Marijuana Legalization Essay - 1475 Words

Marijuana Legalization As defined by The New American Webster Dictionary, marijuana is a hemp-like plant whose leaves are smoked in a cigarette as a narcotic. HOWEVER: Other than just an illict drug used for getting high, Marijuana can also be viewed as: * A pain reliever * A stress reliever * A medicinal alternative to over-used processed drugs * An untapped source of income for the United States Government * A prohibited substance with many misconceptions Smoking marijuana has long been viewed as something that only produces negative outcomes. New studies are quickly changing these views. The following are some new results found on the true influence of marijuana ingestion. *†¦show more content†¦Overall, by comparison with other drugs used mainly for recreational purposes, cannabis could be rated to be a relatively safe drug (Armentano, Cannabis, Mental). * Not only has modern science refuted the notion that marijuana is neurotoxic, recent scientific discoveries have indicated that cannabinoids, are, in fact, neuroprotective, particularly against alcohol-induced brain damage (Armentano, Cannabis and). * A study sponsored by the National Institutes of Mental Health compared Jamaican marijuana smokers to non-smokers. Examinations concerning memory, the ability to learn, reaction time and perception found that there was no distinction between each group and their results (Stimeling). Marijuana Legalization Would Benefit the Medical Community Smoking marijuana has been proven to help relieve some ailments related to certain sicknesses and diseases. The following are some documented findings: * Numerous published studies suggest that marijuana has medical value in treating patients with serious illnesses such as AIDS, glaucoma, cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and chronic pain (Medical). * In 1999, the Institute of Medicine, in the most comprehensive study of medical marijuanas efficacy to date, concluded, Nausea, appetite loss, pain and anxiety all can be mitigated by marijuana (Medical). * TheShow MoreRelatedThe Risk Of Legalization Of Marijuana Essay722 Words   |  3 PagesThe risk of Legalization of Marijuana Marijuana, as we know, is a kind of drug. According to Thompson (2015), marijuana is not only one kind of drug, but also can be used as a medicinal material. The reason it can be a medicinal substance is that marijuana has a curative affect of relieving pain. Despite different states having a variety of regulations about the usage of marijuana, there is always one rule that is unified, which is the medicinal usage of marijuana must be approved by the FDA—theRead MoreLegalizing The Legalization Of Marijuana1012 Words   |  5 Pagesdiscourage is a way to fix the problem. Evident by Colorado and Washington, â€Å"the legalization of marijuana can stop most of these possession arrests† (Levine). After the first opening of the first retail marijuana stores on January 1, 2014, Colorado had decreased crime rates, decreased traffic fatalities and increase in economic output (DPA). Since 2010, the marijuana possession arrest have went down 84% since its legalization. The tact ic of legalizing, controlling, and discouraging has been proposed byRead MoreThe Issue Of Legalization Of Marijuana958 Words   |  4 PagesIt’s not as bad as smoking or drinking alcohol! The government knows what’s good for us! You can’t overdose on marijuana! Public schools told me â€Å"Be Healthy, don’t do drugs.† Arguments such as these are always thrown back and forth when going into a controversial conversation dealing with legalization of marijuana. Many people are on both ends of the spectrum when dealing with the legalization some may personally be involved due to run-ins with the law, family related issues, or personal beliefs. InRead MoreThe Legalization of Marijuana Essay1178 Words   |  5 PagesThere has been a debate over the legalization of marijuana since it was made illegal in the 1920s. There are opponents on both sides of the issue. There are many benefits to the legalization of marijuana, but there are also detrimental effe cts to society that are caused by marijuana use. These issues need to be debated to determine if the legalization of marijuana would benefit the United States. According to a 2003 Zogby poll, â€Å"the government should treat marijuana more or less the same way it treatsRead MoreLegalization of Marijuana Essay954 Words   |  4 PagesLegalization of Marijuana The only way in which a human being can make some approach to knowing the whole of any subject is by hearing what can be said about it by persons of every variety of opinion and studying all modes in which in can be looked at by every character of mind. No wise man ever acquired his wisdom in any mode but this. - John Stuart Mill (Mill. 7). The topic of legalizing marijuana is a very conservational issue in American politics today. There are many good arguments bothRead MoreLegalization of Medical Marijuana Essay863 Words   |  4 PagesMedical Marijuana: A Topic Leaving People Up in Smoke Renee Grant ENC 1101-1002 Professor Bahle March 30, 2013 Medical Marijuana: A Topic Leaving People Up in Smoke Medical marijuana has been an ongoing fight between the federal government, physicians and patients. Contrary to many beliefs, marijuana, whether it is used for medical reasons or recreational is non-lethal. It has been proven to be useful in many medical conditions. There hasRead MoreThe Legalization Of Marijuana Should Not Be Beneficial1240 Words   |  5 PagesThe legalization of marijuana is such a growing debate in the United States, whether it’s on television, in the classroom, or in your own kitchen; you may find yourself debating about it with someone. You are either for it, against it, or indifferent. Either way you still have an opinion of some sort about the legalization of marijuana. Christopher Beach and William Bennett are no different. The release of their article on called â€Å"Legalize Juggernaut† on WeeklyStandard.com timing is perfect sinceRead MoreThe Truth Behind Marijuana Legalization1462 Words   |  6 PagesBehind Marijuana Marijuana is arguably the most controversial drug in history. In general, when someone hears the word â€Å"drugs† they think of a terrible substance that will destroy the human body. However bringing up marijuana, many people think of different things. Some think of a degenerate hippie, but many Americans simply do not know what to think, and bringing up the legalization of the substance is even more controversial. There is a large group of people that believe the legalization of marijuanaRead MoreThe Legalization Of Marijuana And Marijuana Essay1314 Words   |  6 PagesMarijuana or Cannabis is one of the bused drugs in America and the rest of the world. Interesting accumulating evidence show that the significant negative impact of this drug outweighs the positive effects. However, the medical benefits of the drug seem on the process of chemical compounds as compared to the drug itself. Medical debates show that chemical compound in marijuana are the problem as compared to the plant. The said chemical compound affects the mental and physical health of the personsRead MoreEssay on Speech on Legalization of Marijuana in Brazil870 Words   |  4 PagesSpeech on Legalization of Marijuana in Brazil Good morning class mates. Today I am going to discuss the legalization of marijuana in Brazil. I strongly believe marijuana should be legalized. I am not here to encourage anyone to use or not use marijuana. Yet I do believe that many current problems may and can be solved by its legalization. Marijuana is the most popular drug in Brazil after tobacco and alcohol. Discrimination is the reason why marijuana has still

