The War Photo No one Would Publish Essay Example

The War Photo No one Would Publish Essay Example The War Photo No one Would Publish Paper The War Photo No one Would Publish Paper In â€Å"The War Photo No One Would Publish,† Torie Rose Deghett addresses the challenges of wartime photography during the Gulf War. Her argument was that more Americans would empathize with the Iraqi people if the photo taken by Kenneth Jarecke of an â€Å"incinerated† soldier was published. The photo continued to go unpublished in the United States; preventing Americans from seeing the picture and feeling empathy towards the soldier. Not seeing this photo did not grant the American people to see the side of the war that was matter-of-fact instead of sterilized. Deghett believes that we all can put aside our core values and empathize with or tolerate another person. In â€Å"The Primacy of Practice,† the philosopher, Kwame Anthony Appiah, contemplates the ability to be tolerant of others. He believes that everyone should try to become more involved in other cultures and learn to understand them more and get used to it. He encourages people to learn about others so everyone can live in harmony; many do not need to agree on values, just agree to disagree. However, Deghett;s feelings of empathy and Appiah’s of tolerance will not be felt in every circumstance. The amount of tolerance and empathy people can feel is to a certain extent, as everyone will not support all the beliefs of other people due a difference in core values. Deghett is uneasy about the media not publishing the photo of the Iraqi soldier. The photo was taken by a war photographer named Kenneth Jarecke. Deghett talks about censorship within the media and how it affected the responsiveness of the American people to the war. This makes her angry because she believes that the censorship of the photograph prohibits the people from empathizing and changing the outcome of the war. She believes that everyone would have felt empathy towards the Iraqi solider if given the opportunity. The capturing of this photo took place during the Gulf War; the media in the United States refused to publish the photograph taken of the Iraqi soldier and instead published â€Å"hardware-focussed coverage† and they â€Å"removed empathy† (78). These images had not been published to â€Å" †¦ preserve the dominant narrative of the good†¦Ã¢â‚¬  it kept the persona that the war was â€Å"clean† and â€Å"decontaminated† (81). The way that the media will not portray the photo shows the censorship sustained within the Gulf War. In reality, it prohibited people from empathizing with the Iraqi soldier. Without this connection to the Iraqi people, it prevented the war from being reported as truthful. Deghett believes that should the public view the photo, they would most likely create an opportunity to reform perspectives on the war. Deghett shows resentment towards the media when she conveys, â€Å"[t]he Vietnam War in contrast to was notable for its catalog of chilling and iconic war photography and†¦ had a tremendous impact on the outcome of the war,† attributing the publishing of pictures during the Vietnam War (75). Using this example, she validates how much of an impact photographic proof can have on not only the publics opinion of war but also, when done correctly, how it can affect the outcome of everyday life and what we empathize with. Each day, people find themselves reacting to different situations in different ways. The ability to tolerate these situations permits people to get tolerate the way others act. Appiah addresses his argument that no matter our personal beliefs, everyone can get used to one another. He states, â€Å"I am urging that we should learn about people in other places, take an interest in their civilizations, their arguments, their errors, their achievements, not because that will bring us to agreement, but because it will help us get used to one another† (55). Tolerance is just determined in a matter of seconds as, â€Å"†¦ we offer judgements, after all, it’s rarely because we have applied well-thought-out principles, to a set of facts and deducted an answer,† meaning we judge something before we can fully tolerate it, (52). Appiah looks at several distinctive disputive topics as well as homosexuality, religion, abortion, gay marriage, and women’s rights. Appiah claims, â€Å"†¦ we can live in harmony without agreeing on underlying values,† meaning that everyone has to be tolerant of one another to have a coexisting environment. Tolerance is felt on different levels because of the core values of others. Even if we do agree, we find a reason to disagree on it because, â€Å"they have clashing conceptions of ‘the good’†¦ conflict often arises when two peoples have identified the same thing as good,† (55). A person’s culture defines who they are, and there are some people who really enjoy most of it, but it can possibly turn people away when it starts to get into more personal topics. An example Appiah uses is Pro-life or Pro-choice, â€Å"Both sides respect something like the sanctity of human life,† (56) showing that some can find a common piece in an uncommon view. Kwame Anthony Appiah presumes that, â€Å"†¦ the recent history of America does show that a society can radically change its attitudes and more importantly, perhaps, its habits about these issues over a single generation,† showing that people can become more tolerant because others do not have to like each other; just be able to stand each other, (58). Appiah believes that being able to accept opinions that differ from your own and behaviors that make you uncomfortable allow this society to fully function as a whole. Deghett and Appiah both assume one thing: that certain feelings, (in this case, empathy and tolerance), toward specific situations are universal. With Deghett, it is the photo of the Iraqi solider and how if the photo was published everyone would empathize with it. She believed that if everyone related to this photo, it would have tremendously impacted the war. Deghett felt that people’s empathy would have impelled them to try and bring the war to a standstill. Likewise, Appiah believes that we all have certain morals but we are not able to feel a specific way about everything. He also feels that we can not feel tolerant towards everything we experience or hear, but we can try to be accepting of one another and become used to the things that we all do. Each author believes that we all can put aside our core values and empathize with or tolerate another person. Deghetts argument is problematic because it is not possible for everyone to empathize with the Iraqi soldier if the picture had been published. Everyone can not empathize with the photo due to their own core values; but there is a great chance that lots of people would empathize with the photo and intervene. Some people might have empathized with the photo of the Iraqi soldier, like anti-war groups and others who had lost someone not long ago. Someone who lost a loved one because of an Iraqi soldier, people who have friends and family in the war and pro-war groups would not have empathized with the photo. By stating this, I believe that empathy is not universal towards any point of view and the photo of the Iraqi soldier would not have had enough force to change the conclusion of the war. Almost everyone has something that they care very much about. Lots of people stand up to shelter something that is close to them or protest something they believe needs to be alternated. When something like this occurs, there are some who stay by them and take part in the empathy toward these actions. There is also the possibility of people being unempathetic. In a recent article published in the New York Times, a football player by the name of Colin Kaepernick is expressing his feelings in a different way. Billy Witz reports that Kaepernick did not stand for the National Anthem and took a knee instead. Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, heard the sound of the National Anthem did the opposite of what you should do: kneel. The article by Billy Witz titled, â€Å"This Time, Colin Kaepernick Takes a Stand by Kneeling,† shows Kaepernick doing just this. During a preseason game whenever Kaepernick, â€Å"entered the field†¦ took a knee, and virtually every time the 49ers offense broke its huttle† he was booed at (3). This challenges Deghett’s argument by expressing the alternate views that United States citizens would have on the photo of the Iraqi soldier if it had been published. Deghett does not include this in her argument. Witz wrote, â€Å"What began as a gesture to protest police brutality and social injustice had careened into a national debate†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (2). People started to have feelings of empathy towards Colin Kaepernick. His fans wanted to buy his shirts and get his autograph, more so now because of what he has done. This is how some would feel towards the picture of the Iraqi soldier. There might be people who would advocate for the image and want more people to understand and empathize with it. Staff Sgt Jonathan Felix was interviewed by Witz and quoted in this article; Felix had been deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan, â€Å"‘I understand his message†¦ There is a lot of oppression in the world and he’s fighting for people just the way I have been. It’s mind-boggling that so many people are against him when he’s fighting to take a stand,’† (4). Another example of how the photo would be treated is exactly this; Deghett is fighting to take a stand with the Iraqi soldier so people with empathize and create an impact on how others view Iraqi people. A large group of his fans supported him, â€Å"They were mostly Latino, Asian and black† (1), this conveys what group he was connecting with most. These people were showing him support, they experienced empathy because they feel that people of their skin color are being treated unfairly. Just as Deghett feels that the photo of the Iraqi soldier is being treated unfairly by not having the opportunity to be published. This is the one side that Deghett feels that the American people would have towards the soldier. Empathy and tolerance are extremely similar in the aspect that not everyone feels it to the same level. This creates parts of Appiah’s argument that are not as well thought out as they could be. Appiah believes that if everyone can learn to tolerate others, they can get used to one another. There will always be people that do not agree on certain cultures, traditions and actions which makes his argument problematic. Not everyone can be tolerant of the same things; they can be understanding and try to be accepting but that will not go on forever. People’s core values affect how they perceive things each day. Appiah argues that, â€Å"†¦ the various communities did not have to agree on a set of universal values,† but people can be tolerant and get used to certain ideas, (50-51). However, this argument is complicated by a published article in The Atlantic, â€Å"Female Circumcision Comes to America,† by Linda Burstyn, expresses the values of families from countries around the globe. Female circumcision (also known as female genital mutilation or FGM), is the removal of the female genitals. When immigrants come to America, they bring this tradition with them and not many Americans are too keen on the idea. ‘We don’t warn [immigrant] families that we consider this child abuse,’ says Catherine Hogan, the founder of the Washington Metropolitan Alliance Against Ritualistic FGM†¦ ‘this is a clear case of child abuse†¦ protect these girls from barbarous practices that rob them for a lifetime,’† (3). This shows the relation to Appiah’s argument because Hogan shows her core values by being intolerant. She may disagree with this part of the culture but not all parts of it, meaning that some aspects of the culture are believed by Hogan to be good. As stated before, Appiah clearly overlooks that people can be intolerant to certain aspects of cultures. As the article demonstrates, there are bountiful African Americans and Americans at this day in age who are intolerant and do not believe in this. Many women will not want this done to anyone again because of the pain that they experienced, â€Å"‘I was angry and still am,’† stated Mimi Ramsey, an already circumcised woman, and also an activist against FGM, (6). Although, many Africans still stand by this part of their culture in the United States. As Appiah believes that people can become tolerant, some are tolerant of this, as it has a positive impact on their lives. (3). A taxi driver in Washington D. C. defends the practice. He had his daughters circumcised and said, â€Å"I stood over her to make sure she cut enough† and â€Å"I wasn’t going to let my daughters have those things! † (4). This side of the story supports Appiah’s argument. This shows that the practice of the female circumcision is strictly on tolerance within what you believe, and this culture has certain core ethics and that is tolerated through practicing specific values. The idea that Appiah makes about becoming tolerant of another culture and its traditions is shown through an article by Stanley Fish, published by The University of Chicago Press, â€Å"Boutique Multiculturalism, or Why Liberals Are Incapable of Thinking about Hate Speech. † This article is about the true meaning of being introduced in a culture and how it affects the way you tolerate it. It addresses being influenced by other cultures and an American’s idea of what multiculturalism really is. Fish claims, â€Å"†¦but boutique multiculturalists will always stop short at approving other cultures at a point where some value at their center generates an act that offends against the canons of civilized decency as they have been declared or assumed,† meaning that people seem to not agree with other cultures once it gets to the core values or the important and pure parts of the culture, (378). Boutique multiculturalists are known for resisting culture once it starts to get to the very important traditions and values. These people only participate in the things that they believe are good, â€Å"A boutique multiculturalist may find something of value in rap music and patronize (pun intended) with soul-food restaurants †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (only being involved in the good), and â€Å"†¦ but he will be uneasy about affirmative action and downright hostile to an afrocentrist curriculum,† meaning that the boutique multiculturalist will no longer want to participate in the culture knowing that things they disagree with are involved, (378). Appiah states, â€Å"Understanding one another may be hard; it can certainly be interesting. But it doesn’t require that we come to agreement,† he believes that people do not need to be a part of the culture or like everything that it is, but people need to come to agreement and just tolerate each other, (55). If others do this, then they can live in society and be used to one another. This complicates Appiah’s argument because the ability to tolerate someone else only goes so far before people begin to disagree with others values. With the earlier evidence from Deghett’s argument, it is confirmation to conclude that some people would not empathize with the photo such as war supporters due to their unempathetic feelings. There is a possibility that some may support the cause and result of the photograph. However, there are others who will empathize with the photo such as anti-war groups, whom would have an opposing reaction and immediately empathize. With this, the same can be said about Appiah and tolerance. Not everyone will be able to get used to the ideas and actions of others. But, there are some who will tolerate the actions and will get used to the opposite views. This is something that happens each day: people disagree with one another. It is hard to understand everyone’s feelings and ideas but it is important to be considerate even if you do not feel the same way. Something that is very important is understanding that each person does not have the same feelings that apply to you. The fundamental concepts of empathy and tolerance contributes to the functionality of the world in all aspects and are necessary in order to improve relationships.

