Assignment 3 the American Red Cross (Arc)” Essay

Assignment 3: The American Red Cross (ARC)† October 28, 2012 HRM 522 Ethics Advocacy For HR Pro Determine the impact of this event on ARC’s â€Å"benefits of business ethics† (employee commitment, investor loyalty, customer satisfaction, and bottom line). Business ethics includes the principles and standards that guide behavior in the world of business. The ethical behavior of a company is being judged and determined by its stakeholders. They may not always be right but their judgment affects the company’s reputation in society. There are several benefits of business ethics. Ethics contribute to (Ferrell, Fraedrich, amp; Ferrell, 2011, pp. 18-21): * Employee commitment – comes from employees who believe their future is tied to†¦show more content†¦This did not sit well with donors or with government officials. A congressional hearing took place to look into the American Red Cross’s actions. They were forced to address their stakeholders concerns and demands. The American Red Cross’s reputation was damaged by their actions in th e aftermath of this disaster. With the devastation of hurricane Katrina, the American Red Cross’s reputation was again damaged by their actions. The relief efforts were viewed as inadequate by the public. â€Å"These subpar emergency responses were the outcome of a host of fraudulent, questionable, and inefficient decisions made by the ARC, as well as its federal, state, and local disaster relief counterparts† (Ferrell, Fraedrich, amp; Ferrell, 2011, p. 331). There was a communications issue between FEMA and the American Red Cross and a disagreement on the roles and responsibilities of each agency. Another issue in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina was the mismanagement of funds and volunteers. â€Å"The accusations include the improper diversion of relief supplies, failure to follow Red Cross procedures in tracking and distributing supplies, and use of felons as volunteers in the disaster area in violation of Red Cross rules† (Ferrell, Fraedrich, amp; Ferrell, 2011, p. 331). The devastation was overwhelming and the amount of volunteers was more than they have ever seen. Because of this they did not go through their normal screening process. 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The Success Of The Brewing Industry - 1556 Words

The Industry The brewing industry is an industry full of relentless competitiveness in which there are a limited amount of top brands which compete on a day-to-day basis. This is an analysis over the industry in the mid 80’s and will be a very detailed presentation over the environment, driving forces and success factors. General, industry and competitive environments create both threats and benefits. Driving forces are internal and external forces that keep your company moving in a certain direction. And success factors are the factors that can create success for a company or total failure. Coors was successful even though profits and stocks had decreased slightly in 1985. The environment will always play a huge role for brewing†¦show more content†¦Challenges and benefits equal out within the environments key role in the industry. Appendix 1, seen below, shows more characteristics over the environment and its effects. Driving forces are a huge part of success in th e industry. Factors like differentiation of packaging, segmentation and marketing allow companies to push in the direction they feel is necessary to be successful. Another factor seemingly untouched up to the point is segmenting on minorities as part of their sales. This is necessary for growth when sales go stagnant. Companies who have the ability to expand on existing facilities as well as build new ones are set up for major success in the future as they continue to grow without the worry of sells pushing over capacity limits. Flexibility is the final driving factor that gives the companies power over suppliers because of the ability to use other ingredients that are cheaper, especially useful when sales are down. These driving factors can be seen in Appendix 2 below. Within in an industry with so much competition, success factors can play a huge role in which brands become and stay successful and which brands find themselves failing. Brand image is one success factor that comes over time and reliability followed by a solid relationship with wholesalers that creates chemistry and understanding between the two. Followed by capacity, which is a necessity in order for fans of the brand to be able to have access to it on the

Compare Benjamin Franklin free essay sample

Compare Benjamin Franklin, Thomas and Thomas Jefferson based on our readings and discussions in class. BY square 21683 Benjamin Franklin, Thomas , and Thomas Jefferson all had similar values and Ideas about America concerning politics and Its economy. They all also had a knack for getting people to follow them. Wrote To Cole, the Painter, Departing for Europe, seemed to express different views about America . Europe In his letters. In a letter Franklin wrote to his grandson, he expressed how he wanted to return to America before his death but didnt think he could be able to.He seemed so passionate when writing about America. It was as If there was nothing better than America. We also know that Franklin was very involved in politics and economics. He is one of the first people we read about who was very concerned with money and how it affected status and politics. Obviously wealth affects status in at least some aspect. We will write a custom essay sample on Compare Benjamin Franklin or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Whether the wealth was measured by money or by land, it defined social class. Only people of the upper class took part in politics. Franklin was one of Americas founding fathers. He helped write the Declaration ofIndependence, which we still abide by today, over 200 years later. Benjamin Franklin listed 13 virtues with their precepts in one of his documents. He listed these to make sure he abided by all of them and Just these 13. One of the precepts was order. He expanded on this by making a schedule of how his business and his life should run. It listed what should be done for the day, including when he should eat and sleep. He was definitely ahead of his time and set the standards for Americans today. Thomas instilled his ideas onto others in Common Sense. He starts out by saying, In the following pages I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense. Just by writing this, he has already captivated the reader and forced them to see his views and Just common sense. Pain seemed to specialize In revolts and working for the ordinary person. This was Pains Involvement in politics; getting the common person to see how they were oppressed and how things should change. He took action by forming revolutions. Pain felt that America should be free from British control.He stated, We have asked the protection of Great without considering that her motive was Interest, not attachment; and that she did not protect us from our enemies on our account, but from her enemies on her own account, from those who had no quarrel with us on any other account, and who will always be our enemies on the same us because of their own personal reasons and when we were under attack, Britain didnt care and sequentially, they had created enemies for both places. Thomas Jefferson took part in politics as well as Franklin and Pain and was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.Jefferson, unlike Franklin and Pain, was born into his wealth. He was never a commoner and therefore never knew what it was like to be in that position. I find it interesting that someone of his stature would be allowed to help write the Declaration of Independence which helps guide everyone including commoners. He couldnt possibly understand what would be best for them. This is probably why there are many things in the constitution that dont seem fair to an ordinary person, such as the Electoral College. This system was basically created because a regular person could not have a vote left in their hands. Although Jefferson seems like he wants independence for America, it also seems like he doesnt trust America to have this Independence. All three people that I have discussed seem to differ in their views of America . Europe from . Seems to be thrilled that America is based on Europe. Places such as New York and New England were almost exact replicas of the originals. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas , and Thomas Jefferson were trying to change the way America was to make it a better place to live. It is because of these men that America is everything it is today.