American Red Cross Essay - 768 Words

The American Red Cross Summary The American Red Cross (ARC) is an independent organization, supported by public financial donations and volunteerism. It provides relief to victims of disasters and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The company has been widely criticized for the way it handled 9/11 in 2001 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 as being inadequate and poorly managed. The company has allegations of fraud, bribery and even theft on the part of volunteers and employees working for the organization. It has also faced internal challenges due to high turnover, as well as charges of overcompensation and possible corruption among its board of directors and upper management. After bad press, the ARC faces many†¦show more content†¦* ARC received $543 million in pledges to help the 9/11 victims but only distributed 1/3 of those funds to the relief effort and the rest was used for other purposes in the company. * Improper diversion of relief supplies, failure to follow Red Cross proc edures in tracking and distributing supplies. * Numerous Katrina volunteers reported the disappearance of rented cars, electricity generators, and even some 3,000 air mattresses during the relief efforts. * An ARC call center employee wrote money orders in the names of various relief victims and fraudulently cashing them herself. * The organization’s insufficient capacity to electronically accept donations especially due to the magnitude of donations during the disaster period. 3. What are some of the reasons for the ARC’s ethical dilemmas and how can the organization guarantee that these problems will not occur in the future? * Monetary donation mismanagement such as executive compensation, not preventing and handling employee misconduct, lack of transparency and accurate representation of the organization needs for and use donations, are some of the reasons for the ARC’s ethical dilemma and the organization can guarantee that this problem will not occur in the future by a) The staff and volunteers need to be well managed by capable directors and executives. b) The company must address the specific ethical risks with its disasterShow MoreRelatedThe American Red Cross1599 Words   |  7 PagesThe American Red Cross is a service organization that provides aid for disaster/crisis as well as other non-disaster related services to the communities of America. The American Red Cross the premier United States based aid organization providing for people in the times of need, whether it is a disaster or planning and partnering. Shining light on an exemplary organization that strives to serve and provide during times of disaster and times of calm. The American Red Cross has been there for AmericaRead MoreThe American Red Cross1647 Words   |  7 Pages The American Red Cross is one of the largest disaster relief charities, helping over 100 million people in 2013 alone. To fully understand what the Red Cross does, the term nonprofit should be defined. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, nonprofit is defined as â€Å"not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit† (2012). The American Red Cross’ works not only with disaster relief, but the company also consists of many other distinct branches. They help out not only with disasterRead MoreThe American Red Cross2273 Words   |  10 PagesFor decades, America has fought in many different wars with the need of health assistance for their soldiers. The American Red Cross is a worldwide organization that helped during the times of war but also provided a path for scientific advancements. Through the American Red Cross and other organizations of this time, they opened up the doors for women to take the chance to advance in the medical field by partic ipating in scientific experiments and being at the aide of wounded soldiers. During thisRead MoreThe American Red Cross Organization1118 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Red Cross was founded on May 21, 1881 by Clara Barton and her close colleagues. Barton’s inspiration came from The Swiss Global Red Cross organization. When she returned for Europe she partitioned for what would be the beginning of The American Red Cross. The first domestic and overseas disaster efforts began with The Spanish American War, and shortly after their first congressional charter in 1905. Since then they have had two renewals of the charter in 1905, and the most current inRead MoreThe American Red Cross And Its Intervention3633 Words   |  15 PagesEmmanuel Babadjide PAD 758 Professor Kempf The American Red Cross and its intervention in the hurricanes Isaac and Sandy Factual summary The American Red Cross is a major organization in the United States and around the world. Clara Barton founded the American chapter in 1881. She was a public servant who decided to get involved during the civil war by attending to wounded soldiers and feeding them on the battlefield. Her sense of humanitarian work was only strengthened by her trip to Europe duringRead MoreThe American Red Cross Club877 Words   |  4 PagesCommunity Service project which was personally significant to you. Describe your involvement. As a member of the American Red Cross Club, I have great opportunities to actively engage in many community services that give me chances to make profound contributions to the society and effectively develop leadership skills along the way. Throughout my time serving in the American Red Cross Club, I have participated in a number of different projects, range from supporting the military members and theirRead MoreThe American Red Cross1243 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Red Cross: Management Analysis Chris Crawford, Amanda Kvedrowicz, Sarah Lawrence, Christine Moaga, Betsy Rush MGT/330 March 1, 2010 Ronald Sprague The American Red Cross: Management Analysis The American Red Cross (2010) website tells of an organization guided by the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, and voluntary service whose mission is to, â€Å"provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies†Read MoreThe Military History Of The American Red Cross1158 Words   |  5 PagesThe Military History of the American Red Cross Following the Battle of Cedar Mountain in 1862, a surgeon was feeling the pressures of disaster, when a woman named Clara Barton, came in to his office. He referred to her as an Angel sent from heaven. At this time, she volunteered her services to help out in any way she could (â€Å"Founder Clara Barton†). Clara and a group of her friends founded the American Red Cross in 1881. They were known as the â€Å"angels of the battle field† (â€Å"Mclean†). At times ofRead MoreChanges in the American Red Cross Essay973 Words   |  4 Pages(1) Changes at the American Red Cross have led to more transparency at the agency. These changes include making public record of its stance on governance and ethics policy. Also, each member of the board of directors is required to sign the Board Member Affirmation of Service, which mandates that each member actively participate a minimum of 15 days per year with the organization, read the Code of Ethics, and comply with the policy. Other changes include the Office of the Ombudsman office itsRead MoreA Brief Note On The American Red Cross1759 Words   |  8 Pagesbeing the American Red Cross. Founded in 1881, the American Red Cross assists not only disasters in the United States, but all around the world. The American Red Cross was one of the leading nonprofits during Hurricane Sandy, helping those affected by the storm in as many ways as possible. One of the greatest issues that the Red Cross has to deal with is figuring out who should receive the relief benefits the fastest. Becau se there are not an unlimited number of resources for the Red Cross to give

