The Parliament should realize all the pros and cons of the 8711 law for the Ukrainian future. References Danilova, M. (2012, Jul 18). Leaders of Ukraine's gay community say intolerance, and violence against homosexuals on rise. Yahoo! News. Retrieved from http://news. yahoo. com/leaders-ukraines-gay-community-intolerance-violence-against-homosexuals-173017972. html Druker, J. , Boissevain, J. , Caloianu, I. & Persio, S. (2012, July 26). Tajik fighting ends, Ukraine gets on anti-gay bandwagon. Transitions Online, 4. Intergroup on LGBT Rights. (2012, December). European Commission: Ukraine’s anti-gay law obstacle to visa-free travel. Retrieved from http://www. lgbt-ep. eu/press-releases/european-commission-ukraines-bill-8711-obstacle-to-eu-ukraine-visa-agreement/ Reid-Smi th, T. (2012, October). Europe may punish Ukraine for gay censorship law. Gay Star News. Retrieved from http://www. gaystarnews. com/article/europe-may-punish-ukraine-gay-censorship-law031012 Stern, D. (2012, October). Ukraine takes aim against ‘gay

Word Choice Lay vs. Lie - Proofread My Papers Academic Blog

Word Choice Lay vs. Lie - Proofread My Papers Academic Blog Word Choice: Lay vs. Lie Are there any two words more commonly confused than â€Å"lay† and â€Å"lie†? It’s hard to think of many others where mistakes are so easy to understand, since â€Å"lay† and â€Å"lie† are distinct terms with different meanings, yet the simple past tense of â€Å"lie† is also â€Å"lay.† Confused yet? We dont blame you. Nevertheless, by the end of this blog post, using our proofreading experience, we fully intend to have explained the difference between â€Å"lay† and â€Å"lie† in clear and simple terms. Wish us luck. Lie (Recline) The sense of â€Å"lie† that causes most confusion is its use as a verb meaning â€Å"to recline or be in a horizontal position†: Trying to understand this word is tiring, so I will lie down on the couch. This is why we had a fainting couch installed. An important factor is that â€Å"lie† is an intransitive verb, so never takes an object. This particular use of â€Å"lie† is an irregular verb, moreover, so the simple past tense is â€Å"lay†: I felt refreshed immediately after I lay down. Meanwhile, the past participle (used in the present and past perfect tenses) of â€Å"lie† is â€Å"lain†: The couch was so soft, I could have lain there forever. Lay (Put Down) As a present tense verb in its own right, â€Å"lay† means â€Å"to put something down or place it horizontally†: Joan lay down her sword; she could take on this chump barehanded. Dont mess with Joan. The simple past tense and past participle of â€Å"lay† are both â€Å"laid†: The next day, Joan laid out a map and planned her next campaign. The examples above also demonstrate how â€Å"lay† always takes an object (i.e., the subject is always putting something else down). Another Type of Lie (Speak an Untruth) It’s worth noting that â€Å"lie† has another common definition, meaning â€Å"to say something untrue†: He couldn’t let her know the truth, so he lied and blamed the zookeeper. As you can see above, the past tense of â€Å"lie† is â€Å"lied.† As well as a verb, â€Å"lie† can be used as a noun meaning â€Å"an untruth.† Lie or Lay? The key thing is to remember that â€Å"lie† does not take an object, whereas â€Å"lay† always does. If the subject of your sentence is reclining or horizontal, the correct term is â€Å"lie†: e.g., â€Å"The wrecked ship lies on the seabed.† This becomes â€Å"lay† in the simple past tense or â€Å"lain† as a past participle. However, if the subject of your sentence is putting something else down, the correct term will be â€Å"lay†: e.g., â€Å"The new policies require laying many miles of pipeline.† The past tense is always â€Å"laid.† Variations of â€Å"lie,† â€Å"lay† and â€Å"lie† (the other kind) can be found in the table below. Present Tense Lie (Recline) Lay (Put Down) Lie (Speak an Untruth) Past Simple Lay Laid Lied Past Participle Lain Laid Lied

