Aristotles Poetics Essays - Narratology, Plot, Free Essays

Aristotle's Poetics Essays - Narratology, Plot, Free Essays Aristotle's Poetics From POETICS Aristotles Poetics is considered the first work of literary criticism in our tradition. The couple of pages in the book mainly describe tragedy from Aristotles point of view. He defines tragedy as being an imitation of an action that is a whole and complete in itself and of a certain magnitude. Aristotle also points out terms such as catharsis, which can be said that is the purification of ones soul. He argues in his Poetics that catharsis is achieved through emotions of pity or fear, which is created in the audience as they witness the tragedy of a character who suffers unjustly, but is not entirely innocent. Then he moves on to describing the main elements of tragedy. Such elements are: plot, character, language, thought, spectacle, and melody. Then he classifies these in three parts, the media, the manner and the objects. The language and melody constitute the media, in which they effect the imitation. Then there is the spectacle, which is the manner, and the remaining three, the plot, character and thought are the objects that are imitated. Aristotle considers the plot to be the most important of these elements. He describes the plot as not being a unity revolving around one man. Instead, he states that many things happen to one man, which may not always go together, to form a unity. At the same time, he says that among the actions that a character performs there are many that may be irrelevant to one another, but yet they form a unified action. Aristotle continues depicting the plot categorizing it in two manners: simple and complex. In a simple plot, a change of fortune takes place without a reversal or recognition. In contrast, in a complex plot, the change of fortune involves recognition or a reversal or both. To understand these ideas better he defines reversal and recognition for us. Reversal or peripety is a change from one circumstance to its exact opposite. Recognition, is a change from ignorance to knowledge leading either to friendship or hostility depending on whether the character is marked with good fortune or bad. There is a phrase used by Aristotle in Poetics, from the machine, which is basically any implausible way of solving complications of the plot. An example would be when Medea escapes from Corinth. Shes solving her situation by escaping in her magic chariot. This from the machine phrase should be employed only for events external to the drama, which lie beyond the range of human knowledge, and which require to be reported or foretold. Lastly, Aristotle explains the importance of the chorus in a tragedy. According to him, it should be regarded as one of the actors. Therefore, the chorus should be integrated into performance and be considered as part of the whole.

Requirements and Training for Becoming a Forester

Requirements and Training for Becoming a Forester Of all the professions, forestry may be the most misunderstood of the lot. Many kids and adults who ask me about becoming a forester havent a clue that it takes a four-year degree which includes college-level math, biology, and statistics. The stereotypical picture is of a job spent in the forest, or in fire towers, or hunting and fishing and saving campers lost in the wilderness. However, professional foresters are not the people who do these jobs but have been trained to supervise these activities as well as managing forest regeneration activities, keeping the forest healthy, and optimizing the commercial and aesthetic potential of the forest. I want to put a more realistic face on the profession of forestry. The Requirements forBecoming a Forester A bachelors degree in forestry is the minimum educational requirement for professional careers in forestry. In many of the U.S. states and most of our  federal government, forest management jobs can be  a combination of experience and appropriate education may substitute for a four-year forestry degree, but job competition makes this difficult. Still, for industrial employment or becoming a state registered forester, you must have a forestry degree which leads to professional registration in many states. Fifteen States have mandatory licensing or voluntary registration requirements which a forester must meet in order to acquire the title professional forester and practice forestry in these states. Licensing or registration requirements vary by state  but usually demands a person to  complete a 4-year degree in forestry, a minimum period of training time, and passing an exam. Places to Geta Forestry Education Most land-grant colleges and universities offer bachelor or higher degrees in forestry. At this writing, 48 of these programs are accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The SAF is the governing authority for curricula standards: The Society of American Foresters (SAF) only grants accreditation to specific educational curricula that lead to a first professional degree in forestry at the bachelors or masters level. Institutions request SAF accreditation and offer curricula that have been found to meet minimum standards for objectives, curriculum, faculty, students, administration, parent-institution support, and physical resources and facilities. SAF approved curriculums stress science, mathematics, communications skills, and computer science, as well as technical forestry subjects. Just loving working in the woods is not a very good reason for becoming a forester (although it should be considered a necessity). You have to like scientific course study and be willing to develop your science skills. Foresters generally must enjoy working outdoors, be physically hardy, and be willing to move to where the jobs are. They must also work well with people and have good communications skills. You probably ought to realize as well that you ​may work your way out of the woods as you gain more experience and knowledge. Most colleges require students to complete a field session either in a camp operated by the college or in a cooperative work-study program with a Federal or State agency or private industry. All schools encourage students to take summer jobs that provide experience in forestry or conservation work. Possible Electives Desirable electives include economics, wood technology, engineering, law, forestry, hydrology, agronomy, wildlife, statistics, computer science, and recreation. You certainly have an extremely wide choice to zero in on a small subset discipline of your choice. Forestry curricula increasingly include courses on best management practices, wetlands analysis, water and soil quality, and ​wildlife conservation, in response to the growing focus on protecting forested lands during timber harvesting operations. Prospective foresters should have a strong grasp on policy issues and on the increasingly numerous and complex environmental regulations which affect many forestry-related activities. Professional Foresters Are Expected to Address Public Issues Foresters are now expected to address the public and write in the print media. While it has been a problem to find good speakers that present the professional forestry in the past,  it is now more important than ever to present to a group the standards and philosophy of forest management. Thanks to BLS Handbook for Forestry for much of the information provided in this feature.

Summary, Discussion, Personal Tie-In Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Summary, Discussion, Personal Tie-In - Article Example They are more particular with their targets. For the fact that they don’t expect any payments from their endeavors in the organization, they only believe that their rewards would come from the achievement of the organizational goals that can only be realized after hard work. They only expect the sense of satisfaction that would come with successful outcomes. On this note, there has been increasing number of corporate organizations while the nonprofits have been o the decline. However, even though this is taking place, the remaining nonprofits are very committed to their missions. The nonprofit organizations set clear and precise mission statements with which they run their activities. They have shown a greater commitment to management than the corporate organizations. This is what makes them realize the greatest results out of their operations. Their effects are more practical than those of the corporate organizations. They operate with preset performance targets with which th eir performance is evaluated including that of their senior employees. They consist of a very vigilant board of directors and management teams whose performance is also evaluated periodically. This is very different from the corporate organizations where it has rarely occurred that the board of directors has a work schedule for themselves and that their performance evaluated periodically. It always occurs that the lower employees in these organizations are the most exploited and kept on pressure to perform highly while the top management including the CEO and the board of directors earn highly for the very little that they do. They are the failing part in setting proper organizational goals to guide the entire organization. Insights Nonprofits don’t make money the centre of their plans even if they need it a lot This idea has been shown I this article through the examples the author offers on the numerous successful endeavors that nonprofits have undertaken with little or sca rce resources and money. The author says that the nonprofits create clear missions and follow them to the later while ensuring that all individuals of the organizations perform as required even though they are not paid for their services. This is a very important aspect in every human being that helps to enhance coherence in the human life through working towards building a harmonious society. It is good to start with the mission rather than the rewards From this article, there are many nonprofit organizations especially churches and healthcare providers that carried out their activities on either very little funding or no initial funds at all. The founders of such establishments such as the Willowcreek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois had their mission first before their rewards and struggled through their initial operations to succeed as it can be presently seen. The same example can be seen when the Nun that ran the Catholic hospital chain in Southwest operated the facility amid rising medical costs and less funding with the principle that they are in the business to deliver healthcare and not to run the hospitals. Personal Tie –in Being a professional teacher, I was once left to take care of the school as the teacher on duty while the rest of the teachers had gone to attend a seminar organized by the government in our area. It happened one particular after noon that a student fell sick and

