Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats A Critique Essay Example

Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats: A Critique Paper Ode on a Grecian Urn (also titled as Ode to a Grecian Urn) is one among John Keats’ series of Odes (songs) written in contemplation of various subjects. Collectively referred to as the Great Odes of 1819, they include the Ode on Melancholy, Ode on Indolence, Ode to Psyche and Ode to a Nightingale. Keats invented a new poetic frame for these poems for he found conventional structures to be inadequate for philosophical musings that is the Odes’ defining characteristic. Keats wanted the tone of these odes to be introspective with lesser emphasis on lyrical harmony. As critics have observed, Keats has pulled off this feat without majorly compromising on other literary elements. Although Ode on a Grecian Urn stands out in various literary aspects, it is the meaning of the poem (both obvious and suggestive) that account for its lasting relevance. The content/meaning of the poem is sweeping in scope and profound in its analysis; it also serves as a testament for the adaptabili ty of the poetic form for deliberative philosophical discourse. The breadth and scope of the Ode on a Grecian Urn can be learned from the fact that the speaker tries to find relationships between the soul, time, art and nature – some of the basic conceptual preoccupations of classical poetry. By taking up an ancient Grecian Urn as his subject, Keats is suggesting the immortality of his own poem and the concerns raised by it. A key source to the poem is Haydon’s articles on the subject that appeared in the Examiner of May 1819. In these articles, such elements of ancient Greek culture as sacrifice and superstition were discussed. (qtd in Rourke 145) Haydon also analogizes the artistry of the vase/urn makers to the style of Michelangelo and Raphael, making a connection between the ancient and modern – a theme that is central to the poem. It should also be remembered that the urn being pondered over is not an original artifact from Greek history, but only an idealized representation of the culture, style and sentiments of the er a long past. The philosophical inquiry evident in Keats’ poetry can be said to belong to Platonism, due to its placement of the soul, the divine and the transcendent, over the material, tangible and the physical. For example, Ode on the Grecian Urn urges the reader to ask: We will write a custom essay sample on Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats: A Critique specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats: A Critique specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Ode on a Grecian Urn by John Keats: A Critique specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer â€Å"When then does the soul touch upon the truth?†¦But the soul then reasons in the most beautiful manner, when it is disturbed by nothing belonging to the body, neither by hearing, nor sight, nor pain, nor any pleasure, but subsists in the most eminent degree, itself by itself, bidding farewell to the body, and, as much as possible, neither communicating nor being in contact with it, extends itself towards real being.† (Kennedy 85) The opening lines of the poem describe the aural and temporal qualities of the urn: â€Å"Thou still unravish’d bride of quietness!/ Thou foster-child of silence and slow time†. (lines 1-2) The creator of the urn is not a merchant in words as a poet is; hence the ‘foster-child of silence’. Since stone artifacts deteriorate very little over long periods of time, the references to ‘slow time’ and ‘unravished’. Addressing the urn as the ‘Sylvan historian’ in the next line further reinforces the eternal character of the object in admiration. The series of questions toward the end of the first stanza, underscore the broader philosophical reach of the poem through the details of the artifact. Although these questions are vague and sketchy, they do capture the direction and outline of Keats’ philosophical inquiry: â€Å"What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?/ What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape?/ What pi pes and timbrels? What wild ecstasy?† (lines 8-10) The words ‘pursuit’, ‘escape’ and ‘ecstacy’, do give away the sexual component of these questions. Looked at cursorily, an urn is an unimpressive and poetically unpromising addressee. This has lent license to some critics to see the object as a funeral urn, which provides them the opportunity â€Å"to enrich the poem with ponderous thoughts on death and transitoriness, or with a plethora of symbolic lore. Conversely, other critics have valiantly embraced the precariousness of the inappropriate object with an emphasis on the abject state of the disused utensil, the piece of debris, which through this abasement is elevated to the state of art. From this point of view Keats’ Ode is regarded as ancestral to surrealist translations of discarded utensils into art objects.† (Hofmann 251) The genius of Keats is at display where he juxtaposes the static scene imprinted in the urn and its possible dynamic animation in real life. What Keats is implying is the magical quality of time itself, as it empowers and liberates the players in the scene to fulfill their desires. Yet, there is potential for decay and disappointment associated with the nature of time, which the immortality of static encapsulation evades. This comparison is best captured in these lines: â€Å"Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss,/ Though winning near the goal – yet, do not grieve;/ She cannot fade, though thou hast not thy bliss,/ For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair!† (lines 17-20) Hence, the poem is rich in its meaning and deep in its philosophical inquisition and also substantiates the poetic form’s suitability to thoughtful deliberation. Works Cited: Hofmann, Klaus. â€Å"Keats’s Ode to a Grecian Urn.† Studies in Romanticism 45.2 (2006): 251+. Kennedy, Thomas C. â€Å"Platonism in Keats’s ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn.’.† Philological Quarterly 75.1 (1996): 85+. Rourke, James O’. Keats’s Odes and Contemporary Criticism. Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 1998.