The Epic of Gilgamesh free essay sample

The story of Gilgamesh was one of the world’s first literary works but most importantly the very first epic. â€Å"An epic or heroic poem is a long narrative poem, on a serious subject [that was] written in a grand or elevated style, centered on a larger-than-life hero† (Lynch). Because it was only recited orally for many centuries it was forgotten and vanished until â€Å"it was recorded at Sumer in the late third millennium B. C. E† (Fiero 19). The story of Gilgamesh is about an arrogant ruler, who changes because of an immense love and friendship with his companion Enkidu, it is a story about the wisdom he acquires with his journeys, and the inevitability of death. The story begins with the introduction of the two main characters, Gilgamesh and Enkidu. The love these friends will stumble upon for each other makes both of them change as individuals. From their initial encounter they will discard part of their own lives and give a piece of them to each other. Enkidu’s journey out of the wilderness with Gilgamesh. leads to his death. Gilgamesh, distraught over his companion’s death, goes on a search for everlasting life. Gilgamesh continues his journey to Dilmun in search of Upnapishtim (who is Gilgamesh’s father) the only mortal that gods have given everlasting life. From the mortal man Gilgamesh is told that there is no permanence in life. . Gilgamesh’s journey leads him to the realization that he has lost the ability to live forever, that the ultimate fate of all humans is death. Gilgamesh at the end of his journey invites Urshanabi to view the greatness of Uruk, the architectural and organizational achievement that assures his cultural immortality. In like manner, the Sumerians completely disappeared as s people. Their language, however, lived on as the language of culture. Their writings, their business organization, their scientific knowledge, and their mythology and law were spread westward by the Babylonians and Assyrians. It is clear that this epic tale embodies the ideals and values of the Mesopotamian civilization and the history of ancient Sumeria, including it cities, kings and religions. * In the centuries that followed the immigration of the Sumerians, the country grew rich and powerful. Art and architecture, crafts, religious and ethical thought flourished. Temple towns grew into city-states, which are considered the basis of the first true civilizations. * The acknowledgement that Gilgamesh is part god, part human and oppresses his people harshly is reflective of the violence indicative of that era. The history of The Land of Two Rivers refers to Semitic tribes such as the Akkadians, Amorites, Hittites, Kassites, and Assyrians who all vie for control of the region. * The Sumerians organized a complex mythology based on the relationships among the various local gods of the temple towns. Each city-state was a theocracy, for the chief local god was believed to be the real sovereign. In Sumerian religion, the most important gods were seen as human forms of natural forces – sky, sun, earth, water, and storm. * There is rich symbolism in the creation of Enkidu by the sky God, Anu, the seduction of him by Shamhat, and his befriending by Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh embraces this man with the trust and intimacy that one would a wife. Thus, he and Enkidu lose their strength and wildness, lamenting the loss of this state. However, in its place are all the joys of civilization shine in their resplendence, and Gilgamesh is able to perform great deeds. As one considers several elements of the story that are a departure from the cultural and historic conventions of the Sumerian era, one recognizes a distinct turn in the narrative in the direction of exploring universal themes of the human condition: * The beneficence of Anu’s decision to create the wild man, Enkidu, in order to help Gilgamesh is contrary to the intrusive tendency of the gods. For Enkidu and Gilgamesh civilization is a process, the transformation of the primitive. Without the primitive, civilization would cease to exist. This Epic helps one to see past the conventional classifications of â€Å"civilized† and â€Å"primitive† so that one might recall what each of us gains in developing from one state of being to another. The conflict in this area is represented in Gilgamesh’s refusal to acknowledge the wisdom in Enkidu’s outrage at the abusive aspect of the practice of having intercourse with new brides. There is no nobility of purpose in Gilgamesh’s suggestion of a great adventure. It is merely a response to having grown weak and lazy living in the city, i. e. being civilized. * Enkidu is supposed to guard the life of the king, but, instead, loses his courage and attempts to turn back. Later in the encounter with Humbaba, he inspires Gilgamesh to muster the courage to come out of his hiding place. He ultimately oversteps his bounds when he advizes Gilgamesh to kill Humbaba for the sake of fame. He pays dearly for this mistake. All Sumerian cities recognized a number of gods in common. The gods seemed hopelessly violent and unpredictable, and one’s life a period of slavery to their whims. As a result, it is no surprise when the Chief Gods meet and decide that Enkidu should be punished for the killing of Humbaba and the Bull of Heaven. * Gilgamesh is torn apart by the death of his friend, and allows his life to fall apart. This is hardly the behavior of an epic hero; it is more akin to the life of a modern anti-hero. He is in a panic over the thought of his own death, not in grief over the loss of his friend. Gilgamesh is given two chances to achieve immortality, but he cannot stay awake, and suffers the misfortune of having a snake eat his magic plant. The irony in the conclusion of the story of Gilgamesh’s epic adventure is symbolic of the destiny of the Sumerian culture. Gilgamesh, resigned to his fate as a mortal man, invites Urshanabi to look around and view the greatness of the city, its high walls, and its mason work. The architecture of this city-state is Gilgamesh’s legacy, and is the closest he will come to immortality. The cultural sophistication that characterized Sumerian culture inspired the cuneiform script that made it possible for the story of Gilgamesh’s epic journey to be captured on a stone of lapis lazuli at the base of the foundation the city walls of Uruk. By the same token, this epic tale conveys universal themes relevant to any age. All men struggle to behave in a civilized manner, and to control primitive impulses. All men struggle with weakness, laziness and complacency while enjoying the conveniences and comforts of civilization. All men are a mixture of courage and cowardice. All men experience struggles where it appears that they are sometimes helped, sometimes hindered by the gods to whom they pray. All men sometimes spurn the gods, and suffer the consequences, as Gilgamesh did with Ishtar. They also doubt themselves sometimes, as Gilgamesh did with the magic plant. Gilgamesh is as much a modern anti-hero who has fallen from grace as he is an, epic, ancient hero as he struggles in making decisions in conflict with his friend, Enkidu, and in fearing for his own mortality upon witnessing the eath of his companion. As Gilgamesh cries out in lament that he has gained absolutely nothing for himself, one encounters the classic theme of sacrifice of the individual for the sake of the greater good, the advancement of the culture. Paradoxically, his name lives on forever, as a result of his having resigned himself to the ultimate human inevitability, the acceptance of his own death. This is surely an enduring and r elevant theme for any era.

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Writing the Perfect College Entrance Essay

Writing the Perfect College Entrance Essay Free Online Research Papers Writing the Perfect College Entrance Essay In AP English Language, taught by Dr. Phillips, the first few weeks of class were spent writing college essays. As Dr. Phillips says, â€Å"a good essay might not necessarily get you into a college, but a bad one will most certainly keep you out.† She stresses that the important thing to remember is that these essays are being reviewed by one who will have been reviewing these sorts of essays for a long time before. Therefore, it is especially important that the essay is unique and interesting. Going along with that, our class was given a copy of a sheet which included â€Å"Essays to Avoid† (From â€Å"For some Applicants, Student Essay Unlocks or Seals the Door to College† Maureen David). The essays to avoid (though this isn’t absolute) include: â€Å"My Favorite Things† essay, Trip essay, â€Å"Miss America† essay, â€Å"jock† essay and 3D (diversity of interests) essay. These should generally be avoided because they don’t allow for much personal growth. In the jock essay, one could write about how playing football showed him or her about teamwork. Well, that person and half of the other people applying could say the EXACT SAME THING. For the â€Å"my favorite things† essay, one might say that they like advanced technology because it allows people from all over the world to communicate in a big, happy, pool of diversity. That’s all fun and neat, but such essays fail to say anything about you as a person. Lots of students found that writing essays about someone who has had an impact on them were very effective. These essays are especially good because they don’t have to be too self-focused, and they allow you the opportunity to focus on someone other than yourself while revealing bits of information about yourself. Being able to do that is a definite mark of good writing. Also, it’s necessary to remember to be yourself. By all means, you should try to be positive and witty and sincere and use high diction, but making an essay generic will cause the person who’s reading it to fall asleep. You shouldn’t be negative though. While starting off your essay by saying â€Å"I hate everyone† wouldn’t cause anyone to fall asleep (unless they were really tired), it wouldn’t give a very good impression of you. One also can’t praise oneself too much. No one likes reading an essay which goes â€Å"I learned about being a good person, nice, kind, caring, positive†¦Ã¢â‚¬  because it’s essentially bragging. And, one last bit of advice: Don’t drag it on. The more you can say in a shorter space, the better. Once again, college application evaluaters don’t want to read novels. Mr. Anderson says â€Å"it strikes me as absurd to ask someone to reveal their personality in 500 words or les s,† but in the case of college applications, it’s a necessity. Have fun! Research Papers on Writing the Perfect College Entrance EssayHip-Hop is ArtStandardized TestingHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyCapital PunishmentMind TravelWhere Wild and West MeetComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoThe Project Managment Office SystemMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever Product

Managerial Position of Manager Bank of America Essay

Managerial Position of Manager Bank of America - Essay Example A trustworthy manager can direct to more productive outcomes and is able to increase the achievements of any organization. Good management can improve the reputation of the bank and job satisfaction of employees. Thus, it can provide good customer satisfaction and increase the customer base. Managerial Functions Bank manager is in charge for the overall improvement and performance of the bank and the employees. The function of bank manager is to ensure superior service quality, business improvement and accomplishment of target (Peke, n.d.). The most important function of a bank manager in Bank of America is to develop the business of the bank. Bank manager always strives to increase the income through increasing the customer base. Bank manager is liable for setting the goals and planning a way to fulfill them. It is the function of bank manager to regularly examine the progression of other competitor banks and assess their business activities. A bank manager must ensure to maintain t he professional standard and the policy of the bank (Stanley St Labs, n.d.). Kinds of Managers Control Freak: This type of managers prefer to control all operations of the bank on his own. They do not prefer employees to make any kind of managerial decision whether it is a small decision or big. This kind of manager never tells the details about any assignment to complete it. Autocratic: Manager of this kind does not care about the workers. This type of manager is quite tuff and they are pretty clear about their need. Team Builder: This kind of managers is proficient at their work. They are quite open near subordinates and they seek for creativity from the workers. These kinds of managers do any task in particular way and by involving the employees. Managerial Roles In banking there are several roles for managers which are: Operation manager: These types of managers are open to the customers and have good communication skill. They deal with the customer directly about any kind of pr oblem. Retail manager: These types of managers handles the retail operations such as bank cashier, ATM operations, manage the deposit and withdrawal, money order, utility bill and others. Investment manager: The role of investment manager is to manage the account of customer, freight brokerage, analyze the investment, and manage the investment fund and operational investments. Financial manager: The role of financial manager is to manage the bill, account, and other financial services. Loan manager: Loan manager assess the loan requests, verify the customers’ capability to repay the loan amount and provide approval of loan. These types of managers are specialized in business, consumer and credit lending (Profitableinvestment, 2011). Managerial Skills Technical: A manager must be able to use specific methods or techniques to perform the managerial task. The technical skill is not associated with usage of equipment, machinery or technology. It is related with the usage of vario us managerial techniques in decision making such as break even analysis, planning any training program, conduct an interview and others. Interpersonal: A manager must possess skill to lead the employees. The interpersonal skills of manager consist of motivating the employees, resolving any disagreement and communicating with customers and other people. Conceptual: Conceptual skills are extremely important for middle level or top level managers. A manager should be capable of ‘grasping the whole picture’ of any bank. Communication: This is the basic skill of all bank managers. A manag