Healthcare Information systems

Healthcare Information systems Overview of healthcare information Technologies Lack of relevant system-wide healthcare Information technology causes significant expenses that come in the form of the increased number of the workforce and wasted time. Research suggests that lack of appropriate IT platforms to deliver healthcare service contributes to over 10% increase in healthcare costs.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Healthcare Information systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, IT systems are inextricably connected to healthcare costs for healthcare institutions, which trickle down to the population. Increased healthcare costs have prompted healthcare institutions to adopt cost-saving IT systems to optimize their returns while ensuring the delivery of quality service (Rodrigues, 2009). There are many IT applications from which healthcare institutions can choose to improve the quality of service and reduce costs of delivering healthca re services. However, every institution must be able to select an IT base that is relevant and appropriate to its condition. Improving the Quality of Medication Information technology has the potential to improve the quality of healthcare services. Studies show that most healthcare providers believe that adopting clinical IT systems improve the extent to which they can deliver quality patient care. IT systems can solve some of the problems posed by fragmented IT systems. Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) has become of the key clinical IT systems that have gained significant application in most clinical and medical institutions (Rodrigues, 2009). Research shows that the application of CPOE reduces the frequency of repeat tests. The quality of healthcare service is connected with the number of repeat tests that a patient undergoes before a successful diagnosis is achieved. Surveys conducted on patients reveals that patients rated physicians based on the number of unsuccessful diagnosis or tests for their illness. The use of CPOE reduces turnaround times for laboratory, pharmacy and radiography request applications made. Some medical studies have suggested that using CPOE reduces the error frequency during medical surgeries. According to a survey conducted by Bates et al. (1998), the application of CPOE systems had the ability to reduce medication errors by 55%. Out of 11 studies that aimed at estimating the accuracy of medication using CPOE, four studies showed that CPOE achieved to reduce errors, and improved the quality of medication and patient safety. Studies show that the introduction of CPOE as an IT platform is a nonfinancial incentive for healthcare professionals. Surveys conducted in hospitals using CPOE shows that healthcare professionals are motivated to deliver quality service compared to hospitals that did not implement these technologies. It is significant to note that the professionals’ perception of quality service is inextricably linked to availability of alternative IT tools (Bates Gawande, 2003).Advertising Looking for essay on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Recent studies have surveyed the value of using CPOE in ambulatory procedures. These studies suggest that a worldwide application of CPOE can improve quality healthcare among patients while saving their money. Reduction of drug events is a key focus by many physicians (Bates Gawande, 2003). Given this need, many clinicians have indicated that CPOE helps to reduce adverse drug events and other related medication errors because it offers cost effective medications, drug prescriptions, and laboratory tests (Bates Gawande, 2003). Reducing the cost of healthcare The use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) reduces the costs of handling medical records and increases the level of access. Studies show that the costs of collecting, storing, and retrieving medical records can have significan t cost implication on institutional costs. One of the main problems facing healthcare professionals is the lack of access to centralized information sharing platforms. Research has shown that the use of EHR has the potential of providing better documentation of patient histories (Bates Gawande, 2003). The extent to which professionals can share medical information with ease enables physicians to use medical histories, which reduces the costs of beginning new diagnosis and medication (Scalet, 2003). Evidence suggests that reduced transcription and medical management expenses are linked with the physicians’ use of electronic health records. According Bates Gawande (2003), financial returns depend on the extent to which a medical organization adapts to effective use of EHR. The paths toward a cost-effective healthcare system stem from getting the critical mass of physicians choosing to use electronic health record systems. Some studies suggest that the use of electronic health records can save up to $20,000 per healthcare professional. The adoption of electronic medical record (EMR) is a centerpiece in reducing the costs of providing healthcare services (Memorial Care, 2010). The use of traditional manila folders is believed to cost many hospitals millions of money due to loss or inaccessibility of critical patient and administrative records. EMR transmits important medical records in real-time and helps medical practitioners to have access to information in a timely manner. This avoids waste of time, which reduces costs of searching and retrieving medical histories (Memorial Care, 2010). Lack of systemized record management increases clinicians time and workload, which exerts pressure and workload.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Healthcare Information systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Studies content that it can cost a medical organization over $20,000 per clinician due to error s caused by increased workload and service time. Therefore, implementing electronic medical records has the potential of reducing workloads and extra working hours, which has a significant impact on the quality and cost of providing medical services to patients (Bates Gawande, 2003). References Bates, D. W., Gawande, A. A. (2003). Improving safety with information technology. New England Journal of Medicine 348(25), 2526-2534. Memorial Care. (2010). How electronic medical records reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. Retrieved from https://www.memorialcare.org/about/pressroom/media/how-electronic-medical-records-reduce-costs-and-improve-patient-outcomes-2010 Rodrigues, J. (2009). Health Information Systems: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools and Applications. New York, NY: Idea Group Inc (IGI). Scalet, S. 2003. Saving money, saving lives. CIO Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.cio.com/