Science Versus Superstition in Dracula and Victoria England Essays

Science Versus Superstition in Dracula and Victoria England Essays Science Versus Superstition in Dracula and Victoria England Paper Science Versus Superstition in Dracula and Victoria England Paper Essay Topic: Dracula Literature During the Victorian Era in Britain, British citizens began to explore the east and became fascinated with it. There was a great interest in the orient and the objects and culture that came from it. Although the people were mystified by the superstitious nature of the orient learned from their eastern excursions, they were afraid of the east being able to travel to the west. Although the British consumed eastern culture, they were still afraid of too much infiltration by the east. They didnt want their pure British culture to be tainted. Because of this, they used science to explain, classify, and control the unknown superstitious nature of the orient. This push of science onto the eastern world is seen in several scenes throughout the novel Dracula, which was written by Bram Stoker during the Victorian Era in Britain. The proper British characters are constantly trying to overcome Dracula with science. British Imperialism and the British Empires attitude towards the east are shown through the relationship through science and superstition in Dracula. While traveling east, the British encountered a lot of new and previously unknown commodities, cultures, and people. These eastern cultures were seen as backwards to the British people. They had a sort of superstitious quality about them and were thought to be improper because of it. Britain didnt want their proper society contaminated by the superstitious cultures of the orient. There existed a fear that the east would begin to travel west and come back to Britain. The unknown societies and practices were so foreign to them. Britain feared the unknown and so took control by using science to try to understand and classify the cultures. By using proper science, the British were also showing their sense of superiority and elitism. It was believed that the Eastern notion of honor was skewed. It was driven by superstition, which resulted in easterners having flawed notions of what honorable behavior is1. This chaos and backwardness justified a need for a forced British order. Attempting to classify everything around them lead to the comfort that there was nothing they couldnt handle and that they had gained control over everything. There was nothing to be afraid of because the world was under proper Britain and their elitist science. This is similar to how proper Britain in the novel Dracula did not want to be tainted by the superstitious ways of Dracula from the east. From the very beginning of the novel, orientalism is prevalent in the comparisons made between the east and west. There is a sense of us versus them that Jonathan Harker has before he even arrives in Transylvania and meets Dracula. He speaks of leaving the west and entering the east. Steve Patterson describes how the British at the time represented progress, enlightenment, and modernity while the east represented chaos, superstition, and backwardness2. Jonathan is aware that the trains are getting later and later. He states, It seems to [him] that the further East you go the more unpunctual are the trains3. He associates lateness and chaos with the east, which was a common assumption at the time. The British thought the opposite of their proper order, was superstitious chaos. And since east is the opposite of west, the east must be chaotic and uncivilized. He goes on to describe the unfamiliar gar of the people he sees. He speaks of barbarian people wearing high boots and having heavy moustaches and long black hair. The mere comparison between himself and the Slavic people show Jonathans racist oriental views of the east. He is validating his clean cut British appearance by comparing it to barbaric people. Although the British were afraid of the orient and found the people to be backwards, they were also enthralled with it at the same time. When travelers came back form the east and came home to the west, they brought with them commodities and most importantly culture. British homes were filled with oriental rugs, vases, even hookahs. Teas, spices, and sugar became a part of everyday life. Even the most proper of gentlemen had their heirlooms and smoked their hookah pipes. Exotic animals were brought back along with exotic garb, plants, and customs. Oriental culture became intertwined with British culture. The two became inseparable. For a people who were so scared of letting eastern culture tarnish their proper ways, they sure welcomes the consumption of it with open arms. Although there was a large consumption of Eastern culture, the British still remained weary of their properness. They wanted their foreign treasures to be exotic, but still fit into the conservative structure of British society. There was a push and pull of oriental culture. The British were fascinated by the newness and wanted to immerse themselves, but still keep it distant enough to retain their Victorian pureness. In the same way that the British were interested in eastern culture, the characters in Dracula were unwillingly drawn to the mystery of the oriental Dracula. The power that Dracula had over the characters is reminiscent of the way that eastern culture had a powerful draw for the Victorian British. The characters are afraid of Dracula and his unknown superstitions, yet cannot shake their unexplained attraction to his eastern mysteriousness. When Jonathan is in the castle and encounters the three voluptuous women, he senses that they have an eastern animalistic evil about them, yet is drawn to them. He says there was something about them that made me uneasy, some longing and at the same time some deadly fear. 4 He is drawn to them even though he knows they are so completely opposite of proper Victorian Britain. There is an appeal to what is taboo in the strict Victorian society. Regardless that Dracula is Fiction, this speaks volumes about the Victorian British at the time and how they were so drawn to the superstitious culture of the east, even though they knew they should be upholding the conventional values that British society hold so highly. Just as the British in the Victorian era feared the east and tried to find comfort in science, the fictitious characters in Dracula attempted to defeat Eastern Dracula with science. Van Helsing explains that to save Lucy from Draculas induced illness he must perform several blood transfusions. He plans to use the blood from her initial three suitors to refill her body after Dracula has sucked most of it out. Van Helsing tries to use Victorian science and reason to overcome Draculas evil from the east. Even before Jonathan returns to England, he uses reason to overcome his fear in Draculas castle. While writing to Mina about he saw Dracula crawling down the side of the castle, he begins his entry by saying, Let me begin with facts-bare, meager facts, verified by books and figures, and of which there can be no doubt. While immersed in Draculas eastern castle surrounded by superstitions, the thing that comforts Jonathan and reminds him of his home in England, he uses the science and reason that England relies on so heavily to stay grounded while classifying the unknowns of the east. However, just as the British could not contain the superstitious east and stop it form penetrating their proper society, the characters in Dracula could not restrain Dracula with science alone. T he transfusions ultimately failed and Dracula continued to keep draining Lucy of her blood. When the transfusions fail and Van Helsing resorts to superstitious garlic. He is aware of the limitation of modern science6. The others in the group are confused by Van Helsings use of superstition. Dr. Seward exclaims to Van Helsing, Well Professor, I know you always have a reason for what you do, but this certainly puzzles me. 7 The others realize he is straying from science and moving on to superstition and are a bit uneasy about it, but they trust Van Helsing because they have faith in his scientific past. Just as the British peoples use of science and reason failed to keep the east out and they had to succumb to the permeation of eastern culture and accept it into their culture, the characters in Dracula have to accept the superstition into their lives and trust that it will be more beneficial than the previous use of science and reason. The oriental culture had made its way into British culture, seeped in, and shaken up proper Victorian society. Much like the failure to keep away Dracula, no matter how hard the British tried to keep oriental culture out, the ways of the east breached Englands shores. The order in British society was mimicked in the order of their science. Trying to solve eastern superstitions with science is similar to trying to impose order on the world to retain the comfortable, pure order of proper Britain. The characters in Stokers Dracula are constantly trying to control Dracula with science and constantly failing. They eventually have to resort to superstition. This mirrors the effect of eastern culture on British society. As much as Britain tried to contain the orient with science, the orient penetrated proper Britain and seeped into British culture, where it still remains today.

Core Beliefs of the Puritans Essays

Core Beliefs of the Puritans Essays Core Beliefs of the Puritans Essay Core Beliefs of the Puritans Essay Core Beliefs of the Puritans Have you of all time rebelled against the house regulations dictated by your parents? In the 1600’s. a group of spiritual citizens discontent with the Anglican Church of England. did precisely that- rebelled. The Puritans contended that King James had created a faith of political battles and philosophies. Puritans. such as John Calvin and John Winthrop. wrote about the construct of get awaying persecution from the Anglican Church and reforming faith. ethical motives. and society. The Puritans fled to get down anew and created settlements in North America. including Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay. The drive forces of reform were legion pieces of literature. The Puritan beliefs consisted chiefly of five rules: Entire Depravity. the Devil and wickednesss. Predestination. God’s true jurisprudence. and moral development. ensuing in a authorities and religious-based manner of life that has impacted present twenty-four hours America. Inevitably. faith being intertwined with society raises frights. Refering to the Puritans. fright led to the ultimate dissipation of the settlements. On of the chief frights that the Puritan’s believed in was that the Satan was behind every evil title in the universe. The Puritans besides believed that the Satan and Satan surrounded Native Americans and nature. Steering off from the Acts of the Apostless of the Satan led to utmost steps. Bibles. read as discourses by Puritan curates. warned citizens about the dangers of life. The discourses were repeatedly given and fright was strategically woven in. The changeless warnings were due to the belief that every individual is born iniquitous. besides known as Entire Depravity. The impression of Entire Depravity led to the belief of making yourself benevolent. Spurred by the desire to rectify Entire Deprivation. the Puritans created their core beliefs of faith. The Puritans believed in the survey of God’s True Law. the Bible. Harmonizing to the Puritans. the Bible and God paved a program for life. In this God-centered system. church was the topographic point where all jobs and issues were raised and resolved. While citizens with belongings could talk at the meetings. limitation for merely church governments to vote was allowed. Entire Depravity produced the political orientation of Predestination. Predestination was the impression that God saves those that he wants. Puritans believed that God had control over who would be in heaven or snake pit and the Puritans had no control of cognizing. Therefore. Puritans thought that holy behaviour led to redemption. The English Literatures of America reiterated. Sanctification is grounds of redemption. but does non do it ( 434 ) . intending that belief in Jesus does non procure you from Gods predestination for you. The Puritans began doing regulations to follow to travel to heaven. In order to guarantee redemption. the Puritans believed that every citizen needed to follow rigorous regulations that were sacredly motivated. Moral development was a Puritan belief that started in childhood. To drive the Satan. kids were to be taught of the dangers of the universe. and instruction was critical to sublimate society. Drama. titillating poesy. and spiritual music were banned in Puritan civilization. Drama and titillating poesy generated mortality and music distracted Puritans from listening to the words of God. Other moral ordinances included the demand of traveling to church. reading the bible. and adhering to the compact of integrity and order that create a religious community. The rigorous followers of God in society and authorities finally led to the ultimate ruin of the Puritans. Although there were about 100. 000 Puritans in 1700. Puritan attempts to make an sole faith caused the growing of other settlements created by rivals that banned from Puritanism. These new groups teamed the Puritans beliefs of Entire Depravity. the Satan and wickednesss. God’s True Laws. and moral development crazy and it changed America’s though about the relationship between faith and authorities. The First Amendment provinces. Federal authorities can non set up an official faith or interfere with a individuals right to pattern a religion . Otherwise known as separation of faith and authorities. However. Puritans did impact the present twenty-four hours beneficially by keeping a stable economic system. instruction. and moral features. The desire to be considered good . believed by the Puritans. shaped the value of many citizens in the U. S. today.