Marketing Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 9

Marketing Management - Essay Example Despite its effectiveness, Warfarin monitoring is a major drawback, whereby blood is tested to determine international normalised ratio (INR) for proper dosage. This makes the process of administering the drug slow and thus its effect on an individual takes time. Research shows that increased intake of Warfarin causes a decrease in bone density, which eventually leads to osteoporoses. Pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelhiem have solved some of the problems caused by Warfarin with the introduction of Pradaxa. Mueller states, â€Å"Pradaxa is an oral drug that is unique in that it blocks the protein clotting thrombin† (Mueller, web). Its approval by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention of stroke in patients with non-valvular atria fibrillation was also a major development. Pradaxa blood thinner does not require frequent monitoring for (INR) but offers good results in terms of efficacy. Though Pradaxa costs ten times more than Warfarin, the cost of monitoring required in Warfarin makes it more expensive than Pradaxa. One major disadvantage of Pradaxa is that its blood thinning effect cannot be reversed once administered unlike in Warfarin which is reversible. Since Pradaxa contains tartaric acid, it lowers the PH levels of Patients under it and in return leads to increased gastrointestinal bleeding. Approval of Xarelto by Bayer Company will be a further improvement of Warfarin and Pradaxa. Research shows that Xarelto does not need monitoring or dose adjustments, it can be used across all ages, and it is a non-inferior and has a superior efficacy. However there is increased bleeding in Xarelto

Cross cultural marriage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cross cultural marriage - Essay Example In this paper, an argument for cross-cultural marriage shall be made by analyzing the advantages involved in it. For many people, marrying a foreigner, or somebody from a different cultural background, is a tremendously exciting thing, and these people tend to get into such marriages with a strong optimism concerning the future. Cross-cultural marriages tend to promote unity between different cultures and nationalities (Milan et al, 2010). This is because it leads to cultural understanding between the marriage partners and their families. Some have argued that cross cultural marriage results in conflict between the marriage partners, but these assertions have been found to have no basis in reality. When one considers marriages between people from different cultures, one will find that the levels of cultural conflicts are surprising low. In fact, it can be said that the bringing together of two diverse cultures has the effect of creating a new, distinct culture, as the couple who get married often bring along their own cultures and continue to practice them alongside those of their partners. Th erefore, those who raise the argument of cultural conflicts in such marriages are wrong. One will in most instances, find that those who are involved in such marriages are always immensely accepting of other cultures, and it is rare for them to show any prejudice, if any. When it comes to raising children, an environment created through a cross-cultural marriage is the best (Fenyo, 2001). One would argue that the cultural exchange that occurs between the marriage partners also affects their children. This is because the children will be able to adopt the best traits that  are in the cultures  in which  they are raised. The implication of being raised in such an environment is tremendously positive on the children. It not only enables them to be aware and appreciative of other