Australian Tourism and Hospitality Law Case Study

Australian Tourism and Hospitality Law - Case Study Example This island is managed and swimming. The Western Australian State Government had mandated the Island Authority to manage the island. There have been increased concerns over of the dangers posed by sharks in the water, according to the fishermen, shark sightings have increased in the local water, which poses a risk to the swimmers and fishermen. The fears of the fishermen were confirmed by an incident that occurred in 22nd October, during this day, Frank, who was swimming within the flags, was dumped into a sand bar, and when he was pulled from the water by the lifeguards, and taken for medical treatment, Frank was found with a fracture of his cervical vertebra. The fracture left him paralyzed from the waist down. Later in the day, there was a shark alarm, sounded by lifeguards for people to clear the water, however, Matt, who was 100 meters from the shore, was taken away and his body was never found. The events on this day leave a question of whether the Island Authority is liable fo r the Frank’s injuries and the death of Matt. Looking at the facts of this case, the Island is under the management of the Island Authority, therefore, the Island Authority is responsible for the safety of those fishing, swimming and camping on the island.1 This follows that Matt and Frank were visitors to the island; therefore, their safety was in the hands of the Island Authority. ... Looking at the statistics, 50 years before the year 2000, there was only one fatal attack in these waters, but within the last 5 years, there have been six attacks from the shark on the west coast, and these attacks were fatal. In addition, according to reports, there were 16 attacks near the sea, where the victims suffered serious injuries but survived. The Island Authority should have these statistics, and if they have them, then they should be more vigilant near the sea and in the water; they should have taken extra-measures to minimize the dangers caused by the sharks. When Frank got hurt, he was swimming within the flags; these flags indicated that the waters he was swimming in were safe, therefore, he had no worries about his safety. The same applied to Matt. This can only mean that the water was not inspected at all or the inspection was not well done, and considering the reports on the increasing shark attacks, the Island authority can be accused of negligence. In addition, t he boat patrol is supposed to be done all the time, and they are supposed to be several boats and not one, if this was the case, maybe Matt could have been saved in time. Moreover, the Island Authority is not well equipped with the disaster management equipment, and the procedure used for clearing people from the water and rescuing people is not well organized. Knowing that people might not be quick enough to clear the water when the shark alarm is sound, the Authority did not take an initiative to necessitate quick water clearance. Again, most of the people visiting the Island for recreational activities are not locals, and this means that they are not aware of the dangers posed by sharks in the water in this region.3 Therefore, it

Foundation of the American constitution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Foundation of the American constitution - Essay Example It consisted of ten amendments which basically involved forbidding cruelty and punishments that were excessive and unnecessary as well as providing liberties to the citizens. The first amendment of the constitution was carried out in 1791 and it prohibited obstruction of freedoms of individuals. This was followed by other amendments with time the most fundamental ones being protection of people accused of crime through Miranda warning, the other abolished slavery, prohibited discrimination based on race as well as the most renowned of allowing women the right to vote just to mention a few (Vile, 2010). The constitution remains important as it provides protection and most important justice for all in the United States. The most important part of the constitution is the Bill of Rights that grants freedoms and rights to the citizens ensuring their survival, justice and equality in the country no matter their social class or