Life long learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Life long learning - Essay Example Through information technology, people can improve the availability and quality of education at all levels. Life-long learning makes it possible for individuals to acquire knowledge on some of the new research or experiments available for the technical field. In the field of information technology (IT), individuals can learn virtually. Achieving this ability is possible by using electronic tools such as personal computers and accessing the internet. These electronic tools create some form of flexibility since people can choose to learn anytime at any place they choose without experiencing social status, time and venue constraints (Osorio, Arthur, & Adrie 36). Institutions of higher education can make use of advancements in communication technologies to offer learning opportunities to individuals outside the traditional classrooms. It is possible to achieve this consideration by using the e-learning platform. In this case, people should consider e-learning as supportive to the traditional learning methods such as the classroom environment. When educational institutions implement e-learning initiatives, they unite the process of conventional and distance education. Such a consideration will make it possible for interested individuals to ex pand their knowledge in the field of information technology. Through e-learning, it will also be possible for a person to keep up-to-date with technical developments. Osorio, Javier, Arthur Tatnall, and Adrie Visscher.  Information Technology and Educational Management in the Knowledge Society: 6th International Working Conference on Information Technology in Educational Management (item), July 11-15, 2004, Las Palmas De Gran Canaria, Spain. New York, NY: Springer, 2005.

Modern Art, Culture and Issues of Class and Gender Essay

Modern Art, Culture and Issues of Class and Gender - Essay Example The essay "Modern Art, Culture and Issues of Class and Gender" investigates culture and modern art, issues of class and gender. Still we see such cases in our daily life involving gender and class discrimination. Though we have stepped into 21st century but our society is still male dominated. Women are not given equal rights to most of the parts of this world. Gender discrimination is most common issue in both urban and rural areas, though a bit high in rural areas of different countries of the world. On the other hand class discrimination has little suppressed due to literacy and education among people but till today people are categorized in classes on religion, money and power basis. Hinduism class system is an existing example. Here we are discussing the art work of three different artists, all portraying visual culture and all pin pointing the class and gender issues in our society. Ewa Lajer-Burcharth is a professor at Harvard University of fine arts major of history of arts a nd architecture. She is also an author of numerous writings. Her renowned work Necklines: The Art of Jacques-Louis David after the Terror is one great achievement. In this work she describes the masterpiece of the French painter Jacques-Louis David. This painting portrays the height of brutality done with Sabine women during the French revolution. Ewa has done justice with this artwork by giving proper details and the main message of the artwork. She has not only cited this but also the crisis of professional life. of Jacques-Louis David. The book starts with keen examination of the artwork produced by David in the prison which the author thinks is his self-representation, the inner him. Further on she discusses the involvement and the memories of the artist in the revolution, which revolves around the Sabine Women. She collected the preparatory drawing of the actual painting from his sketch book. She has discussed the body language and body construction beautifully. This art work l ed to major changes in the history of gender relation in French society and their laws. Coming on Linda Nochlin, she is an American professor, art historian and a writer. She is notable by the fact that she dedicated all her work in representing the true image of a woman. We are discussing one of her famous work named as Dealing with Degas: Representations of Women and the Politics of Vision.  This work talks about certain collection of art pieces interrelated to each other. Linda Nochlin wrote a part in it which discusses The Bellelli Family, especially women of this family. It represents the picture of a woman whose core interest was to pinch the burning question of that time which was gender discrimination. Linda Nochlin has done a marvelous job in describing the Degas artwork, a woman is no less equal to a man and there is no house which can be home without her. The artwork of Degas shows that there was a passionless relation and an emotional disjunction between family’ s man and woman. Last but not the least, coming onto the third book â€Å"The Painting of Modern Life: Paris in the Art of Manet and His Followers† by T.J. Clark who is an historian and also a writer. This book discusses mainly the artwork of Edouard Manet and his followers. Manet without discriminating on class has portrayed the image of the bar-maids and courtesan. Through the nudity, he displayed the equality of women over the men of the society. His every art piece speaks for the freedom of women. T.J. Clarks in the book explains

College Survival Guide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

College Survival Guide - Essay Example If the question of research has few keywords, then I will be forced to broaden my search by using different keywords. All these does not mean that I will get good information, I then have to critically assess each source before downloading it to my machine or portable device (Carter, Bishop and Lyman, 2007). The library is the most important facility in the university. First, I have to master the road map to the library so that I don’t get lost and spent less time going to the library. After reaching the library, I have to search for information using the key word search method. But first, I need to type the key word and surround it with quotation marks; I may also use different words, each surrounded by a quotation mark. Whenever problems arise, I would not hesitate to ask the librarian to assist in solving my research problems Here, I will need to use computerized library catalogue or the results of my keyword search to find books and other materials on my topic. I also need to use the library catalogue. Each catalogue will tell me where exactly to find the information. Once I have gotten the article I need, the table of contents should be able to direct me to the specific pages where the information lies. There is need to be as original as possible while writing academic work. Direct copying of another person’s idea is not good. I need to be creative as possible and use other people’s ideas to help me achieve my goal. Whenever I use another person’s idea, i need to cite the source and the person who came up with the ideas. Plagiarism leads to academic dishonesty. The marks I get from plagiarized papers may deceive and lead to false pretense that I have made progress in education. In addition, plagiarism can lead to my work being cancelled hence not being awarded any marks when grades are being compiled. Finally, plagiarism leads to expulsion from the university and may lead to loss of

SAM 448 UNIT 5 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

SAM 448 UNIT 5 - Assignment Example After discovering the client’s desire, the matters are whittled down to sizes that are communicated to the world in the next excellent meeting. The client also gets a picture why his presence in of assistance in the next meeting (Milne & McDonald, 1999). Specific questions that define the objective of the event will aid in finding out the priorities and goals of the meeting. Why should we get together? What is the point of the meeting or event or banquet or conference? Could the goal of the event be educating, inspiring, informing the audience or networking or making money? What is the objective group: Event members or spouses or children or suppliers or customers? As the meeting ponders the answers to these questions, the potential of the event will be determined. An objective statement will be obtained and can be communicated to the planning team. The attendees of the event will be identified as well as their desires during the event. The objectives highlighted will be used in meeting’s promotional material. As a result, everyone will sing from the same page (Freedman,