Thorn Queen Chapter Seventeen Free Essays

Jasmine nearly leapt ten feet in the air when I came tearing through the hall that led to her cell. â€Å"You!† I exclaimed. â€Å"You can summon water demons. We will write a custom essay sample on Thorn Queen Chapter Seventeen or any similar topic only for you Order Now † She widened her eyes, speechless for a change. It appeared as though I’d interrupted her doing†¦well, nothing. In a fit of guilt, I’d sent some books down to her to pass the time, but reports from the guards said she did little but sulk. Well, that and try to cajole them to let her out. I guess she figured she’d deal with Volusian after she got one of the guards to crack. Recovering herself a moment later, she adopted a sneer reminiscent of Ysabel’s. Considering their mutual hatred of me, maybe I should have sent her down here to entertain Jasmine. â€Å"Maybe,† Jasmine conceded. â€Å"Why? Afraid I’ll use them to break out?† â€Å"No,† I said. â€Å"But I need them to get rid of some fire demons.† Roland had told me the best way to oust the demons would be by summoning their opposites. I’d dismissed the idea then, knowing it was beyond my capability. At the same time, I’d considered the possibility that Jasmine could do it†¦though it had seemed a useless sentiment considering I’d had no clue to her whereabouts or any reason to think she’d help me. But now? Well, things were different. Art’s attitude had left me feeling helpless and ineffectual. Now, I suddenly felt as though I had the means to take control and actually right some wrongs in this kingdom. â€Å"So?† Jasmine asked, not seeming startled in the least. â€Å"That’s got nothing to do with me.† â€Å"Not true. You’re going to help me. We’re going to face them and their master, and you’re going to summon water creatures to take down those demons.† Jasmine’s expression was almost comic in its disbelief. â€Å"Why would I help you?† I tried good cop first. â€Å"Because it’s the right thing to do. They’re hurting innocent people.† â€Å"So? Like I said, that doesn’t affect me.† â€Å"Spoken like the selfish child you are.† She flushed. Considering her obsession with having a baby and ruling over both worlds, she didn’t like having her age or capabilities mocked. â€Å"I thought you wanted to be the queen of this land once.† She glowered. â€Å"Yes. And I would have been if you hadn’t stolen it!† â€Å"Why? Why be queen if you have no intention of doing anything? Did you just want to wear a crown and have people grovel?† She didn’t acknowledge that and instead replied stonily, â€Å"I’m not helping you.† I stepped toward the bars, smiling sweetly, even though I was about to enter bad-cop mode. â€Å"Oh, you are. Whether you like it or not.† â€Å"What, you’re going to force me or something?† In a matter of seconds, I had my Glock out and pointing straight at her. She paled and backed up against the wall, looking very much like she wanted to melt into it. Behind me, I heard a slight shuffling among the guards. Guns were a very human weapon, made of steel and alloys and other substances that were anathema to the gentry. They were equally deadly to humans-or, in Jasmine’s case, half-humans. â€Å"You’re crazy,† she said. I shrugged. â€Å"I’ve got a job to do, and you’re key to getting it done. You can cooperate, and maybe I’ll improve your living arrangements. Give you a room instead of a cell.† I could see thoughts and schemes spinning behind her eyes. Jasmine was young, inexperienced, and self-centered†¦but she wasn’t stupid. I had to think somewhat cheerfully that that too was a family trait. â€Å"And if I don’t do it, you’re going to shoot me?† â€Å"Well, everyone says I should kill you anyway.† My voice was calm, my face hard. I didn’t know if she would believe me or not. Hell, I didn’t know if I believed myself. She knew I had little love for her after everything she’d done, and I’d long had a reputation as a ruthless fighter and-as many gentry saw it-murderer. Jasmine swallowed. She was trying to look calm too, but her eyes betrayed her. â€Å"How do you know I won’t summon them and have them turn on you once my cuffs are off? You know I can’t wear them and still have that kind of power.† I released the safety on the gun, which was still pointed at her. â€Å"Because I’ll have this on the back of your head the entire time.† Long silence fell. Volusian was so still that I’d nearly forgotten he was there. Finally, Jasmine said, â€Å"I hate you.† â€Å"So†¦that’s a yes?† I took her silence as a confirmation and put the gun away, putting the safety back on and feeling a bit surprised at the pounding of my own heart. Had I really just pointed a gun at a fifteen-year-old girl? Roland and Kiyo both believed dealing with magic could change the kind of person you were. Was messing with lightning and air turning me into someone who could easily threaten others to get my way? No, I decided. This had nothing to do with the magic. This was necessity. I needed to oust those fire demons, and this was the way to do it. â€Å"Eugenie?† A soft voice pulled me from my churning emotions. â€Å"Kiyo!† He stood there in the hall, and I wondered how much he’d overheard. It didn’t matter. I was just so insanely happy to see him. The heaviness in my heart lightened, and if there hadn’t been so many witnesses, I would have run into his arms. He looked amazing, dressed in human garb: jeans and a plain gray T-shirt that hugged his muscles perfectly. The silken black hair curled around his chin, and his skin looked like caramel. But his eyes†¦his eyes were hard. I gave Jasmine a warning look. â€Å"We’ll talk later.† â€Å"Fuck you, Eugenie,† she called. I caught hold of Kiyo’s hand and walked back upstairs with him. Seeing him released all the nervous tension in me that had been building up since last night. I’d been so wound up, so worried and afraid. Now, it was like all was right in the world once again. The news about the baby was hard on me, but I still wanted to congratulate him. The words were on my lips as soon as we were alone, but he spoke first. â€Å"Really, Eugenie? This is what it’s come to?† My head was still giddy over seeing him. â€Å"What do you mean?† He pointed back toward the dungeon door from which we’d just emerged. â€Å"That! I never expected to find you with a gun to a teen girl’s head.† â€Å"It wasn’t exactly to her head,† I said. â€Å"And she can help us get rid of those demons. Even if she can’t summon true water demons herself, we both know she can call other water creatures.† Kiyo and I had fought off some such creatures-including one that had caught us in a compromising position in his car and nearly killed both of us. â€Å"Those could give us the edge.† â€Å"And if she doesn’t, you really are going to kill her?† I sighed and stopped walking, leaning against one of the tapestry-covered walls so I could face him. â€Å"Do you really think I’d do that?† â€Å"She seemed to think you would, and to tell you the truth, I kind of did too. I don’t think you realize how scary you can be.† He stood in front of me, with little distance between us, and there was an odd mix of sexual chemistry and antagonism in the air. â€Å"There’s a strange feel to you†¦have you been practicing magic?† I didn’t answer immediately, which was as good as an admission of guilt. The look he gave me was almost more horrified than when he’d thought I was going to shoot Jasmine. â€Å"A little.† â€Å"A little! Eugenie,† he hissed, leaning close. â€Å"There’s no in-between with this stuff. You keep doing it, and you’re just going to fall farther and farther down the rabbit hole.† I laughed and threw my arms up, gesturing to the castle. â€Å"I fell into Wonderland a long time ago.† â€Å"You know what I mean. I thought you weren’t going to do it anymore. I thought we agreed it was bad.† â€Å"You agreed,† I corrected, feeling my own temper start to rise. â€Å"I had a chance to learn more, and I decided to take it. And like I said, it’s only been a little.† â€Å"Learn from who?† he asked suspiciously. â€Å"A woman from Dorian’s kingdom. She has some ability with controlling air and has been showing me how to use it. I might be on the verge of calling lightning too.† In front of his furious gaze, there was an instinct to be sheepish†¦and yet, I felt kind of proud at what I’d accomplished. â€Å"Of course. Dorian. Somehow, I’m not surprised.† â€Å"Hey, Dorian’s been nice to me lately.† My defense of the gentry king surprised me-as did the truth of it. With so much in chaos recently, I’d found Dorian’s presence almost comforting. Kiyo rolled his eyes. â€Å"Yes, and I’m sure he’d love to be nicer still. Look, you start putting all those magical elements together, and you’re going to have some serious power on your hands. You’re going to be like-â€Å" â€Å"Do not say like Storm King!† I cried. â€Å"I wish everyone would just stop assuming that’s inevitable. Plenty of gentry use magic without becoming tyrannical warlords. Give me some credit here.† â€Å"I’m just worried about you,† he growled. â€Å"And do you know what I’m worried about? I’m worried about people starving here, about people not getting enough water. I’m worried about brigands and demons preying on innocents. I’m worried about girls disappearing and possibly being abducted by those who face no accountability. And all of this is on top of trying to still live my human life and keep every goddamned Otherworldly guy out of my pants. So don’t come here and start dictating to me. You’re never around. You have no idea what I’m going through!† I was shouting, and it was a wonder none of the servants had come scurrying to see what was wrong. My breathing was heavy, and I’d clenched my fists without even realizing it in my anger. â€Å"Why are you here anyway?† I demanded. Kiyo’s dark eyes were hard to read, but I could see some of his earlier fury had cooled. I wasn’t sure if he’d reconsidered his accusations or simply decided I wasn’t worth arguing with. â€Å"I came to see if you wanted to visit the baby.† â€Å"Oh.† For whatever reason, it was like a bucket of cold water on the rest of my anger. I sighed. â€Å"Kiyo†¦I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you-â€Å" He raked a hand through his dark hair. â€Å"And I shouldn’t have jumped all over you.† A sly grin turned up the edges of his lips. â€Å"Well, not that way at least. But you’re right-I haven’t been around. You’re going through a lot that I’ve missed, and I don’t know fully what’s going on. I mean, that doesn’t change how I feel about Jasmine and magic-â€Å" I held up a hand. â€Å"Enough. We can fight about those later. Tell me about the baby.† And like that, Kiyo’s face completely transformed. Joy and wonder of such purity filled his features that it was amazing to behold. I’d hardly ever seen him look like that-no, scratch that. I might have never seen him look like that. â€Å"Oh, Eugenie. She’s so beautiful. So perfect. I never†¦she’s like nothing I ever could have imagined.† Something sank in the pit of my stomach, something cold and leaden. I almost wished he’d get angry again so that my own fury would return. Anger was warmer than sadness. Forcing a smile, I reached for his hand. â€Å"I’m so happy for you,† I said. â€Å"I’d love to see her. What’s her name?