Questions to Ask During Your Medical School Interview

Questions to Ask During Your Medical School Interview Interviews are all about questions- not only for the applicant but for the interviewer as well. Most medical school applicants spend a great deal of time considering what they might be asked and how they will respond. No doubt about it, you will be grilled during your interview for medical school. Although tips for applying to medical school abound, many med school interview candidates dont realize is that the interview is also a time to ask questions. In fact, you will even be judged on the quality of your questions. Asking good questions is important because it shows that you are informed and interested in the program. More importantly, it is only by asking relevant questions that you will gather the information needed to determine if a particular medical school is right for you. The admissions committee is not just interviewing you. You are interviewing them. Too often candidates take the position that they will attend any school that admits them. Remember that you need to choose a program that is a good match for you. It is only by asking questions that you can accurately determine that. What Not To Ask One caveat about asking questions: Remember to do your homework. You should already know a lot about the program. Your questions should never ask about simple information that can be gleaned off of the website. You are expected to be aware of such materials. Instead, your questions should probe and follow up on what you have already learned. Never ask any personal questions of the interviewer either- unless they specifically relate to how that person enjoys the environment, classes or professors of that med school. Steer clear of questions whose answers dont help you understand the program better or that delve too deeply into the person sitting in front of you (though polite questions like how are you? are completely fine in conversation). This is your chance to get to know the school, not the interviewer. That said, it is important to tailor your questions to your interviewer. For example, ask questions about the quality of life  that the interviewer, as a resident of the school, would know the answers to.   Curriculum and Evaluations One of the primary reasons to choose one medical school over another is the courses offered specifically in that program. Therefore it is important to ask if there are any special programs for which this medical school is notably special. Its even better to ask about specific programs youve researched on the school website or course catalog.   Since most medical programs are slightly different with how they handle clinical application years, it is also important to ask the interviewer to describe the curriculum during the pre-clinical and clinical years and if there is any flexibility in the coursework (how many  electives  are offered and the timing of the courses). What makes this program different than another similar program youve discovered at another school? What difference is there in teaching style? Questions like these will help you determine if the medical school youre applying to is the right fit. Evaluation of students can also be drastically different from one institution to another. If the website or course catalog does not specifically cover the topic, you should ask your interviewer how students are academically evaluated and what the course of action is should a student perform poorly. How does the school assist students who do not pass? Clinical evaluations, similarly, can be carried out differently from school to school, so you should also ask about their process for such.   The future of students attending this particular med school can also help you determine whether or not you can achieve your goals as a student by attending. Asking how do students from this  medical school  perform on the National Board Examinations (percentage-wise) and which residency programs the recent graduates were accepted to can shed some light on the likelihood an education at this program will improve your chances of getting into the residence of your choice. If you have a narrower idea of where youd like to attend medical school, perhaps asking what clinical sites are available (rural, urban or private) and if students are permitted to do rotations at other institutions will provide more insight into the programs offerings.   Resources and Faculty-Student Interactions Speaking of resources, it is important that at the end of the interview you understand exactly what tools the program has to help you along in your college career. Ask about the library and electronic journal database access- is it, in the interviewers opinion, adequate for all the current medical information you will need. Further, what computer and technology resources are available to students? It is critically important, especially in modern times, that the program offers adequate resources, so dont hesitate to ask for clarification on any of their availability.   Also, finding out what kind of academic, personal, financial and career counseling services are available can help you better understand how well the program cares for the individual needs of its students. If you are a minority or special interest group, you may want to know the diversity of the student body and any support services or organizations for ethnic minorities and women the school may offer. If you are married, asking if there are services available for spouses and dependents will alleviate some of your concerns with family issues.   In terms of faculty-student interactions, you may want to know how each advisor is assigned and what the working relationship with students is throughout the program. This typically includes work on faculty research, so you may want to ask how that gets assigned and if students are given the opportunity to design, conduct and publish their own research.   Financial Aid Medical school can be expensive- very expensive- so asking about what kinds of  financial aid are offered could be imperative to the pursuit of your medical school degree. You should ask the interview how common it is for students to have unmet needs in their financial aid package  and how these students come up with the extra funds. Perhaps someone is available to assist  students with financial aid, budgeting, and financial planning?   In any case, it is important that before you finish the interview you have a bit more comfort in how you will manage to pay for your tuition and degree. Asking a variety of questions surrounding financial aid, including clarifying exactly what the expected cost of tuition will be, can help give you this piece of mind.   Student Involvement Its important to remember that you are paying for your education and you alone are responsible for making the most of your education. One of the best ways to ensure this (other than choosing professors and courses suited best to you) is to get involved on campus and in the program itself. Ask your interviewer what medical school committees have student representation and what opportunities exist for students to provide program feedback and participate in  curriculum planning. This will allow you more freedom to influence your program to most benefit your curriculum goals. Similarly, the student council or government involvement may be an important question to ask.   In terms of the valuable on-the-job experiences that will go toward future residence applications, community service also plays a key role in your education. You may consider asking if most students are involved in those activities and which community service opportunities are available to students. It might even be a requirement of completing your degree, so its best to ask the interviewer exactly how the program regards and encourages student involvement.   Campus Policies As a student entering the medical field, you should understand the importance of an institutions response to medical emergencies and virus outbreaks. Consider asking your interviewer what the protocol is for dealing with student exposure to infectious diseases. Are vaccinations provided against Hepatitis B or prophylactic AZT treatment in case of a needle-stick or accident? There are many more campus policy questions you could ask depending on your lifestyle, career goals, and medical needs as a student. For instance, if you are a student living with a disability, you might consider asking if  disability insurance  is provided by the school. If you hope to fast-track your degree, you may ask about the possibility of taking on a heavier course load. Inversely, if you are working full-time and hope to only enroll in night classes, you may ask what the campus policy is for attendance and when courses are offered, specifically. If you anticipate a loved one passing or needing critical care and you are forced to leave school, you may ask what the grievance procedure is for the institution. Location and Quality of Life If youre relocating to the area for school- especially if the interview happens to coincide with your first visit to its location- you may want to ask specific questions about the city and campus standard of living. Asking what the housing facilities are like and if most students live on or off campus is perfectly acceptable as long as the information has not already been provided on the website (do your research first). Even personal lifestyle questions like what the neighborhood is like and what kind of stores and restaurants are around are okay to ask in this vein of questioning. Commuting may become an issue if you choose off-campus housing. You should ask your interviewer if a car is necessary and what public and school transit options are available if you choose to do so.   Questions to Ask Yourself The answers the interviewer gives to all of the above questions should serve to give you a better understanding of what being a student of the medical school will entail. Once youve completed the interview, its time to review your notes and ask yourself a few questions that will help you decide if the program is truly right for you.   Start with the core curriculum and education program offered. Does this school provide training in the type of medicine you want to practice- primary versus specialized care, urban versus rural practice, academic medicine or private practice education? Is the program specific (or broad) enough to meet the needs of your professional goals? Do you like the professors youve researched or heard about in the program? These questions will guide you to the most important facet of choosing a program: is it the right fit for me? If yes- and you have more than one yes program- you should then examine how you feel about the school itself and the neighborhood youll be living to attend classes. Compare the perks and disadvantages of attending each of the programs that suit your educational needs. Will you be happy at the school? In the neighborhood? If youve answered yes to all of these, youve found the program for you!

IFRS Illustrated Financial Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

IFRS Illustrated Financial Statement - Essay Example US GAAP, on the other hand, requires that post-tax loss/income as well as pre-tax loss/income be presented on the face of an entity’s income statement. IAS 1, which falls under IFRS, prohibits all extraordinary items while under US GAAP it is permitted. Depreciation under IFRS requires that components of the asset being depreciated that have varying benefits are to be depreciated separately while under US GAAP, component method of accounting is just permitted, but it is not a requirement. IFRSs, in revenue recognition have general principles that guide as to whether or not revenue is recognizable. Under US GAAP, on the guidance of revenue recognition, there is a more particular guidance in the determination of whether there should be recognition of a given revenue type. Also under US GAAP, public companies are supposed to utilize the more detailed guidance that the SEC provides. As per IAS 19, which falls under IFRSs the recognition of actuarial losses/gains, IFRS has an accou nting policy that helps recognize all actuarial losses/gains under the sub-heading of OCI- Other Comprehensive Income, with a provision that these should be recognized fully with regards to the period that they occur. On the other hand, US GAAP requires that the entire actuarial losses/gains are recognized under the profit or loss in totality, but this does not exclude the permission to make a deferral in equity of losses/gains without going beyond the set limits. Those losses/gains are at first shown under OCI originally. (iasplus.com, 2008) Differences between IFRSs and US GAAP in the Statement of Financial Position In the statement of financial position of entities, there also exist differences while using IFRS and US GAAP. One of the differences arises under the classification of payments that are share-based in the financial position statement. IFRS 2 there is a focus upon whether the award in question can be settled in cash. US GAAP, under the same scenario, requires more deta ils which may lead to further share-based arrangements being put under the classification of liabilities. Another example of a variance is that of contingent assets and liabilities. Under IFRS, it falls in IFRS 3. This IFRS requires that all contingent liabilities be recognized at fair value if such fair values are reasonably measurable. Then, the contingent liability is estimated at the original amount or the recognized amount, whichever is higher. US GAAP, on the other hand, states that all contingences that are contractual are recognizable at fair value. In the case of non-contractual contingences, these are recognizable only if such are more likely than not that such meet the definitions of a liability or an asset at the date they were acquired. Subsequent to recognition, companies maintain the original measurement up to the point new information is gotten so as to consider their fair values. IFRS does not recognize contingent assets while US GAAP they are recognized at the lowe r of fair value and the best future estimate. IFRSs include intangible assets while doing a segmental disclosure. US GAAP do not include intangible assets. IFRS 8 also requires disclosure of segmental liabilities while the US GAAP do not call for such recognition. Under IFRS deferred tax liabilities and assets are always classified under non-current equivalent while under US GAAP the classification