Europe and the Suez Crisis 1956 Essay Example for Free

Europe and the Suez Crisis 1956 Essay To what extent was the military action undertaken by the British and French in the Suez Crisis 1956 really necessary? This historical investigation seeks to evaluate and compare the factors influencing the relationships and discussions between France and Britain during the Suez Crisis and thereby provoked them to commit military force to the region. The mainbody will look at the differences and similarities in Britains and Frances intentions in the Middle East, the internal situation (mainly in Britain), Nasserà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s actions, public opinion in Western Europe as well as American and UN policies on the crisis. In order to carry out his investigation a variety of sources will be consulted primary and secondary, from which relevant information will be selected. Carltonà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s Britain and the Suez Crisis and Thomas The Suez Affair will be of particular use. The sources used reliability (date of publication, author etc) will be discussed. An analysis of the main arguments of the authors as well as an evaluation of different historical interpretations will be carried out. B. Summary of evidence When Britain and France cancelled the loans to the Egyptian president, Nassers hydropower project, the Aswan dam, Nasser responded by nationalizing the Suez Canal Company on the 26th of July 1956. Information given in the book The Suez Affair tells us that the company was largely owned by British and French shareholders.1 Britain and France saw the Nasserà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s nationalization as a violation of international law and feared that this could create a power of vacuum, which could be filled by the Soviets, who were their communist enemy in the Cold War. Along with this, the nationalization of the canal directly threatened British and French influences in the area, which was rich on oilsupplies and secured Britains way to India. In a letter to the US President in September 1958, the British Prime Minister Eden wrote: We ought in the first instance to bring the maximum political pressure to bear on Egypt (but) my colleagues and I are convinced that we must be ready, in the last resort, to use force to bring Nasser to his senses. 2 In Mastering Modern World History it is revealed that a secret Anglo-American plan called Omega suggested to overthrow Nasser by using political and economic pressure3. Despite of this plan, the issue of using military force in Egypt remained a burning issue among the British Conservatives. According to Carlton, the British Cabinet, appeared divided on the matter of straight bash on the Canal issue by early September.4 The public opinion was strongly pro-military actions and called Nasser a new Hitler.5 The French Minister Mollet, did not attempt to keep in good terms with any Arab, whom he felt distrust towards, and was to be a strong supporter of the decision to use military force. They believed that the money of the Algerian rebels, which they fought against, came from Cairo. Both the French and the British associated Nasserà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s nationalization of the Canal with historical analogies, which was not going to be repeated: Hitlerà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s occupation of The Rhineland as well as his take over of Czechoslovakia. The US-president, Eisenhower, strongly expressed his hostility on the matter of forces being used in Egypt. According to Peter L. Hahn, Eisenhower viewed Nasser as a danger of Western threat but believed that force only would facilitate Soviet infiltration in the region.6 So the Americans proposed an association of canal users, the SCUA, when it was revealed that the British and French tried to seek approval in the UN, where their actions could be justified due to the Soviet veto. The British did accept the SCUA, but its impact on Nasser was destined to be negligible. With the end of the SCUA Conference, French and British Ministers, engaged in negotiations with their Egyptian counterpart and agreed to the Six Principles7 (see Appendix). Although this seemed to suggest a peaceful settlement, French and British military preparations to invade Egypt continued. On 24 October the British and the French Foreign Ministers held a secret meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister who was determined to force Egypt to recognize the state of Israel. Five days after this meeting, Israeli forces invaded Egypt. When Egypt refused to withdraw from the Suez Canal, British and French bombed Egyptian airfields and landed troops at Port Said. The British-French attack on Egypt was greeted with angry protests all over the world. According to Keith Robbin, the UN unanimously condemned the Franco-British action on 2nd November8 At last, the UN proclaimed cease-fire on November 6 and British and French forces withdrew. C. Evaluation of sources The Suez Affair was published in 1966 (latest edition published in 1986), and was written by Hugh Thomas who resigned from the British Government after the Suez Crisis. Thomas stated purpose for this book is that It is an interim Report.9 in which he has used materials available and interviewed people, mainly British, involved in the Crisis. The value of this book is that it is a detailed and fascinating description of the British governments handling of the Crisis, professionally narrated by Thomas who himself experienced the Suez Crisis has an insight in the internal situation in Britain during this period of time. However, this may also make the source biased as it is very much written from a British standpoint. This method has certain limitations as memories can alter and are not reliable. David Carlton, who also has written a bibliography about Anthony Eden, published Britain and the Suez Crisis in 1988. The book is aimed at undergraduates; school students and other interested in post war British history. The purpose of the book is to inform people about the recent past, in order to prevent recent political indoctrination. Although it is acknowledged in the preface that there are problems of bias, subjectivity and perspectives in studying the past, the value of reading history outweigh the drawbacks10. Carltonà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s book is far more analytical than Thomasà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ and includes different historical interpretations of the Crisis, which is of usefulness when studying the crisis from a broader perspective. However, Carltonà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s book might be quite biased as it is very much written from a British perspective. Although both Carltonà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s and Thomasà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½s books are British, they present a different view of the Suez Crisis, probably due to the different date of publication of the sources first edition. Although Thomas rewrote some parts of the book in his latest edition, the most substantial parts of his book, are based on sources available when the condemnation of the military action after the crisis made the propaganda turn against the British and French. In Carlton case, he has made an extensive use of materials released in the 80s, which seem to be friendlier towards he British and the French. By taking both sources in account they tell us how the history of the Suez Crisis has been reshaped due to political controversy and propaganda. D. Analysis If the Suez problem possibly could have been solved in a more diplomatic way, British and French prestige during the Cold War would doubtlessly have been more favorably after the crisis. According to the American journalist Donald Neff the Suez Crisis was a hinge point in history as it discredited France and Britain as participators in the Cold War: it strained the Anglo-American alliance, intensified Egyptian nationalism and increased Soviet influences in the region. Along with that, the attention was driven away from the Hungary uprising, for the Soviets advantage, as the shadow of Europe fell over the Suez. Hugh Thomas presents a view in his book The Suez Affair that the French and the British initially were determined to use military force in Egypt. He suggests that they acted in an opportunistic way: Nassers nationalization of the Suez Crisis gave them the opportunity to justify the use of military force. He suggests that the British and the French had strong intentions in the Middle East and to weld as many countries of the area as possible into an anticommunist defense pact. This can to some extent be true, as the Suez Crisis was an event in the Cold War, when the British and French democracies tried to, together with America, contain the expanding Communist bloc. However, other possible interpretations of the Crisis and the British and French intentions contradict this view. The historian Lowe presents evidence of the Omega plan, which suggests that Britain intended to get rid of Nasser by more peaceful means. Other evidence also supports this view. For example Eden, as quoted in section B, wanted to use military power as only a last resort. As we can see from the evidence given, the Americans tried to pursue a more peaceful policy in Suez. The Six Principles, as well as the acceptance of the SCUA, showed signs that the British were approaching a peaceful settlement, on Americas initiative which, perhaps, could have saved them from an international defeat. However, one can argue that these diplomatic negotiations can be seen as prolonging the process in order to convince America to accept the use of military force. They were not real but merely a facade, which covered the militant intentions of Britain and France. The more contemporary view suggests different circumstances drew Eden take the fatal decision to use military force. Eden was faced with unprecedented pressures (). 11. According to Carlton, the conspiracy between France and Israel was not really in the hands of Eden. Eden didnt know with certainty that Israel would attack Egypt.12 The role of France in the Suez Crisis must not be underestimated as she actually, in contrast to Britain, wanted to undermine Arab influences in the Middle East. Hahn and Carlton suggests that France and Britain didnt fully understand that the Americans were going to fear that military action would open Egypt and other Middle East states to Soviet influences, undermining the policy of containment. They didnt calculate with the fact that the Americans were going to choose to, in the first place, pursue containment rather than endorse the allys action. One can argue that if the American standpoint had been clearer for the French and the British, perhaps the course wouldnt have taken the militant direction that it took. E. Conclusion Whether the military action undertaken by the French and the British was really necessary is a mere question of speculation. It is difficult to make a valid judgement on the issue as different sources present different information, which is one of the major difficulties in studying contemporary history and finding its truth. Sources published not a very long time after the Crisis, such as Thomas first edition The Suez Affair indicate that the military action undertaken by the British and the French was inevitable: the countries were highly determined to use force against Egypt. More recent materials about the Suez Crisis, presented by historians such as Lowe and Carlton, suggest that Britain and France could have solved the Suez Crisis with more peaceful means. However, it is most likely that the British and French response to the nationalization of the Suez Canal will remain an issue of controversy among the historians for the nearest future. F. List of sources Robbins, Keith, The eclipse of Great power, Modern Britain 1870 1975, Longman, New Work, U.S, 1983 Eden, Anthony, Memoirs: Full Circle, Book three: Suez, Cassell Company Ltd, London, 1960 Carlton, David, Britain and the Suez Crisis, Basil Backwell, Northern Ireland, 1968 Calhoun, Daniel F. , Hungary and Suez, 1956: An exploration of who makes history, University Press of America, United States of America, 1991 Thomas, Hugh, The Suez Affair, Wiedenfeld Nicolson Limited, London, 1967 Hahn, Peter L., The United States, Great Britain and Egypt, 1945-1956 Strategy and Diplomacy in the early Cold War, The University of North Carolina Press, United States of America, 1991 Bowne, Colin and Mooney, Peter J., Cold War to Dà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½tente 1945-85, Second Edition, Heinemann Educational Books, printed by Richard Clay Ltd in Great Britain 198i Calvacocoressi, Peter, World politics since 1945, sixth edition: The Arabs and Israel to the Suez War, Longman, New York, 1991 Cornwell, R.D, World History in the twentieth century, Longman, England, 1984 Lowe, Norman, Mastering Modern World History, Third Edition, Macmillian Master Series, Biddles Ltd, Britain, 1997 Gildea, Robert, France since 194, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1996. Appendix The Six Principles: 1. There should be free and open transit through the Canal without discrimination, overt or covert. 2. The sovereignty of Egypt should be respected. 3. The operation of the Canal should be insulated from the politics of any country. 4. The manner of fixing tolls and charges should be decided by agreements between Egypt and the users. 5. Unresolved disputes between the Suez Canal Company and Egypt should be settles by arbitration. 1 Hugh Thomas, The Suez Affair, page 39 2 Ibid., page 41 3 Norman Lowe, Mastering Modern World History, page 230 4 David Carlton, Britain and the Suez Crisis, page 50 5 Hugh Thomas, The Suez Affair, page 40 6 Peter L. Hahn, The United States, Great Britain, and Egypt, 1945-1956, page 211 7 David Carlton, Britain and the Suez Crisis, page 52 8 Keith Robbins, The Eclipse of a Great Power, page 195 9 Hugh Thomas, The Suez Affair, page 7 10 David Carlton, Britain and The Suez Crisis, General Editors Preface 11 David Carlton, Britain and the Suez Crisis, page 109 12 Ibid., page 63

The Never Changing Society Essay -- essays research papers

Society is constantly changing but there are ideas that are embedded into society that still remain. The idea to survive and the idea to become better than your previous are still present. There exist one idea that correlates to a very strong impulse that controls our daily happening and our lives, the idea of selfishness. Everyone does something for something in return. In our present day society, selfishness is more evident when it comes to the matter of greed. Large corporations will put on different facades to attract different types of people to buy their product. This is core behind the idea of advertising. People change because society changes and therefore their interests change as well. To survive, companies need to appeal to the new interests by focusing their product to the new market of people. If you cannot appeal to the new interest your company will surely be doomed. Take for instance the car companies of the 1920’s. Ford first developed its Model-T car and had a monopoly over the car industry even if they all came in one color, black. Then, Chevrolet came out with its cars, which had different colors; Ford had then lost a large amount of its business to Chevrolet and was then no longer the leader in the car industry. Studebaker was another successful car company with decent cars and a fair amount of supporters but when the market changed and the company could not keep up with it, it failed and went out of business. In today’s present state, the car industry is mainly selling sport utility vehicles or SUV’s for short, but they are still selling the same thing, cars. At present, our economy is doing well so that is why many people are purchasing SUV’s. They are expensive and they waste a lot of gas. Not quite practical unless there is enough money to spend on it. Back in the 1980’s when the economy was not doing so well, smaller cars that used less gas and were cost cheaper sold a great deal more. The compact sedans of the 1980’s are now not in style anymore and not very many people are purchasing compacts and sports cars anymore either. Even though sports cars are flashy and expensive, it is more common than SUV’s were so people wanted something different. SUV’s are more high profile and they are like a trophy of how much money a person has. Nissan knew that sedans were not selling but it wanted to change the view and show everyone that th... ...and power and believe that the other cars are made for women. In the end, no matter what technique is used, it is the same idea just with a different image. Nissan is selling cars no matter how they advertise it just like Marlboro is selling cigarettes. The key is that companies need to change their strategies with the times. Time changes people and therefore if the companies can evolve with the times to fit the need of the people. This system is similar to that of the idea in nature that the fittest will survive. There are individuals who believe that only the strongest can survive but it is not true, something can be the strongest but if it is not fit to survive in the particular atmosphere then it will not survive. The same goes for the business. If the company lacks the skill to survive in the particular atmosphere then it will not, no matter how strong the company could have been, if it is not fit to perform in a particular environment, it will not. Advertising can only blur the image of the product so that it looks more appealing. No matt er how the intricate the illusion or how big the claims, the company is still selling a product that hopefully the consumer wants to buy.