Analysis of types of claims Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Analysis of types of claims - Assignment Example ative American values that are being projected all over the world, the author also emphasizes on the positive values that according to him, represent the true America more accurately. In Fewer Call Themselves Multiracial, the author Nasser conveys credibility and ethos by means of using the strong support of statistics, quotation from authority, and inductive reasoning, and concludes that the decline in multiracial self-identity is because â€Å"there is a lot of pressure from society to choose one race† (Wood, 2008, p.184). Pathos or emotional persuasion of the reader is through quotations from authorities who state that identifying more than one race, opposes racial identity. For this, the solution is to accept being 100% of one race, as well as 100% of the other race as well, rather than being half of each race. Logos or logical reasoning is used by the author. In the 2000 census, people were allowed to check more than one race, as a result of lobbying undertaken by mixed-race Americans urging the government to permit identification with more than one race. Moreover, the movement for grew stronger with multi-racial proclamations from famous celebrities such as golfer Tiger Woods, actress Halle Berry, and several others. However, the census bureau’s survey showed a drop from 2.4% in 2000 to 1.9% in 2005, a small but significant decline in mixed race self-identification (Wood, 2008). In What Sets Us Apart, the author Zuckerman establishes ethos or ethical appeal through giving both the positive and negative cultural impacts that America has over the rest of the world. The author uses pathos to support his argument, through persuading by means of appealing to the emotions of the reader (Durhamtech, 2009). This is evident in Zuckerman’s statement â€Å"So America’s narrative which has waxed for so long is now waning in its universal appeal† (Wood, 2008, p.192) as is obvious from the decline of America’s image in other countries. Grievances have

Story Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Story - Essay Example When Myoba saw his mother, she told him to be on time for his training, your father will be waiting. But first, go and gather coconuts for the morning breakfast†¦ you are not king yet, you are still my son. And take Suhuma with you to help. He promised to get ready right away, and start looking through the forest Myoba went out to do what was asked of him and took Suhuma with him. As they walk through the forest, they gathereed a few coconuts here and there, drinking from as many as they collected them. Myoba’s favorite taste was that of coconut, and it’s hard to resist how delicious it tastes when fresh. After a while they split up to try to get the job done faster. Myoba says, you go this way and I’ll go that way. Myoba points in one direction and tells Suhuma to go that way, then wanders off in the opposite direction. Suhuma, obediently heads off in the direction pointed to him. He wanders a little further looking for fresh coconuts when suddenly his hind legs get caught in something. Immediately something sharped pricked in his neck and he fell unconscious. Meanwhile, Myoba is still looking for the coconuts that he was to get for breakfast. And he thought that he has been gone for too long. He also released that he had not heard Suhuma for a long time, so he called out â€Å"Suhuma!, Suhuma! Where are you? Have you found Coconuts?. But there was no answer. Myoba, dashed in the direction Suhuma had headed and to his horror he found steel chains and wooden traps. He also saw tracks of wheels and he silently followed them He walked for about 2 miles when he heard voices. It was a foreign language! Suhuma peered through the leaves and saw his worst nightmare coming true.He had come to the poachers camp. Now, Africa is well known for its beautiful animals and these poachers were frequently targeting the poor jungle beasts.At once Myoba knew that these were the bad men that his father had warned him about. King Bomani had often told myo ba to stay away from these men from over the sea who used deadly weapons like guns. However this had never impressed Myoba who had never seen guns up close.But as his eyes searched for his friend, he saw pale men with weapons. This must be the guns that my father told me about! He thought. Myoba saw animals in cages. But, he knew it would not be easy to rescue his friend and the other animals alone. He had no time, so Myoba rushed back to his village as fast as his legs could take him. Back at the village, his father reasoned with Myoba saying that the men were too dangerous and would have to chalk out a plan before doing anything. Myoba was too desperate and there was only one person who would understand and help him, Thembah!. Myoba explains everything that he saw and intended to do to Thembah. They decided to take a chance and seek help from King Oozba, Tembah’s father and ruler of Maganti. But here too Myoba was disappointed. No one wanted to confront the poachers! Valuab le time was running out and Myoba feared that the poachers would take of Suhuma and the other animals across the sea! So, he and Thembah decided to take matter into their own hands. The two rushed over to the camp and though of a plan. Now, Thembah was an incredible imitator. She could imitate animal calls and bird calls. She made a roaring sound hoping the poachers would