Are social problems socially constructed or biologically determined Essay

Are social problems socially constructed or biologically determined - Essay Example There are a number of social constructs that exist in the times of today and the same have been for our understanding for so long now that they have started to seem pretty much a part and parcel of our very existence. The aspects of femininity and masculinity are something which is easily bracketed under the social constructs heading and this has been case for quite a number of decades now, if not centuries. The related linkages are predominantly the root cause for these social constructs to arise in the first place. Social constructs within the domains of social problems are indeed the entities which have been institutionalized in a social hierarchical system and which have been invented or constructed by a number of different participants which are in essence part of those very systems. These social constructs are remnant of the society or the culture that we are talking about and the same exist because people have followed the related regimes for so long now that it has become a part of their system, their day to day thinking mindset and the impending approach which has come about due to the very same. These social constructs could also be in line with the different traditional rules which are being followed over a period of time and then there are the discussions related with the conventional thinking and analysis hierarchies. The aspect of social constructionism looks to suggest some ways within the understanding module of the social constructions where detection of the same aspects are als o judged and found out. The analysis forms an important ingredient of the very same subject. Social constructs are pretty different from the social realities that exist within a society or a culture since the latter focuses more on the real happenings and not what the whole ideology or the thinking mindset can and cannot be. What this brings to light is the fact that the social constructs look to narrow the basis for the developing

Qualities I Lacked to Work Effectively in a Group Personal Statement

Qualities I Lacked to Work Effectively in a Group - Personal Statement Example Being an egocentric person, the situation was too difficult for me to survive. Being a person who always liked to outperform others and too intolerant in failures, I found the situation humiliating far beyond my expectations. Along with these, the hard reality hit my mind that my abilities were not as good as I expected and I had a long way to go to prove my mettle. It became a nightmare for me to work in a group in the field. Many a time, I found my seniors engaging other members in the team with works that I could do better and adding to my woes, I always erred or had insufficient knowledge in the ones I was handed. I was getting criticized but had no way to react as I found myself in a world where no one seemed interested in recognizing the talent of another one; instead, everyone was looking for ways to undermine others. It was a picture that I never dreamt of. There were two things that I lacked; lack of knowledge in certain specific areas and lack of experience. It was too conf using for me to take a decision; on one hand, I wanted to quit the profession forever and on the other, I wanted to prove my abilities after getting the required qualifications. Finally, I decided to put off my ego and asked my tutor about the future course I had to adopt. She was more than ready to provide advice and on her advice and support, I decided to join this course so that I can improve my knowledge and have a new beginning with sufficient knowledge. In addition, I wrote to MSF after joining my course and I am advised to complete my studies to apply for even better positions in MSF. Now, I am happy that I did not lose heart and give up the idea. Feelings – looking in The incident made me look deep into the wide variety of emotions that ruled my mind at that time. As I already mentioned I had an egalitarian nature and I had a problem accepting suggestions and advice and I always nurtured the feeling that I am better than others and it was so in my academic pursuit. Ho wever, out in the field, I found it hard to digest that what I do just goes wrong or the workplace requires more ability than I possessed. It was totally indigestible and unbelievable in the beginning as my ego did not accept it that easily. Still, I knew very well that I could do much better than what many others did but had no opportunity. I found it humiliating as I was very often criticized for the lack of knowledge. Now I have to accept the fact that the reason behind my misery at work was mostly because of my ego and lack of knowledge compounded with my dislike to seek help from others. However, the feeling of utter disappointment made me seek help, though reluctantly, and when I sought advice and became ready to accept, the solution was immediate.  