Skin problems related to makeup Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Skin problems related to makeup - Essay Example Firstly, with regards to the use of makeup and the clogging of pores, this has an unhealthy affect for a number of reasons. First, due to the fact that the pores of the skin are the means whereby the skin is able to be moisturized and â€Å"breath†, clogging the pores has a negative affect not only on the health of the skin but on the aging process (Streamlining Beauty 88). Without being able to deliver the necessary moisture and oils to the surface, the aging process takes place at a faster rate as the skin loses its ability to be elastic and stretch. In such a way, even though the application of makeup is intended to make the skin more beautiful, as can be seen from the preceding discussion, it can actually have a diminishing return over time. As a means of understanding these determinants, ti is the hope of this author that the reader will be able to integrate a further and more complete understanding of makeup and its effects on skin health. ... The final health impact that makeup can have is related to allergic reactions on the part of the user. Although there is no way that any product can be made allergen free, by very nature of the diverse allergies that are exhibited by individuals, the fact of the matter is that many individuals are allergic to many of the thickening agents or minerals that are found within the common forms of makeup that are on the market today (Levy & Emer 175). Moreover, depending on the quality of the product, there are certain degrees of impurities that can be found within these products to a varying degree. As a function of this, the levels of pure ingredients that are interacting with the skin of an individual’s face are oftentimes unknown (Gray & Boothroyd 66). Due to the fragility and tender level of the skin that is exhibited on the face, as well as the fact that there are at least 7 orifices in the immediate vicinity, this is an especially worrisome point. As a function of these parti cular issues, the reader can understand that many of the negative skin health issues related to makeup are concentric around the overall cleanliness of the skin and/or the ability and desire of the individual user to ensure that they remove all makeup each and every night prior to going to bed. If this is engaged, the level and extent to which the pores will be clogged and the acne levels will increase will be reduced precipitously. However, with regards to the final issue that has been raised, the allergic reactions that many users experience when using makeup, this is not something that can be prevented or reduced. Ultimately, such a skin health issue is entirely dependent upon the environmental factors that determined the individuals

Critically assess the leadership style of chosen leader Essay

Critically assess the leadership style of chosen leader - Essay Example In this paper, I will examine Gandhi’s transformational leadership style, assessing it to reveal the different dimensions constituting it, such as strengths and flaws. Transformational leadership is one of the most effective leadership styles in the world, but it is also one of the rarest. There are very few transformational leaders in the true sense of the word, both because it is hard to develop and even harder to practice. The most revered and admired leaders in history have been transformational, so this shows how effective this type of leadership can be (Giannantonio & Hurley-Hanson, 2013). The foundation of transformational leadership lies in the fundamental essence of mankind. Human beings are social and emotional beings that need to be shown love and concern. Transformational leadership exploits this aspect of humanity by first developing a connection with people and then motivating and inspiring them both psychologically and morally. Gandhi portrayed himself not as a leader but also a follower. This is one of the primary attributes of transformational leaders. Despite being in a position of authority that allows them to use their powers to their advantage, transformational leaders prefer to live and act like their followers and, in the process, become like their followers. They like to suffer with them, to share their experiences, and to help them surmount the challenges they face as a team. Transformational leaders value unity and peace. Gandhi was not only an inspirational personality; he was also a peace merchant who preached peaceful demonstrations and activism (Molinaro, 2013). Exponents of transformational leadership are also often advocates of peace because it is difficult to cultivate connections with followers if there is no serenity or tranquility to support such an endeavor. It would not be too far-fetched to state that the

SAM 448 UNIT 5 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

SAM 448 UNIT 5 - Assignment Example After discovering the client’s desire, the matters are whittled down to sizes that are communicated to the world in the next excellent meeting. The client also gets a picture why his presence in of assistance in the next meeting (Milne & McDonald, 1999). Specific questions that define the objective of the event will aid in finding out the priorities and goals of the meeting. Why should we get together? What is the point of the meeting or event or banquet or conference? Could the goal of the event be educating, inspiring, informing the audience or networking or making money? What is the objective group: Event members or spouses or children or suppliers or customers? As the meeting ponders the answers to these questions, the potential of the event will be determined. An objective statement will be obtained and can be communicated to the planning team. The attendees of the event will be identified as well as their desires during the event. The objectives highlighted will be used in meeting’s promotional material. As a result, everyone will sing from the same page (Freedman,

Critically assess the leadership style of chosen leader Essay

Critically assess the leadership style of chosen leader - Essay Example In this paper, I will examine Gandhi’s transformational leadership style, assessing it to reveal the different dimensions constituting it, such as strengths and flaws. Transformational leadership is one of the most effective leadership styles in the world, but it is also one of the rarest. There are very few transformational leaders in the true sense of the word, both because it is hard to develop and even harder to practice. The most revered and admired leaders in history have been transformational, so this shows how effective this type of leadership can be (Giannantonio & Hurley-Hanson, 2013). The foundation of transformational leadership lies in the fundamental essence of mankind. Human beings are social and emotional beings that need to be shown love and concern. Transformational leadership exploits this aspect of humanity by first developing a connection with people and then motivating and inspiring them both psychologically and morally. Gandhi portrayed himself not as a leader but also a follower. This is one of the primary attributes of transformational leaders. Despite being in a position of authority that allows them to use their powers to their advantage, transformational leaders prefer to live and act like their followers and, in the process, become like their followers. They like to suffer with them, to share their experiences, and to help them surmount the challenges they face as a team. Transformational leaders value unity and peace. Gandhi was not only an inspirational personality; he was also a peace merchant who preached peaceful demonstrations and activism (Molinaro, 2013). Exponents of transformational leadership are also often advocates of peace because it is difficult to cultivate connections with followers if there is no serenity or tranquility to support such an endeavor. It would not be too far-fetched to state that the

If One Is Truly Serious About Achieving Essay Example for Free

If One Is Truly Serious About Achieving Essay If one is truly serious about achieving the ultimate goal of human life by perfecting his spiritual inquiry, he must adopt a life style that is conducive to the cultivation of self-realizing knowledge. This life style can be beautifully summarized in the phrase simple living and high thinking. Here simple living is in relation to maintenance of the body, and high thinking is in relation to the aim of ones intellectual pursuits. In order to exist in this world it is necessary to maintain ones bodily existence, but as will be shown in later lessons, maintenance of the body is not progress towards the goal of life. Maintenance just allows one to perform the activity of existing in a particular body, which does not denote any accomplishment of a goal. This maintenance of the body involving mainly our activities of eating, sleeping, mating and defending is not in itself any great feat opportunity achievement. Even the animals are engaging in these activities of bodily maintenance. The cows also eat, the birds also mate, the hogs also sleep and the dogs also defend. Simply engaging in these activities of maintenance does not actually make one human. For this reason, one who is interested in achieving the real, permanent goal of life does not focus solely on these activities of bodily maintenance, but he rather focuses primarily on the path of perfection. This is why he adopts the process of simple living. The basic principle of simple living is accepting whatever is necessary for maintaining the body, so that we can use the energized body for higher philosophical pursuits directed towards our pure self identity. One only accepts that which is necessary for existence and does not take anything that is an unnecessary complication to life. In this way, by the process of living simply, one will be able to, if properly directed, arrive at the point of high thinking, the actual human essence. What exactly is the meaning of high thinking? High thinking entils the [continues].