Study On The Olmec Culture

Study On The Olmec Culture The Olmec culture has been the focus of intense discussion and archeological exploration in recent years. It is considered to be one of the most interesting and also one of the mysterious ancient civilizations. The Olmec civilization is considered to be the first known ordered civilization to arise in Mesoamerica. It was also the first civilization in the region to build huge monumental temple mounds and building. In the Pre1classic Period, the period when this civilization flourished, the following Gulf Coast sites were occupied in overlapping succession; Firstly, San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan, which was occupied between 1450 and 400 BC., then at La Venta from 2250- 500 BC And Zapotes from 1000-50 BC. One of the most remarkable relics that we have of this culture is seventeen enormous stone heads. The stone used to carve the statues was transported from a great distance which implies the reach and extent of this civilization, as well as its spread and influence. These and other aspects of the culture will be discussed in more detail below. The Olmec culture and society has been described as extremely well organized with à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦complex calendar and hieroglyphic writing system as well as unique art objects of a very high standard. However, scholars also admit that there is a great paucity of archeological and other evidence and knowledge about this mysterious and complex civilization.We know far less about the Olmecs than we do about, for example, the Aztecs and Mayans. There are very few written records to tell us about the culture. The Olmec culture and civilization is estimated have begun in about 1200 B.C. and ended around 600 A.D. During this period the Olmec were the main group or culture in Mesoamerica. What is certain about this culture is the importance and centrality of religion, shamanism and religious ritual in their daily lives. There is as general consensus that religion and belief in the supernatural influenced every aspect of their lives. Olmec sites are characterized the prominent position of the ceremonial mounds and later by elaborate pyramids that were erected for worship and possibly for sacrifice. As one study on this aspect notes; As the clock tower often defines the center of Western town squares, a central raised mound signaled the center of Olmec cities. These mounds were used for religious ceremonies and around 900 BC, they were replaced with pyramids. The following discussion will refer to the various aspects of the culture, as well as their art and religion in an attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of what is known about the mysterious and influential Olmec. Origins The term Olmec means rubber people in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec. It was the name that the Aztecs used to refer to those people and the culture that had existed in the area of the Olmec Heartland during the fifteenth and sixteenth century. Simply stated the name means à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦those who live in the rubber land, which refers to the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦practice of extracting latex from Castilla elastica, a rubber tree in the area. There is a general paucity of solid data and information about the origins and the life-world of the Olmec culture. Our understanding of the civilization is made even more obscure by the fact that they did not appear to have a system of writing that would have provided records of their culture. As one commentator states; If the Olmec ever had a written language, all traces of it have disappeared. Even their bones are gone, rotted long ago in the humid rain forest. Virtually everything that scholars know about them is based on the remains of cities and on comparisons between their artifacts and imagery and those of later civilizations. It isnt surprising, therefore, that while the experts have plenty of theories about the Olmecs origins, social structure and religion, few of these ideas are universally accepted. Therefore, it is difficult to make incontrovertible and conclusive statements about the Olmec. In terms of what Historians and archaeologists know about the Mesoamerican Pre-Classic period, which extended from 1200 BCE-400 BCE, the Olmec civilization was the most dominant and influential during this time. The centre of this civilization at its peak was situated in La Venta in Tabasco, and San Lorenzo Tenochtitlan and Laguna de los Cerros in Veracruz. There are many theories and views about the origins of the Olmec. One theory that is often referred to is they were part of the immigration of Asiatic hunter-gatherers to the region after the ice-age. Another view that has achieved some credibility is that they were of African origin. The view that the Olmec civilization was of African origin seems to be partly substantiated by the large carved heads that possibly depict various rulers and which have African features. Some writers claim the Olmec were related to peoples of Africa based primarily on their interpretation of facial features of Olmec statues. This viewpoint is also allegedly supported by genetic and osteological evidence. This was a theory that was first put forward by Josà © Melgar, who discovered the first colossal head at Hueyapan. Some researchers such as Winters link the early origins of the Olmec with the Mandà © people of West Africa. However, this theory is very contentious and the proposed evidence has not lived up to modern scrutiny; for example, research during the past two decades has à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦failed to yield evidence of pre-Columbian African contributions to the indigenous populations of the Americas. Another factor that goes against the view of an African origin to the Olmec is that the people of the region were very susceptible to diseases brought by the Europeans. This means that the Mesoamericans of the region has been isolated for a considerable time, which in turn goes against a theory of origins that would include contact with the African continent. There are numerous other theories, including the contention that the Olmec were of Chinese origin. This view states that the original Olmec were Chinese refugees who came to the region during the Shang dynasty. However, this view is not supported by the majorly of researchers. Most researchers are of the view that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the Olmec and their achievements arose from influences and traditions that were wholly indigenous to the region, or at least the New World, and there is no reliable material evidence to suggest otherwise. This view suggests that the Olmec and the subsequent cultures that developed in the region had their own specific and indigenous character and heritage and that they were independent of any outside influences. The study of the origins and development of the Olmec culture is steeped in mystery and doubt. Another issue that is debated is the transformation of the possible hunter-gatherer origins of the Olmec into a highly successful agricultural society. As one pundit comments; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦archaeologists dont know what transformed a society of farmers into the class-based social structure of the Olmec, with their leaders and commoners, bosses and laborers, artisans and priests. Spread and Influence The mysterious Olmec civilization is estimated to have reached its peak a thousand years before the great Mayan civilization of Central America and twenty-five centuries before there Aztecs. This ancient civilization was extremely influential and affected many other cultures and tribes in the region, as one article states; Starting in 1200 B.C. in the steamy jungles of Mexicos southern Gulf Coast, the Olmecs influence spread as far as modern Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, Costa Rica and El Salvador. They built large settlements, established elaborate trade routes and developed religious iconography and rituals, including ceremonial ball games, blood-letting and human sacrifice, that were adapted by all the Mesoamerican civilizations to follow. Therefore, the Olmec were influential on a number of interconnected levels, from trade and economics to religion and cultural practices. David M. Jones ( 2007) states that the art and the architectural styles of the Olmec were influential in the region. The Olmec art style and architectural organization of ceremonial spaces were exported in the early stages of long-distance trading networks and, possibly, empire-building. What is clear from research into the spread and influence of this culture is that it influenced Gulf Coast as well as spreading inland to the Basin of Mexico and to the states of Morelos, Guerrero and Oaxaca. The Importance of Olmec Culture The importance of the Olmec culture lay in their inventiveness and their discoveries which influenced later civilizations that arose in the area. They à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦developed many things culturally and religiously that were later used by the Mayans and Aztecs and many other cultures. Many of their ideas spread throughout the region. In terms of farming and agriculture, for example, there there is strong evidence that the Olmec were responsible for the invention of a method of irrigation that was to influence the agricultural techniques of the Maya and Aztecs. This also applies to the water system that archeologist have found at the sites of Olmec cities. This refer to the finding that the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦most important features of an Olmec town center was a buried network of stone drain lines long U-shaped rectangular blocks of basalt laid end to end and covered with capstones. Social and Political Life There is a general paucity of information about the actual societal and political structure of the Olmec. While there is not much evidence to build a comprehensive picture of the daily and social life of these people, there is enough available data from certain archeological sites to provide some reasonable speculations. One of the assumptions that is derived from the excavation of sites at San Lorenzo and then at La Venta is that the society was very centralized. This in turn has led to the view that the society was highly structured, with a hierarchical basis of order and class stratification. This also implies the existence of a ruling elite and a system of power and control, which was possibly based on religious beliefs. This view of the structure of the society is summarized as follows: Olmec society was à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦highly centralized, with a strongly hierarchical structure and elite that was able to use their control over materials, such as monumental