Types Of Crisis With Special Reference Management Essay

Types Of Crisis With Special Reference Management Essay Natural crises, typically natural disasters considered as acts of God, are such environmental phenomena as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes and hurricanes, floods, landslides, tsunamis, storms, and droughts that threaten life, property, and the environment itself. Example: 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake (Tsunami) Technological crises Technological crises are caused by human application of science and technology. Technological accidents inevitably occur when technology becomes complex and coupled and something goes wrong in the system as a whole (Technological breakdowns). Some technological crises occur when human error causes disruptions (Human breakdowns). People tend to assign blame for a technological disaster because technology is subject to human manipulation whereas they do not hold anyone responsible for natural disaster. When an accident creates significant environmental damage, the crisis is categorized as mega damage. Samples include software failures, industrial accidents, and oil spills. Examples: Chernobyl disaster, Exxon Valdez oil spill Confrontation crises Confrontation crises occur when discontented individuals and/or groups fight businesses, government, and various interest groups to win acceptance of their demands and expectations. The common type of confrontation crises is boycotts, and other types are picketing, sit-ins, ultimatums to those in authority, blockade or occupation of buildings, and resisting or disobeying police. Example: Rainbow/PUSHs (People United to Serve Humanity) boycott of Nike Crises of malevolence An organization faces a crisis of malevolence when opponents or miscreant individuals use criminal means or other extreme tactics for the purpose of expressing hostility or anger toward, or seeking gain from, a company, country, or economic system, perhaps with the aim of destabilizing or destroying it. Sample crises include product tampering, kidnapping, malicious rumors, terrorism, and espionage. Example: 1982 Chicago Tylenol murders Crises of organizational misdeeds Crises occur when management takes actions it knows will harm or place stakeholders at risk for harm without adequate precautions. Lerbinger specified three different types of crises of organizational misdeeds: crises of skewed management values, crises of deception, and crises of management misconduct. Crises of skewed management values Crises of skewed management values are caused when managers favor short-term economic gain and neglect broader social values and stakeholders other than investors. This state of lopsided values is rooted in the classical business creed that focuses on the interests of stockholders and tends to disregard the interests of its other stakeholders such as customers, employees, and the community. Example: Sears sacrifices customer trust Crises of deception Crises of deception occur when management conceals or misrepresents information about itself and its products in its dealing with consumers and others. Example: Dow Cornings silicone-gel breast implant Crises of management misconduct Some crises are caused not only by skewed values and deception but deliberate amorality and illegality. Workplace violence Crises occur when an employee or former employee commits violence against other employees on organizational grounds. Example: DuPonts Lycra Rumors False information about an organization or its products creates crises hurting the organizations reputation. Sample is linking the organization to radical groups or stories that their products are contaminated. Example: Procter Gambles Logo controversy Government and crisis management Historically, government at all levels local, state, and national has played a large role in crisis management. Indeed, many political philosophers have considered this to be one of the primary roles of government. Emergency services, such as fire and police departments at the local level, and the United States National Guard at the federal level, often play integral roles in crisis situations. To help coordinate communication during the response phase of a crisis, the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security administers the National Response Plan (NRP). This plan is intended to integrate public and private response by providing a common language and outlining a chain-of-command when multiple parties are mobilized. It is based on the premise that incidences should be handled at the lowest organizational level possible. The NRP recognizes the private sector as a key partner in domestic incident management, particularly in the area of critical infrastructure protection and restoration. The NRP is a companion to the National Incidence Management System that acts as a more general template for incident management regardless of cause, size, or complexity. FEMA offers free web-based training on the National Response Plan through the Emergency Management Institute. Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) is a relatively recent mechanism that facilitates crisis communication across different mediums and systems. CAP helps create a consistent emergency alert format to reach geographically and linguistically diverse audiences through both audio and visual mediums. Elected officials and crisis management Historically, politics and crisis go hand-in-hand. In describing crisis, President Abraham Lincoln said, We live in the midst of alarms, anxiety beclouds the future; we expect some new disaster with each newspaper we read. Crisis management has become a defining feature of contemporary governance. In times of crisis, communities and members of organizations expect their public leaders to minimize the impact of the crisis at hand, while critics and bureaucratic competitors try to seize the moment to blame incumbent rulers and their policies. In this extreme environment, policy makers must somehow establish a sense of normality, and foster collective learning from the crisis experience. In the face of crisis, leaders must deal with the strategic challenges they face, the political risks and opportunities they encounter, the errors they make, the pitfalls they need to avoid, and the paths away from crisis they may pursue. The necessity for management is even more significant with the advent of a 24-hour news cycle and an increasingly internet-savvy audience with ever-changing technology at its fingertips. Public leaders have a special responsibility to help safeguard society from the adverse consequences of crisis. Experts in crisis management note that leaders who take this responsibility seriously would have to concern themselves with all crisis phases: the incubation stage, the onset, and the aftermath. Crisis leadership then involves five critical tasks: sense making, decision making, meaning making, terminating, and learning. A brief description of the five facets of crisis leadership includes: Sense making may be considered as the classical situation assessment step in decision making. 2. Decision making is both the act of coming to a decision as the implementation of that decision. 3. Meaning making refers to crisis management as political communication. 4. Terminating a crisis is only possible if the public leader correctly handles the accountability question. 5. Learning, refers to the actual learning from a crisis is limited. The authors note, a crisis often opens a window of opportunity for reform for better or for worse. Models and theories associated with crisis management Crisis Management Model Successfully defusing a crisis requires an understanding of how to handle a crisis before they occur. Gonzalez- Herrero and Pratt found the different phases of Crisis Management. There are 3 phases in any Crisis Management are as below 1. The diagnosis of the impending trouble or the danger signals. 2. Choosing appropriate Turnaround Strategy. 3. Implementation of the change process and its monitoring. Management Crisis Planning No corporation looks forward to facing a situation that causes a significant disruption to their business, especially one that stimulates extensive media coverage. Public scrutiny can result in a negative financial, political, legal and government impact. Crisis management planning deals with providing the best response to a crisis. Contingency planning Preparing contingency plans in advance, as part of a crisis management plan, is the first step to ensuring an organization is appropriately prepared for a crisis. Crisis management teams can rehearse a crisis plan by developing a simulated scenario to use as a drill. The plan should clearly stipulate that the only people to speak publicly about the crisis are the designated persons, such as the company spokesperson or crisis team members. The first hours after a crisis breaks are the most crucial, so working with speed and efficiency is important, and the plan should indicate how quickly each function should be performed. When preparing to offer a statement externally as well as internally, information should be accurate. Providing incorrect or manipulated information has a tendency to backfire and will greatly exacerbate the situation. The contingency plan should contain information and guidance that will help decision makers to consider not only the short-term consequences, but the long-term effects of every decision. Business continuity planning When a crisis will undoubtedly cause a significant disruption to an organization, a business continuity plan can help minimize the disruption. First, one must identify the critical functions and processes that are necessary to keep the organization running. Then each critical function and or/ process must have its own contingency plan in the event that one of the functions/processes ceases or fails. Testing these contingency plans by rehearsing the required actions in a simulation will allow for all involved to become more sensitive and aware of the possibility of a crisis. As a result, in the event of an actual crisis, the team members will act more quickly and effectively. Structural-functional systems theory Providing information to an organization in a time of crisis is critical to effective crisis management. Structural-functional systems theory addresses the intricacies of information networks and levels of command making up organizational communication. The structural-functional theory identifies information flow in organizations as networks made up of members and links. Information in organizations flow in patterns called networks. Diffusion of innovation theory Another theory that can be applied to the sharing of information is Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Developed by Everett Rogers, the theory describes how innovation is disseminated and communicated through certain channels over a period of time. Diffusion of innovation in communication occurs when an individual communicates a new idea to one or several others. At its most elementary form, the process involves: (1) an innovation, (2) an individual or other unit of adoption that has knowledge of or experience with using the innovation, (3) another individual or other unit that does not yet have knowledge of the innovation, and (4) a communication channel connecting the two units. A communication channel is the means by which messages get from one individual to another. Unequal human capital theory James postulates that organizational crisis can result from discrimination lawsuits. Jamess theory of unequal human capital and social position derives from economic theories of human and social capital concluding that minority employees receive fewer organizational rewards than those with access to executive management. In a recent study of managers in a Fortune 500 company, race was found to be a predictor of promotion opportunity or lack thereof. Thus, discrimination lawsuits can invite negative stakeholder reaction, damage the companys reputation, and threaten corporate survival. Social media and crisis management Social media has accelerated the speed that information about a crisis can spread. The viral affect of social networks such as Twitter means that stakeholders can break news faster than traditional media making managing a crisis harder. This can be mitigated by having the right training and policy in place as well as the right social media monitoring tools to detect signs of a crisis breaking. Social media also gives crisis management teams access to real-time information about how a crisis is impacting stakeholder sentiment and the issues that are of most concern to them. Public Distribution System (PDS) The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is an important public intervention for enhancing food security. The PDS provides subsidised food grains (and other essential commodities) through a network of fair price shops. Until 1992 access to the PDS was, at least in theory if not in practice, universal. Corruption and high operational costs were among the reasons that were used to justify the move to the Revamped Public Distribution System (based on a principle of geographic targeting) in tribal, arid, hill and remote areas in 1992 and then to a Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) in 1997. Under the TPDS, households were classi ¬Ã‚ ed as Above Poverty Line (APL) or Below Poverty Line (BPL), based on the economic status of households. BPL households continued to receive subsidised food grains through the TPDS whereas subsidies for APL households have been gradually phased out. The impact of these changes can be evaluated on several criteria including selection into or exclusion from the TPDS, utilisation of PDS quotas, e ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ect on the consumption patterns and so on. Correct identi ¬Ã‚ cation could mean that the programme may have improved in terms of better targeted subsidies. Access to cheap food grain could make a more diversi ¬Ã‚ ed and nutritious diet a ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ordable for poor households. Much depends, however, on the actual functioning of the PDS on the ground. Those with BPL cards made repeated trips to ration shop that were often quite far and queued in order to enjoy this small subsidy. In spite o this, they rarely got their full entitlement of 35kg. Having spent some time at ratio shops, I noticed that they were often cheated by their PDS dealer. Those who were aware of being cheated often complained to me, but did not protest in front of the PDS dealer. I find that though BPL cards have generally been given to the poorer households in the sample, utilisation is low. Among those who have access to the TPDS, one-third of the sample households do not utilise their quota at all and another half do not utilise their quota fully. Further, many of these households purchase the same items from the market at higher prices. This puzzle of under-purchase (purchasing less than ones entitlement and yet purchasing from the market at a higher price) from the PDS is examined using a dual pricing model. The dual-pricing model provides a framework within which government intervention in the wheat market and its associated problems can be analysed. However, in order to account for under-purchase from the PDS and related patterns, the standard dual-pricing model needs to be extended to take into account additional factors such as transaction costs, uncertainty, and quality variations. There could be various reasons for