† â€Å"Luisa.† He said the name like a prayer, like a magic word that could fix all the world’s ills. I’d heard him say my name like that too, often in the midst of sex. Obviously, his attitudes toward the two of us were a bit different, but the intensity of his love was similar. â€Å"It’s a pretty name,† I said, still trying to smile. A moment of uneasy silence fell. â€Å"Ready to go?† I was growing better at convincing Rurik to let me leave without an escort, and Kiyo and I were able to make good time to the Willow Land. I rode on horseback, and he ran alongside in fox form, able to easily match my pace. While this wasn’t an official state visit, I’d grumblingly put on a gentry dress in recognition of my queenly status. It was a simple one, pale blue with cap sleeves and light material. It actually had kind of a Jane Austen feel. The worst part was that since I refused to ride sidesaddle or anything ridiculous like that, the skirt rode up on my legs. With only Kiyo to see me, it didn’t matter too much, and he certainly didn’t mind. Along the way, we passed another village in my kingdom, one I had yet to visit. I recognized it from Shaya’s descriptions. I was pretty sure it was one of the ones with copper ore. Near its outskirts, I could see people working and digging. I made a mental note to stop on the way back-if the Otherworld didn’t decide to send me through a different route. Kiyo’s fox form meant we didn’t have to make any conversation. Spring was progressing rapidly in the Willow Land when we arrived. In fact, it had come much more quickly than I would have expected based on my last visit. There was no snow, and buds were bursting on the trees. The air was warm and picnic-perfect, with crocuses, daffodils, and other spring bulbs sprouting in brightly colored clusters. I was startled at the change until I remembered how the Otherworldly kingdoms were tied to their monarchs. I could pour my energy into the land and help heal it. Dorian kept the Oak Land in a perpetual state of autumn because it brought on memories of his youth that made him feel good and strong. If Maiwenn had just given birth, wouldn’t her land reflect that burst of new life? Kiyo shifted back to human shape as we approached the castle’s main gates. Those guarding it gave me curious looks but welcomed him with cheers and genuine affection. Indeed, the happy energy was palpable as we walked the halls. Everyone in Maiwenn’s hold acted as though they were on their way to a party. Smiles shone on everyone’s faces. Kiyo required no escort or guide as he led us swiftly through the halls, up a few flights of stairs, and into Maiwenn’s bedroom. As soon as we entered, I decided I might need to have a talk with Shaya about redecorating. The bedroom I’d inherited from Aeson was that of a medieval warlord, with blocky furniture, few windows, and everything-from the thick stone walls to the bedding-in dark, somber colors. Maiwenn’s room was light and airy, ringed in windows and filled with exquisite, delicate-looking birch furniture. The sheets on her bed were lavender silk, and gauzy material hung from the canopy. It looked like a room befitting a fairy princess-er, queen. â€Å"Eugenie,† she said, smiling. She was sitting in bed with pillows propped behind her. â€Å"I was hoping you’d come.† Were you? I wondered. A day after having a baby, she looked as gorgeous as usual, her golden hair cascading over a soft pink nightgown. A delicate crown of pearls, even in bed, adorned that luxurious hair, and I pettily thought again about my alleged need for a crown. Kiyo claimed it would send the wrong message, but I suddenly kind of wanted one. A small bundle was in Maiwenn’s arms, but mostly all I could see of Luisa was a lacy white cap and a shock of black hair. I smiled back and approached tentatively. Had I treated this visit too casually? Should I have dressed up even more than I had and come bearing gold and frankincense? â€Å"Congratulations. You must be so happy.† Maiwenn’s smile became even more radiant. She met Kiyo’s eyes, and something passed between them-not romantic, exactly, but a strong emotion I wasn’t privy to. Maiwenn carefully lifted her blanket-wrapped bundle, and he took it from her with equal gentleness. â€Å"See?† he said, coming to stand beside me. â€Å"Isn’t she beautiful?† Beautiful wasn’t quite the word I would have used, though Luisa was definitely cute-which was a relief. I’d met people with ugly babies, and in those situations, you almost always had to lie and say the baby was cute. No need for lies now. Luisa was adorable-which was no surprise with her parentage-and indeed, it was obvious whose genes she’d gotten the bulk of. With her black hair and tanned skin, Luisa was clearly her father’s daughter. â€Å"Here,† he said, handing her to me before I could stop him. I hadn’t held many babies before, and I took her awkwardly, one arm supporting the length of her body while the other supported her head. She was warm, nearly round with all those blankets, and shifted ever so slightly as she slept. Everything about her was tiny-tiny nose, tiny fingers, tiny eyelashes. A weird feeling built up at the back of my throat, and I remembered my conversation with Dorian. My hips would forever stay slim. My body would never create anything like this. When Luisa briefly opened her eyes to look at me-they were dark blue, no doubt to become brown-I handed her back to her father. Kiyo took her happily, still wearing that wondrous look on his face, and sat on the edge of the bed. He placed Luisa in Maiwenn’s arms, and while there was no more touching than such an act required, I again had that sense of connection between them all. An intangible bond that would keep them together forever. I wanted to leave after that. I wanted to run from this place and never come back. But, I had to stay because Kiyo wanted me to be a part of this and because it was the polite thing to do for Maiwenn. So I kept that smile frozen on my face and made small talk that I barely heard, like whether Luisa would inherit any kitsune abilities and when Maiwenn should host the celebration of her birth. At long last, Kiyo said we had to go, and I could tell he only did so for my sake. If he’d had his way, he would have stayed all night. I told Maiwenn congratulations again and assured her of my happiness and the baby’s cuteness and a dozen other things new mothers like to hear. Kiyo was full of smiles too, but as soon as we left the room, his faded. â€Å"Was it really that awful?† he asked. I did a double-take. â€Å"What are you talking about? Did I say something wrong?† â€Å"No, Eugenie. You were perfect. Everything was perfect. I don’t think Maiwenn noticed a thing-but then, she’s pretty distracted.† He sighed. â€Å"But I know you. I can see you’re upset. Are you really still that worried about Maiwenn and me getting back together?† Maiwenn and him? How could I explain that what I felt went beyond simple jealousy? It wasn’t just that I feared the birth of this baby might bring them together-and that was a legitimate fear of mine-but Luisa’s birth impacted me in so many other ways too. I thought about Kiyo and how much I loved him and wanted as strong a relationship as we could have-but that no matter what happened with us, we could never have a family like that. I worried again if he might cast me aside for my inadequacies. And while I was still a long way from being baby crazy or hearing my biological clock, how awful was it going to be if someday I did want a baby and couldn’t have one? Or what if-God help me-I did have a baby through some accident? I could never love it, not with that prophecy hanging over my head†¦. â€Å"It’s complicated,† I said, realizing Kiyo was waiting for an answer. â€Å"Eugenie,† he said wearily. â€Å"I love you. I love you so much. This isn’t going to change that. Maiwenn and I are through as lovers. I will always care about her, and we’re going to work together to make sure Luisa’s raised with all the love and attention she needs. But you’re the woman I love, the woman who’s my partner and who I want to be with forever.† His words were sweet, and they did warm part of me up. But he still didn’t get the whole picture, didn’t understand the tangle of emotions this birth had stirred up in me. It was so hit or miss with Kiyo lately. Some days, I felt like he knew me better than I knew myself. Other days, when it came to the issue of babies-or magic or ruling a kingdom-it was like he didn’t get me at all. â€Å"I know,† I said, laying my hand on his. I certainly wasn’t going to fight or debate this in the middle of Maiwenn’s castle. â€Å"Look, it’s okay. We’ll talk about this later. Right now†¦well, I can tell you don’t really want to go.† He shook his head. â€Å"No, no. I’m coming with you-â€Å" â€Å"Kiyo,† I said, unable to help a small smile, â€Å"I know you. I saw your face up there. You want to be with Luisa more. And you should. Stay awhile, and I’ll just go back myself.† â€Å"Eugenie†¦Ã¢â‚¬  But I could tell I was right. â€Å"It’s fine. And I’ll be fine. I’m the big bad Thorn Queen, remember? Besides, I want to visit that village we passed.† He was silent for several seconds. â€Å"Where will you be tomorrow? I want to find you.† â€Å"I’m not sure. In the morning I have to be back in Tucson for a job-and to talk to Roland-but after that†¦Ã¢â‚¬  So much kept happening lately that I was always shuffling one problem around for another. I hadn’t had the chance to talk to Roland about Art and the Yellow River connection, nor did Kiyo know about the recent developments around that either. Before I could start to explain, Kiyo turned us in an unexpected direction. â€Å"Do you want to go hunting fire demons?† I regarded him with surprise. â€Å"Really?† â€Å"Well, if you’ve got Jasmine and your new tricks, you’ve got more of a fighting chance, so I figure you might as well make it a slam dunk and bring me along. You’ve been wanting to get rid of them, right?† We’d come to a stop in the hall, and the scenario was eerily parallel to when we’d been in my castle earlier. There was no chastisement or echoes of that argument now, and I was grateful. â€Å"Thank you,† I said, leaning toward him. I placed a light kiss on his lips-or at least, I tried to make it light. His hand reached out and grabbed my shoulder, bringing me closer still and intensifying the kiss. I pulled back, wondering just how weird it would be for a servant to see the father of their queen’s child making out with someone else. Of course, among the gentry, that kind of thing was probably pretty typical. â€Å"Go,† I said, stepping back before I was tempted to kiss him again. â€Å"Go see your beautiful daughter. We’ll talk tomorrow.† â€Å"Thanks, Eugenie.† His face split into one of those wonderful grins. â€Å"And thank you for†¦I don’t know. You understand me. I don’t think anyone else does.† I smiled back and then watched him turn around. A few moments later, I turned as well. As I stepped outside into the balmy spring air, I wondered if anyone truly understood me. How to cite Thorn Queen Chapter Seventeen, Essay examples