stone and water, to exert control over the people and legitimize their regime. There is also clear evidence of a class structure in Olmec society. This is the view for example of Olmec scholars like Ann Cyphers. She states that there is evidence of elaborate houses for the elite or upper classes, while there are simpler housing structures for the middle and lower classes. As one study notes, The architecture of the Olmec was complex. Structures in Lorenzo, for example, included public-ceremonial buildings, elite residences, and houses for commoners (a clear separation of the classes). Cyphers also makes the important point that archeological research indicates that the society was extremely complex in structure and stratification; All these things show a society of great complexityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Scholars are also of the opinion that the society was possibly a complex unity of various chiefdoms. These groups interacted on a religious and cultural level. Agriculture and farming played as vital part in the culture of these people. Besides the obvious fact of sufficient foods and nutrition it has also been seen by experts and being as tool in the politics of the society. As a study by Amber M. VanDerwarker (2006) indicates, the increase in the size and complexity of the society coincided with the development of village agriculture, which à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦has led scholars to theorize that agricultural surpluses gave aspiring Olmec leaders control over vital resources and thus a power base on which to build authority and exact tribute. Central to the society and social life was religious ceremony and ritual. This is evident in the large and centrally situated ceremonial centers. There are however some views that suggest a slightly different social structure. This refers to the view that as a result of the slash-and burn agriculture and crop-rotation that was practiced, most of the people would have lived in smaller villages and hamlets. Although the river banks were used to plant crops between flooding periods, the Olmec also likely practiced swidden (or slash-and-burn) agriculture to clear the forests and shrubs, and to provide new fields once the old fields were exhausted. The development of an agricultural economy also had a number of social implications. With the increase of an agricultural economy more people were needed to manage and administer the resources which led to a division of labor and a class structure in the society. The ones who controlled the rich farm land would naturally have been the ones who would rise up as the Elite of the community because they controlled the food supply, and as part of the management of resources, a central center had to be established. A number of theorists are of the opinion that the development of agriculture was the impetus which led to the expansion and development of the Olmec civilization. This would also have led to its influence through trade on the surrounding regions. As one study o0n this aspect notes: A new elite class probably asserted its leadership through charisma, control of trade networks and control of people, all of which led to the evolution of a complex society and, eventually, the art style we call Olmec. 5. Art There is as general agreement among scholars that the Olmec civilization producedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the earliest sophisticated art in Mesoamerica and that their distinctive style provided a model for the Maya, Aztec and other later civilizations in the region. There are also certain changes in Olmec art over time that should be noted. One is that before 900 B.C. most of the art tend to be ceramic, while later objects were made form jade and serpentine; which were rare materials that required considerable skill to fashion. However, what has fascinated people for centuries is the subject matter and the significance of the figures in Olmec art. There are a number of subjects that are often repeated in Aztec art. These include dragons, birds, dwarfs, hunchbacks and, most important, the jaguar or more correctly the were-jaguar that is part human, part jaguar. It should also be made clear that art in this culture, as in many other ancient cultures, cannot be separated from the spiritual and religious underlying life of that culture. The art and shamanic and spiritual aspects of the society are inextricably intertwined. Olmec art is essentially an expression of the religious beliefs that permeated the entire society. A case in point is the image of the jaguar that is so dominant in Olmec art. The jaguar represents a belief system that was deeply involved in the supernatural and the shamanic vision of reality. The jaguar figure in Olmec art is similar to a number of other figures in that it shows a combination of or transition between human and animal. It must be remembered that in many ancient worldviews there is no distinction between the human and natural world. In other words, many ancient belief systems do not adhere to the more modern distinction between man and nature. The jaguar figure in Olmec art is possibly therefore a representation of this belief system where the barriers between humanity and nature and between man and animal is seen as illusionary or has been broken down. The above refers particularly to the shamanic perception of reality, where transformation of man to animal is seen part of the ability of the shaman. The shaman has the facility to change his or her form in order to achieve certain supernatural ends. Linked with this was the belief that was prevalent among the Olmec that, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ each individual has an animal spirit. This refers as well to the general shamanic views about power animals. Shamans believe that everyone has power animals animal spirits which reside with each individual adding to their power and protecting them from illness, acting similarly to a guardian angel. Each power animal that you have increases your power so that illnesses or negative energy cannot enter your body. The spirit also lends you the wisdom of its kind. A hawk spirit will give you hawk wisdom, and lend you some of the attributes of hawk. The above quotation provides some insight into the way that the Maya possibly understood the link between man, nature and the supernatural. This shamanic aspect can be seen in the important figure of the jaguar. It is also worth reiterating the fact that Olmec art, like many ancient cultures, cannot be considered in isolation from the religious and spiritual beliefs of the civilization. This is an aspect that will be explored in more detail in the following section on religion. The jaguar was also very important for Olmec culture in that it was linked to one of their central gods. The jaguar was also referred to as nahual, which is an animal that is so closely related to a certain man, that if the animal dies, the man will also die. From another angle, jaguars were also seen as the alter ego of the shaman. The following provides insight into the reason why the jaguar figure was revered and why it was so prominent in Olmec art To the ancient Indians the jaguar was a symbol of supernatural forces-not a simple animal, but an ancestor and a god. In order to understand the significance of the jaguar figure one has to suspend the modern dualistic view of the world and reality that makes rational distinctions between man and nature and between the known and the unknown. The Olmec lived in a world where such distinctions were seen as illusionary and the jaguar was a symbol of this belief and a conduit between this world and the supernatural. As we explore the literature on Olmec art the references to the jaguar image also become more complex and intertwined when we enter further into the often confusing world of Olmec myth and religion. For example, in Olmec imagery we also encounter a werejaguar baby. This refers to the offspring of a jaguar mother and a human father. This mating à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦resulted in a race of infants combining the features of the jaguar and man in varying degrees. These are usually shown as somewhat infantile throughout life, with the puffy features of small fat babies, snarling mouths, fangs, and perhaps even claws. These werejaguars were deities of thunder, lightening, and rain. This in turn can be linked to depictions of an Olmec God who was half jaguar, half serpent. 5.1. Olmec Heads ( Source: http://www.theancientweb.com/explore/content.aspx?content_id=19) Another predominant characteristic of Olmec art are their distinct human heads and faces. As one commentator notes, Olmec-style human figures typically have squarish facial features with full lips, a flat nose, pronounced jowls and slanting eyes reminiscent (at least to early travelers in the region) of African or Chinese peoples. . There are seventeen of these massive heads and they are presumed to have been sculpted between 1200 B.C. and 900 B.C. The stone used is volcanic basalt and the height ranges from 5 ft. to 11 ft. and they weigh as much as 20 tons. The heads have been located at the following places; ten heads at San Lorenzo, four heads at La Venta , two at Tres Zapotes and one at Rancho La Cobata. One of the fascinating and intriguing aspects of the heads is that experts do not know how these large stones were transported over such long distances. Archaeologists still have not determined how the Olmec transported the basalt from quarries to various settlements as far as 80 miles awayand, in San Lorenzo, hoisted it to the top of a plateau some 150 ft. high. However it is the meaning of the heads that has made them such a source of interest and mystery. Experts conjecture that the heads were possibly representations of well- known and revered citizens or leaders. This however does not explain the facts that many of the heads have been intentionally defaced. There are two possible explanations for this. The one is that they were damaged when the leader or prominent figure depicted in the statue fell out of favor. However, taking into account the shamanic and religious nature of the culture, the second explanation is more likely. This refers to the sacrifice of the gods in order to replenishment and renewal of the earth and the relationship between man and the universe. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the Olmecs did this themselves after a ruler died as a sacrifice to the gods or animal spirits. This form of sacrifice is also encountered in other ancient cultures and might explain the damage to the statues. Innovations The Olmec are credited with a number of major innovations in Mesoamerican history. However, there is still a great deal of speculation and debate about these innovations. They include the origins of the Mesoamerican ballgame, as well as aspects such as bloodletting and sacrifice, as well as writing and the invention of Zero. There is little doubt that the Olmec civilization had a far-reaching effect on the region one needs only refer to the complex political and social structure that was developed. Their political arrangements of strongly hierarchical city-state kingdoms were repeated by nearly every other Mexican and Central American civilization that followed. They are also credited with providing the basis for religious mythologies that were imitated in other civilizations. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the Olmec formulated the forerunners of many of the later Mesoamerican deities. There is considerable debate among scholars as to whether the Olmec invented a writing system and whether they were first civilization in the Western hemisphere to do so. Many are of the opinion that there is no evidence to suggest that there was a writing system among the Olmec. However there are more recent indications that a writing system was developed by the Olmec. These include, Symbols found in 2002 and 2006 date to 650 B.C.E. and 900 B.C.E. respectively, preceding the oldest Zapotec writing dated to about 500 B.C.E. The 2002 find at the San Andrà ©s site shows a bird, speech scrolls, and glyphs that are similar to the later Mayan hieroglyphsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The discovery of the Cascajal block near San Lorenzo in 2006 seems to suggest that the Olmec were one of the first cultures in this part of the word to develop a writing system. The Cascajal block à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦showed a set of 62 symbols, 28 of which are unique, carved on a serpentine block. This find has been hailed as the earliest pre-Colombian writing. However, this is by no means considered to be conclusive proof and many archeologists remain unconvinced that this block is representative of the Olmec culture. One of the reasons for this skepticism is that the Cascajal blockà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ bears no apparent resemblance to any other Mesoamerican writing system. However the debate also includes a view the Olmec may have developed a system of signs that was to lead to the writing systems of the Maya. This refers to well-known Epi-Olmec, hieroglyphs. There is a view that the Epi-Olmec may represent a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦transitional script between an earlier Olmec writing system and Maya writing. In this regard it is also important to note that, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.Even less is known about the spoken language of the Olmec. Since the Mixe-Zoquean languages still are, and historically are known to have been, spoken in an area corresponding roughly to the Olmec heartland, it has generally been regarded as probable that the Olmec spoke a Mixe-Zoquean language. Many of the innovations ascribed to the Olmec are much less controversial; for example the view that the compass could have an Olmec origin. Various archeological discoveries have led to view that, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦the Olmec may have discovered and used the geomagnetic lodestone compass earlier than 1000 B.C.E. The Olmec are also considered to have discovered the concept of zero. This refers to the Long Count calendar that was developed by cultures after the Olmec but which probably had its origins in the Olmec civilization. The Long Count calendar required the use of zero as a place-holder within its vigesimal (base-20) positional numeral system. Many archeologists are convinced that because of various objects found in the Maya homeland, the Long Count Calendar most probably had its origins in the Olmec civilization. However, as with most of our knowledge about the Olmec, this view is also mired in doubt and controversy because of a lack of substantiated evidence Religion and mythology Figure 2. Olmec holds a half human-half jaguar baby. ( Source: http://www.crystalinks.com/olmec.html) The Olmec civilization was immersed in religious and spiritual significance. It is often stated that the supernatural and religion was the formative factor in this culture. It is also conjectured that the Olmec were essentially shamanistic in their religious activities and outlook. One of the central myths and beliefs of the Olmec people was the view that there were different but interlinked planes and dimensions to reality and not just the world of ordinary sense experience. They also believed that the human body, and especially the body of ruler or king, was divided into to correspond with the main cosmic levels in their mythology. These were the celestial or heavenly, the terrestrial, the earths surface and the watery underworld. This cosmology therefore had the following implications. The head represented the celestial realm and hence the colossal heads found in Veracruz and Tabasco were probably ancestral portraits depicting the seat of the mind and the most exalted part of the most important rulers. The bodies, standing, sitting or kneeling, represent our environment in different aspects. And the lower parts, like the limbs and feet, as the roots of a tree, penetrate into the underworld and contact its forces. The priest or the shaman enters into these different regions and levels of reality at will in order to achieve balance between the different realms of existence and to bring about healing and other effects. Furthermore, as noted in the above discussion on art, The ruler or the shaman could do this through ritual transformation into his nagual, his animal spirit companion. There are many different types and categories of Olmec gods. They also have different attributes and powers and different relationships to the human world; while some of the gods have healing powers, others represent dark forces. However, as there are no written records no names can be given to the gods and they are usually designated by a number. Another interesting fact is that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦No Olmec deities can be categorically defined as male or female. What is clear is that they influenced later Mesoamerican cultures and civilizations. The Olmec deities and Gods were a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦source of many aspects of pan-Mesoamerican mythology and religion, and as prototypes of later gods and goddess. There are at least ten gods in the Olmec pantheon. The following is a brief overview of some of the central gods and deities and their major characteristic and influence on humanity. God 1: Olmec Dragon This is also referred to as Earth Monster. it has à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦flame eyebrows, a bulbous nose, and bifurcated tongue. This is one of the most commonly depicted gods or deities. God 2: Maize God This God has plants growing from as cleft in his head. God 3: The Bird Monster This God has both Mamalis and reptilian features and is linked to ruling and kingship. God 4: Rain Spirit and Were-jaguar It is not clear if this god is one or two separate entities. Other gods include, God 7, The Feathered Serpent and Fish or Shark Monster (God 8). There is as great deal of confusion about the exact nature of these gods and many are combined by some experts. In order to make list of Olmec gods more comprehensible, the following is a selection of the best known of these gods and the ones that have had the most influence on subsequent civilizations. The Jaguar God The Jaguar God was a principle deity in the Olmec mythology. It was seen as an Earth god as his power was limited to the terrestrial plane. This god represented the forces of life and was linked or the water and earth. The Feathered Serpent The plumed serpent or the feathered serpent is a mythological figure that is found in many cultures in Mesoamerica and it is believe that this figure originated with the Olmec culture. This god is linked to time and calendars and is seen as the provider of maize to humanity. It is also very strongly associated with the concepts of death and resurrection, which were primary factors in the Olmec religion, as is evident in their emphasis on ritual sacrifice. Man of Crops. This is an important fertility figure. The Man of Crops à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ was a human man or boy who chose to give his life so that his people might grow food. The heroic Man of Crops is sometimes mentored or assisted by a god figure from the other world. The Rain Spirit. This god plays an important role in Olmec mythology and was also carried into the civilizations that came after the Olmec. This god often had many helpers. As has already been referred to, the idea of sacrifice and making an offering to the gods in order to maintain harmony and peace was central to the Olmec culture. This involved a continuous succession of rituals and ceremonies where, it is suggested by some, that there were human sacrifices. In these rituals the priest or shaman would à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦cut himself to produce blood, which would be presented to the gods. Certain animals, such as turkeys, dogs, squirrels, quail, and iguana, were also considered as acceptable sacrifices. Some claim that there is strong evidence that the Olmec indulged in human sacrifice. However, others state that this is pure speculation. No Olmec or Olmec-influenced sacrificial artifacts have yet been discovered and there is no Olmec or Olmec-influenced artwork that unambiguously shows sacrificial victims (like, for example, the danzante figures of Monte Albà ¡n) or scenes of human sacrifice à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Conclusion: Decline of the Olmec In about 300 B.C. the Olmec civilization suddenly seemed to disappear. What is known is that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ between 400 and 350 BCE, population in the eastern half of the Olmec heartland dropped precipitously, and the area would remain sparsely inhabited until the 19th century. It is not clear why this occurred. One possible reason is that some natural catastrophe occurred. The depopulation could also have been the result of radical environmental changes in the area. Archeologists also suggest that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ these changes were triggered by tectonic upheavals or subsidence, or the silting up of rivers due to agricultural practices. While the Olmec civilization still remains shrouded in mystery and conjecture, what is very clear from the literature is that this culture had an enormous impact on the region and on the modern word. The Olmec left behind some examples of the most enigmatic and thought-provoking art that the world has seen. The Olmec also very possibly provided agricultural as well as economic models that were influential in the region and which led to the advanced Aztec civilization. What is also clear from the lite