An Effect of Mood-induced Emotions on Forgetting

An Effect of Mood-induced Emotions on Forgetting An effect of mood-induced emotions on forgetting non-retrieved personal autobiographical memories Demet Ay Abstract Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) will be investigated with emotional material. Autobiographical memory as a material for presented paradigm gains importance in terms of its emotional component. There are controversial findings about effect of emotional valence on RIF effect between psychological disorder people and control group. While having inhibitory deficit disorder might be related to less RIF effect for negative stimulus, present study also aims to find positivity bias toward emotional component autobiographical memory. Keywords: Retrieval-induced forgetting, emotion, autobiographical memory An effect of mood-induced emotions on forgetting non-retrieved personal autobiographical memories Moods have an influence on several psychological construct like verbal task performance (Gray, 2001), false memories (Storbeck Clore, 2005). Another crucial thing that mood impact on is what we remember (Blix Brennen, 2012) and forget (Bauml Kuhbandner, 2007) from our past. Not only remembering events from one’s personal life but also the fact that which memories and in what ways are forgotten gain importance in recent years (Barnier, Hung, Conway, 2004). Forgetting specific events from our past can be either intentionally or unintentionally, as it names suggested directed forgetting and retrieval-induced forgetting, respectively (Barnier et al., 2004). Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) is firstly investigated by Anderson, Bjork, and Bjork (1994). They define the problem of forgetting not in terms of capacity or real forgetting problem but accessibility problem because of retrieving some of items more than the others. To test which items not to be retrieved, they use retrieval-induced paradigm in which is composed of three special phase. In the original version of paradigm, they use word and associative cues such as fruit, vegetables, or car brands. Participants are first exposed to word pairs with specific cue and then they are shown half of items from one of the presented cue and then tested to retrieve all items. Consistent finding for different material among several studies show that practicing particular item inhibits sharing cue item therefore it is less likely remembered than unpracticed category (Murayama, Miyatsu, Buchli, Storm, 2014, for review). RIF effect has been demonstrated for different materials such as lexical c ues (Bajo, Gomez-Ariza, Fernandez, Marful, 2006), pictures (Ford et al., 2004), videos (Miguelez Garcia-Bajos, 2007) and so forth. Effect of emotion on retrieval-induced forgetting has two main questions (Bauml, Pastà ¶tter, Hanslmayr, 2010). First is about current emotional state of participants. Retrieval practice of either positive or neutral emotion-induced participants tend to forget more non-practiced and shared cue items than negative mood induced participants (Bauml, Pastà ¶tter, Hanslmayr, 2010; Bauml and Kuhbandner, 2007). Bauml and Kuhbandner (2007) find empirical evidence for negative state effect in which exposing negative mood during retrieval practice results in lacking of inhibition. Therefore, they remember more non-practice material from practiced category. Neither emotional material nor autobiographical memory gain rather little attendance but Barnier and his colleagues (2004) are firstly attempted to use one’s personal memory as a material for RIF paradigm recently. However, there are controversial findings about an effect of mood on unintentional forgetting resulting from retrieval practice. For example, Barnier and his colleagues (2004) find that participants tend only to forget neutral stimulus, words, rather than emotional positive and negative one when they manipulate participants’ reported autobiographical memory as positive, neutral, and negative. In other words, retrieval-induced forgetting effect occurs only for neutral stimulus. Another consistent finding about remembering or forgetting emotional stimuli and investigating intensity of each stimuli show similar results with above mentioned experiment (Kuhbandner, Bauml, Stiedl, 2009). However, Harris, Sharman, Barnier, and Moulds (2010) find positivity bias tow ard emotional material of autobiographical memory with dysphoric patients. Hauer and Wessel (2006) also find consistently positivity bias in which means remembering more positive memory than negative memory with an addition of classic RIF effect in their first experiment. Since RIF effect is considered as resulting from inhibition (see Storm Levy, 2012, for review), examining the effect for people who have mood-induced disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD, Amir, Badour, Freese, 2009) and major depression (Groome Sterkaj, 2010) is crucial to investigate effect of mood on RIF effect. Amir and his colleagues (2009) implement the paradigm to PTSD group and either non-trauma exposed group or trauma exposed group. They find the difference between both of control groups and PTSD group in a way that PTSD patients cannot have an ability to inhibit irrelevant material so they do not demonstrate RIF effect. In line with this background, elicited autobiographical memories by participants with regard to each emotion-induced words getting from PANAS (Watson, Clark, Tellegen, 1988) will be used as manipulation across participants and it will hypothesized that memories included negativity will be more impacted from RIF effect based on Harris and colleagues (2010) and Wessel and Hauer (2006) findings. Dependent variable of presented study will be the fact that which material will be remembered and which of them will not be retrieved. Further analysis will be made in terms of emotional ingredients of each emotion. Since population attending this experiment does not have any mood-related disorder, lack of inhibition for positivity will be less expected. Method Participants Participants will be recruited from Yeditepe University psychology undergraduate students by the flyer. Mean age of them will be most probably in between nineteen and twenty-two. Each participants report their past history about the fact that whether they experience mood-related disorder in any part of their life. No one reports such experience. And none of the participants have taken memory course since then. Informed consent will be taken from them and they will be debriefed about an aim of the experiment at the end. Materials Modified version of retrieval-induced paradigm which is investigated by Anderson and his colleagues (1994) will be used in this experiment. Modification was made by Barnier and his colleagues (2004) in order to make it applicable to autobiographical memory. In terms of this procedure, participants’ own past memory that is elicited by them will be used as material. They are willing to report memory in terms of emotional words not just like happy or sad but further higher-order emotions like shame and guilty. Since there are extreme controversies about theory of emotion (Ortony Turner, 1990), affective statements in positive and negative affect scale (PANAS, Watson et al., 1988) in the context of Turkish statements (Genà §Ãƒ ¶z, 2000) will be used as category-cue. Turkish version of scale is consisted of twenty affective statement, ten is closed to positive remaining is closed to negative emotional statements, and each participants will be required to elicit a memory for each emotion-included words. These memories will be used as a material for retrieval-induced paradigm. For control condition, each participant will also elicit two memories in terms of give no valence random word. Since I have enough number of participants, differences between these random words will not be a problem. Procedure Experiment will consist of four distinct phase based on Barnier and his colleagues (2004) experiment in which firstly investigate autobiographical memory in the RIF paradigm. Elicitation phase will involve that memories will be recorded for each participants orally by using audio recorder. Participants will be required to answer five wh- questions specifically. These recording will be transferred into written type by blind people. Rest of the experiment will be conducted a week after from elicitation phase. Deception will take place by saying the fact that an aim of the experiment is to investigate emotional valence of past memories of university students. Learning phase of the experiment will take place individually. Each participant will be shown their own memories elicited a week ago. During retrieval practice phase participants will be half of either exposed to closed-to-positive valence word’s memory or vice versa randomly. Name of each variable will be used as Anderson a nd his colleagues (1994) used. At the final phase of the classic retrieval-induced paradigm, each participant will be asked to retrieve all memories. At the end, emotional intensity of each category cue and elicited memories will be collected by 5 type likert scale. Expected results In the first place, relative emotional intensity among each triggered words will be rated to participants by five likert-type scale by attributing 1 to extremely negative valence and 5 to extremely positive valence after experimental paradigm will be done. Furthermore, relative emotional intensity of each autobiographical memory will also be rated by participants. Results will be expected in a way that hypothesis is constructed. Series of one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) will be used to test hypothesis. To begin with, randomly assigned elicited memories in terms of category cue will be manipulated. Each cue will be analyzed within themselves. Finally, closed-to-positive and closed-to-negative memories (10 for each) will be compared to each other. Positivity bias will also be expected consistent with Hauer and Wessel (2006) finding. Discussion Retrieval-induced forgetting can be said that it has functional importance in terms of different situations such as psychological disorders (Amir et al., 2009). They found lack of inhibition for negative emotional material in PTSD patients. This finding suggests that if neurological basis of RIF can be reliably investigated then PTSD can be figured out by this method. Present study also aims to find specific effect of emotional autobiographical memory on inhibition in which is regarded most probably as reason for RIF (Storm Levy, 2012). Investigating an effect of emotion on any construct is one of the hardest but crucial questions. Result of this experiment will give rise to further questions into the field in a way that how each specific emotion-included material affects unintentional forgetting for people. Neurological basis of the RIF as a phenomenon is recently investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI, Kuhl, Dudukovich, Kahn, Wagner, 2007), and electrophysiological methods (Hellerstedt Johansson, 2014). According to Johansson and his colleagues (2007), ERP studies should shed light first possible correlates of ERP with regard to RIF, and inhibitory mechanisms with regard to individual differences on RIF scores. Further studies about neurological basis of RIF should be accounted for possible specific location activation during retrieval practice in terms of emotional content of the material. I expect special amygdala activation during retrieval practice when negative-correlated stimulus is presented. Reference List Amir, N., Badour, C. L., Freese, B. (2009). The effect of retrieval on recall of information in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder.Journal of anxiety disorders,23(4), 535-540. Anderson, M. C., Bjork, R. A., Bjork, E. L. (1994). Remembering can cause forgetting: retrieval dynamics in long-term memory.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition,20(5), 1063. Bajo, M. T., Gà ³mez-Ariza, C. J., Fernandez, A., Marful, A. (2006). Retrieval-induced forgetting in perceptually driven memory tests. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 32(5), 1185. Barnier, A., Hung, L., Conway, M. (2004). Retrievalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ induced forgetting of emotional and unemotional autobiographical memories.Cognition and Emotion,18(4), 457-477. Bà ¤uml, K. H., Kuhbandner, C. (2007). Remembering can cause forgetting—but not in negative moods.Psychological Science,18(2), 111-115. Bà ¤uml, K. H., Pastà ¶tter, B., Hanslmayr, S. (2010). Binding and inhibition in episodic memory—Cognitive, emotional, and neural processes. Neuroscience Biobehavioral Reviews, 34(7), 1047-1054. Blix, I., Brennen, T. (2012). Retrieval-induced forgetting after trauma: A study with victims of sexual assault.Cognition emotion,26(2), 321-331. Ford, R. M., Keating, S., Patel, R. (2004). Retrievalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ induced forgetting: A developmental study. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 22(4), 585-603. Genà §Ãƒ ¶z, T. (2000). Positive and Negative Affect Schedule: A study of validity and reliability. Tà ¼rk Psikoloji Dergisi. Gray, J. R. (2001). Emotional modulation of cognitive control: Approach–withdrawal states double-dissociate spatial from verbal two-back task performance.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General,130(3), 436. Harris, C. B., Sharman, S. J., Barnier, A. J., Moulds, M. L. (2010). Mood and retrievalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ induced forgetting of positive and negative autobiographical memories.Applied Cognitive Psychology,24(3), 399-413. Hauer, B. J., Wessel, I. (2006). Retrievalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ induced forgetting of autobiographical memory details.Cognition Emotion,20(3-4), 430-447. Hellerstedt, R., Johansson, M. (2014). Electrophysiological correlates of competitor activation predict retrieval-induced forgetting.Cerebral Cortex,24(6), 1619-1629. Kuhbandner, C., Bà ¤uml, K. H., Stiedl, F. C. (2009). Retrieval-induced forgetting of negative stimuli: The role of emotional intensity.Cognition and Emotion,23(4), 817-830. Kuhl, B. A., Dudukovic, N. M., Kahn, I., Wagner, A. D. (2007). Decreased demands on cognitive control reveal the neural processing benefits of forgetting.Nature neuroscience,10(7), 908-914. Murayama, K., Miyatsu, T., Buchli, D., Storm, B. C. (2014). Forgetting as a consequence of retrieval: A meta-analytic review of retrieval-induced forgetting. Psychological bulletin,140(5), 1383. Ortony, A., Turner, T. J. (1990). Whats basic about basic emotions?. Psychological review,97(3), 315. Storbeck, J., Clore, G. L. (2005). With Sadness Comes Accuracy; With Happiness, False Memory Mood and the False Memory Effect.Psychological Science,16(10), 785-791. Storm, B. C., Levy, B. J. (2012). A progress report on the inhibitory account of retrieval-induced forgetting.Memory cognition,40(6), 827-843. Watson, D., Clark, L. A., Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales.Journal of personality and social psychology,54(6), 1063.