low utilisation levels. Demand-side bottlenecks include cash- ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡ow problems (that is, households may not have cash when foodgrain is available in government ration shops), inappropriate foodgrains being supplied through the PDS, and so on. There are also supply-side constraints in the form of diversion to the open market or just irregular functioning of ration shops. The article also examines the impact of the PDS on consumption patterns. While the PDS does not have much impact on the level of cereal consumption, it seems to a ¬Ã¢â€š ¬ect the composition of cereal consumption. Speci ¬Ã‚ cally, the TPDS tilts cereal consumption of households towards wheat , away from coarse cereals. This is possibly a matter of concern, since coarse cereals are generally more nutritious than wheat. Problems which headed in PDS Free Amenities Free Supplies: Many family card or ration card holders dont go to the Fair Price Shops to get the goods or benefits which is eligible to them. As a result rice, wheat, sugar, kerosene or any other form of PDS which needs to be settled or handed over to the real beneficiary is not properly distributed. Still there are issues of hoarding and creation of black markets. The one who deserves is deprived of the benefits. The Govt.s prime motive is to eradicate death which occurs due to starvation and poverty. As a result it was decided to introduce subsidized PDS goods and free PDS goods. Later on this PDS was taken as a political strategy by politicians for their success in elections As a result of providing free amenities and free PDS people become lazy. They dont go for any form of employment especially, marginalized sections of the people. In the case of a SSI or Tiny sector which is labour intensive in nature face the heat or crisis in the form of short supply of labour. The amount which is being spent from the States Treasury for PDS Free Amenities results in price rise for other articles, goods and services in the form of taxation and setting off the amount which has been infused / spended in the PDS Free Amenities. Due to short supply of labour and due to power crisis which is now seen in many parts of India the GDP with regard to manufacturing sector has declined. At present due to failure of monsoon and uneven monsoon rains the kharif crops are destroyed. This has resulted in a heavy loss to the farmers and this lead to reduced supply of food grains and increased prices in the market. Now this particular free PDS cannot apply due to short supply of grains. Now the people who are unemployed or underemployed face the crisis as they have enjoyed free benefits throughout these years. They dont have the mindset to go in search for any other alternative employment opportunities. These free amenities made people more greedy Suggestions to solve the crisis which was created due to free PDS free amenities: The BPL(Below Poverty Line) should be provided with these benefits. Proper survey and field work should be conducted to know the population which is in the BPL. It is better to reduce the issue of PDS to APL (Above Poverty Line) and at a later stage it is advisable to eradicate this PDS to APL as they prove to be self sufficient with their earnings. Free PDS other amenities should be provided to the marginalized sections of the society based on a condition that atleast one person either male / female in a family should make themselves employed in any organized or unorganized sector. Awareness camps on health, stress management and necessity of being employed should be given. If the above said measures were put into effect then the scarce supply of labour can be reduced. Crisis of Malevolence: Organizations face crisis of malevolence when some notorious employees take the help of criminal activities and extreme steps to fulfill their demands. Acts like kidnapping companys officials, false rumours all lead to crisis of malevolence. Malevolence Employees who behave illegally or unethically act with malevolence. Intentional harm to an individual or company is malevolence. This type of crises includes security breaches, product tampering, sabotage, extortion, lawsuits and employee scandals. Malevolence outside of an organization may include kidnapping, assault or spreading rumors. Malevolence may refer to: Evil Hostility Malice (law) Sadism Security breach An act from outside an organization that bypasses or contravenes security policies, practices, or procedures. A similar internal act is called security violation. Broadly speaking, a security breach is a violation of any policy or law that is designed to secure something. When people or vehicles bypass screening checkpoints, or enter secure buildings without presenting the appropriate credentials, security breaches are generally obvious. Less obvious are security breaches that involve data or information. In a data context, a security breach is any activity that compromises the confidential nature of certain information. Most of the time, what is or is not a security breach is defined by law. Statutes in many countries set out security measures for any number of things, from border crossings to data sharing and electronic commerce transactions. A breach is usually defined as any action, intentional or otherwise, that weakens a certain defined security interest. The best-known security breaches typically cause some noticeable harm. An airport security breach that allows a passenger to board a plane with a weapon, or a data loss that leads to identity theft are clear examples. Under most security breach laws, however, harm is not always a requirement. The threat of harm, or likelihood of harm, is usually enough. Product Tampering, the unauthorized altering of a consumer product without the knowledge of the products owner or eventual user, is almost always treated as a threat to human health or safety, because it typically changes the contents of ingested products, such as foods or drugs, in a harmful manner. An exception to this pattern is fraudulently decreasing the odometer settings on used automobiles in an effort to increase the apparent value of a vehicle to a prospective buyer. Product tampering began in the 1890s. An especially bad case was the cyanide poisoning of Bromo Seltzer containers. The worst case of product tampering in America in the twentieth century happened in Chicago in 1982, when poison placed in packages of Tylenol killed seven people. Congress responded with the Federal Anti-Tampering Act of 1983, making it a crime to tamper with products or to make false claims of tampering. Tampering motives have included revenge, financial gain, and publicity for various causes. Ta mpering incidents have triggered false reports and copycat cases, both of which occurred in 1993 in response to a fabricated story that syringes were found in Pepsi-Cola cans. To combat tampering, manufacturers use science and technology to generate tamper-evident packaging and DNA testing to identify suspected tamperers. Sabotage is a form of subversion which involves deliberate damage, interference, or disruption. In a classic example, ecological activists have disabled the engines of logging equipment in the Pacific Northwest to prevent loggers from working at various points in history. There are a number of different forms of sabotage, all of which are designed to obstruct an activity in some way, creating chaos and often generating economic problems as people struggle to resolve the damage. Many people are not familiar with the true origins of this word, although they may be acquainted with the folk etymology, which claims that the term is derived from the practice of throwing wooden shoes known as sabots into the workings of machines. Though a charming idea, this is not, in fact correct. Sabotage actually comes from the French word saboter, which means to walk clumsily, a reference to the self-same sabots discussed above; the term is actually meant to describe the work stoppage and disruption created by sabotage. One of the most infamous forms is military sabotage, in which saboteurs penetrate the defenses of an enemy and attempt to disrupt weapons systems, military strategy, and so forth. Sometimes, damage comes from within, with rebels sabotaging the military of their own nations in an attempt to help the enemy gain the upper hand. It can also take a political form, in which case it is primarily carried out through well-timed media releases and comments which are designed to undermine opposing political campaigns. Extortion is a crime that involves the illegal acquisition of money, property, or favors through the use of force, or the threat of force. Historically, the term was defined as an abuse of privilege on the part of a public official who used his or her position to get money or favors, but today, people at all levels of society could potentially commit extortion. Penalties vary, depending on the specifics of the crime. In some countries, it is treated especially seriously because it is linked with organized crime, and sometimes special laws are designed to make it easier to prosecute and punish extortion. To the casual ear, extortion can sound very similar to blackmail, in which people use a threat to demand payments or favors, and robbery, in which a criminal takes something by force. However, extortion is slightly different from both of these crimes. In blackmail, someone threatens to do something which is entirely legal, such as publishing a set of photographs, with the blackmailee offering payment to avoid exposure and humiliation. Extortion is entirely illegal, as it involves threats of violence or other illegal acts. A lawsuit or (very rarely) suit in law is a civil action brought in a court of law in which a plaintiff, a party who claims to have incurred loss as a result of a defendants actions, demands a legal or equitable remedy. The defendant is required to respond to the plaintiffs complaint. If the plaintiff is successful, judgment is in the plaintiffs favor, and a variety of court orders may be issued to enforce a right, award damages, or impose a temporary or permanent injunction to prevent an act or compel an act. A declaratory judgment may be issued to prevent future legal disputes. Although not as common, lawsuit may also refer to a criminal action, criminal proceeding, or criminal claim. A lawsuit may involve dispute resolution of private law issues between individuals, business entities or non-profit organizations. A lawsuit may also enable the state to be treated as if it were a private party in a civil case, as plaintiff, or defendant regarding an injury, or may provide the state with a civil cause of action to enforce certain laws. The conduct of a lawsuit is called litigation. One who has a tendency to litigate rather than seek non-judicial remedies is called litigious.The plaintiffs and defendants are called litigants and the attorneys representing them are called litigators. When Good Employees Do Bad: Seven Behaviors that May Precede a Scandal by David Gebler Good intentions can lead to bad outcomes in business. This is  especially true in organizations that have toxic cultures in which  leaders tout worthy valuesand then put up roadblocks that prevent  employees from living those values. The GSA scandal provides an apt example. With all the rampant spending  at the GSA, one has to ask if employees were afraid to speak up, lest  they upset their coworkers. Or perhaps they had become complacent in  an upbeat, backslapping culture that rewarded everyone early, often, and extravagantly. Time will tell. In the case of the GSA, the good  intention of employeesto be a solid team playerled to a very bad  result. But its poor leadership that created that toxic culture and  allowed it to drag good employees down. Gebler says desirable behaviors such as being team players (as in the  case of the GSA), or even meeting deadlines, being goal-oriented, and  staying on budget can get distorted and become destructive in a  company driven by weak leadership values and a weak culture. Thats  because leadership values drive success, not employee behaviors. When we look at companies that have faced scandals such as recalls,  ethical violations, or crimes, the problem often comes down to  employees whose surprisingly positive behavior was distorted by a  toxic culture and clueless leaders. Here are seven seemingly benign  behaviors that may come back to bite a company if they become  exaggerated and throw the organization out of alignment: Blind loyalty to the team. Loyalty is a good thing, right? Not when it  creates a culture of I know this is bad, but its not my decision.  The unethical spending at the GSA was a symptom of leadership without  values. Employees were rewarded with lavish perks provided by managers  who had their own interests at heart. This created a culture in which  employees received the greatest benefit by staying loyal to their  coworkers and generous bosses, rather than questioning their actions. Commitment to meeting deadlines. One would think that a company where  employees are encouraged to meet deadlines and rewarded for doing so  consistently would lead to super-productivity and efficiency. In fact,  it can lead to disaster. At Johnson Johnson, the understood  directive to get product to market on tough deadlines created a  culture of Dont ask too many questions and resulted in a series of  dangerous drug recalls that badly sullied the companys reputation. Excessive optimism. When a person is sick, optimism can buoy his  spirits and help healing. When a company is unhealthy, Everything is  going to be okay is not what you need to hear from those in authority  positions. Take David Myers, former controller of WorldCom. By his own account, he saw the problems of the now-defunct company through  rose-colored glasses. He simply kept believing-and telling his  frightened staff-that the problems would resolve themselves  eventually. By the time he came to his senses, he was under arrest for  accounting fraud. Staying focused on a goal.  Telling employees to keep their eye on the prize is not intrinsically a bad thing. But when the goal becomes more important to management  than the underlying values of the organization, it can lead to a  dysfunctional culture. For example, in the 1990s, Sears gave its auto  repair mechanics a mandatory sales goal of $147 per hour. It wasnt  long before customers began to be overcharged or sold unnecessary  repairs. Having a competitive mindset. Boeing is known for its highly  competitive employees and work culture. Thats a good thing, right?  Not so in 1996, when the company lost billions in government contracts  for ethics violations after an employee stole 25,000 pages of  proprietary documents from Lockheed. Flash forward to 2005, when  employees were still so competitive that their own work teams were  known to keep useful information secret from other teams in the  company to make sure they stayed on top. Too much competition can  erode cultural values, leading to disaster. Sticking to a budget. Most managers would be thrilled if their  employees were doggedly determined to stay on budget and not cost the  company any unnecessary money. But a good intention can go bad when  financial performance becomes the only metric that matters. That was  the case, many believe, behind the fatal mistake made on the BP oil  platform in the Gulf. Before the explosion in April 2012 caused by a  safety shortcut, BPs Macondo project was more than $40 million over  budget. You know the rest. Wanting to please higher