Choices and Consequences in the Epic of Gilgamesh :: Epic Gilgamesh essays

Choices and Consequences in the Epic of Gilgamesh Consequences are inevitable. A decision made today will have consequences that can last years or even a lifetime. Both Gilgamesh and Enkidu made choices that changed their lives forever. Consequences can be both positive and negative, but each is equally long lasting. Such is the case with the story of Gilgamesh. Enkidu was made because Gilgamesh was not capable of being a good King. He was too arrogant and oppressive. Gilgamesh chose to be unfair to his people. Of course Enkidu ends up being a good addition to Gilgamesh's life. The friendship is beneficial to both Gilgamesh and Enkidu. Enkidu had been perfectly content running in the forest with the wild animals. He never wanted more, possibly because he did not know how much more the world had to offer. Until Shamhat comes and takes Enkidu's innocence, Enkidu does not even search for more than he already has. He was happy to eat grass and share the animal's water hole. Enkidu loses his animal-like strength but gains understanding. At the end of his life, Enkidu briefly regrets his time with Shamhat, because of what it cost him. Shamash reminds him of the good that has come from his introduction to "civilization". Boredom causes Gilgamesh and Enkidu to make another bad choice. Gilgamesh decides to make a name for him. Gilgamesh wants to go to the great cedar forest and cut down all the cedar trees. In order to do this they need to kill the Guardian of the Cedar Forest, Humbaba. Enkidu has seen this demon and initially tries to dissuade Gilgamesh. Enkidu is not the only one trying to discourage this adventure. The elders and Ninsun also try to discourage the adventure. Gilgamesh is given many opportunities to make a different choice, but does not choose to. He continues on to make a name for himself. Even in the midst of the battle Gilgamesh is given the opportunity to spare the life of Humbaba. Once again Gilgamesh makes a choice, he chooses to slay the great demon. Humbaba then curses Enkidu. Sometimes a choice may not only affect the one that makes the choice, but others also. Gilgamesh chooses to kill Humbaba. Enkidu even tries to talk Gilgamesh out of it, but in the end it was Gilgamesh th at is cursed. Later another choice that Gilamesh makes affects Enkidu. Ishtar wants Gilgamesh.

Is Studying Ancient Egypt in Its African Context Afrocentric? Essay

Studying Ancient Egypt is African context can be definitively distinguished as Afrocentric. Evidence of this is given from Ancient Egypt’s geographical location, the Ancient Egyptian culture, and linguistics. What is currently known as afrocentrism is a cultural ideology first formed from the work of late nineteenth century and early twentieth century African-American intellectuals. Afrocentrism manifested into its current form because of the African-American intellectuals during the Civil Rights Movement and African-American Studies departments in black colleges and universities across the nation. Afrocentricity deals with asserting African culture and the contributions of Africans, especially in the Western world. Egypt, being a part of Africa, is well within the grounds of being a part of Afrocentricity. Ancient Egypt was a very profound society with cutting edge technological advances in its time. Its cultural influences have left a mark on today’s society. Because of this, Europeans have â€Å"adopted† the Ancient Egyptians and tried to make them seem dissonant from the rest of the African continent. They have done this through history rewriting and media making the Afr ican-American community believe that Ancient Egypt was never a factor in the growth of Africa. For this response, I will be using two articles provided to me by Dr. Woods and the third source I used was from Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, one of the founders of the idea of Afrocentrisim. The first article I chose to discuss is called â€Å"Is Studying Ancient Egypt in its African context ‘Afrocentric’?† by S.O.Y. Keita. In this article, he thoroughly answers this question by addressing points that indefinitely proves that Ancient Egypt should be considered in its African context. The second article I used is called â€Å"Egypt, Africa and the Ancient World† by Joesp Cervello Autuori where he compares Egypt to Africa more in depth. This article was very useful and helped me gain a more broad aspect of how Ancient Egypt related to the rest of Africa. The third source I used was an internet website that contained an overview of the definition of Afrocentrisim. This was very reliable in the aspect that Dr. Molefi Kete Asante was one of the founders of the idea of Afrocentrisim. It was very enlightening provided a historical context. Physically and culturally Ancient Egypt is a large part of Africa. Many scholars indicate that â€Å"†¦Egyptian prehistory are agreed on two basic principles: the African geological context, according to which the Egyptian Epipaleolithic and Neolithic cultures are included in a wide Saharan Nile context; and the continuity of time† (Autuori 113). Ancient Egypt was forged on the Nile River, a main geographical landmark in Africa. Although Ancient Egypt may be close to Asia, it is a part of the African continent. The southern and western parts of Egypt are bordered by African landmass. The Mediterranean Sea and he Sinai Peninsula separate Egypt from Asia and Europe. Africa’s flora and fauna were used in symbol systems in early Egyptian culture. Animals native to Africa were used in early hieroglyphics and iconographies. This makes it evident that there is a definite link between Egypt and its African posterity. â€Å"[Late prehistoric Egypt]†¦the essentially African nature of many of the central features of Pharaonic civilization†¦it also explains the innumerable cultural parallels between ancient Egypt and both the ancient Saharan and modern black African civilizations† (133). The geographic location and the cultural root defined by its symbol system and iconographies â€Å"†¦suggests that the people were indigenous, or at least that the culture developed locally and was not an import† (Keita 125). When examining the linguistics of a language it is believed that similar languages come from a single parent language. Over time this parent language changes due to the spreading out of its speakers. When putting back together the parent language a timeline of the language family can be found. This timeline helps to identify a culture and possibly the environment of early speakers of that language. The language that was used in Ancient Egypt belongs to the Afro-Asiatic family and the members of that family are generally found in Africa. The plants and wildlife shown in early hieroglyphics were displays of the natural environment of the African continent. The Afro-Asiatic family also originated in Africa. It was not brought to Africa from another continent. â€Å"The language was not imported from Asia or Europe. The plants and animals in the early hieroglyphs come from the local environment† (Keita 126). In conclusion, there are many ways that Ancient Egypt has influenced African and African-American culture today. â€Å"It is not a question of ‘African’ ‘influence’; ancient Egypt was originally African. Studying early Egypt in its African context is not ‘Afrocentric’ but simply correct† (Keita 130) Works Cited Asante, Dr. Molefi Kete. â€Å"Afrocentricity | Dr. Molefi Kete Asante.† Dr. Molefi Kete Asante. http://www.asante.net/articles/1/afrocentricity/ (accessed February 21, 2013). Autuori, Josep. â€Å"Egypt, Africa and the Ancient World.† History of Africa and the Diaspora ? (0): 131-137. Keita, S.O.Y.. â€Å"Is Studying Egypt in Its African Context â€Å"Afrocentric†.† History of Africa and the Diaspora ? (0): 124-130.