Service Cycle of Medical Tourism in India

One of the major practices in healthcare is the process of ‘patient outsourcing’, in the form of medical tourism or ‘Medical travel’.This form of business protocol is becoming hugely popular in the developed countries of the world, as it has tremendous benefits.   Medical tourism is a deliberate effort to combine health issues along with travel for tourism and leisure (Health Base, 2006, Recover Discover, 2007). Several organizations may be involved in the process of medical tourism including:-The governments – They are responsible for framing a policy that would ensure regulated flow of tourists from one part of the globe to another to enable effective healthcare provision.   Besides, it would also ensure that the tourists can obtain valid travel documents easily.Hospital Associations – Associations founded between the hospitals of the tourist and the destination country are required to communicate with each other so as to help in the flow of medical tourists.   This is to ensure that all ethical and legal issues are addressed, and an effective marketing communication system can exist.It would be ideal for the patient to first speak to his/her usual healthcare provider before seeking medical facilities in another nation.   Hospitals in the west can also consider recognizing and providing accreditation for hospitals in developing nations, so that the quality standards pre vailing is well-understood.Travel authorities – They are the authorities who are providing valid travel documents and permission required to enable medical treatment in another nation.   The authorities should understand the need and urgency for medical treatment and hence would have to permit such travel.Travel agencies – They would have to communicate with other parties in the destination to ensure that the health and travel needs of the tourist is meet, keeping in mind quality, cost-effectiveness and hassle-free processes.The travel agency would have to provide the travelers with customized packages that are cost-effective and seem attractive.   They would also have to market the health packages in the West, to demonstrate clear advantages to the ones existing at home. Ministry of Commerce and trade (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003).Through the process of globalization, many countries are beginning to closely review their economic strengths and risks.   If something is costly in one nation, immediately the resources present in other nations would be approached and utilized.In medical tourism, the individual would be using cost-effective options in order to fulfill their healthcare needs in areas where the limitations may be less.   These limitations can be several and can be utilized to the advantage of the individual.   Some of the limitations which can be met through medical tourism include:-Going from one nation where certain types of treatment are not available, to another where treatment is available.  Ã‚   Going from one country to another, where the quality of treatment is better, improved technology and where expertise in health is available, and innovative options are presentGoing from one country to another where treatment is provided in a more cost-effective manner Going from one nation to another where medical treatment including surgery is provided in a more timely manner (to reduce the w aiting periods for elective surgeries)Including the family members and seeking treatment away from home where the usual stressful factors would not be felt (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003)Medical tourisms can take place from one nation to another and from one region of a nation to another region within the same nation. The trend today is that many people from the western or developing nations (which have a very restrictive health setup) are moving to the east, where the practices and policies do favor provision of several benefits in healthcare. There are many unique features of the prospects of medical tourism:-The nations which serve as a market for medical tourisms are providing several attractive policies and practicesThey are using vary attractive marketing strategies to encourage business – An example of this would be to combine medical health visits with holidays to exotic tourist destinations.   Many people from the developed nations are finding such packages very attractive and are considering them as they are not only cheaper but also meet their customized needs, conveniently.The developing nations such as Thailand, India, Latin America and China, are offering more holistic kind of treatment and are providing several complementary and alternative treatments that deviate away from allopathic medicine.   Many of these treatments have proven to be effective.   Besides, the treatment facilities are provided in more natural kinds of environment, thus encouraging better healing and recovery (Hutchinson, 2005, Heatlhbase, 2006 & American University, 2003).Medical tourism can be held for various reasons including health and wellness tourism, reproductive purposes, alternative treatment strategies, preventive medical care, spa tourism, surgical tourism, dental tourism, diet and nutrition tourism, transplant tourism, cosmetic tourism, spiritual tourism or even for end-of-life purposes.Often the individual requiring health treatment would also like to include their family members in the process.   They would also like to take their family members along.   People also want to visit resorts and spas to get away from the usual humdrum.   Several theoretical frameworks have been proposed for Medical Tourism:-Consumer Motivation – Consumers may find the health packages offered at the destination nations cost-effective, of better quality and would also combining their travel needs Medical tourist motivation – Some people prefer traveling and getting treatment done in a foreign nation, away from home Push-pull motivation – This has been one of the most explanation to justify medical tourism.The pull factors are usually contributed to the attractiveness of the market and the various marketing strategies that have been employed.   The pull factors are tangible and are attributed by the destination.   The push factors are intangible and may need a lot of explanation.   So me of the push factors include:-  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fulfilling travel needs ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Preferences for certain destinations ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Travelers often have the intention of traveling for whatever need, even if a such a need can be fulfilled at home (Hongnaphadol, 2008)India has been one of the success stories of medical tourism in the world.   Thousands of tourists from various parts of the World including the US, UK, Australia, Middle East, European Union, etc, visit India every year for medical and surgical treatment.   India is also one of the sought out destinations for alternative forms of treatment including Yoga, Ayurveda, herbal medicine, massage therapy, etc.Effective collaborations between the tourism industry and the healthcare industry have existed in India to enable medical tourism to be a success.   This has been an initiative from both, private and public parties.   India has several other cha racteristics that have permitted medical tourism to prevail:-Rich culture and tradition – favoring tourism Natural characteristics of the country Traditional systems of medicine – which seem to be very attractive for the West Cultural competence of the professionals existing in IndiaLow waiting time Cost-effective treatment Good quality of medical care Pre-existing tourist destination Effective collaboration with organizations in the US/UK which would enable movement of touristsEasy currency conversion processes Good quality of education prevailing in India – Academic organizations are able to meet with the requirements of the healthcare industry Connectivity with international airports Good technology utilized in healthcare (Recover Discover, 2007).The service cycle of the medical tourism process and is an experience for the customer.   It starts even before the consumer meets the service provider to obtain an effective medical tourism package that would meet his/her travel and health needs.The process starts when the consumer understands that there is an unfulfilled health need which has to be met.   The process would go on and the several steps present including (as fulfilling health need is not a single transaction and involves several processes):-Meeting with the service provider Discussing an effective package that would meet their needs (the package would include several aspects including air and travel costs, hotel stay, food, consultation charges, investigation costs, treatment and surgical charges, medications costs, holiday packages, etc).The customer should be provided with a number of options and choice of destinations.   Negotiations should also be permitted. Purchasing the health/travel package Preparing to enter in the package Starting with the travelEntering and experiencing the destination country Getting used to the destination country Meeting the healthcare provider and ensuring that the electronic health records are received – the healthcare professionals should take an adequate history of the patient and should also conduct adequate diagnostic tests.Identifying the health problems and developing a plan to solve these problems Presenting the plan to the patient and taking the consent Initiating the treatment plan – May include several visits; The pre-treatment period may include several precautions, restrictions in diet, lifestyle, medications, travel, etcPost-treatment period – Taking adequate precautions regarding diet, lifestyle, exercise, rest, medications, etc.   The patient should be adequately informed of these so that they may be comfortable. Follow-up visits – Any additional treatment Advise or consultations before the patient goes back to the home nationFulfilling any other travel needs Returning back home Contact with the healthcare providers through telephone, e-mail, chat services, etc (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008, Monash University, 2004).Th e process may not be complete once the patient returns home.   This is because fulfilling health needs is a continuous process and the requirements are never ending.   At each of the steps, the customer would be having certain expectations.   The quality standards of the service are usually determined by the ability to fulfill the customer’s expectations and to meet as to what was promised in the initial package (contract).   Some of the expectations of the consumers include:-Having a high quality travel package which is cost-effective Finding the destination country comfortable and relaxing Getting used to the destination quickly Developing rapport with the new healthcare professionals and the healthcare system – Ability to clear all doubts and queries.The patient should be assured about the quality standards of the organization and the qualifications of the healthcare professionals.Preferable a standard prevailing at the home nation should be sought.   It i s also important that the processes existing in the hospital should be similar to that of the home nation.   The healthcare system prevailing should be culturally competent to that of the tourists.Able to meet with the precautions and advise from the healthcare professionals easily Undergoing the treatment processes without much complications, side-effects and negative events Resolving any problem the patient has during the treatment processes Enjoying the benefits of treatment Ability to contact the healthcare provider and fulfilling any problem (Health Base, 2006, Wachovia, 2008,)References:American University (2003). Globalization and Medical Tourism, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from American University of Delaware Website: http://www.american.edu/ted/medical-tourism.htmHealth base (2006). Medical Tourism FAQs, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Health Base Website: https://www.healthbase.com/hb/pages/medical-tourism-faq.jsp#1Hongnaphadol, W. N. (2008). Medical Tourism, Retri eved on August 15, 2008, from Leeds University Website: www.leedsmet.ac.uk/research/W_Hognaphado-pm_1.ppHutchinson, B. (2005). Medical tourism growing worldwide, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from University of Delaware Website: http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2005/mar/tourism072505.htmlMonash University (2004). The Cycle of Service, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Monash University Website: http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/cheq/support-services/cycle-service.htmlRecover Discover (2007). Medical Tourism – Medical Tourism India – Healthcare Tourism, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Recover Discover Website: http://www.recoverdiscover.com/Wachovia Corporation (2008). The Cycle Of Service – How To See Things from the Customer's Point of View, Retrieved on August 15, 2008, from Wachovia Corporation Website: http://www.wachovia.com/small_biz/page/0,,447_972_1697_1994_2016,00.html