Depth of a River :: essays research papers

Depth of a River   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Poetic expression is evolved from a web of emotions and thoughts. With the help of imagery, formation, and figurative language, a poet is able to transport readers to another world of his creation. Robert Burns uses these attributes to invite readers into world of peace and serenity in his poem â€Å"Sweet Afton.† This lyrical poem expresses the gratitude the persona feels for his homeland’s beauty, while asking nature to be quiet so his love may enjoy the tranquillity of her sleep. Burns’s use of imagery, use of figurative language, and construction with musical aspects help him convey his feelings and ideas to his readers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With the rolling hills, winding streams, and wandering sheep, Burns has created a pastoral setting in â€Å"Sweet Afton.† Burns use of imagery helps add to the reality of the poem. A reader is able to hear the blackbirds’ whistling, the dove’s resounding echo, and the lapwing’s screaming. A reader is able to see snowy feet, crystal streams, and green valleys. A reader can even smell the sweet-scented birch. Burns appeals to senses by using imagery words that create the illusion of sound, sight, and smell. Imagery helps express the persona’s feelings in his environment, enabling the reader to stand along with him in his world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Slow-moving rivers symbolize the simple life. Peace is traveling at a pace easily kept. There are no dangerous undercurrents or rocky obstacles; Afton River is gliding crystal. Burns is able to create this illusion through figurative language. He also uses apostrophe by having the persona command the river and wildlife to be quiet, as in â€Å"Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream,† (lines 4 and 24). Much like imagery, figurative language is another vehicle used to carry the feelings of the persona to the reader.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Sweet Afton† is a poem broken up into six stanzas. Each stanza contains four lines. These stanzas attribute to the musical effect of the poem. The first and last stanzas are incremental refrains. Burns uses this repetition to emphasize his plea for the river to flow gently and his great appreciation for its beauty. The middle four stanzas each focus on a different feature of nature. The second stanza focuses on the sounds of the birds in the narrow and secluded valleys. The beauty of the surrounding hills, little streams, and the persona’s own sheep are emphasized in the third stanza.

Piracy Ruining the Music Industry Essay

For many people, music is a large part of their lives. They listen to it to as often as they can. In their cars, while they work out, study, and many other daily activities. But does anyone think about how important music is to those who work in the music industry? Some people buy CD’s, others may buy digital copies online (often referred to as mp3’s). However, there are others who download free copies of music from file sharing websites, such as FrostWire and Napster. This is a crime, and many people are not aware of it. There needs to more stringent measure to protect the music industry from these acts of piracy and copyright infringements. Piracy has affected the music industry drastically over the years. It would appear all is well for those in the recording industry. However, the music industry is worth more than half of what it was in 1999 and the decline doesn’t look as if it will improve. The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) reported that in 1999, the revenue for music sales topped $14.6 billion. Over time, total revenue from U.S. music sales and licensing plunged to $6.3 billion in 2009 (Alexandra. â€Å"The History of Recording Industry Sales, 1973-2010†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). File sharing is the reason for the decline in album sales over the years. Because it is so easy to get free music, people do not find a need to purchase it. In 1984, the Supreme Court, ruled in the Universal City Studios vs. Sony Corporation case, that home recording of copyrighted materials, would be legal under the fair use provision (Stevens, Law of Cornell.). The decision was made so that it would be legal for home users to make copies of copyrighted material without obtaining any permission of the copyright holder to do so. This ruling covered music, television shows, and movies. Many people argued that they wanted to be able to use the recording devices that they purchased. There needs to be new laws to reflect the change in technology since that time. In 1984 we did not have the different file sharing sites that gave people the opportunity to upload their recordings. Piracy is very popular in many countries. This is because many cultures are interested in the American lifestyle. It is very hard for other cultures to obtain American media, so they rely on file-sharing websites to stay connected. This has affected the American economy drastically. There has been a loss of around 71,060 jobs, a decrease of worker earnings of 2.7 billion dollars and a loss of U.S tax revenue of 422 million dollars. It is estimated that the cost of piracy in the global economy in 2012 was 35.4 billion dollars, and 12.5 billion dollars affecting the music industry individually. (Goldman,† Music’s lost decade: Sales cut in half†) The U.S. government has attempted to prevent piracy by bringing lawsuits against companies such as, LimeWire, Mega Upload, and Pirate Bay. Sites such as these may be stopped, but within months another company begins a similar or more-improved service. â€Å"Would you go into a CD store and steal a CD?† questioned an angry Britney Spears in an industry-funded advert. â€Å"It’s the same thing, people going into the computers and loggin’ on and stealing our music.† Piracy is ruining the entertainment industry. The music industry has a diminished profitability, and significant job loss has occurred, and will only get worse, unless there are more stringent measures to regulate the internet and its’ file-sharing sites.