Portrayal Of Muslim Women In Western Media Cultural Studies Essay

Portrayal Of Muslim Women In Western Media Cultural Studies Essay Since the last couple of decades, the subjects of Islam, the Muslim community and especially Muslim women seem to have dominated the Western media. It started with the excessive coverage of September 11, the war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the banning of the veil in Europe, to the terrorist attacks and suicide bombers in the Middle East. These are just a few images to name that the Western societies and countries have been absorbing in their daily lives, eventually forming their attitudes, perceptions and ideas about the Muslim world. It all started with Samuel P. Huntington (1997) Clash of Civilizations, according to Macdonald (2006). It was Huntington who came within reach of this problematic relationship between the East and the West. Clash of Civilizations is a part in his book that is called The Rest Vs. The West. (Macdonald, 2006). After the Cold War ended, the desire to search for a new global ideological threat has emerged to replace the collapse of Communism. Since then, it was predicted by the Westerns experts that the Western World is facing a new enemy: Islam. Macdonald (2006). Huntington notion pointed out that Islam has a noticeable contradictory vision and action to the Western ideology, ideas of liberty, and democracy. This phenomenon has been developed and spread into a discourse and got fully attention of the Westerns (United States, the United Kingdom and its allies) perceptions and its relationships towards the world of the Middle East, the Muslims and Islam. As a result of such phenomenon and ideology, the stereotypical idea that Islam and its followers are anti-democracy and anti-Western has become fixed within the minds of the Western society. (Macdonald, 2006). The acts of stereotyping persuade people to respond and behave in the same way that is both negative and prejudiced. The word Arabs is meant to portray a person from the Middle East, it also meant to portray this Arab as terrorist, ignorant, and a person that contradicts with the Western ideologies. In spite of the reality that these persons are from different countries, with varied cultures, attitudes, beliefs, and a diversity of religions, they are typify by one word Arabs. (Cheney, 1986). Several movies have been misrepresenting Arabs men and women through the years. It is has been pointed out by Cheney (1986), that Jack Shaheen, (2003), stated that 900 films done by in the American cinema showed how Arab men women and children shaped as different and threatening. Hollywood films from 1896 until today portraying Arabs as heartless, enemies, cruel, burglars, extremist in their religion, brutal murderers, and abusers of women. (Cheney, 1986). History shows that since the beginning of cinema, Hollywoods movies have been misrepresenting Arab women. Clearly, film makers did not create these images but inherited Europes pre-existing Arab stereotypes. These images have been created long ago; in the 18th and 19th centuries, European artists and writers offered fictional versions of women as bathed and submissive exotic objects. As a result, through the time, the stereotype came to be accepted as valid, becoming a permanent part of European popular culture (Cheney, 1986). In his book Reel Bad Arabs, Shaheen noticed that In Arabian Nights fantasies such as The Sheik (1921), Slave Girl (1947), and John Goldfarb, Please Come Home (1964), Arab women appear as leering out from thin veils, or as unsatisfied, disposable knick-knacks lounging on ornate cushions, scantily-clad harem maidens with bare midriffs, closeted in the palaces womens quarters and/or on display in slave markets (Shaheen, 2001:23, cited in Cheney, 1986). The stream continues in the third millennium. In Disneys remake of Around the World in Eighty Days (2004), for example, Arnold Schwarzenegger portrays Prince Hapi, a Mideast sheikh with one hundred or so wives. This means that films continue to show Arab woman as a slave for sex, even though the image of a terrorist dominated after 9/11. A research paper aimed to analyze U.S. and international newspaper articles on Arab and Muslim women from 9/11/01 till 9/11/05, in order to understand how women who wear the veil are represented in western media. It was found that Reporters rarely give women the chance to speak to look beyond the stereotype and get to know Arab women. Whether oppressed, victimized or turned into a superwoman, that woman in the news is more often not caricature of the Arab and Muslim woman in real life. Readers have not yet able to receive a consistent and accurate representation of the diverse personalities, lives and opinions of these women. (Sakr, 2004). Its been always known that TV shows influence Western people perceptions and attitudes towards various issues, especially when it comes to issues related to the Middle East and Arabs. So, most of the misperceptions towards Arab women are caused by the flow of information through TV stations. (Kaufer Al Malki 2009) According to Kaufer Al Malki (2009), on the 28th of September 2009, Oprah Winfrey hosted the Goodwill Ambassador for the UNICEF; the famous Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram on her TV show on CBS station. In that show, Winfrey referred to Lebanon as being deeply conservative and presented a documentary that shows Lebanese women veiled like the Afghani ones and compared these women with Nancys Ajram style and dance moves. With no doubt, Oprahs documentary misrepresented Lebanese women and created misconception in the minds of Western people about Lebanese women who are the most modernized women in the region. In fact, Nancy Ajram style and fashion represent a large segment of Lebanese females. Statistics show that 75% of the Lebanese women are unveiled and have freedom of dress; they have their full education that exceeds that of men with 44 % compared to 40 % of men. The media is fascinated by the portrayal of Arab women and they way they dress. According to Ahmed (1992), when it comes to portraying Muslim woman, the media in the West seems to be attentive and obsessed by the way they dress which is the veil in particular which has resulted in a great number of reactions and debates. These debates shows that the veil is perceived as a sign of cultural difference in the Western world as it differentiate Arab women from Western ones. (Ahmed, 1992). Muslim Arab woman are always badly portrayed as the shapeless and ghost women in their Islamic dress .they are really confusing the western normal people as its not their fault that what they are seeing on TV is that its the fault of the western media. The Negative stereotyping and reactionary reporting have historically symbolized coverage of Islam and Muslims and have been reflected clearly in the theory of Orientalism created by Edward Said in 1978 which states that the East and its populations are considered backward, barbaric and outsiders to Western society. (Posetty, 2008). As a result, it seems that the media helps in creating the image of the Muslim women as the oppressed other, which will lead to imprecise conclusions, stereotypes and misperceptions of these women. (Macdonald,2006). According to the Orientalist theory, when women are portrayed, they are portrayed as being oppressed, exotic, mysterious, and shy. In addition, the Western media have always been portraying Arabs as violent, stupid, and cruel people that treat women as objects and that they are marginalized in their own society, and that the East all alike in their image for the West. (Macdonald,2006). Therefore, when the Western media frames women as sexual slave and oppressed by men as they are abusing their women, beaten, and humiliated, they are being truthful as this is the image that has been always stuck in the Westerns minds. In fact, the West has been stereotyping Arab women since forever, and they didnt change their look for the Arab women till now. Photographs and French19th Century paintings represented Arab women as property, toy of men, submissive and still, dependent on a man who is the only motive for their survival. (kaufer, 2009). Terms such as the veil, the harem, female circumcision helped in the formation of such misconceptions as well as gave the impression to some of the associated images with the oppressed Muslim woman. The problem is that these perceptions have been incorrectly generalized with no differentiation. (Gwinn, 1997). This problem has made it harder for the veiled Muslim women living in the West, as they tend to suffer more from the intolerance from the way they dress, in addition, they are hardly accepted in the Western communities. (Mohanty, 2005). Arab women in immigrant communities and who are living in Western societies, are victims of these negative stereotypes and gender based media representations. As Morin (2009), noted that these women face negative media coverage that is based on cultural misconceptions and the recent political conflicts that have spoiled Arab-Western relations. As a result, Arab women in immigrant communities cannot win the fight for better media recognition while they continue to be viewed inside the limit of traditional Arab-Islamic stereotypes. (Morin, 2009). As Posetty (2008) stated in his article, in the portrayal of Muslim women, attention is frequently focused on the way they dress, with their clothing seen as a symbol of their threatening, alien status. Images of Islamic dress are increasingly used in the media as visual shorthand for dangerous extremism, and Muslims all over Europe are suffering from the consequences of such associations. The main problem as Ahmed (1992) pointed out, is that the act of veiling among Muslim women or the veil itself is often associated with the lack of traditionalism and backwardness that does not fit into the modern society and among Western women who do not need to veil (Ahmed, 1992). This phenomenon suggests that we can reach the other cultural difference and how the West is fascinated with otherness and still continues within the Western media towards the Muslim world (Ahmed, 1992). Ayish (2010) pointed out in his paper that the Western media tends to portray Arab men as aggressive and abusers of women, and that they control women. Media portray that the women is always wearing her veil, staying at home raising children and only obey her husband who she fears. Newspapers studies has showed that Western illustration of Muslim marriage issues is vague and this is because the lack of the knowledge of foreign cultures and religions One could disagree that the major issue is Islamophobia, many Western journalists, unfamiliar with Islam religion, have a tendency to view the faith as cruel, backward and the contradictory of tolerance. (Ayish, 2010). Morin (2009) stated in his research that stories investigated about Muslim women have shown that Western news reports represents women as the oppressed, mistreated wife, who is obligated to a prearranged marriage by her parents or obligated out of a marriage, and that she is helpless and voiceless in both situations. Another disproportionate as stated by Ayish (2010), Sometimes, the Arab Muslim women is represented as the money hunter, who does not think about who she marries as long as the man she is going to marry is rich enough to indulge her hunger for money. In these situations on the other hand, Arab Muslim men think with different greed, they are sexually deprived and tends to treat women as sexual objects. The men are also harsh and controlling, playing with womens feelings and threats women through oral divorce. Women are thus represented by the Western media as weak and have no rights which permit men to claim superiority (Ayish, 2010). Dominant images of the veiled Muslim woman are always covered in the Western media to present the Muslim woman as a victim as well as being oppressed. (Ahmed, 1992). The veiled of Arab Muslim women has always been misrepresented by the media as it has became a symbol of the oppression of the Muslim woman. This representation as stated by Ahmed (1992), has been highly evoked since the event of the 9/11. As noted in Posetty (2008) research paper, Alison Donnell argues that the September 11 terrorist attacks resulted in media representations of veiling as an object of mystique, exoticism and eroticism and that the veil, or headscarf, is seen as a highly visible sign of a despised difference. The oppression of Muslim women has been regularly used in Western media as suggestive of the barbaric and pre-modern characteristics of Islam. As Helen Watson comments in her article the image of the veiled Muslim woman seems to be one of the most popular Western ways of representing the problem of Islam. (Posetty, 2008). According to Ahmed (1992), the veil has become the typical symbol of womens oppression in Islam, and is perceived as it creates hostility to Westerns. In fact, the Western media has ignored the fact that veiling as a practice existed before the rise of Islam, especially in Syria and Arabia. It was also a custom among Greeks, Romans, Jews and Assyrians, and not only to Islam. At that time, the veiled Arab woman was perceived as respectable and protected. (Ahmed, 1992). However, as Ahmed (1992) pointed out, the veiled woman is usually represented as having denied pleasure, fun, or bodily self-expression. In some of the Western conceptualizations veiling is used as a means of performing femininity self-exploration and play with identity. With these rising and continuous prejudices against Muslims and, especially, Muslim women, it seems to demonstrate that there is still a huge gap, a barrier that appears to prevent a sense, approval and understanding towards the Muslim other. And by the other we mean the oppressed, the traditional-bound, the factory-worker, the poor, etc. (Macdonald,2006). As mentioned before, besides the veil, discussions of the circumcision, polygamy, the sharia (Islamic) law, the harem, forced marriages, etc, are just a few issues that have made this group of women fit into the absolute, homogenous oppressed Muslim woman category. (Macdonald,2006). As noted in Falah Nagel (2005) paper, the problem lies when these visual images tend to portray Muslim women as a stereotypical figure; an oppressed figure suffering from a harsh culture. The veil especially is the major theme that is associated with the limitations and the oppression of Muslim Arab women as it was constantly deployed and replayed again in our visually dominated culture. Falah Nagel (2005) argue that the veil is not only representing the oppressed Muslims and Muslim women world, but also the hidden assumption about the superiority of the West in relation to that world. In this case, the figure of the veiled Muslim woman that is being represented through the media, is tending to represent these women as passive victims, muted, untraditional, and oppressed, which therefore creates a cultural-ideological barrier with the Western women. Thus, the problem is that the danger that is resulted from these representations of veiled Muslim women tends to create a division bet ween Western women (as modern, liberated) and Eastern women (as backward, oppressed), while also ignoring the diversity of practices, views and experiences of these women. As Falah Nagel (2005) pointed out, it seems important that the question on how to communicate with the other who is culturally and traditionally different has become one of the most urgent and immediate agendas within North-South/West-East relations and interactions. What is needed is an understanding of this sense of urgency, gaps and barriers that links to the Westerns knowledge of the veiled Muslim woman (Falah Nagel, 2005). As a result, veiled Muslim women become muted and misrepresented. Another major feature found in the Western media especially in advertising is the imagined perspectives such as the myths and fantasies Western culture has about Islam, the Muslims, and especially, veiled Muslim women. This means that not only misconceptions and misunderstandings towards Muslim women have been continuous in modern times, but it has also became widespread and universal by the advent of modern technology. (Falah Nagel, 2005). Miladi (2010) pointed out in his research paper that modern images of Muslim women in American advertisements, argues that Western advertisers tend to spread stereotypes and the wrong representations of the veil and Muslim women in order to appeal to consumers. As a result, advertisers use certain images of Muslim women that have been historically fixed in the Western mind, such as the harem, the hammas (public baths), the mysterious veiled woman or the oppressed woman living under an oppressive ruler or men and use this to attract consumers. The veil especially is itself is considered as an enormous marketing tool, as marketers often use the veil in order to sell sex. (Miladi, 2010). The use of the oppressed women and the veil in advertisements will make the Western consumers think that by buying the advertised product as well as buying the favors of the mysterious woman behind the veil. (Miladi, 2010). The problem as stated by Miladi (2010), is that Westerners are usually buying certain products for buying these imaginary images of the other. As a result, through the continuous and repetitive collective exposition to the media, a larger collective imagination will continue to be created and produced about this image of the imaginary veiled Muslim woman other. As mentioned by Gwinn (1997), the oppressed veiled Muslim woman in the ads may also be connected to the rising prejudices and debates that surround Muslim women and the veil in the Western world. The oppressed stereotypes of Arab Muslim women as stated by Ahadi (2009), has negative impacts on those women that is very obvious. Stereotypes occur when individuals are classifieds by others as having something in common because they are members of a particular group or category of people. Media stereotyping of women as objects and helpless beings creates very low expectations for societys Arab women. As mentioned by Morin (2009), women living abroad face distinctive discriminations from the Western communities. Western women are always considered as superior to Arab Muslim women especially, the veiled ones. In fact, Arab Muslim women are being oppressed by the negative representations created by the Western media. In addition, these representations may impact on these women psychologically as Western populations perceive the veil as a barrier between them and the veiled women.