Affirmative Action: Racial Inequality

Michael Parkes Professor Minichillo Writing 1020 25 March 2013 Affirmative Action: Racial Inequality After many years of immigration, the United States has become a melting pot for people all over the world with a wide-range of races and ethnicities. Although American culture emphasizes diversity and equal opportunity, its unique history of immigration has shown that people of different races are not created equal. The White race is dominating throughout all aspects of the American society.Fact: â€Å"White males are 33% of the population, but 80% of tenured professors, 90% of the U. S. senate, 97% of school superintendents, and 100% of U. S. Presidents† (Jackson 9). What happens to the rest of the American races? Where are the Blacks, Latinos and Asians? Some experts believe that, people who belong to those groups are grossly misrepresented. In 1964, racial inequality in American was being recognized as a problem that needed to be addressed on a national level. A systematic s olution was urgently needed to address the racial inequality.Affirmative action was thus born in 1964 with the ideal of creating a better society with equal chances of success for people from different backgrounds and races. Broadly defined, affirmative action refers to efforts to increase educational and employment opportunities for minorities and women. More specifically, it applies to various policies and programs designed to increase the number of minorities and women hired by government and industry and admitted into colleges and universities. As good as the ideal sounded, we have encountered many obstacles implementing the idea into reality.For many decades, because of its impact on individuals, races, and social economic classes, affirmative action has become a source of controversy and a focus of many heated debates. In his book, Hunger of Memory, Richard Rodriguez expressed his belief that affirmative action has devalued the achievements of people of color, and that a syste m that prefers one race over another is nothing more than another form of racism. For some individuals of minority the existence of affirmative action is a threat rather than an aid to their personal success.They believe that affirmative action undermines their personal achievements. Granting certain privileges to minority groups creates the perception that their positions were given to them rather than earned and that minority people are incapable of competing with white people. Richard Rodriguez testifies to this with his personal experience. Growing up in a poor Mexican immigrant family, he has invested a tremendous amount of effort to achieve the academic level of a scholar. To him it was a scholarship boy's dreams come true (Rodriguez 164). However, his academic success was always associated with his minority status.Mr. Rodriguez speaks his unpleasant feelings towards such an association. Mr. Rodriguez was extremely sensitive about the issue. He believes that being â€Å"label ed† as a â€Å"minority† has put him in a position that he can never compete with other people without prejudice. Meanwhile, the supporters of affirmative action believe that being racially conscious is merely acknowledging one's social identity. Understanding one's own social identity means recognizing the differences as well as the advantages and disadvantages of being an individual in a diverse society.Affirmative action simply gives people who are socially disadvantaged a â€Å"leg up† so that they can compete equally with rest of the society. In an 800-meter race, the runner at the outermost lane gets to start ahead of the runner at the innermost lane, simply because it is a longer run to complete the race at the outer lane than the inner lane. This analogy can be applied to the racial disadvantages of minority students as well. Because of their lack of educational resource and unfavorable study environment, they have to endure many more difficulties to achi eve the same academic goals of the majority.Affirmative action is simply putting them ahead of the starting line to finish the longer run. Not all minority races are on an equal ground. Statistics show that about 12 % of Whites, 15% of Asians, and 30% of Blacks and Latinos are under the poverty line; 42% of Asian, 25% of White, and only less than 14% of Black and Latino adults finish college. The numbers clearly show that Asian Americans are way ahead of other racial minorities with respect of income and education, despite the fact that Asian Americans have the least amount of population and shortest history of immigration among the key minority races in the United States.Some people question that, Asian Americans have made it without affirmative action so why can't everyone else? It is a recognizable fact that Asian Americans have extraordinary performance on their educational achievements; they are nowhere near being misrepresented in higher educational institutions. Thus, Asian A mericans have sometime been imaged, as model minority by opponents of affirmative action to perpetuate the idea that affirmative action is unnecessary for racial-class advancement.However, if we step back from the campus and look at the bigger picture, we cannot overlook the reality that the racial discrimination still exists in all aspects of modern society. Asian people as a minority group are no exception as victims of a much broader system. At government jobs and management level jobs in large corporations, Asian Americans are in no doubt under the confinement of the â€Å"glass ceiling. † Because Asian Americans continue to be subjected to racist stereotyping and scapegoating, there is still a need for affirmation action to break the â€Å"glass ceiling† and make it a fair game for all.While the ideal of affirmative action is to assist the disadvantaged, and give them an aid in the race of social competition, the racially based system certainly could not accuratel y identify the poor and socially disadvantaged from a few elite individuals within the same racial group. Eighty five percent of African Americans are under the poverty line, while two percent of them have a yearly income over 150K. There are also a considerable number of Whites who are categorized as under-class. The priority given to race over class has inevitably exacerbated white racism.Purely race determined preference does not justify the purpose of affirmative action on many occasions. The reverse discrimination seems to have a firm ground at some higher educational institutions, which practice affirmative action on their admission processes. Cases like those of University of Michigan have certainly heated up the smoking controversy. Jennifer Gratz, a White university applicant sued the University of Michigan for denying her application because of the school's racially conditioned admission policy.At the University of Michigan as well as many other universities around the cou ntry, minority group students receive 20 extra points when they apply. This gives them a considerable jump to their chances of being accepted over White students with same academic level. It may sound disturbing to many people: one person may be accepted by the top university over another person just because of his/her race. In an effort to improve the current affirmative action, many scholars have proposed that we should consider social class as a determining factor instead of race. Among them,Richard Rodriguez believes that a class based, as opposed to a racially based system may be a better solution to help the disadvantaged. By judging an individual based on his or her class instead of race, schools and other social institutions can assist those who are really are in need. As good as the idea sounds, still others believe that class oriented affirmative action is misleading. Affirmative action was designed to help racial inequality with respect to class stratification, not to res olve class inequality. The class stratification is a by-product of a capitalistic economic system.It exists now, and will exist for as long as the capitalist society persists. Social class stratification is universal to all countries with capitalist economic systems in varies of degrees, even in â€Å"racially pure† countries like the UK, France, and Japan. When race is not a factor, the hierarchical structure of class stratification remains the same, but the people that make up the class may change over time without the barrier that concerns about their race. This forms a dynamic, stable class system. However, when race is being introduced into the matter, there are physical features to stereotype people's class allocation.Discrimination becomes institutionalized. It prevents class movement for colored people. The systematical solution – affirmative action thus was designed to compensate for these discriminating factors that are inevitable in a diverse society such as ours. After hearing all the voices, both satisfied or disappointed, enthusiastic or pessimistic, it is evident that affirmative action is certainly an exciting and yet elusive topic. It is far from perfect, and flawed in many aspects, but the goals and ideals of affirmative action are unquestionably encouraging.Like all grand missions over history, its goal of creating a utopia of equal opportunities for people of all backgrounds and colors is no doubt a difficult one, if not impossible. Democracy does not come overnight, and it is under constant challenge, debate, and amendment. Therefore, I believe that we should not abandon such a policy, but to embrace it, perfect it, and apply it to all areas of social institutions where discrimination is evident. While living in a diverse society, we should accept our differences, and not conserve our compassion for people in need.We should let all people who value freedom and the idea of equal opportunity share the â€Å"American Dream. â⠂¬  Works Cited Bender, David. Affirmative Action. San Diego: Greenhaven Press Inc, 1996. King, Sabrina. Racism and Racial Inequality : Implications for Teacher Education. Washington, D. C. : American Association Of Colleges, 2002. Web. Rodriguez, Richard. Huger of Memory The Education of Richard Rodriguez. New York: Bantam Books, 1982. Rosenblum, Marc. Racial Inequality. Seattle, WA: Monthly Labo Review, 1986. Print.