Dangers of RU486 :: essays research papers

RU-486 is not the same as the â€Å"morning after† pill (postinor -2). RU-486 is the generic term for mifepristone, an artificial steroid that blocks progesterone, a vital nutrient hormone. It causes the vital nutrient lining of the mother’s uterus to disintegrate, and the embryo withers and dies. RU486 has had people under the illusion it is a inexpensive less traumatic option when compared to decide between it and surgery. However conversely, RU486 continues to shock people and destroy lives., it has been proven to be more traumatic and painful then surgical abortion. unfortunately users are not notified properly of these side effects and forced to bear the consequences. A great risk of psychological and physical side effects can result in the use of RU486, such as prolonged bleeding -which requires medical intervention. Women in rural communities have limited access to hospitals or general practises, and it is these woman, those who come from undeveloped, conserv ative countries who are most likely going to require these facilities. The great debate continues over RU486- the issue involving whether it should be available to Australian women. Mifepristone needs to be interpreted by the public as a dangerous and fatal drug, not as â€Å"easy† alternative. The media must publicise the potential side effects more effectively and destroy the perceptual set that Australians view RU486 to be. More then one million women worldwide have used RU486 to end their pregnancy. RU846 is effective from the fifth to the seventh week. Following the last menstrual period, with decreasing effectiveness up to the ninth week. Used alone, RU486 has an abortion rate of 60-80 percent. The convenience of swallowing one tablet to terminate a unwanted pregnancy may sound intriguing to a lot of women. This perception has devoured any subconscious thought in women’s minds concerning doubt or issues involved with using RU486. The sudden outbreak of this newly formulated drug has raised the issue of whether RU486 is the safer then surgical abortion. A common side effect is severe pain similar to that of a miscarriage, with over half of women requiring specific pain medication and one third requiring narcotics. Other side effects include nausea and dizziness, serious bacterial infection, sepsis, prolonged bleeding and even death. The side effects which develop as a result of taking RU486 are clearly much more severe then a general surgical abortion. The statistics continue to prove mifepristone as a dangerous alternative to surgical abortion.