Humorous Wedding Speech †Reasons I Admire the Groom -- Wedding Toasts

Humorous Wedding Speech – Reasons I Admire the Groom Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen - I’m not an experienced public speaker, so I find it easier just to read the speech word for word. In fact, I’ve practiced it almost daily for about a week and a half now, so that I know it very well. It’s a tip that I read in a book about public speaking. I’ve also been drinking profusely to help calm my pre-speech nerves. I made that tip up myself. Laughter Yes, I am a little nervous about being the best man. But I am more bothered with the title of 'best man'. Saying that I'm the best man is saying quite a bit. If I'm the best man, why is Maria marrying Karl? So I'm just happy saying that I am a pretty good man, because today Karl is the best man. And he’s a man I admire for the following reasons: 1) His generous nature – what with him donating his body to science when he started at ...

Government Term Paper Essay

The United States was founded and created by a group of people who wanted to see change and be in control of their future. This country has successfully accomplished this goal. Challenges from ending slavery to giving women the right to vote have all been accomplished through the American people implementing and enforcing new laws to be made. Two important issues facing the United States are Obamacare and illegal immigrants using anchor babies to stay in the country. On the issue of Obamacare, the best policy to follow is to recall Obamacare and create a new bill that is more specific, fixing one level at a time. On the issue of anchor babies, the best policy to follow is to amend the Constitution’s 14th Amendment to clarify the standards of citizenship. On March 10, 2010 President Obama’s new health care was signed into law. This new form of health care is called Obamacare or more formally as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This bill requires that those who can afford health care must maintain the minimal, essential health insurance coverage. This mandate does not apply to citizens who hold certain religious beliefs or have financial hardships. Once the bill is fully processed, thirty-two million Americans will be able to receive some form of health care. The main intention of Obamacare is that affordability and accountability it brings. Obamacare lowers premiums for families making $44,000-66,000 and $55,000-88,000 a year. This new bill has made it easier for more families and people to receive health care. Obamacare also has begun to resolve Medicare’s prescription â€Å"donut hole†. This has helped senior citizens pay for vital prescriptions. The â€Å"donut hole† occurs after the patient has received $2,830 worth of drugs. At this number, Medicare stops paying for the drugs until the patient has used over $4550 of drugs. Therefore the patient needs to pay for $2,000 before Medicare pays for their prescriptions again. This reform gives donut hole payments a 50% discount and slowly closes this spending gap. The bill plans for the gap to be fully closed by 2020. The process of closing Medicare’s donut hole has already begun (Health Reform). The Affordable Care Act has improved community health centers. Within this improvement, there are more free preventive care treatments along with 1,250 new care centers for twenty million people (Timeline). These centers co-inside with the bill’s customer protection plan. This solidifies that no one may be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions (Health Reform). More people have been treated and helped allowing for a better field of doctors to be used for the necessary and covered treatments that Obamacare has provided. A large intention within Obamacare is to correct and maintain a new policy for business. Small businesses are not required to provide health care. However, if a business has over fifty employees, they are required to make payments that allow for health care benefits if ever needed if they do not have health care insurance (Health Reform). The bill has allowed for over four million small businesses eligible for tax credits so that they may be able to provide health care. Along with tax credit, Obamacare has cracked down on fraud, waste and abuse. This has secured the governments support in this bill. In the future Obamacare plans to reduce paperwork, provide more funding to children’s hospitals, and expand bundling payments (Timeline). Due to the numerous projects and reforms within this large bill, states need more money. This money comes from citizen’s taxes. People who already have health care are being taxed to help pay for others. One of the leading problems that Americans have about Obamacare questions whether or not all Americans have the right to health care. If a person chooses to be homeless and not work, should other citizens have to pay for another’s medical needs? Relating to the previous question, currently the Supreme Court is in the process of deciding if the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. Obamacare, 2010, stated that everyone must have some form of health care. People have begun to question whether this infringes and stretches Congress’ right to be involved in one’s personal life- even if this is an economic matter. Many individuals and twenty-seven states have begun to challenge Congress and whether the Commerce Clause has the right to expand national power at the expense on individual liberties. In 1824 the Supreme Court case, Gibbons v. Ogden, interpreted the government’s â€Å"commerce† to deal with only state to state/internal commerce affairs (US v Morrison). In 1937 the Supreme Court stretched the Commerce Clause for the government to oversee labor hours and wages. The government was allowed such power that they could even oversee a person’s personal consumption in the Supreme Court case, Wickard v. Filburn, in 1941 (Gaziano). Finally in 1995 the Supreme Court ruled against the government when they wanted to criminalize carrying guns to school. In this case, US v Lopez, the Supreme Court decided that this was not an economic issue and was not covered within the Commerce Clause (Langran). However, the Supreme Court case US v. Morrison became the final breaking point for the government. In 2000 Congress wanted to ban the violence of women. â€Å"The Supreme Court ruled that if there was any other clarification on the Commerce Clause that there would be a fundamental upset within the balance of powers in the Constitution† (Natelson). Throughout America’s history there have been many attempts to improve health care for Americans. Both Democrats- Roosevelt and Truman- and Republicans-Nixon- have done their share of work to help, however, the most recent and successful help came from the Clintons. Creating a new task force, Hillary Clinton spent large sums of money to keep the public interested and willing to support her. When she ran for president against Obama, her largest campaign issue was health care. Her plan was to require all US residents to have some form of health care and that employers must provide health care. Ultimately her work was not enough and was not as favorable as Obama’s idea of lowering the cost of health care rather than requiring it (Health Care). Now Obama has reversed his position on mandates as he created Obamacare. Obama explained to CBS News, â€Å"I’ve been persuaded that there are enough young, uninsured people who are cheap to cover, but are opting out. To make sure that those folks are part of the overall pool is the best way to make sure that all premiums go down† (My Interview). On March 26-28 of 2012, Florida and twenty-six other states argued that that the Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional. During these two days, the Supreme Court listened to the oral arguments. The Affordable Care Act’s largest concept is the availability and affordability for all of America to have health care by 2014. The states questioned the act’s credibility of one’s individual mandate (Katz). The course of the health care case began with Florida on January 31, 2011 when a district judge challenged the new health care act. Claiming that the individual mandate within the reform was unconstitutional called for the whole Affordable Care Act to be nullified. Through the process of appeals, the court decided that the act did infringe on American’s rights; however, the whole bill did not need to be recalled. From this, the federal court took this issue to the Supreme Court (Claeys). All though the oral arguments are complete, the Supreme Court’s decision is not expected unit June of 2012 (Katz). Advocates of the mandate argue that the â€Å"mandate would force all Americans to share the cost of health care† (Health Care). The mandate forces all people to pay so there would be no issue of people paying for others. People would be supporting themselves by paying for their own health care. Supporters of mandatory health care justify their position with the fact that those who don’t think they will need it eventually will. It is better to be safe and have health care if and when you need it. Living in America, a citizen has personal freedoms and with that comes responsibility and maturity. Providing oneself with health care, according to advocates, is a responsibility that must be met in order for citizens to continue to have the freedoms that they do. There are thousands of people who still need health care, Obamacare makes it more affordable; therefore, people will be more willing to get a proper form of health care. Americans will be interested in their benefits which makes them more aware of the issues surrounding health care (Should Illegal Aliens). In 2011 there have been numerous court cases trying to decide if the Affordable Care Act is Constitutional. These cases, such as Thomas Moore law Center v. Barack Obama US President (Patient) are defined as a writ of certiorari law. According to the legal definition, writ of certiorari is â€Å"an order a higher court issues to order to review the decision and proceedings in a lower court to determine whether there were any irregularities† (Definitions). This order given by the Supreme Court so that they may receive a transmit of the records of the cases heard about this issue. According to the information, may it be presented that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act-Obamacare- be recalled. The ideas that the bill presents are effective and appropriate; however, this bill came too soon. America’s current health care system needs other changes before Obamacare may be used. Americans need to obtain health care on their own before it is mandatory. A possible bill to begin the new process may be to focus making Medicare more affordable and efficient. â€Å"In 2011, the federal government spent about $477 million in net Medicare† (Fixing Medicare). The spending rate needs to match up with the number of patients and their medical needs rather than taxing citizens to get quick, un-favored results. A large part of why America has been so successful is because American citizens respect and have pride for the United States of America. The country’s patriotism has brought upon much success including: ending slavery, the Wright brothers’ first airplane, defeating Germany in World War I, and Neil Armstrong being the first man on the moon. Starting in the late 1700’s, America became known as the â€Å"melting pot†. Our