Medieval Sumptuary Laws

Medieval Sumptuary Laws The medieval world wasnt all drab clothing, flavorless food, and dark, drafty castles. Medieval folk knew how to enjoy themselves, and those who could afford it indulged in dazzling displays of wealth - sometimes to excess. Sumptuary laws originated to address this excess. The Lavish Life of the Nobility The upper classes took particular pleasure and pride in garbing themselves in luxurious finery. The exclusivity of their status symbols was assured by the excessive cost of their garments. Not only were the fabrics expensive, but tailors charged hefty fees to design attractive outfits and fit them specifically to their clients to make them look good. Even the colors used indicated status: bolder, brighter dyes that didnt fade easily were more costly, too. It was expected of the lord of the manor or castle to throw great feasts on special occasions, and nobles vied with each other to see who could offer the most exotic and abundant foodstuffs. Swans werent particularly good eating, but no knight or lady wanting to impress would pass up the chance to serve one in all its feathers at their banquet, often with its beak gilded. And anyone who could afford to build or hold a castle could also afford to make it warm and welcoming, with opulent tapestries, colorful draperies, and plush furnishings. These ostentatious displays of riches concerned the clergy and the more pious secular rulers. They believed that lavish spending wasnt good for the soul, especially keeping in mind Christs warning, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And those less well-off were known to follow the fashions of the rich on items they couldnt really afford. In times of economic upheaval (such as the years during and following the Black Death), it sometimes became possible for the lower classes to acquire what was usually more costly clothing and fabrics. When this happened, the upper classes found it offensive, and everyone else found it unsettling; how was anyone to know if the lady in the velvet gown was a countess, a wealthy merchants wife, an upstart peasant or a prostitute? So, in some countries and at various times, sumptuary laws were passed to limit conspicuous consumption. These laws addressed the excessive cost and reckless display of clothing, food, drink, and household furnishings. The idea was to limit wild spending by the richest of the rich, but sumptuary laws were also designed to keep the lower classes from blurring the lines of social distinction. To this end, specific garments, fabrics and even certain colors became illegal for anyone but the nobility to wear. The History of Sumptuary Laws in Europe Sumptuary laws go back to ancient times. In Greece, such laws helped establish the reputation of the Spartans by forbidding them to attend drinking entertainments, own homes or furniture of elaborate construction, and possess silver or gold. The Romans, whose Latin language gave us the term sumptus for excessive expenditure, were concerned with extravagant dining habits and lavish banquets. They also passed laws addressing luxury in womens adornment, the fabric, and style of mens clothing, furniture, gladiatorial displays, the exchange of gifts and even funeral arrangements. And certain colors of clothing, such as purple, were restricted to the upper classes. Although some of these laws were not specifically called sumptuary, they nevertheless formed precedents for future sumptuary legislation. Early Christians had concerns over excessive expenditures, as well. Both men and women were admonished to dress plainly, in keeping with the humble ways of Jesus, carpenter and itinerant preacher. God would be far more pleased if they garbed themselves in virtue and good works rather than silks and brightly-colored clothing. When the western Roman Empire began to falter, economic hardship reduced the impetus for passing sumptuary laws, and for quite some time the only regulations in effect in Europe were those established within the Christian Church for clergy and monastics. Charlemagne and his son Louis the Pious proved to be notable exceptions. In 808, Charlemagne passed laws limiting the price of certain garments in the hopes of reigning in the extravagance of his court. When Louis succeeded him, he passed legislation forbidding the wearing of silk, silver, and gold. But these were only the exceptions. No other government concerned themselves with sumptuary laws until the 1100s. With the strengthening of the European economy that developed in the High Middle Ages came the return of those excessive expenditures that concerned authorities. The twelfth century, in which some scholars have seen a cultural renaissance, saw the passage of the first secular sumptuary law in over 300 years: a limitation on the price of sable furs used to trim garments. This short-lived legislation, passed in Genoa in 1157 and dropped in 1161, may seem insignificant, but it heralded a future trend that grew throughout 13th- and 14th-century Italy, France, and Spain. Most of the rest of Europe passed little to no sumptuary legislation until well into the 14th century, when the Black Death upset the status quo. Of those countries that concerned themselves with their subjects excesses, Italy was the most prolific in passing sumptuary laws. In cities such as Bologna, Lucca, Perugia, Siena, and most especially Florence and Venice, legislation was passed concerning virtually every aspect of daily life. The foremost motive of these laws appears to be the restraint of excess. Parents could not dress their children in garments made of particularly costly fabric or adorned with precious gems. Brides were restricted in the number of rings they were allowed to accept as gifts on their wedding day. And mourners were forbidden to engage in excessive displays of grief, wailing and going with their hair uncovered. Sumptuous Women Some of the laws passed seemed to be specifically targeted at women. This had a lot to do with a common view among the clergy of women as the morally weaker sex and even, it was often stated, the ruin of men. When men bought sumptuous clothing for their wives and daughters and then had to pay the fines when the extravagance of their finery surpassed the limits set down in the law, women were often blamed for manipulating their husbands and fathers. Men may have complained, but they didnt stop buying luxurious clothes and jewels for the women in their lives. Jews and Sumptuary Law Throughout their history in Europe, Jews took care to wear fairly sober clothing and never to flaunt any financial success they may have enjoyed in order to avoid provoking jealousy and hostility in their Christian neighbors. Jewish leaders issued sumptuary guidelines out of concern for the safety of their community. Medieval Jews were discouraged from dressing like Christians, in part for fear that assimilation could lead to conversion. Of their own accord, Jews in 13th-century England, France, and Germany wore a pointed hat, known as a  Judenhut,  to distinguish themselves as Jewish in public. As Europe grew more populated and the cities became a little more cosmopolitan, there was increased friendship and fraternization among individuals of different religions. This concerned the authorities of the Christian Church, who feared that Christian values would erode among those exposed to non-Christians. It bothered some of them that there was no way to tell if someone was Christian, Jewish or Muslim just by looking at them and that mistaken identity could lead to scandalous conduct between men and women of different belief systems. At the  Fourth Lateran Council  of November 1215,  Pope Innocent III  and the gathered Church officials made decrees concerning the mode of dress of non-Christians. Two of the canons stated: Jews and Muslims shall wear a special dress to enable them to be distinguished from Christians. Christian princes must take measures to prevent blasphemies against Jesus Christ. The exact nature of this distinctive dress was left up to individual secular leaders. Some governments decreed that a simple badge, usually yellow but sometimes white and occasionally red, be worn by all Jewish subjects. In England, a piece of yellow cloth meant to symbolize the Old Testament was worn. The  Judenhut  became mandatory over time, and in other regions, distinctive hats were compulsory elements of Jewish attire. Some countries went even further, requiring Jews to wear wide, black tunics and cloaks with pointed hoods. These structures could not fail to humiliate the Jews, though mandatory elements of dress were not the worst fate they suffered in the Middle Ages. Whatever else they did, the restrictions made Jews instantly recognizable and clearly different from Christians throughout Europe, and, unfortunately, they continued up to the 20th century. Sumptuary Law and the Economy Most of the sumptuary laws passed in the High Middle Ages came about due to increased economic prosperity and the excessive spending that went with it. Moralists feared such excess would harm society and corrupt Christian souls. But on the other side of the coin, there was a pragmatic reason for passing sumptuary laws: economic health. In some regions where the cloth was manufactured, it became illegal to purchase those fabrics from foreign sources. This may not have been a great hardship in places such as Flanders, where they were famous for the quality of their woolens, but in areas with less stellar reputations, wearing local products could have been tedious, uncomfortable, and even embarrassing. Effects of Sumptuary Laws With the notable exception of legislation regarding non-Christian attire, sumptuary laws seldom worked. It was largely impossible to monitor everyones purchases, and in the chaotic years following the Black Death, there were too many unforeseen changes and too few officials in any position to execute the laws. Prosecutions of lawbreakers were not unknown, but they were uncommon. With the punishment for breaking the law usually limited to a fine, the very rich could still acquire whatever their hearts desired and simply pay the fine as part of the cost of doing business. Still, the existence of sumptuary laws speaks to the concern of medieval authorities for the stability of the social structure. In spite of their general inefficacy, the passage of such laws continued through the Middle Ages and beyond. Sources Killerby, Catherine Kovesi,  Sumptuary Law in Italy 1200-1500.  Oxford University Press, 2002, 208 pp. Piponnier, Francoise, and Perrine Mane,  Dress in the Middle Ages.  Yale University Press, 1997, 167 pp. Howell, Martha C.,  Commerce before Capitalism in Europe, 1300-1600.  Cambridge University Press, 2010. 366 pp. Dean, Trevor, and K. J. P. Lowe, Eds.,  Crime, Society and the Law in Renaissance Italy.  Cambridge University Press, 1994. 296 pp. Castello, Elena Romero, and Uriel Macias Kapon,  The Jews and Europe.  Chartwell Books, 1994, 239 pp. Marcus, Jacob Rader, and Marc Saperstein,  The Jew in the Medieval World: A Source Book, 315-1791.  Hebrew Union College Press. 2000, 570 pp.