Choral Speaking Script free essay sample

A very good morning to the honorable Judges, teachers and friends. Today, whether you want to hear it or not, were going to tell you all about music! Al So, sit back, and relax RI ,2,3: But dont fall asleep ALL: And. . Enjoy the show! ALL: As teens, music plays a HUGE part in our everyday lives! I bet most of us cant live without music! We all have pods, Amps and even our homophones have music! All around us theres music-?on the radio, television and even our surroundings! LRE,3:The ticking of the clock. .Its basis covers several different genres of music: Jazz, sock, soul, Creating a fusion of sound that evolves into pop music as we know it! Over time, pop musics popularity increased by the rise of MET, which popularized artists such as Michael Jackson,Madonna and Prince. ALL: T-?hen, In the eighties, a new genre of music was born! The disco sound is so unique it defies description! It draws on many influences: Jazz, Latin, pop-?all that produces a feet-tapping melody. We will write a custom essay sample on Choral Speaking Script or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It mostly consists of dance beats that makes you want to-? a move!RE,3: And break out your groove! L;RE :Okay, thats enough. ALL:With disco music came the fashion that most of us today would cringe at. LRE: Bell bottoms LRE:Puffy hair LRE :Poodle skirts ALL: And even six inch platforms! ALL: BOY, Arent we glad were in the 21st century! ALL: In the nineties-? Farad Antenna: WAHOO! ROCK AND ROLL!!! (everyone looks) err, sorry. ALL:As we were s-?eying, nineties brought rock music to a whole new level! Rock took a new definition. From the sees beat, society practiced freedom of expression by rock music.From classic rock, sub-genres quickly developed: pop-rock, blues-rock and glam rock. Al so, our trip down memory lane ends. RI the 21st century music begins! ALL: Pop. Techno. Rap. Rock. RAN. Soul. Metal. Hippo. You name it! Even foreign music like Crock and Kop! Nadir: Sorry sorry sorry sorry ALL:With so many genres of music, no wonder life is a symphony! ALL: Music influences teenagers in s-?o many ways. Al Hearing your favorite song on the radio can turn your day 360 degrees! RI Its the most effective medium that teens use to break out of the funk.ALL: There is Just so much meaning behind music nowadays! Music can also tell an artists life story, things they have been through, and even their opinion on certain views. Songs about the environment, LRE :[earth song! ] If they say, Why, why, tell me that its human nature Why, why, does he do it that way about love and friendship, LRE for you! ] and about lifes experiences all give a positive impact to the listeners. ALL: Its the universal medium that everyone understands, even through the language barrier!From America to France, Germany to Zombie, music is abundant and instant. Through the mass media, music from all walks of life are heard and enjoyed. And soul. Young or old, white or black, Caucasian or Asian, eve-?Renee is united by this freedom of self-expression. As life goes on, new beats are discovered, new rhythms are explored and self expression begins again! No one can get bored or tired of music because it is ever-changing. ALL: In short, life without music would be (someone) : Devastating! (someone) : Boring! [cricket sound] ALL: It Just simply wouldnt be life! Thank you!

Biomedical Ethics Essay Example

Biomedical Ethics Essay Alan Goldman’s piece. A Refutation of Medical Paternalism’ . contains an statement for why medical paternalism is incorrect. Goldman argues from the thought of The Relativity of Value. ’ Explain this peculiar statement and demo how it is an statement against medical paternalism ( be certainly to first specify what medical paternalism is ) . Do you believe this statement is right? Why or why non? In biomedical moralss. the construct of patient liberty versus is a immense consideration. This liberty is frequently contrasted with what is called medical paternalism. Medical paternalism refers to doctors moving in respects to what they feel is best for the patient without much respect to the patient’s true wants. It is the intercession of an individual’s right of action justified by grounds mentioning to the public assistance and/or involvement of that person. While medical paternalism may be seen as positive. many refute it. In Goldman’s paper. A Refutation of Medical Paternalism. he talks about why medical paternalism is incorrect. We will write a custom essay sample on Biomedical Ethics specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Biomedical Ethics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Biomedical Ethics specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Goldman refutes medical paternalism by presenting assorted statements that support his instance. One facet of his statement lies in the undermentioned claim sing the relativity of values: The cardinal faulty premiss in the statement for paternalistic function distinction for physicians is that which assumes that wellness or drawn-out life must take absolute precedence in the patient’s value orderings ( 67 ) . Goldman states that in world. persons do non systematically move in order to minimise loss of life although the long-run penchant is to populate long. If persons did prioritise minimal loss of life invariably. all attempts would be purely directed towards health-related countries. This is non the instance. for to realize or continue those values that give significance to life is worth the hazard of life itself ( 68 ) . Therefore. Goldman states that it is unlogical for a physician to find what is best for the patient when such physician can non talk for what the patientâ €™s set of values and precedences. While a physician believes wellness is figure one in precedence. the person may non ever hold wellness as figure one at all times. The 2nd facet to Goldman’s statement is centered on the value of self-government. He argues that. as stated before. a physician can non truly cognize the true involvements of his patient. and at times. the patient may or may non even cognize his or her ain involvements. Because of this uncertainness. the physician is less likely than the patient to do the right determination. We value the exercising of free pick itself in personally of import determinations. no affair what the effects of those determinations upon other satisfactions ( 70 ) . When picks are of import to our lives. we like to cognize we have the ability to hold some control over them. When a physician holds the reigns of a patient’s good being without the patient’s say. it is difficult to state that the determination made is just. I personally concur with Goldman and th e statements he presents. I can see both sides to the statement ; I can see why medical paternalism can be good in some instances. but I can see why overall it is a basic intervening of an individual’s liberty. In the defence of medical paternalism. one can reason that it is expected of the medical practician to make what is best for his or her patient. However. as Goldman states. what does the practician know of what is best for a patient? For illustration. a patient may be in demand for a blood transfusion. Yet if the patient happens to be a follower of the Jehovah’s Witness. the physician can’t perchance coerce the patient to take the transfusion. for it straight goes against the patient’s beliefs. I believe that although physicians may medically hold an thought as to what is best for an person. what is of import is for the person to follow. for it is his or her organic structure that is being affected.