multiculturalism makes America successful because all people want to be a part of making the United States better. Over time more and more people have moved to the United States. People wanted to be considered Americans and be official citizens. In the 1990’s alone the US population has increased by twenty-five million people. Within the last one hundred years 197 million people have moved to the United States (Riche). These new people came to America because their lives would be different. New immigrants changed their names, learned English, and wanted to be a part of America. Rather than sticking to their old cultures and lifestyles, immigrants adapted to the American lifestyle. The number of immigrants grew so quickly that the United States had to limit the number of people per country to enter into the United States. The government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882 to limit the number of Chinese immigrants entering the country. This act limited immigration in America to 170,000 Chinese people (National Archives). In June of 1866, the 14th Amendment was ratified into the United State’s Constitution. The 14th Amendment states that â€Å"all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and where they reside† (Rojas). This amendment was added to the Constitution to support and protect the freed African American population after the Civil War ended in 1865 (The Debate). This first part of the 14th Amendment is known as the Citizenship Clause. The second part of the 14th Amendment is the Equal Protection Clause which states â€Å"that no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person their jurisdiction of equal protection of the laws† ( US History). In 1898 the Supreme Court case, US v. Wong Kim Ark, questioned whether the United States could deny naturalization to anyone born in the United States under the 14th Amendment. Born in San Francisco, Ark lived with his parents in California. At age twenty-one Ark traveled to China to visit his parents where his parents moved after living in the US for twenty years. Upon his return to the United States, Ark was denied entry. According to the Chinese Exclusion Act, no people of the Chinese race shall be permitted into the country. However, if Ark is considered to be US citizen this act does not apply to him. The Supreme Court concluded that the government could not deny citizenship to a person born in the United States. This case upheld the 14th Amendment (Rojas). Today this case has been upheld and been the foundation of how the Citizenship Clause is applied to United States citizens. Today the number of people moving to America still increases. However, there are another group of immigrants moving to America. In 2000, LIFE Act Amnesty estimated 900,000 illegal immigrants came into the United States. It is determined to be twelve to twenty million illegal immigrants residing in the United States today (Gheen). The rising issue in illegal immigration is the regularity of anchor babies. This term, anchor baby is classified as an illegal/non-citizen who came to the United States and gave birth to their child. Because their child is a US citizen according to the 14th Amendment, these families are able to convince the courts to let them stay and live in America (The Debate). This idea gives illegal immigrants an easy way to beat the system and live in America. Due to the large number of anchor babies born in America it is clear that their parents do not wish to become US citizens. Illegal immigrant families are able to get food stamps and Medicaid through the country’s tax dollars. Along with health care illegal immigrants are getting help putting their children through school. This changes the dynamics and level of public schools as they have to accommodate to these children. This issue has increased so quickly that organizations like FAIR, Federation for American Immigration Reform, has made more attempts to eliminate this problem. FAIR estimated that 425,000 illegal babies are born in the United States per year (McNeil). Other organizations have come together to push for this issue to be resolved. The state of Arizona has taken the imitative to end anchor baby citizenship. This bill, SB 1070, was written in June of 2010. Arizona’s bill â€Å"makes attrition through the enforcement of public policy of all agencies† (Senate Bill). This bill sets up the country for success by cracking down on an individual’s immigration status. If their paperwork is illegitimate, then they will be taken to the custody of US immigration and customs and enforcement. Arizona alone is estimated to have over 300,000 illegal immigrants. Supporters to stop anchor baby citizenship state that â€Å"maternity tourism† is only the beginning of the possibilities of the novelties to come surrounding illegal immigrants. If the United States wants to continue to have the power and the proper influence among the citizens, then they must stop this illegal, increasing birth rate. Eventually all of these children will grow up and be the anchor needed for the family to permanently stay in the country (Beck). Currently a US citizen may not sponsor a family member with a green care unless they are over twenty-one years of age (Kolken). In twenty years there will be an even larger issue with illegal immigration once all of these babies are an adult. Supporters confidently state that having their child in America was their poor decision and does not exempt them the from the law and the US immigration laws. Their bad choice will impact their children, they are illegal citizens and because their children are minors they have no choice but to follow their parents as they are deported (Should Illegal Aliens). On the other side, those against interfering with the immigration question if there is no harm to America’s National Guard then why interfere? Because the child is a US citizen, the parents are then forced to make the difficult decision of whether or not to separate their family until their papers are approved. This then increases the single parent, non-traditional family for many children (Should Illegal Aliens). Those against resolving the anchor baby â€Å"problem† see no real solution because the children are protected under the 14th Amendment and have the right to live in America. Rather than solving the problem, it is suggested that a bill would simply encourage more people to not renew or even get a green card because of the high chance of deportation (Beck). Children who are born in the Unites States should not be guaranteed citizenship if their parents are not legal citizens. The United States is one of eleven other countries who even have â€Å"jus soli† as an option. The legal phrasing of â€Å"jus soli† directly translates to â€Å"the right of the land† (McNeil). Many of these countries, not including the United States, has citizenship as an option. In 1980, Britain changed their Nationality Act to be a preference rather than a mandate for babies born in the country (The Debate). Germany changed their Nationality Act as well in 2000. â€Å"A child shall be a German citizen only it at least one parent has a permanent residence in Germany or lives in Germany for at least eight years (Nationality Act). The United States must amend the 14th Amendment and clarify the true meaning and value of a child born in America. In the 14th Amendment clearly defines the standards needed to be a US citizen then many of the nation’s current problems would be handled. Illegal parents whose children are keeping them here would be deported. There will be less problems with Medicaid and the country’s tax dollars will not be going to those who live here illegally and receive food stamps and putting their children through the public school system. All immigrants living in the United States will want to be here and will be able to receive the correct form of becoming a citizen. Amending the 14th Amendment will restore America’s patriotism and success. America has proven to be the strongest country in the world. In order for the United States to maintain their strong position, the government must take care of the country’s issues first. The country’s health care must not be fixed by Obamacare. A new bill must be enacted that slowly and correctly fixes the foundational issues of the system before requiring all people to have health care. If thirty-two million were to be on America’s current health care, the system would jam and eventually shut down. Along with fixing health care, the anchor baby citizenship issues must be handled. Ronald Reagan explained the problem perfectly, â€Å"a country that cannot control its borders isn’t a country† (Buchannan). Therefore the 14th Amendment must be clarified and steps must be taken to contain illegal immigration in order for the United States to see a successful future. Works Cited Beck, Roy. â€Å"‘Anchor’ Babies: No More Citizenship.† Bloomberg Business week. 2009. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. . Buchannan, Pat . â€Å"Whose Country is This?.† World Net Weekly. N.p., 2010. Web. 29 Apr 2012. . Claeys, Eric. â€Å"Obamacare and the Limits of Judicial Conservatism.† National Affairs. National Affairs, Summ. Web. 27 Apr 2012. . â€Å"The Debate Over ‘Anchor Babies’ And Citizenship.† National Public Radio. 18 Apr. 2010. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. . â€Å"Definitions: Writ of Certiorari Law & Legal Definition.† Uslegal.com. US Legal, Inc., 2012. Web. 29 Apr 2012. . â€Å"Fixing Medicare.† New York Time. N.p., 20 Nov 011. Web. 28 Apr 2012. . Gaziano, Todd, and Elizabeth Garvey. â€Å"Commerce Clause: Expansion of National Power at †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Expense of Individual Liberty.† American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦2012. Gheen, W.. â€Å"History of Illegal Immigration in the U.S..† End illegal immigration. Americans for †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.Legal Immigration, 2012. Web. 29 Apr 2012. â€Å"Health Care Mandates.† Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦On File News Services, 16 Oct. 2009. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. â€Å"Health Reform Puts American Families and Small Business Owners in Control of Their Own Health Care.† The White House. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. . Katz, Daniel. â€Å"Supreme Court Considers Health Care Reform: Overview.† American †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.Government. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. Klein, Ezra. â€Å"Who Obamacare Got to the Supreme Court.† Washington Post. 2012. Web. 27 Apr. 2012. . â€Å"Kolken & Kolken Immigration Lawyers.† Immigration Lawyers, US Immigration News and Law Updates. Web. 20 Apr. 2012. . Langran, Robert. â€Å"Commerce Clause: Recent Interpretations Diminish State Sovereignty.† †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. McNeil, Brian. â€Å"Goode Takes on ‘anchor Baby’ Issue.† Daily Progress. 5 Sept. 2008. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. . â€Å"My Interview with President Obama.† CBS News. N.p., 27 July 2009. Web. 29 Apr 2012. . Natelson, Robert G. â€Å"Commerce Clause: The Misinterpretation of the Commerce Clause.† †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 29 Apr. 2012. National Archives, . â€Å"Chinese Exclusion Act (1882).† Our documents. United States Archives, †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦1989. Web. 29 Apr 2012.