Making the First Call to Your College Roommate

Making the First Call to Your College Roommate You just received your roommates name and contact information. Youre a little nervous, a little excited. Your mind is buzzing . . . where to start first? Facebook? Google? Your friends? Just how much cyber stalking is appropriate when it comes to someone youll be living with? If you really want to get to know your new roomie youll have to go a little more old school and pick up the phone. How You Most Likely Were Matched You have been paired with your roommate for a wide range of reasons: some may be left to chance, others may be strategic. Smaller schools have more time and resources to pair roommates personally based on questionnaires and other information. Larger schools may use software to match you. You may have been purposefully placed with your roommate to expose both of you to new backgrounds, experiences, and personalities; you may have been paired with your roommate with lesser goals in mind. Either way, you now have the name of the person with whom you will (most likely!) live for the next nine months. Congrats! Before You Call There are a few things you should keep in mind before contacting your roommate for the first time. First and foremost, remember that both of you are likely nervous and excited about similar things: leaving home, starting college, having a roommate, figuring out your meal plans and where to buy books. This is a great place to start to connect. Second, before contacting your roommate, try to think about what you know your living style to be like. Keep in mind that this may be different than what you want your style to be like. Do you like a clean and organized room? Yes. Are you good at keeping it that way? No. Make sure you know how you actually are so that you can set realistic expectations for both of you. Try to be honest about your own patterns and what you know you need to feel balanced. College life is stressful, so if you know you need to go out dancing until 3:00 a.m. to relieve that stress, come up with a plan for how to handle returning home really late without waking your sleeping roommate. During the Call Try to remember that you dont need to work everything out during your first phone call or email. (Email is great, but you most definitely should try to connect via phone, if possible, before meeting on move-in day!) You can decide who brings the mini-fridge, the TV, etc., later. For the first phone call, do your best just to get to know the other person. Talk about his or her high school experience, goals for college, major, why you both picked the college you did, and/or what you are doing between now and when you start in the fall. While many roommates end up being great friends, dont put that expectation on yourself or your new roommate. But you should set a pattern of being friendly. Even if you end up living totally different lives once youre at school, its still important to be on friendly and respectful terms with your roommate. Lastly, and most importantly, expect to be surprised. This may sound scary at first but remember: you have focused on going to college for a long time. You want to be challenged with new ideas, interesting texts, and mind-blowing conversations. One of the most important lessons to learn about college is that this kind of true learning doesnt just happen in the classroom! It happens in the conversations that continue after class as you walk to the cafeteria. Your roommate may currently be living in a different country than you. Your roommate may seem to be totally different than the people you hung out with in high school. Your roommate may seem to be . . . just too different. Sure, this is scary, but its also a little exciting. This is your first college experience in many ways. You may not be on campus yet, but you are meeting someone who hopefully will be somewhere in the mass of students throwing their graduation caps with you in several years. You and your first-year roommate may not be best friends, but you undoubtedly will be a part of each others college experience. As long as youre honest and respectful with each other, things should be fine. So snoop on the internet as much as you like, spend a little time figuring out what your living style is, take a deep breath, relax, and have fun on your first phone call with your new roomie!

Puppy Mills in USA Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Puppy Mills in USA - Research Paper Example Efforts are being made by government and non government agencies to improve the condition of puppy mills and for the protection of helpless animals. In 2009, The Missouri Department of Agriculture, which is responsible for overseeing breeding, initiated Operation Bark Alert and almost 180 unlicensed breeders were shut down in lieu of this operation. The department is understaffed with only 12 inspectors who have to inspect some 2,800 facilities annually. Animal-Right supporters also gathered more than 190,000 signatures in support of Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Bill (The Economist). After failing countless times to get bills passed by the Missouri General Assembly, the groups created ballot initiative and were successful in getting an amendment. The new amendment was to provide enforceable standards which stated clearly that any breeding facility could not own more than 50 breeding bitches and these animals were to be provided with proper health care and good sanitary conditions. T he Humane Society of United States (HSUS) has done commendable work towards improving living and breeding conditions for dogs in puppy mills. In their â€Å"Dirty Dozen† reports for 2010 and 2011 they pointed out the SandS Family Puppies of Milan, Mo. as the worst puppy mill. This puppy mill has a 500 page USDA violation record to their credit starting from 2006.

Review Of The Movie The Descendants Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Review Of The Movie The Descendants - Essay Example The present research has identified that the film concept or industry is such a wide one, encompassing the motion picture industry, individual motion pictures, and film as an art. Generally, films are created by the recording or capturing of real-life images or creation of images by animation technologies or special film effects. Through being created by and on the basis of specific cultures, films are cultural artifacts, which reflect these world cultures but also affect the said cultures. Besides being a source of entertainment for families and individuals, film is an art-form that has really shot to prominence in recent times due to its influence on society. Moreover, films are educational tools not only in learning institutions but also in health facilities, correctional institutions, and domestic settings. In debates on the interrelationship between movies and society, it is important to realize that such discussions cover the genre of movies and its sub-genres such as Black and White film and speechless movies among others. The interrelationship between movies and the society is so interwoven that each certainly has a great degree of influence on the other. For instance, when people watch movies, they place or picture themselves in the situations or predicaments displayed in the movies, making them to involved, engaged in, and feel what the characters in the movies feel. As a result of the impacts movies have on peoples’ lives, a lot of focus has lately been directed at movie reviews and criticism. In fact, researches and talks have since been conducted to ascertain peoples’ views about movies, revealing quite distinct and contrasting movies. According to most responses, violence, pornography and other negative effects of movies on people minds and society outstand (Ross, 2002). However, given the expansive nature of the topic of the interrelationship between movies and society, the responses given in these researches are by far wide. Althou gh there is consensus among stakeholders that films express peoples’ feelings and experiences, some authors have adopted the stance that the film industry has quite outdone itself. That is, while some of the films and their images are real and bearable, others are fake and intolerable. For example, a such for the term ‘violent films’ using Google reveals a bout 224,000,000 results, an obviously worrying matter that should attract great public concern (Ross, 2002). The other searches with similarly many results are films about indecent acts, murder, sex, rape, and verbal offences. These critiques thus propose that as a society, people should clearly distinguish film as an art form and as a reality instead of allowing motion pictures to dictate or damage the course and progress of their lives. This paper explores the interrelationship between films and the society in addition to carrying out a film critique on the movie Descendants. The