History of Rap Music Essay

History of Rap Music Essay Free Online Research Papers The genre called Rap originated in the Bronx, New York, in the mid-1970’ (Howard). Of the many legends of how Rap came to be the most popular has to do with the humble DJ’s and MC’s of the underground clubs. While the DJ spun the track, the MC would entertain the crowd with simple rhymes (EZ Track). Over the years, Rap Music has become the theme songs of most young African American men in the United States. However, the genre has broke boundaries and entered almost every culture outside of the states. Nonetheless, a Rapper, along with Rap Music, is stereotyped to be associated with the thug life. Most individuals think that a Rap song is no more than a guy spitting rhymes about how much money he has, how many women he has slept with, or how low a girl can get. Yet they neglect to mention the Rappers such as Tupac Shakur, Nas, or Ice Cube who didn’t flaunt but instead made poetry. Tupac was one of those artists that took his gift to alter the entire Rap g ame (Howard). Tupac Shakur was born June 16, 1971, in the East Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City (Wikipedia). From an early age, he was surrounded by incarceration. His godfather, his stepfather, and his sister all had spent time in jail by the time he was twelve. He used his surroundings and experiences to create a poetic style of rap that vocalized the problem facing the ghetto. Some of his music was controversial because of his descriptive, most of the time violent, lyrics. The majority of music critics didn’t agree with his honesty. Contradictory to what the critics thought, people from the ghettos of New York or California understood what Shakur was singing. â€Å"Lord knows I†¦ tried, been a witness to homicide. Seen drive-bys, takin’ lives, little kids die† is a quote from his song So Many Tears. Tupac was simply shedding some light on what individuals refused to acknowledge. (Wikipedia) Tupac nearly created his own version of the Rap game. The so-called ‘Thug Life’ was brought into each home without sugar-coating the facts. â€Å"They never talk peace in the black community. All we know is violence, do it all in silence,† as quoted in his song Trapped. Along with his contentious lyrics, his style was distinct. Instead of the multicolored pimp suit, Tupac rocked a bandana tied to the front of his head, nose ring, and a wife-beater with some saggy jeans. Socially he was known to be a thug. In December of 1994, two days before his sexual abuse trial, Tupac was shot five times, then robbed by two men. Later, when he checked himself out of the hospital, Shakur was found guilty of three counts of molestation and convicted. While serving his sentence, Tupac released his album Me Against the World which was number one on the Billboard 200. He would be the only artist to ever do that while incarcerated (Wikipedia). The modern day rapper hasn’t motivation to create music that will ultimately change the way someone views the world (Howard). Shakur aggressively assaulted racism, poverty, and violence in his songs. The majority of his music didn’t contain feel-good songs that are used for the club. â€Å"I see no changes all I see is racist faces misplaced hate makes disgrace to races,† as quoted in his song Changes. Today most rappers believe in exploiting their wealth for a hit song. Tupac believed in creating poetry that struck the core of the day’s hardships of African-Americans that needed to be addressed. Every man and woman from the corners of Compton to the Projects can identify with at least one of Tupac’s songs. He was and still is, an influential rapper and poet (Wikipedia). The day he died the world lost one of its greatest Rap artists. Many rappers have tried to mimic his style but not one has been triumphant in recreating what Tupac. The impersonators fail to realize Tupac put his own identity into every lyric that inked from his pen. His past resides in the ghetto where he watched his friends get killed by drive-bys or where he saw men and women strung out on the streets. There are not many rappers who can say their work is geared towards advocating social reform or any kind of change in an Ethnic community. No question can be put to the credibility of Shakur’s work or identity. Tupac can be called the face of the modern day poet for he proved himself capable of reaching people’s hearts through his words. Research Papers on History of Rap Music EssayBiography of Pink FloydPuerto Rico: Music and Culture EssayEmmett Till BiographyHomer The Great Greek PoetContrasting Berthe Morisot and Jan van EyckRacism and InjusticeMy Writing ExperienceCritical Analysis of HamletThe Colour PurpleWho has Impacted Your Life the Most Essay