Public rhetoric creates a society in which truth comes a poor second to propagand Essay Example

Public rhetoric creates a society in which truth comes a poor second to propagand Essay Example Public rhetoric creates a society in which truth comes a poor second to propagand Paper Public rhetoric creates a society in which truth comes a poor second to propagand Paper Essay Topic: History Public Speaking Rhetoric has been defined and analysis in different ways, therefore to study the role of rhetoric in society it is important first to define the term itself. Rhetoric according to the dictionary is the Art of effective or persuasive speech or writing1. Farrell defines rhetoric as the collaborative art of addressing and guiding decision and judgement2 and suggests it is a public language3 for successful cultures. Rhetoric therefore means the art of using language to persuade or influence the human subject. It is usually applied to persuasive attempts directed at an audience, often in some formal or institutional setting.4 Rhetoric plays a huge role in influencing public opinion therefore in order to confront the idea that Public rhetoric creates a society in which truth comes a poor second to propaganda it is important first to outline the meaning of the two terms Truth and Propaganda. The dictionary suggests a broad definition of the word truth: Truth- Quality or state of being true5, this definition however, does not give a substantial enough meaning of the word. Truth is something that you believe to be right, a testing of ideas that are believed to be reliable. This is my own definition of truth, which I believe outlines what truth constitutes of. Jowett and ODonnell define propaganda as means to disseminate or promote particular ideas6 the definition goes further in explaining that Propaganda is the deliberate and systematic attempt to shape perceptions, manipulate cognitions, and direct behaviour to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist7. This definition of propaganda focuses on the communicative process and most specifically the purpose of the process, the purpose being to send out an ideology to an audience with a related objective. My own perception of propaganda, in its most neutral sense, is that propaganda is a set of ideas put out politically. This essay will consider the way in which public rhetoric can be used for persuasive purposes. Political speech/es and movie speeches will form the basis of my analysis. Talk is often called a speech event. A speech which urges the audience to do, say, feel, or think something8 A speech event is orientated to achieving goals predicated on the existence of an audience and is described by the linguist Hymes as an occurrence of speech within a larger context.9 Political speeches operate within this context. When a speech event takes place it is important to note that what is said is governed by the intention of the speakers within a given context, (both the immediate situation and the wider social context), as well as by the available discourses in the language and the situation in particular. The discourse used will consist of a particular form and content, taken from a set of available discourses. In Tony Blairs speech (July 17,2003) he addresses the U.S Congress in accepting the Congressional Gold Medal. The speech is given in a formal setting. Blair as a leader has authority and his authority is acknowledged by his followers or sub-ordinates, this assembly of such individuals create the appropriate conditions of speech making, however, Blair is not only addressing these individuals but also the electronic public sphere, so his speech becomes for public consumption. The speech opens with a direct address to Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President (and the) honorable members of Congress. The audiences both locally present and listening to the broadcast are also being addressed in this speech. The prime minister first shows respect for the status of the distinguished individuals, then later cleverly reduces them all to the common level of citizens of the great republic making them all seem equal. We were all reared on battles between great warriors, between great nations, between powerful forces and ideologies that dominated entire continents. Immediate uses of rhetorical devices are evident in this statement. Here we witness, the employment of the inclusive we along with the repetition of the word between to emphasise his points. The use of the personal pronoun we attempts to position the audience, the idea being that this type of address attempts to represent the interests and opinions of Blair and audience as identical. Public speaking attempts to position its audience (Atkinson, 1984) Therefore there is a strong link between language and power, what is being said is related to Blairs power as Prime Minister. Blair affiliates himself with his primary audience the U.S Congress aswell his secondary audience the public. Within the first few lines of the speech we see the uses of antithetic parallelism. The first antithesis is in a notbut structure. by showing them (service men and women) and their families that they did not strive or die in vain, but that through their sacrifice future generations can live in greater peace, prosperity and hope. Here we witness assertion, an example of contrast or juxtaposition and an affiliation with the public expressed with the use of families. All writing and texts make references to the world that we know and Blair too does this in his speech: Through the troubled times since September 11th changed our world, we have been allies and friends September 11 was not an isolated event, but a tragic prologue From this statement we get reference to the accepted existence of certain events. All writing or text depends on pre-existing themes to make its point. (Barker, 1989) Blair later addresses themes about terrorism. The Prime-Minister voices his opinions openly and is interested in colloquial language, sympathetic circularity and the habit of speaking from experience. He presents himself as a reasonably ordinary person and talks about his son. Actually, you know, my middle son was studying 18th century history and the American war of Independence Here we witness, the use of colloquial language you know and yet another form of identification with the public. The lexis of the speech comes from everyday speech, there are no specialists or obscure terms and most sentences are simple structurally, this therefore allows an easier understanding in the audience. He then goes on to talk about belief: In the end it is not our power alone that will defeat this evil. Our ultimate weapon is not our guns, but our beliefs Belief is a firm conviction in the existence or rightness of something, however this differs from position. The belief of a politician and the expression of that belief differentiate greatly. What Blair says is not necessarily what he believes. However, all politicians are aware that they have to act in a particular context bearing in mind the welfare and well being of an audience. All social actors have goals, make moves, take turns, employ tactics and work out strategies (Nofsinger, 1991) He continues: There is a myth that though we love freedom, others dont; that our attachment to freedom is a product of our culture; that freedom, democracy, human rights, the rule of law are American values, or Western values; that afghan women were content under the lash of the Taliban; that Saddam was somehow beloved by his people; that Milosevic was Serbias savior The key word here is freedom. Freedom can be economical, cultural or political, in this sense he talks about Freedom for all, not just for those in a western society. Ours are not western values; they are the universal values of human spirit. And anywhereAnywhere, anytime ordinary people are given the chance to choose, the choice is the same: freedom, not tyranny; democracy, not dictatorship; the rule of law; not the rule of the secret police. Here he presents a series of oppositions and makes use of contrast to put his point across. His points consist of a three part list and include the repetition of anywhere emphasizing the idea that freedom is a universal value and can be present anywhere in the world. He uses further parallelisms to get his point across: The spread of freedom is the best security for the free. It is our last line of defense and our first line of attack. And just as the terrorist seeks to divide humanity in hate, so we have to unify it around an idea. And that idea is liberty. In other words, in oppositional terms, the terrorists attack and divide and the allies (Britain and America) defend and unify. This could be described as what Jowett and ODonnell call White propaganda. White propaganda is when the source is identified correctly and the information in the message tends to be accurateAlthough what listeners hear is reasonably close to the truth, it is presented in the manner that attempts to convince the audience that the sender is the good guy with the best ideas and political ideology.10 Each speaker has a purpose; Blair for example, has the purpose of increasing the morale of the British and American people after or throughout the war on terror. Politicians have a tendency to use the word freedom vastly in the public arena, both in speeches and party election broadcasts. Blairs speech is built around a tired clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½- the importance of freedom, the need for it, how other cherished values depend on it and how it will triumph. This is his way of justifying the war in Iraq. He concludes his talk on freedom with the words of Abraham Lincoln: We must find the strength to fight for this idea and the compassion to make it universal. Abraham Lincoln said Those that deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves and it is this sense of justice that makes moral love a liberty The speech is bombarded with references to freedom and being free. Rhetorical questions, assertions, three part lists and contrast and juxtaposition are present throughout the speech till its end, and these are all common features of public rhetoric. Some of the most famous examples of public rhetoric have been produced by military leaders preparing troops for battle. These speeches, both real and fictitious, usually demonstrate the great motivating power of what Aristotle calls pathos. Pathos (emotional proof) is the feeling the speech draws from the hearers. In the film Braveheart (1995) the scene in which William Wallace addresses the Scottish Army at Stirling provides such a speech. Wallace establishes his credentials and introduces himself. He then goes on to address the idea of freedom: You have come to fight as free men, and free men you are. What would you do without freedom, will you fight? He uses the personal pronoun you to address the whole collective. The basic difference between Blairs speech and Wallaces speech is that Blair talks about making freedom a universal theme as many countries do not have it. Wallace speaks of freedom in a patriotic manner. They may take our lives, but theyll never take our freedom. In this context, the soldiers answer back and have the right to speak-one of the key concepts of freedom. In a political context, only the speaker expresses his beliefs and ideas and the audience is positioned in a way to accept these beliefs and ideas imposed on them. The movie scene in which General Maximus Meridius addresses Caesar Commodus in the film Gladiator (2000) provides another example of Rhetoric in movie speeches. My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, Commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance in this life-or the next11 The speech begins with a formal mode of address; he introduces himself and creates an assertion. He then goes on to assert his authority, Commander; General; loyal servant; Father and Husband are all terms or names linked with authority. The second, third and fourth assertion consist of a three part list reiterating his authority, however his fifth, sixth and seventh assertions express an undesired state of affairs. His wife and child have been murdered and he wants his revenge. In this short address a narrative is established, which consists of a storyline used by the storyteller. The themes which emerge most clearly in the course of the narrative concern masculinity, power, heroism and the nature of group leadership. Narrative should not be seen as simply a fictional practice, as human beings report everyday events and encounters in the form of narrative. Central to the study of rhetoric is the audience. Responses to persuasion Conclusion/s In addressing the idea that Public rhetoric creates a society in which truth comes a poor second to propaganda I conclude that public rhetoric has both a positive and negative condition to it in society. In Blairs speech there is a sincere concern for the welfare of the audience. Certain ideas and messages are selected by him and imposed on the audience, this does, therefore mean that the selection of this information is biased as he chooses what to tell the audience and what to keep from them, however Blair does not use rhetoric in a negative, manipulative or dishonest way, he simply uses persuasive techniques to get his point across. In his Nichomachean Ethics, Aristotle, with regard to persuasion indicated that a crafty person could artfully manipulate the instruments of rhetoric for either honest or dishonest terms. Depending upon which end is desired, the use of rhetorical devices is judged accordingly: ifthe aim be good, the cleverness is praiseworthy; but if it be bad, it becomes craft.12 A speaker faced with having to articulate a message on a public platform e.g. Tony Blair with the knowledge that it would gain a wider circulation, would perhaps be more circumspect in his subject matter or address. More Importantly, Blair might frame the message using a rhetorical construction as I have shown. Propaganda is a form of communication that is different from persuasion because it attempts to achieve a response that furthers the desired intent of the propagandist. Blairs message is not that of propaganda. To identify as message as propaganda is to suggest something negative and dishonest, words frequently used as synonyms for propaganda are lies, distortion, deceit, manipulation and brainwashing. Many of these synonyms are suggestive of techniques of message production rather than purpose or process. Blairs purpose is to keep the interests and well being of the public audience at heart, he does not lie or distort information, however he may hide the truth from us in places are he believes it is for the best. No audience, no matter how perverse in its own needs, will put up with hearing that they are being manipulated and used to fulfill anothers selfish needs. Thus the propagandist cannot reveal the true intent of the message. 13 However, as Althusser argues the media are ideological state apparatus; they produce meanings in the audience. The voice of the author in a novel, speech, advertisement or television program guides us through, the text or story; therefore it is not necessarily true as we as readers are not allowed to align ourselves with a particular character, person, and situation. In Blairs speech, what you see on the surface does not necessarily tell you about the truth of the world. There are structures that you cant see for example, the economic status, political status or public relations between classes and races. We are colored by dominant ideology which influences our beliefs and ideas; so on the other hand, manipulation can be seen as an instrument of ideology. In comparison to Blairs speech, the speeches in the examples given, although fictitious, rhetoric is used in a positive retrospect as both characters do not try to manipulate their audiences but try to persuade them.