Building Trust through E-Commerce

Suppose I am selling merchandises online – for instance, gift items for everyone – I know exactly how to convince my prospective buyers to trust my web site. Through the concept of â€Å"Free Information for All,† I would educate my web visitors, in the simplest way possible (without giving essential information to competitors), about the process of storing their credit card information and securing it from hackers and viruses.The rationale behind â€Å"Free Information for All,† is aiming at the minds of the potential customers, to make them think, feel and believe that they know all they need to know about where their credit card information is going. Images, such as secured vaults and huge powerful computers, will be used to instill in the minds of the viewers that my web site could not be any safer. In fact it is 100% safe and error-free. As for the action steps that I would take, I will begin by advertising banners and links that features a reverse ps ychology-inspired message, â€Å"Do not trust every online shop you see.Click to find the tricks of scammers. † Then, when they’re in my web site already, they will read another message, â€Å"Trust only those who can tell you everything you need to know about your shop and your account. Experience worry-free online shopping. † The second step is for me to make good on my word. Eventually, I will post â€Å"Testimonials† from the marketing department and from real people with pages in My Space. This will create a crisp, friendly feel in the website, and it will convince more people that my business and services are no hoax.The final step is just to ensure that my customers will enjoy a 24/7 customer support online and via toll-free number. Customers love to be pampered. I will pamper my customers, make them trust me, and make them go back to my store, with their friends in tow. Survey source: Safety in Numbers. June 25, 2002. The Resource for Security Exe cutives. November 10, 2006. .

Profile in ethical leadership

Profile in ethical leadership Overview of President Bush’s actions George Bush was the most vocal promoter of military acts against Iraq thus spearheading its invasion. His actions prior and during this affront highlight his intentions to engage in war. Subsequently, Bush sought permission to engage in war through congress. Bush coerced states aligned to NATO to join the incursion. Bush lied on several occasions with respect to the actual state of affairs when put to task by regulatory authorities at an internal level (CNN, 2010). Bush misinterpreted preliminary report indicating the likely presence of such weapons. Bush believed he was restoring America’s supremacy. Current issues prior to the War against Iraq Bush initiated the war in order to make a statement about Americas might as a superpower after the radical attacks on 9/11. His desire to prove America’s supremacy was his main undoing. This is because it forced him into a series of erroneous judgments. These strategies eventually le d to the unnecessary invasion of Iraq, which cost the country billions of dollars and lives of industrious service men. The most regrettable aftermath of this occurrence was the death of millions of civilians while others lost their homes (Chauhan, 2003).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Profile in ethical leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is noteworthy that America participated actively in the crusade against terrorism. Moreover, it joined efforts with Israel to fight perpetrators of the heinous act. It is noteworthy that most of these perpetrators hailed from the Arab world. In addition, these attacks have prompted many heads of state to invest in fortification mechanisms for their countries. This is in a bid to minimize threats since such attacks might occur in the future. Consequently, several states established a tribunal to investigate the availability and circulation of illegal weaponry o f mass obliteration. This team had the responsibility of establishing the most probable locations, which could house terrorists (Mahnken, 2007). President Bush, who persuaded America’s allies to join the warfare against Iraq, quickly took up a preliminary report that indicated the likely presence of lethal weapons in Iraq. This depicts poor judgment, since a leader in his position ought to have exercised patience and waited for the conclusion of investigation on the matter. This is prior to adopting conclusive results. In addition, he should have adjusted the military calendar and scrutinized the reports. This is because most of the mentioned sites lacked credible weapons that posed a danger to humanity (Chauhan, 2003). Perceived motivation of President Bush Several reasons influenced President Bush’s decision to authorize the attack on Iraq. He based this action on claims that armaments of mass annihilation and other illegal artillery were present in Iraq. It is notew orthy that such allegations are unsubstantiated to date. Since Saddam opted not to cooperate with the Bush administration, the latter used his authority to overthrow him forcefully and assume control of the nation and its vast resources. Bush further claimed that his Iraqi counterpart exuded dictatorial tendencies. This technique of leadership is different from the democratic system evident in the country and other western nations. Fears of Saddam’s widespread influence among regional states also influenced his resolution to attack Iraq. He propagated his imperialist habits by indicating that he was transferring democracy to suppressed people in the gulf nation.Advertising Looking for research paper on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It goes without question that President Bush was out to restore America’s deflated pride, especially after its vulnerabilities were evident in the radical affro nts carried out within it by terrorist groups. His poor judgment is further evident when he chooses to focus on sentiments, as opposed to the rationale and facts (Middle East Online, 2010). He disregarded the advice of experts, who clearly pointed out the absence of illegal weapons as exemplified in previous intelligence briefs. Impact of his actions on America and its citizens His actions have placed the populace at a precarious position due to increased threat of attack from rebel groups. This is because America’s attack on Iraq provoked these groups; hence, they want to revenge. Additionally, the war caused harm to innocent civilians. Most importantly, the Islam religion often viewed such attacks as a means of revenge. Consequently, their faith allows such actions. After the war, America’s popularity reduced drastically. This is because other groups still believe that it is extremely aggressive; furthermore, it holds little regard for humanity and the rights of othe r persons. Its foreign policy has been subject to ridicule on several occasions. Its enemies successfully portray it as a nation of intolerant and self-seeking persons. Consequently, most of its nationals are subjects of suspicion. This is without assessing the nobility of their intentions (Profita, 2007). However, this is not fair since one cannot judge the entire American society basing on the actions of Bush. Most importantly, these attacks weakened the economies of both nations. It is noteworthy that the latest financial crisis is a resultant attribute of this war. This is because the defense budget increased tremendously, thus affecting other sectors of the economy. This had a negative influence on the economy; furthermore, the unsustainable projects bore fewer returns. This implied that minimal finances were recovered, hence deficits in the American budget. References Chauhan, S. (2003). War on Iraq. New Delhi: S.B NANGIA, A.P.H Publishing Corporation. CNN. (2010). Timeline: M ajor events in Iraq since the start of the war. Retrieved from: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/03/19/timeline.iraq/index.htmlAdvertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Profile in ethical leadership specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Mahnken, T. (2007). War in Iraq: planning and execution. New York, NY: Routledge Publishers. Middle East online. (2010). Blix accuses Bush, Blair of ‘poor judgment’. Retrieved from: https://middle-east-online.com/en Profita, H. (2007). Bush’s Iraq Plan Collapses. CBS News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bushs-iraq-plan-collapses/