Euthanasia Research Paper

Euthanasia Research Paper Euthanasia is a unique practice of ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal disease/illness or an incurable condition by means of the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment or lethal injection. The history of this  phenomena dates back for centuries, but it wasnt until 1906 when the first bill to legalize euthanasia in America was introduced in the Ohio legislature. For several years, legislatures have been turning down bills aimed at the legalization of euthanasia in the United States. In 1937, the Nebraska legislature voted down a bill legalizing voluntary active euthanasia in the U.S. Only two years later, the New York legislature rejected a bill that was also aimed at the legalization of euthanasia in the United States. In 1991 the Washington State Initiative Bill legalizing voluntary euthanasia was narrowly defeated. (6) In 1994, Oregon passed a law to allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs, but an injunction prevented it from taking effect. As of today, euthanasia is illegal in almost every country. In fact, it is only legal in the state of Oregon and the Netherlands. These are the only two places in the world where laws specifically permit euthanasia or assisted suicide. Oregon permits assisted suicide while the Netherlands permits both euthanasia and assisted suicide. In 1995, Australias northern territory approved a euthanasia bill which went into effect in 1996, but it was overturned by the Australian Parliament in 1997. Also, in 1997, Columbias Supreme Court ruled that penalties for mercy killing should be removed.(4) This ruling will not go into effect though until guidelines are approved by the Columbian Congress. In Belgium, lawmakers have agreed on the provisions of a key article in a draft proposal to legalize euthanasia. The proposed bill would not only allow doctors to euthanasia terminally- ill patients, but also those who are incurably ill with years left to live. (4) In Michigan, the assisted suicide ballot initiative was defeated due to television ads who are now shifting gears to focus on alternatives to assisted suicide such as hospice care. Advocates for assisted suicide in Michigan are releasing their own radio and television ads in attempt to counter the anti-proposal ads. Many court cases have come out of the heated topic as well. While the first euthanasia case in Japan was in 1949, it wasnt until 1962 that the Nagayo Court created a criteria for lawful active euthanasia. The court concluded if six conditions could be fulfilled, a death should be admitted as lawful euthanasia. (6) In 1976, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled in the Karen Ann Quinlin case that she had the right through her family to refuse life-sustaining treatment. In 1981, A Rotterdam court ruled on conditions under which aiding suicide and administering voluntary euthanasia will not be prosecuted. The Supreme Court of the Netherlands declared that voluntary euthanasia is acceptable subject to ten clearly defined conditions in 1984, and in 1993 the Netherlands passed a law which prevented doctors from being prosecuted when certain guidelines are followed. In 1994, Oregon passed a law to allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs, but an injunction prevented it from taking effect. Also in 1994, delegates from the National Peoples Congress in the Republic of China, proposed a law in support of euthanasia. (6) In 1995, Australias Northern Territory Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill by Marshall Perron was instated which allowed euthanasia under careful controls. In 1995, Singapore introduced a right- to-die law which was originally sought after not to legalize euthanasia but to give the terminally ill the right to make a living will. Throughout this time many societies that were pro euthanasia began forming all over the world. In 1935, the Voluntary Euthanasia Society in England was formed by Lord Moynihan and Dr Killick Millard. In 1938, The Euthanasia Society of the United States of America was founded in New York City. In 1973, voluntary euthanasia societies began forming in the Netherlands. Three years later more societies started forming in Japan and Germany. In 1980, The Voluntary euthanasia Society in Scotland published the first suicide guide, How to Die With Dignity. (6) By the 1990s euthanasia had become a worldwide topic of debate. There are many pros and cons that deal with euthanasia. In dealing with the pro view, the major argument is that all Americans have a constitutional right to life, and with this control of life also comes the authority to end it. Prohibitions on suicide are viewed by many as a violation of basic constitutional freedoms and governmental interference. (5) Proponents also use t he argument that newly diagnosed patients with terminal illnesses may want to end their lives before they endure physical discomfort or suffering. Patients may want to seek euthanasia in order to avoid being seen in a diminished capacity and protect their memory of an able-bodied life. Another argument for the use of euthanasia is to avoid leaving loved ones the expensive costs of medical care and posing a financial burden to them. Choosing assisted suicide may prove to be more cost efficient than long-term medical care. Next to pain and suffering, this is the second major reason why people decide to end their lives.(5) Many proponents see that The argument against assisted-suicide is advanced by a religious minority who believe that a just, loving god should decide the moment of death. (3) These are some of the major reasons why proponents for euthanasia support the right to die. People who oppose the legalization of euthanasia use the argument that once the gate is opened, others lives will be at risk. Over time statutes may give rise to broader and less stringent laws that provide people with non-terminal disabilities, an excuse to end their lives. (5) Many advocates take the position that legalizing assisted suicide and active voluntary euthanasia today will lead to active involuntary euthanasia tomorrow. (5) Another argument is that many people who are terminally ill and feel themselves to be a burden to their family, are not really tired off life and dont actually want to die. If euthanasia was readily available, the patient might feel obligated to use it. There are many more arguments on the legalization of euthanasia or assisted suicide. One dealing with the con view is that the patients voluntary and informed consent is never certain because most people who want to die are under duress. If a request is made while an individual is suffering or under excruciating pain, then it is arguable that drugs may have prevented the person from making a fully rational decision. Also it is argued that the norms of medicine prohibit a physician from ever acting with the intent to kill a patient or to aid him in killing himself. (1) Some agree as well that Death is never the answer, and precious lives must be preserved. (2) The Hemlock society is a major proponent in assisted suicide. Hemlock strongly believes that people should be able to have dignity and choice at the end of life. They ought to have the option of a peaceful, gentle, certain and swift death in the company of their loved ones. (7) The Hemlock society advocated and lobbies for laws that would allow a mentally competent patient to be euthanized with he help of a doctor. Along with this law certain safeguards should be in place such as; a diagnoses of a terminal or irreversible illness by two independent physicians, an evaluation by a mental health professional, a written and witnessed request that is revocable at any time, a waiting period, and monitoring by a state health department. The American Medical Association strictly opposes the use of euthanasia. The AMA supports initiatives that help physicians and their patients deal with the clinical and psychological issues at the end-of-life. (8) They support providing compassionate care for patients nearing death. While modern advances in medical science and technology have helped physicians to treat patients with once critical and life-threatening illnesses, some of these new technologies have merely prolonged the suffering for patients. The AMA still maintains that physicians should practice medicine with respectful and compassionate attitudes. One pro-life group called Not Dead Yet, understands that people have the right to refuse unwanted treatment. They oppose a public policy that singles out individuals for legalized killing based on their health status. (9) They believe that this violates the Americans With Disabilities Act, which denies the equal protection of the law, and health professionals decide who is eligible. Not Dead Yet does not want pity or lethal mercy but freedom and life. CURE is another pro-life group. Their reasons are for compassion and unity. People of CURE believe that to care is not to kill. (10) They believe there is an alternative to death and euthanasia which is life and hope. Uniting together will bring strength and a prolonged life. The International Task Force of Euthanasia Assisted Suicide also opposes euthanasia. One of their reasons is complications that can occur from usage. Extreme gasping and muscle spasms can occur and has occurred in 7% of cases. While losing consciousness, a person can vomit and then inhale the vomit which has also occurred in 7% of cases. Panic, feelings of terror, and assaultive behavior can take place from the drug-induced confusion. Other problems can include difficulty in taking the drug and a number of days elapsing before death occurs. In 14% of cases there was a failure of the drugs to induce unconsciousness. Another reason why they are anti-euthanasia is because they dont believe the government should give the right to doctors to kill their patients. They believe that euthanasia is not giving the right to die but the right to kill. There are other alternatives like Hospice which tries to make the patients remaining time comfortable, alleviating pains, and giving spiritual and emotional support. Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a 71 year old retired pathologist, is known to many as the patriarch of assisted suicide. He is currently serving a sentence of 10-25 in a Michigan correctional facility for his involvement in helping at least 130 people die from euthanasia. He was charged for murder in both 1991 and 1992 when patients of his used a suicide machine he developed, and his medical licence was revoked. Both charges were later dropped though when state judges pointed out that there were no laws against assisted suicide in the state of Michigan. It wasnt until 1993 when assisted suicide laws took effect, and Kevorkian, who had killed several more patients by this time, was charged again for murder. He served some jail time when he refused to pay the bail after the judge raised it. He was released from jail though later that year when supporters posted the bail. Between 1994 and 1996, Kevorkian killed some thirty more patients, and is charged for murder three more times. He is acquitted for these cases as well. In 1998, Kevorkian videotaped the injection death of Thomas Youk which aired two months later on 60 Minutes. He is again charged for murder, and in 1999 is convicted for second-degree murder and delivery of a controlled substance. Dr. Kevorkian remains one of the most controversial physicians in America today. He has been hailed by some as a hero and by others, little more than a serial killer. I believe that the legalization of euthanasia would be a good thing for America. An individuals right to determine the time and manner of their death is more important than keeping a suffering person alive for the sake of preserving life. I understand that the legalization of euthanasia will most likely lead to an excuse for many people who are not terminally to end their own lives. But I do believe that an evaluation by a mental health professional for those suspected to have clinical depression or mental incompetence can help prevent most of this. There are many good points and bad points to the legalization of assisted suicide like any controversial issue. I understand it to be a good thing though if a person truly is suffering and has no hopeful prospects for the future.

The Patriot Act Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

The Patriot Act - Essay Example It exposed weaknesses in the intelligence community which failed in its job to protect American interests by not being able to predict and prevent when or where the strikes will occur; they were not able to interpret correctly despite all the warnings, a failure of â€Å"connecting the dots.† This act is actually an acronym, which stands for Uniting and Strengthening America (USA) while Patriot stands for Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism. This law has many pertinent provisions designed to fight terrorism but a primary aim was to strengthen law enforcement capabilities against any future terror attacks on America. The law likewise contained so-called â€Å"sunset† provisions designed to lapse after December 31, 2005 based on the assessment by security experts on the continued existence of terrorist threats. The paper will discuss the important provisions of the USA Patriot Act and the effects on civil liberties and personal freedoms. Among the provisions discussed will be concerning the regulation of financial transactions to deny the terrorists their sources of funding, the broadened discretionary authority of law enforcement and immigration officials to detain, deport, and try in courts these terror suspects, and the continued policy debates about this Act, among others. A consequence of the worst-ever terrorist attack on American soil caused the creation of a single government agency charged with protecting the country and its citizens. The Department of Homeland Security was created in 2002 and currently has about 240,000 federal employees in its payroll. This department is a unified, integrated cabinet-level agency tasked with the mission of protecting American citizens from attacks emanating from land, sea, air, and even in the cyber space (Department of Homeland Security, 2013, para. 1) such as prevention of hacking attempts. Americans now seriously take security precautions, together with the added

U06d2 Legal Reporting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

U06d2 Legal Reporting - Essay Example There are several issues that are covered by the law and these include abuses like sexual abuse, child abuse or any form of misconduct with the elderly (Pozgar G. D., 2006). Also, any form of misconduct or irresponsibility shown in regards to communicable diseases can also be reported and filed against. To ensure the best for all within the society and also at the healthcare centers, the doctors and the healthcare centers are required to participate in reporting any form of suspected child abuse or elderly abuse (Syrett, 2008). The government is very strict in these matters and is working towards the well being of all within the society. The health care workers are also liable to report any rapes, harassment, and all birth and deaths are also expected to be kept up – to – date to ensure an accurate census. The government has allowed for the health care personnel to participate and help the society by reporting any kind of suspicious behavior, however if this right and responsibility is dishonored and misused to falsely report, then the individual can also be faced with serious consequences like civil and even criminal obligations (Pozgar, Santucci, & Pinnella, 2009). There have also been a number of processes and reporting systems that have been implemented to ensure that all healthcare organizations report the incidents and any form of any communicable disease is curbed at the starting point itself. The states also have laws to curb the possibility of any new disease to spread and to create an epidemic (Pozgar G. D., 2006). To be able to curb this, the government requires the state to report any and all irregular or unexpected similar symptoms in numerous patients. To also ensure higher safety and security of the patients and the processes being accurate in the healthcare industry th ere is a requirement to also report any errors from the health care end (Nathanson, 1995). Along with the safety of