Response To Prose Penelope Livelys Short Stories

Response To Prose Penelope Livelys Short Stories Free Online Research Papers Response to prose Penelope Lively’s short stories Penelope Lively has a talent for writing short stories. The three I like best are â€Å"Beyond the Blue Mountains†, â€Å"The First Wife† and â€Å"A Christmas fairy tale†. Penelope uses modern issues which can happen to any of us, with real type of people. She obviously observes human nature and this is where her ideas for the stories come from. In her stories she appeals to our sense of humour and compassion for the people in the stories. She is very critical of certain situations and people. She writes her stories in her own style by listing words and using short sentences this is very effective to the reader. The structure of her stories is to leave a lot of them open-ended so there is no closure. With the idea you can imagine a lot of different endings to the stories. She uses narrative perspective where she angles the stories from one character’s point of view into their thoughts, when she writes a story the title suggests a lot to the reader of what it is about. Then the climax is built up and the story always ends with a twist or change of narrative perspective. This is my reason for why I like the three stories I have chosen out of them all. I can relate to these more and I find them very entertaining. The First Wife The story shows us that here is a man called Clive who has been married a few times. Clive could not stand the thought of getting old so when his started to age, he left her so he could be with a younger version thus making himself look younger. He was a very arrogant man had a superior attitude towards people. He was lecherous towards women and a serial adulterer, he felt that the world should revolve around him. â€Å"Women of his own age did not appeal to him, generally speaking† His attitude in the story is that to Mary he looked pathetic a man trying not to age wearing clothes that made him look ridiculous and a young person’s hair style. His manner was still the same as when she was married to him. He was still selfish and could not believe that she did not want him again. â€Å"Must mean that she†¦..wanted to see him again?† He felt that she was waiting for him to return into her life again. The letter is used as a device at the end of the story to show us how Mary turns the story back onto Clive by showing us the type of man he was and how he treats people. It shows us that no way does she want him back after the way he treated her. She was pleased that he fancied her and wanted her back that made her feel good. She also was pleased to point out he himself was not wearing so well as he was ageing. â€Å"Look she said, so what? You’re getting older. So am I, so is everyone.† She had the last laugh in the end of the story. I think that Clive did deserve what Mary did to him he treated her really badly but I also feel sorry for Clive because Mary did not really understand him about his age worries. Maybe he was like this because of his family upbringing. He had no family life, nobody loved him for himself. â€Å"Understand his fits of terror. She had made light of is panic† Beyond The Blue Mountains Lively describes Myra and George together, next it changes to Myra’s point of view. What they are both doing and what is happening. Through the rest of the story we see her point of view of what is happening to her. â€Å"Myra listened with interest to the commentary on the coach.† We find out what she thinks and feels about the situation what is happening to her. We are also shown inside the mind of George the other character. â€Å"The coach trip was for Myra’s benefit a kindly indulgence.† We are also given an insight into the bus driver’s role into the story. He plays quite a vital role in the story for what happens to Myra. â€Å"And for the passenger who interested in the flowers it’s red flower mountain devil, we call it.† George is having an affair in the story he does not think that Myra knows about his mistress. He has taken his wife on this trip because of guilt. He does not really want to be there, he is not interested in the trip at all or the fact that it’s a luxury trip they don’t normally have. Myra does know about his mistress, she thrilled about the trip, it boosts her confidence and she feels great. â€Å"This place is doing something to me, she thought it was as though she had shed a skin, and stepped out new-minted and changed life.† With the bus driver taking an interest in her it boosts her ego a lot. She has so much confidence she challenges George about his affair. The purpose of the story is that this could be an ordinary person with the same problem. The story also entertains us. I particularly liked the conversation she had with George when she told him she knew about his mistress, he was stunned and shocked. She was so cool about the fact even enjoying her dinner. â€Å"I know I don’t really love you anymore. He shook his head `Myra, I’m finding it hard to know what to say†¦Never mind!† She said, quite kindly â€Å"you’re ha a shock† I find the language clear and to the point quite comical in places and very well written. The end of the story leaves the reader to imagine what might happen to the couple when they return to England. Loved Ones a Christmas Fairy Tale Penelope Lively is suggesting by this title that we all love to be with our families at Christmas-the ideal Christmas. But the narrower perspective is that she really means the opposite. â€Å"It is indeed a fine thing to be amid one’s loved ones at the festive season.† We dread being altogether at Christmas all the family trying to get on and feeling put upon by each other. This story is about two people Sylvia Cramp and her neighbour Sydney Tylor both in their 70’s. They both describe what is expected of them from their families at Xmas. Sylvia’s daughters expect her to cook and do everything for them and Sydney goes to his family who use him for their convenience. â€Å"Do a spot of decorating for them or I’d mind the kids for a night† was for Sydney and for Sylvia â€Å"They like a proper Christmas† or â€Å"choosy, they are my girls.† These quotations suggest that the children use the parents for free labour, to get jobs to their advantage done free for them. The daughters phone up their mum Sylvia requesting all sorts of shopping for Xmas- list upon list, no thought about her trying to get her shopping, Sylvia â€Å"toiled like a dray horse up the hill back home† or â€Å"making it all Christmas for them â€Å"smoked salmon, fruit and nuts of course† The daughters all have good jobs but say they have no time to do anything for Christmas. On the phone they try to butte their mum up, though to the reader it sounds sarcastic. â€Å"You’re such super cook, or you love doing Christmas don’t you?† During all the shopping trips Sylvia bumps into Sydney a lot and gets to know him very well. Eventually it gets too much for Sylvia. She prepares the house for her daughters on Christmas Eve. â€Å"She went upstairs and when she came down she was carrying a suitcase in her hand† she came down and left a letter on the kitchen table which said: â€Å"To make soup for many hours.† Then selecting the bott les of drink from the boxes that had been delivered, â€Å"a bottle of Moet et Chandon champagne and another La Tour-Carnet.† In these quotations Sylvia is telling her daughters that what they want her to do is hard work and that they think everything is done so easy. They are not prepared to do anything for themselves, she is telling them that it is hard work and to have a go for themselves for a change. Then she picked up her suit case and met Sydney outside in the taxi that was taking them both to Tenerife. The daughter’s attitude to their mother is patronising, they are sarcastic and do not appreciate their mother at all. Sylvia is very weak to let her daughters use her for their convenience. â€Å"We’re exhausted.† â€Å"And Collapse† Suggest to us that the children are going to come home and leave all the work to their mum. I like it when she turns; she does what she wishes to do at the end of the story. Sydney also wises up to his family and does what he wants to do. We are shown into the thoughts of Sylvia involved in the story and how they change their thoughts from one way to another. I think the daughters got all they deserved in the end, having to cope with their own Christmas for once with no help. In conclusion the stories all deal with down to earth characters in modern day situations. Research Papers on Response To Prose Penelope Lively’s Short StoriesMind TravelThe Masque of the Red Death Room meaningsThe Fifth HorsemanHip-Hop is ArtThree Concepts of PsychodynamicHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows EssayWhere Wild and West Meet19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite Religion