Brown v. Board of Education and Multiculturalism Essay -- Education

On May 17, 1954, in the Supreme Court case of Brown v. Board of Education, the High Court, for the first time in American legal history, challenged the â€Å"separate but equal† doctrine previously established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and outlawed racial segregation in public schools. The decision, igniting fierce debates throughout the country, was met with violence and strong defiance in the South. The years after Brown, however, saw the passing of several important Acts: the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Today, Americans remember Brown v. Board of Education as a success in African Americans’ struggle for equal rights, a change of sea tide for the civil rights movement. While Brown deserves its place in American History Books, its direct product – desegregation – is not the ultimate solution to the education for African Americans. Desegregation only amends the system of education. America h as to reassess the word â€Å"education,† for black Americans and other minority groups to achieve a real equal education. In Supreme Court’s opinion on Brown v. Board, Chief Justice Earl Warren says, â€Å"We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of "separate but equal" has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal† (â€Å"Brown v. Board of Education† 307). While scholars may argue that Supreme Court’s reversal on its previous ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson was abrupt and unexplained (Balkin 11), Supreme Court’s position that segregation in education is â€Å"separate and unequal† was irrefutable. Segregation in education had a long history against the interests of African Americans. For numerical examples, in 1898, the state of Florida spent $5.92 on every ... ...for Education Statistics. Long-Term Trends in Student Reading Performance. Jan. 1998. Web. 2 May 2009. . United States. National Center for Education Statistics. Long-Term Trends in Student Mathematics Performance. Sep. 1998. Web. 2 May 2009. . United States. National Center for Education Statistics. Long-Term Trends in Student Science Performance. Sep. 1998. Web. 2 May 2009. . United States. National Center for Education Statistics. NAEP Data Tool v3.0. Web. 4 May 2009. . â€Å"Vital Statistics.† The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education Winter 2003/2003. Web. 3 May 2009. . â€Å"What Negroes Want Now.† U.S. News & World Report 28 May 1954: 54-59.

Information about the business Essay

The name of the business is JOLLYTAPZ it is a fast food restaurant they started year 2003 and .They offered Tapsilog ,Chicksilog,Porksilog,Mixsilog,Longsilog,Hotsilog,Tocilog,Daingsilog , â€Å"silog† means fried rice and egg, Mixsilog is mix of beef and tocino. They’re main dish is Tapsilog .The reason for having this kind of business because year 2003 beef and fried rice with egg called â€Å"Tapsilog† is yearly demanding until now,that is why owner put up this kind of business. It is 24 hours of service .It is located at #90 M.Almeda St. Pateros ,Metro Manila and this is a main branch. After a year owner add 3 more branches it is on the Pateros also and it located at 962 P Herrera St. Pateros Metro Manila this is 12 hours of service, The owner owned this land while the main branch is only renting because the land was so expensive and they can’t afford to buy. The Owner built a branches at same location because Pateros have only 2 direction to go to another city so they built 2 branches in 2 direction in same location .The second is located at Dahlia St. Pembo Makati City they built there because it is near at the hospital and it is 24 hours of services and the last is on the 235 Mayon St. corner Sta Catalina Quezon City this is 12 hours operation the owner built there because it is a crowded City and it is near in North Cemetery and this is not also advisable for 24 hours because of many crimes happen in this location . The method of their marketing ,They need to go to the market, Buy what they need in their store in order to secure that we serve freshly cook products. They have 2 problems that they encounter during the business operation first is the workers because some of the workers having an attitude problem and second is the costumers, sometimes they’re complaining about the food they served .They see their business 5 years from now they hope that it would be more better than before and it would also becoming a big establishment. The owner said â€Å"Business planning is very important. Plan and find the right location before starting the business. †

American Involvement in Vietnam: Failure or Not?