Capitalizing and Punctuating Quotations

Capitalizing and Punctuating Quotations Capitalizing and Punctuating Quotations Capitalizing and Punctuating Quotations By Mark Nichol Quotations consisting of complete sentences should always be capitalized, as explained in the discussions and shown in the revisions to the following examples. (Note, too, that each sentence has a punctuation error.) 1. The pendant around his neck reads â€Å"all things are possible.† â€Å"All things are possible† is a complete sentence that follows an attribution, and therefore the first word must be capitalized: â€Å"The pendant around his neck reads, ‘All things are possible.’† (Also, an attribution must be set off from the quotation by a comma.) 2. It’s important to remember to ask ourselves, â€Å"would I spend my own money this way†? The question â€Å"Would I spend my own money this way?† is complete, so capitalization of the first word is required: â€Å"It’s important to remember to ask ourselves, ‘Would I spend my own money this way?’† (Also, note that the quotation, not the framing sentence, is a question, so the question mark must precede the close quotation mark.) 3. He reassured customers who are concerned about their safety saying, â€Å"we are also going to make sure our commitment to safety is unwavering.† This quotation may appear to be a continuation of the main clause of the sentence, but it is a complete sentence on its own and should be capitalized: â€Å"He reassured customers who are concerned about their safety, saying, ‘We are also going to make sure our commitment to safety is unwavering.’† (Also, saying and the quotation constitute a subordinate clause, so to set the clauses off from each other, a comma must precede saying.) Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Words with More Than One SpellingLoan, Lend, Loaned, LentSupervise vs. Monitor

Cap task 3 step#1 Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Cap task 3 step#1 - Term Paper Example The duty of New York Downtown hospital is to have a positive influence on existence and health of persons and population through issuing quality services directed by Christian values. This hospital employs the best physicians and nurses who issue patients with splendid health care in state-of-the-art skills. The only problem it is facing is the fact that it has a lot more clients than it can serve. The customer service seems inefficient not because the doctors and nurses are not skilled, but because of the excess number of patients being received on a daily basis. This problem is affecting the efficiency and of operation of the New York Downtown Hospital in many ways. First, the organization is receiving large numbers of patients with related problems that sometimes are unable to handle. Second, several people in the region are losing their lives due to this poor attendance by the doctors and nurses who are forced to rush on their services in order to attend almost all patients. This is a major challenge that requires a quick solution to save the lives of the Manhattan residents. The problem also causes distrust among the Manhattan patients who feel they do not receive effective treatment they deserve (Preston, 2010). New York Downtown hospital has been conscious about this challenge for some time and has put into practice some measures to lessen the prevalence and if possible, curb the problem. The problem has brought fourth other effects like poor customer service and poor sanitation which lead to other complications. The broad problem statement is how to curb the effects related to this problem. People are losing their lives which can be saved if correct measures are put in place (Preston, 2010). Individuals in the Manhattan region are still dying of poor sanitation, and related diseases. Most of them also lose their lives from poor services they receive due to the haste employed by the doctors and nurses in the

Extraordinary Rendition Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Extraordinary Rendition - Research Paper Example and its conspiratorial partners. Although clearly illegal under international law, both Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush used kidnapping where normal extradition was unavailable to bring fugitives to trial. â€Å"The Supreme Court upheld the government's power to prosecute people who were seized in these abductions and kidnappings irrespective of their legality under international law in the 1992 case of United States v. Alvarez-Machain.† (Lobel 1). Not until 911, however, under President George W. Bush, did the process shift from law enforcement to a â€Å"preventative† measure, and the new policy of extraordinary rendition sent â€Å"individuals to countries not for the purpose of trial, but rather to gather intelligence about future wrongdoing through unlawful detentions and coercive interrogation† (Lobel 1). The estimated number of incidents has been assessed by the CIA as in the â€Å"mid-range two figures.† Based on facts stated by Grey o n Frontline in 2011, this number is probably an underestimate considering â€Å"Many renditions organized by the CIA involved the help not only of other U.S. agencies, such as the Pentagon, but the practical assistance of other countries, such as Egypt and Syria† (Grey no. 6). It is safe then to assume that rendition is not an operation of the CIA alone. Information gathered suggests it is operated through a series of interconnected governmental agencies, private operatives, such as now famous Blackwater, and private companies including Boeing Aircraft, which, through a subsidiary, â€Å"’offers everything needed for efficient’ spanning the globe† (Mayer par 1). The U.S. program prompted several official investigations in Europe into alleged secret detentions and unlawful inter-state transfers involving Council of Europe member states. Charges were filed against such actions based on article 3 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture cites the COE ’s responsibility as â€Å"guardian for human rights, democracy and respect for the rule of law in Europe,† citing its â€Å"†¦.numerous and systematic human rights abuses committed in the pursuit of the so-called â€Å"war on terrorism† (UN Resolution 1507 par. 1 & 3). British collusion in the process is clear in the case of a Pakistani rice merchant held for over six years at Bagram airbase, infamously known to human rights campaigners as â€Å"Guantanamo's evil twin†(Rose par 9). As Rose in his December 9, 2009 article in the Mail reports, a rice merchant was held without charges for six years after disappearing on a business trip to Iran. Crossing into Iraq he was captured by the British who handed him over to the Americans, countering British insistence that it does not take part in such activities. Additional evidence is suggested by a cable from the British requesting specific information on all intelligence flights to determine whether they â€Å"might put the UK at risk of being complicit in unlawful acts (i.e. the ferrying of prisoners through British territories)† (U.S. Embassy Cables par 1). Beyond the immediate EU member states, a web of collusion is also suggested, as one Pakistani prisoner subjected to torture by his Egyptian captors states that the â€Å"chief of Egyptian security informed him that Egypt receives $10

Internet Censorship classical arguments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Internet Censorship classical arguments - Essay Example The problem of censorship of internet can only be solved if it is distributed according to the location. However, most of the people have positive arguments about the censorship of the internet, as it can restrict the exposure if the pornographic material to children. Filtering the web content is an effective way to control the accessed information on the internet. However, it may require the constant control to limit the utilization of the information and a prevention method to deny the access of new pornographic content. Another method is to blacklist such websites that are providing the information that is socially or culturally irrelative. However, as the internet is growing day by day and every day new websites having some kind of restricted material are launched, thus blacklisting is the perfect solution. Many governments like the Islamic and the Asian countries have the certain level of restriction employing both blacklisting and other methods to avoid the exposure of pornogra phic as well as such contents that depicts unfavorable comments about the governments and leaders. Islamic Countries like Saudi Arabia, have adopted a higher level of filtering the content as they have the view that the censorship would not endanger the Islamic rules and regulations. However, it is not possible to fully control the web content. The father or the internet â€Å"Vint Cerf† argue that it is not possible for the government to fully control the internet as it is owned by the private sector (Fonseca, n. pag). However, many people argue that censorship of the internet is only to crush the freedom of the public and everyone has the right to attain the information he would like to attain. Censoring the internet is only to restrict the information that is against the freedom of humanity. If the restriction is only imposed to the pornographic web content, the restriction would be considered as a righteous act. However, it is not only imposed to the web content that is p romoting porn but also imposed to the content that has views against the government or against the culture of certain region like in majority of Iran, youtube.com and facebook.com are also banned due to the reason that the websites are promoting the western culture and are against the Islamic culture (idebate.org, n. pag). In this way, the information on the sites is also restricted in these areas. Annotated Bibliography Bidgoli, Hossein. The Internet Encyclopedia. Volume 2, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, , 2004. Print This book helps the students how they can use the internet with the restriction by government. These restrictions are for the betterment of society. In this book classical definition of censorship is also clarified, that how much things are included in censorship which should be restricted from the teenagers. Schultz, David Andrew. â€Å"Encyclopedia of American Law†. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2002. Print. This book describes the American Laws regarding th e censorship of the internet. The common use of the internet and resources has to apply some restrictions on the content to avoid the exposure of the adult content to the children. Fonseca, Pedro. â€Å"Cerf Sees Government Control of Internet Failing†. Reuters.com. Nov 14th, 2007. Web. The site describes the ideas of the father of internet Vint Cerf’