Effects of The Electoral College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Effects of The Electoral College - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that some elements undeniably expose the undemocratic nature of the constitution such as the election of the president which is Article II section I that empowers the application of Electoral College process. This part of the constitution gives every state a figure of electors relative to its representation in Congress to determine who the president is without using the popular vote. In the 2000 general elections, the Judiciary helped in making one of the difficult decisions by declaring George Bush the winner of the closely contested election. After carefully considering the interpretation of the law on representation, the justices decided that Bush would be president of the USA. According to the constitution, the candidate who wins the 270 of the Electoral College votes becomes the president. The rule of law protects the peace and freedom of the USA citizens. Americans and the world at large were desperately waiting to know the next man w ho would occupy the white house. After Americans voted wisely and peacefully, they still waited for more days to know who their president would be. The delay of the results was not voters’ problem but the systems put in place. Most Americans went to sleep knowing that Al Gore had won the presidency on the night of November 7, 2000. Although Americans vote, the popularity of their vote may not be reflected in the outcome of who becomes the president and the vice president of the USA.... This case was later taken to the Florida court, which ordered a recount, but there was a problem on the method to be used in recounting. However, the case was later taken to the US Supreme Court, which nullified the recount process and later made unsatisfactory decision the ultimate winner was George W. Bush. Considering that even the US Supreme Court justices were divided on this matter, it is unclear whether the decision made was political or was strictly based on judicial grounds. Thanks to Al Gore who conceded defeat having realized that based on the Supreme Court decision, he only managed 266 electoral votes against Bush’s 271. The Electoral College system is believed to be catering for the minority and special group interests. A candidate must consider these groups since their votes may be a determinant in winning a particular state’s popular votes hence college electoral votes. In addition, the college electoral votes promotes political stability by allowing only two major parties to exist and suppressing the emergence of other small parties that may hinder quick decision making by the voters. Moreover, the college electoral vote system ensures that the president enjoys sufficient and well-distributed support in governance. The college electoral vote system reduces the chances of election conflict between the two major parties hence ease decision-making process (Keyssar Web). However, the college electoral vote system is undemocratic since the majority decision is not taken into consideration. Most states have their clear favorites such as the blue states and the red states hence less attention paid to such states. A candidate only concentrates their campaigns on undecided

Community survey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Community survey - Essay Example Central lssue of the Community Diagnosis The community suffers from a high incidence of drug and alcohol abuse, especially among the teenagers and young adults. This was made clear from the available statistics and data in the public domain. This is partially due to the increased drug related crimes, and partially due to the lack of awareness and education among the ethnic minority community. While exact and specific data are not available for Berwyn Heights, a 1999 National Household survey had reported that 5.2 percent of the population of Maryland has abused drugs in the past month. Among those who reported drug abuse, majority comprised of the ages between 18 and 25 (Drug Alcohol Rehab, 2007). Majority of them had used marijuana followed by cocaine. Another survey, The Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), also found that the State had a higher number of alcohol abuse. This was calculated on the basis of admission to the government treatment centers which increased to 59,091 in 1995 from a lesser number of admissions (56,885) in 1994. Some studies have pointed out that drug abuse is down among Berwyn Heights. Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) which is located in Baltimore conducted a study that found that there was an overall decrease in emergency admissions from 15863 in 1994 to 14171 in 1991 for Maryland, and much of the decline was attributed to decline in Berwyn Heights. Also, an Adolescent Survey in Maryland highlighted the fact that 6 to 8 graders drug abuse declined by 51% but, it was on the rise for teens. 63% of the Teenage students reported abusing drugs and 44.1 % reported abusing alcohol in the recent past (Drug Alcohol Rehab, 2007). While the above statistics are mostly State Level, a close observation of Berwyn Heights highlighted that incidence of drug and alcohol abuse was high among the African American young males. It was also found that the local government has initiated many crime control programs like Operation Convoy, Jetway and Pipeline that increased checks and controls on the movement of vehicles on land and water. There are however, very few community level non-governmental or governmental support groups that can provide awareness, education and preventive advice to the local community. Literature review A national household survey conducted using 4023 adolescents in the ages between 12 and 17 found that a leading cause of substance abuse was childhood physical and sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. This research also established that African American ethnic minority youth for at a higher risk of substance abuse than Whites and other ethnic minority groups (Kilpatrick et al, 2000). In a follow up study in 2003, the researchers Kilpatrick et al again found that the risk factors for ethnic youth were higher. Another national scale research found that there is a lack of availability of mental health care and alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment facilities for African Americans (Wells, 2001) . Another research that was based on a collection of historical data on a large number of people belonging to African American community, it was found that this community was more likely to indulge in substance and drug abuse as a result of what the authors called Historical Trauma (Heart, 2003). This trauma is the result of generations of suffering ethnic