More than thirty years went by after the last American combat troops left Southeast Asia, but the social and political fires of the Vietnam War still keep on burning throughout the United States and Vietnam. Wars do not simply fade away when the guns are silenced. Millions of citizens in both countries bear the deep, painful scars of a conflict that wreaked havoc on the political and social landscapes of both nations.Even today, legions of war veterans endure the physical and emotional wounds inflicted during their tours of duty, while the 3 million people who perished on all sides (Berman 16) are only memories to millions of husbands, wives, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and friends. In the United States, the nation's military affair into Vietnam continues to impact its political institutions, foreign and defense policies.The Vietnam War also profoundly altered Americans' view of their public institutions. While polls suggest that public confidence in the federal gover nment has not declined significantly in more than thirty years, Vietnam did awaken millions of Americans to the fact that their presidents had routinely lied to them – about the American military role in Southeast Asia, about Watergate, and about many other issues (Mann 2). Vietnam was, indeed, a turning point in American political history.So, what was Vietnam War for the United States – the necessity to stop communist erosion or tragic delusion? The purpose of this study is to explore whether American involvement in Vietnam was total failure or the nation had strong reasons to go into warfare. Toward this end we will scrutinize the reasons underlying the decision to launch war affair, analyze the outcomes of Vietnam War, consider the reaction of American community upon it, and make the conclusion. The Reasons of American Involvement in Vietnam and Its CourseFive successive American presidents and scores of senators and congressmen had insisted that the preservation of a small, isolated Southeast Asian nation was vital to the US national security. During a period of twenty-five years, these leaders first funded the war fought by the French and then supported and sponsored a policy under which the fighting in Vietnam was eventually assumed by the US military – to the point that it became, almost entirely, an American war. America's involvement in Vietnam began in 1950 as a political reaction to events elsewhere in Asia (Olson & Freeman 463).While the communist victory in China in 1949 and the subsequent invasion of South Korea in 1950 had not directly threatened the United States, the political fallout from these events had tarnished President Harry Truman's presidency and elevated the importance of Southeast Asia to his administration (VanDeMark 216). By early 1965, it was clear that if the United States did not introduce regular ground troops into South Vietnam, communists would overrun the country in a matter of months (Helsing 240).In M arch 1965, Johnson deployed the first contingent of the US Marines to Vietnam, and by the end of the year more than 184,000 American ground troops were in the country. Despite the growing American commitment, the government of South Vietnam grew weaker, and the Vietcong, now sustained by troops and supplies from North Vietnam, grew stronger (Olson & Freeman 464). The character of the struggle for control of South Vietnam has been the subject of prolonged debate, directed toward the ultimate question of whether or not U. S. military involvement there was lawful. Many of those supporting U. S.involvement in the war insisted that American intervention was an attempt to enforce the principles of the United Nations Charter in Asia. The argument was as follows: North Vietnam had attacked South Vietnam in violation of Article 2 of the Charter and the United States â€Å"had every right to join South Vietnam in ‘collective defense’ under Article 51 of the Charter† (Frey- Wouters & Laufer 76). The United States had also undertaken commitments to assist South Vietnam in defending itself against Communist aggression from the North; thus the introduction of United States military personnel and equipment was justified (Johns 4).The bombing missions in 1972 became a turning-point of the war – a campaign of enormous proportions comprising more than fifty-five thousand sorties, during which American planes dropped more than 100,000 tons of bombs on North Vietnam by early June – were finally yielding the deadly and destructive results (Olson & Freeman 466). By early summer, North Vietnamese intransigence began melting as the bombing and the naval blockade dried up communist supply lines.Realizing they could not overpower the South Vietnamese army as it was backed by such massive American air power, the North Vietnamese were now more favorably inclined to negotiations about peace (Mann 702). But Nixon's infamous bombing campaign came at a steep price. In addition to losses of twenty-six American aircraft, public opinion about war changed radically. Almost overnight, his approval rating in the polls slumped to 39 percent (Mann 713). Despite its intensity and callous brutality, Nixon's bombing worked. In late December, the North Vietnamese finally signaled their willingness to return to the negotiating table (Johns 7).It’s obvious that the intense bombing had been largely responsible for North Vietnam's sudden eagerness to settle. Then presidency’s problem, however, was their mistaken belief that the conflict in Vietnam could be won entirely on the battlefield. Vietnam was also a political conflict in which the hearts and minds of the people were at stake. More bombs could never force the political and economic changes necessary to persuade millions of South Vietnamese that their government in Saigon was worth fighting for (Mann 729).In Paris, in 1973, on January 27, Secretary of State William Rogers joined rep resentatives of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the Viet Cong in signing the accords, bringing about an official end to what the New York Times called â€Å"the longest, most divisive foreign war in America's history† (Mann 714). The Vietnam War, arguably the most misguided political and military crusade in American history, thus, ended. Aftermath of the Vietnam War After the Paris Peace Accords were signed in January 1973, the war went on for another two years until Saigon's collapse in April 1975.The Vietnam War was such a traumatic and divisive experience that once the last American combat forces were withdrawn from Vietnam many Americans tried to forget the conflict. But it soon became clear that this was not an easy task. Most Americans agreed that the war in Vietnam was markedly different from any other experienced by the American nation (Johns 11). It was the first war rejected during its fighting by a substantial part of the American people, and, in retrospect, many Americans continue to have serious doubts about the wisdom of having entered that conflict.Independent survey studies carried out in the postwar period show that several years after the end of the war, a majority of the American public agreed that the US should have stayed out of the fighting in Vietnam. In addition, respondents perceived the war's lasting effects on the United States as almost entirely harmful (Frey-Wouters & Laufer 79). The war created serious economic problems. Until 1965, when President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the US ground troops into the conflict, the Vietnam War had only a minor impact on the American economy.But as the war escalated, government expenditures increased dramatically. The large-scale federal spending fueled an inflationary spiral during the late 1960s. When inflation reached 6 percent in 1968, Congress passed a 10 percent income tax surcharge in hopes of slowing spending and lessening inflation, but it was too little and too late. Although the Vietnam War's most dramatic impact on American society was social and political, it did set in motion the inflationary spiral that plagued the economy throughout the 1970s and 1980s (Olson & Freeman 465).The legacy of Vietnam, like the war itself, remains a difficult and painful subject for Americans. As passions subside and time bestows greater perspective, Americans still struggle to understand Vietnam's meaning and lessons for the country. They still wonder how the United States found itself ensnared in an ambiguous, costly, and divisive war, and how it can avoid repeating such an ordeal in the future (VanDeMark 215). In opinion by many Americans who were opposed to U. S. policy in Vietnam, the American government had engaged in an illegal war in Vietnam in violation of international law and morality.In addition, the United States, in their view, had violated the United Nations Charter by its military intervention in the civil war (Frey-Wouters & Laufer 77). Moreover, many h istorians argue that American involvement in Vietnam violated international law and that the US committed crimes against humanity using napalm, gas, and defoliants, search and destroy operations, treatment of prisoners, forced relocation and pacification programs, and artillery, aerial and naval bombing (Mann 714). Those who opposed the war made the following points: 1) South Vietnam was never a separate state.A separate state or nation of ‘South Vietnam’ had never existed. A convention signed in 1946 between the French commissioner and President Ho Chi Minh recognized the Vietnam Republic as a free state. Peace was finally negotiated, and on July 21, 1954, the Geneva Conference ended with the adoption of a Final Declaration, which reconfirmed the independence of a single, united Vietnam. An agreement was reached for the temporary division of Vietnam into two zones for a two-year period (Frey-Wouters & Laufer 76). The reunification of the two zones of North and South Vi etnam, which was promised for July 1956, did not materialize (Asselin 2).2) South Vietnam was not subjected to armed attack by North Vietnam. Many opponents of the war argued that the American intervention was not justified by the right of collective self-defense. The Charter of the United Nations permits collective self-defense only in case of an armed attack, and no such armed attack existed in the case of Vietnam. From the antiwar critics' perspective, a civil war was going on in Vietnam, and the only proper course for states that were not themselves placed in the necessity of self-defense was to abstain from intervention (Frey-Wouters & Laufer 78).Conclusion The President Nixon had not won the war, or the honorable peace that he had promised. He just merely delayed the day of the communist victory, with deadly and disastrous consequences. The Vietnam War was America's longest armed conflict, a tragic crusade that cost millions of lives and ruined millions more. The war dispelled the widespread and erroneous belief that, in its foreign and military policies, the United States had always exhibited the purest of motives and actions. This, of course, had never been the case, particularly in the twentieth century.From Truman to Nixon, the decisions about Vietnam were almost always made by presidents and other political leaders seeking to preserve or enhance their domestic or international political standings. While these presidents talked of preserving democratic institutions in Southeast Asia, the massive influx of American manpower and military in the 1960s actually undermined the ideal of a free and independent South Vietnam and transformed the nation into a client of the United States. By the time the war ended, the region that America had sought to protect from communism was, instead, ruled by it.At home, the United States became, in some ways, a stronger nation because of its tragic experience in Vietnam. Organized public dissent became a widely accepted and effective way of influencing public policy. The American people and the news media exhibited a more healthy distrust of government officials and their public pronouncements. These and other positive changes, however, came at a horrible cost. In the name of fighting for freedom in Vietnam, the political and military leadership of the United States inflicted untold damage on a proud nation and its people.Thus, American involvement in Vietnam represented a total failure not just of American foreign policy but also of American statesmanship. The policymakers inflexibly pursued a path which eventually damaged the essence of American power by consuming excessive lives and resources, shook allied confidence in the US strategic judgment, and demolished liberalism's political unity and legality by polarizing and paralyzing American society. Whatever the conflicting judgments about this controversial war, Vietnam without a doubt stands as the greatest tragedy of twentieth-century U.S. for eign relations. Works Cited Asselin, Pierre. A Bitter Peace: Washington, Hanoi, and the Making of the Paris Agreement. Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2002. Berman, David M. â€Å"Never Forget the Sacrifice: A Visit to Chu Van an High School In Hanoi, Vietnam. † Social Studies 86. 1 (1995): 12-17. Frey-Wouters, Ellen, and Robert S. Laufer. Legacy of a War: The American Soldier in Vietnam. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1986. Johns, Andrew L. â€Å"Achilles' Heel: The Vietnam War and George Romney's Bid for the Presidency, 1967 to 1968.† Michigan Historical Review 26. 1 (2000): 1-16. Mann, Robert. A Grand Delusion: America's Descent into Vietnam. New York: Basic Books, 2001. Olson, James S. , and Samuel Freeman, eds. Historical Dictionary of the 1960s. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1999. VanDeMark, Brian. Into the Quagmire: Lyndon Johnson and the Escalation of the Vietnam War. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. Helsing, Jeffrey W. Johnson's War/Jo hnson's Great Society: The Guns and Butter Trap. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2000.