Orientalism And The Depiction Of Arabs Through Media Media Essay

Orientalism And The Depiction Of Arabs Through Media Media Essay I am half Egyptian, but was raised in a non-Arab society; therefore I can relate personal experiences into the concept of Orientalism. I connect to the Arab culture, in this case the other, but since I grew up in a Western society, I also express outlooks molded by this environment. Upon visiting Egypt for three weeks in 2001, I was able to contrast the two portrayals and create my own image of Arabs through direct observations. My paper will approach orientalism, specifically dealing with Middle Eastern people, and how the media has altered the Western image of the orient to exaggerate Arabs as a villainous race. Through political speeches, movies, cartoons, video games and news reports in the media, orientalism in the Western world, primarily being the Americas along with Europe, falsifies the Arab image and validates the barbarically threatening notions seen within Western societies. When asked to define an Arab person, people immediately bring forth a specific sketch. It is where these specific images come from that anti-Arab racism and, in this case, orientalism exist. Orientalism is defined as a framework that includes symbols, signs, language, and images to depict the East, and determine how they act differently than the West (Glyn, Meth and Wilis 2009). In othering the Arab population, Orientalists [have] created a stereotype image of the [Middle] East in order to better manage it (Salaita 2006: 248). This categorizes the Western culture as normal, above the abnormal Arab culture which, according to the orient, is habitually in need of being helped. Orientalism unreasonably brings millions of individuals together in one simplified image to which it is wrongly assumed applies to all people of the Arab race. Although I was able to visit an Arab country and note characteristics first hand, orientalism first began through images which were in no way based off of immediate observation, but through the fabricated representations told by others. Without various media sources widely available in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the portrayal of the Arab race developed through European artists and travel writers who conjured ideas and fabricated art with their thoughts of what the people represented (Glyn, Meth and Wilis 2009). Many never witnessed the culture first-hand and worked predominantly off imagination and exaggeration of learned details (Sut 1998). Embellished characteristics that have been inherited in the West through time to represent Arabs include seeing them as: highly sexualized, mysterious, evil spirited, thieving, terroristic, exotic, needy and untrustworthy (Earp and Jhally 2006). This distorted image has been growing in peoples perception ever since the early paintings , and has only strengthened with new forms of media being introduced in the world. Images and media now reach the Western people with increased frequency and efficiency, thus allowing no chance for the dated depictions to dissolve. Edward Said, who is famous for his studies with orientalism, claims the barbaric Arab image is timeless as it was created outside of history. It is eternal as the images created within the colonial era are those same portraits we see today (Glyn, Meth and Wilis 2009). Presently, these colonial images are constantly reinforced through numerous media sources, whilst viewers in society subconsciously take in the commercialized image without question. Moving into the media, the government in the West is an institution that holds the highest power to directly influence the lives of individuals, controlling and deciding what the ideas and images of Arabs their citizens are accustomed to believe in and trust. Political elites thus hold the responsibility in transmitting international issues so that the public may stand informed about what is happening half way across the world. As demonstrated with the Bush-Era and his view on Arabs post September 11th, the United States took to their presidents speeches on the entire Arab race and allowed the media to form their ideas for them. In 2006 George Bush stated, We face an enemy that has an ideology. They believe things. The best way to describe their ideology is to relate to you the fact that they think the opposite of what we think(Kumar 2010: 259). He then later said: Since the horror of 9/11, weve learned a great deal about the enemy. And we have learned that their [the Arabs] goal is to build a radical Islamic empire where women are prisoners in their homes, men are beaten for missing prayer meetings, and terrorists have a safe haven to plan and launch attacks on America and other civilized nations. (Kumar 2010: 260). Bushs remarks are only one example of how a political speech can falsely characterize Arabs and cause countless societies to use the skewed form of media as their source for learning about the other. The media is controlled by the most influential people who can successfully impose specific ideas on those willing to accept them as truth (Sut 1998). In stating the Arab race as a whole to be the enemy, millions of ordinary Arab individuals have their lives, which do resemble Western lives in many senses, being distorted within the Western image. Pinning every single Arab as the enemy is unrealistic and robs the larger part of the race, which is trusting and simply living an average life with no intent of harming the West, of ever being respected. Furthermore, politics is connected to Hollywood as the two rely on one another to formulate images pushed into societies. Therefore Hollywood cinema incorporates Arabs into productions where they are not needed and of no help to the stories. As American producers are the power holders in the movie industry, it is in their authority to determine how the Arab image is intentionally warped and presented (Earp and Jhally 2006). Over three hundred movies today, or 25% of the film industry, demean Arabs with racial slurs and static characters, usually added solely for comic relief or to bring a barbaric presence (ibid). The seemingly innocent Disney shows through the classic Aladdin, stereotypes of those with Arabic decent. With a song in the film it is said that the Middle East is a place where they cut off your ears, if they dont like your face, its barbaric, but hey its home. The video influences young children to grow up with preset images of an Arab who is purely violent and malicious , based off the Arab characters numerous evil actions. Another example of the distorted image is in the Gladiator, where slave traders were, for no reason, Arabs (ibid); In True Lies Arabs were made out as incompetent (ibid); Never Say Never and Jewel of the Nile both show Arabs as prominently imprisoning and oppressing women (Shaheen 2000); Navy Seals justifies the tang and bang of Arabs; and 24 justifies the torture of innocent people because of the idea that Arabs are suspicious and dangerous despite the fact they live in an American community (Earp and Jhally 2006). Film after film, Arabs are robbed of their humanity, yet the repetition in these Western created films recycles the images to the point where the stereotype is transparent and the depictions are expected. In reality, however, many Arab women work outside the home, men are in trusted occupations, families are not secretive and violence is not tolerated (Salaita 2006). The consistent images in the media refuse to show Arabs in the previously mentioned positive light, and thus with never seeing favourable images in the media, the public is hesitant to believe such characteristics are true. Falling in close line with the original European portraits of the other, cartoons today are a form of media where the Arab origin is vastly exaggerated and exploited through harmful humour. One controversial cartoon was published in a Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, in September 2005 which caricatured Islam and presented the Muslim Prophet Muhammad in twelve intended satirical affairs (Kumar 2010). One of the images shows him with a lit bomb on his head instead of a turban, while another has him with a sword ready to fight, accompanied by two women dressed with only their eyes visible (ibid). The comic was drawn with humour as the objective, however, offended many and caused much debate due to the obvious attached portrayals. Looking once again to Disney, even in the well-known show Looney Tunes, Daffy shoots at three winsome Mexican mice. The mice call Daffy, among other things, Arab Duck!' (Shaheen 2000). The children watching Daffy Duck would have otherwise associated the shoot er with any bad person, but with the comment they learn to connect people who shoot others as Arab (ibid). Because cartoons are colorful images with few words, it is easier for them to slide by as a joke or pun, when in reality the oppressed woman, terrorist men and villainous personas are brought into orientalism as real tags to the Arab nations. Cartoons bring direct ideas, which are simply put, causing readers to instantly absorb the offered stereotype, as they are easier to bring forth when characterizing others than ones own ideas. As children get older they tend to switch from cartoons to video games for immediate amusement, and once again, orientalism is found within the media form. Game makers have the power to create games in any manner they desire, thus in distorting portrayals of the Middle East to suit existing Western ideas, they reel in their desired capital whilst leaving audiences with self-satisfying yet incorrect images. Research done on 90 European and 15 Arab made video games with Arab people holding a key role in game-play have shown that the identities of the Islamic world have been flattened out and reconstructed into a serious of social typologies operating within a broader framework of terrorism and hostility through video games (Sisler 2008:203). Games such as prince of Persia (Broberbunst, 1989), Arabian nights (Krigalis, 1993) and Al-Qadim: The Genies Curse (SSI 1994) are all examples of video games which solidify the image of the orient where Arabs are dangerous, aggressive, untrustworth y and live only in the desert (Sisler 2008). As the video games above have quests, many require the player of the game to save a girl or princess who has been kidnapped by an Arab man (ibid). As well the Arab tend to raise their guns above their heads after a kill and mockingly laugh while adding nothing to the games purpose (Sisler 2008: 209). The idea that the Western player has to save the girl from the Arab and be the hero up against the villain character reinforces the stereotypical image of the Middle East as barbaric. As stereotypes can lower self-esteem, injure innocents, impact policies and encourage divisiveness the images of orientalism need to be removed from society so that people of the Arab race are not faced with deeply rooted prejudices which lack valid ideas about who they are as people individually (Sisler 2008: 204). Additionally videogames based in Arab settings are one-dimensional with little to no variety in scenery. Even though each Middle Eastern nation is unique, the in-game surroundings and setting are rendered frequently by iteration of a limited number of textures and schemes, most often the desert, so that an idea is assumed that no other landscapes or appearances of the nation exist (Sisler 2008: 206). Although video games are often a neglected source of media, the problem behind video games is that most of them are foreign made [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] and bear enormous false understandings that habituate teenagers to violence, hatred and grudges which add to the racist issues within the world (Sisler 2008: 211). With the youth of today absorbing one sided false perceptions of a race at such a young age, the individuals reach adulthood with the ideas often so heavily embedded that one becomes blind to accepting the true image and allows the orientalism depictions to influence actions and jud gments towards the other. Not aimed for purpose of comedy or entertainment, still photography acts similarly to cartoons in creating an imaginative geography [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] which unambiguously divides the world into two unequal parts the known world of the Occident and the larger, different part called the Orient (Trivundza 2004: 489-490). Images used in the media are strategic in that certain absences are intentional to the pictures. This refers to three main factors that ensure that stereotypes remain. First is the absence of diversity, which deals with showing coverage of only specific events and ignoring others (Trivundza 2004). The second fact is the absence of unveiled women, which leaves spectators believing all women of the Arab race are oppressed and forced to cover (ibid). As an Arab myself, I am one of the thousand underrepresented women to prove this image wrong, yet only one in ten photographs in Western Media shows an unveiled Arab (ibid). Third, and finally, is the absence of active subject who are working. Images show them as passive, grieving, and incapable of creating value (ibid). All three absences add to the idea that Arab women are oppressed, the race is lazy and that what applies to one individual applies to all. The absences collectively provide the audience with portrayals that only stand true to a certain extent, and ignore the other realities of the race. In short the media pushes to produce photographs completed with images of backwardness and irrationality (Trivundza 2004: 489-490). Although Orientalism has existed since colonization, it is upon the September 11th bombings of 2001, where many argue the image of the Arab other exploded in news reports, and the characteristics of Arabs as terrorist and savage were highlighted. Since the bombings took place in the United States, the West felt that the attacks [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] provided an ostensibly empirical pretext to legitimize anti-Arab racism, but in no way did 9/11 actually create anti-Arab racism (Salaita 2006: 251). This means that 9/11 did not create anti-Arab racism but instead validated it (Salaita 2006). Upon watching the news on television, the most barbaric images with high violence and extremists are shown to evoke emotions within the audience, and solidify the images orientalism generates. Even when it had been proven Saddam Hussein was in no way linked to the actions of Al-Qaeda, the public continued to rely on embedded conceptions through the news to believe Iraq posed as an immediate threat to th e US (Glyn, Meth and Wilis 2009). As well, in certain cases voiceovers are done so that the English Western viewers can make sense of situations, yet, the translations are at times improper and edited by Western stations to only present specific words (Sut 1998). The news adjusts story details because they have the control to do so, and because they know that communities are powerless as to what they are shown. In maintaining their own Western image, news of how the US has killed innocent Arabs, or how their soldiers abused those held captive by leaving them naked in compromising positions to the entertainment of soldiers, rarely, if ever, hit TV screens (Sut 1998). The news is presented so that harm on the Arab communities is deserved and justified, while harm to the Wests is for no apparent reason. Additionally, videos on the news are specially selected to include mass amounts of people to appear as though the evil and negative emanation gives off a frightening and threatening imp ression that can be applied to the race as a whole (ibid). The images of rallys and swarms are not representative of the entire race, but as it primarily what is shown in the West, it is clear why the image is believed. Between Arab countries vast differences exist, for example Egypt compared to Algeria shows immense lifestyle differences and culture, but with Western news, Arab unites all the Arabian countries as identical. One specific example of where orientalism wrongly accused Arabs through the news was in 1995 with the Oklahoma City bombings (Sut 1998). Immediately after the attack, countless news reports aired which forcedly claimed the Arabs were behind the attack and that it was linked to a Muslim plan. The bombing, unlike any media claims, was actually performed by a Caucasian male within the state itself (ibid). Audiences were told to be aware of Arab citizens who looked suspicious, and even Edward Said had been contacted personally, when he had no personal connection to anything of the matter (ibid). After the white male had been convicted, he was in no sense labeled a terrorist, where as the Arabs had attracted the allegation without one piece of actual proof. The bombing revealed that the portrayal of Arabs within Western news jumps to conclusions based on the stereotypical images that the Global North has been bred to believe. With such generalized depictions of the Arab peoples, many struggle to understand how the images have remained in the media. Unfortunately almost all Arab countries have no democracy and therefore require Western patronage to function (Sut 1998). The Arabs have given way to the power of money and allow the images to be presented because if they were to stand up and protest or enforce policies, the West would be quick to threaten dropping all assistance (ibid). Money sadly pays off the the other to allow the images to continue, and the West, as capitalists, continues to do just that. As James Baerg, Director of Program Practices for CBS-TV in New York City said [Arab stereotyping] is the same thing as throwing in sex and violence when an episode is slow, implying that insulting humour it is a quick fix to boost sales (Shaheen 2000: 22). Middle Eastern countries are aware of how they are seen by the West, but are currently faced with too many other issues to focus on changing the image . In imagining speeches, news, movies, or cartoons without the exaggeration or unnecessary use of Arab characters, it is possible to conceptualize a true image, which would not distort how the majority of Arab individuals live. Through my paper it is evident that media has the power in displaying images they know most Western citizens will be unable to experience themselves, and therefore impose Orientalism. As it is easier to carry on the false image from history to the present than recreate and adjust how people see Arabs, few have found success in changing the representations. So will the image of the orient ever dissolve? And if so will it be in the medias hands? Or will Arabs stand as a race to change the image of the orient? Only the future will answer the questions, but it is still unusual how many people today believe in the phrase seeing is believing, but when seeing is done through anothers eyes (the media) before our own, the phrase seems to lose no value.

Historical Fiction in B for Buster by Iain Lawrence :: essays research papers

Throughout our lives we encounter dilemmas which help us learn the real meaning of courage, which differs with every person. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. This could be interpreted that courage isn't committing an act of temerity without a reason, however, it is facing your fears to accomplish something which is more important than fear itself. Throughout the book B for Buster by Iain Lawrence, the main character of the novel learns the real meaning of courage through his acts of temerity in order to achieve something which is important to him. This novel takes place during World War II, when an underage sixteen year old signs up to become a crewman in the Halifax bombing of Nazi Germany. Although he is young, Kak makes it through his missions through his courage and determination to accomplish his dream and his love for flying. Lawrence uses characterization and many examples from the novel to show the t rue meaning of courage. An example of courage, as the judgment that something else is more important than fear, is through the character of Kak in B for Buster by Iain Lawrence. In this novel, Kak is characterized as a young, determined boy, desiring to turn himself from a comic book reading boy into a World War II hero. Planning to escape his drunken, abusive father, Kak enlists himself in the Canadian Air Force although he is underage and only sixteen years old. During his first mission, he is becomes frightened of the risk of not coming home alive, but doesn?t show his emotions because of his austere, intrepid crewmen. During this mission, Kak did not have an absence of fear, but he felt that becoming a hero like the ones in his comic book, and accomplishing his dream of fly, was more important than his fear of dying. Throughout the novel, Kak exhibits many examples of how he overcomes his fears. Previous to one of his missions he states that: ?When I was still in school I read a story about a boy who had to Choose between two doors. Behind one of them was a beautiful princess who would love him forever. Behind the other was a tiger who would kill him. I didn?t remember anything else about the story, only those two doors and the boy?