William Tecumseh Sherman Was Born On May 8, 1820 In Lancaster, Essays

William Tecumseh Sherman was born on May 8, 1820 in Lancaster, Ohio. He was educated at the U.S. Military Academy and later went on to become a Union General in the U.S. civil war. Sherman resigned from the army in 1853 and became a partner in a banking firm in San Francisco. He became the president of the Military College in Louisiana(now Louisiana state University) from 1859-1861. Sherman offered his services at the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 and was put in command of a volunteer infantry regiment, becoming a brigadier general of volunteers after the first Battle of bull run. He led his division at the Battle of Shiloh and was then promoted to major general of volunteers. Soon after Sherman fought in the battle of Chattanooga he was made supreme commander of the armies in the west. Sherman fought many battles with such people as Ulysses S. Grant, and against people such as Robert E. Lee before he was commissioned lieutenant general of the regular army. Following Grants election to presidency he was promoted to the rank of full general and given command of the entire U.S. Army. William Sherman published his personal memoirs in 1875, retired in 1883, and died in 1891. William Tecumseh Sherman, as you have read, was a very talented and very successful man. He is remembered by many accomplishments, but probably most remembered by his famous March to the sea. Sherman's march to the sea was probably the most celebrated military action, in which about sixty thousand men marched with Sherman from Atlanta to the Atlantic ocean, then north through South Carolina destroying the last of the souths economic resources. Bedford Forrest was in Tennessee, and with Atlanta secured, Sherman dispatched George H. Thomas to Nashville to restore the order there. John B. Hood threatened Thomas's supply line, and for about a month, they both fought north of Atlanta. Sherman decided to do the complete opposite of what the strategic plan laid down by Grant six months earlier had proposed to do. In that plan Grant had insisted that Confederate armies were the first and foremost objectives for Union strategy. What Sherman decided now was that he would completely ignore the Confederate armies and go for the "spirit that sustained the Confederate nation itself", the homes, the property, the families, and the food of the Southern heartland. He would march for Savannah, Georgia and the seacoast, abandoning his own line of supply, and live off the land and harvests of the Georgia Country. Grant finally approved Sherman's plan, so Sherman set off on his march eastward, "smashing things to the sea." On November 15, 1864, Sherman began his march to the sea. "I can make . . . Georgia howl!" he promised. Sherman left Atlanta, setting it up in flames as they left, with 62,000 men, 55,000 of them on foot, 5,000 on cavalry horses, and about 2,000 riding artillery horses. It was an army of 218 regiments, 184 of them from the West, and of these 155 were from the old Northwest Territory. This army was remembered as a lean and strong one. The bulk of the army was made up of Germans, Irish, Scotch, and English. Sherman and his army arrived in Georgia where there was no opposition, and the march was very leisurely. The army fanned out widely, covering a sixty mile span from one side to the other. The army destroyed, demolished and crushed whatever got in their way, the land, homes, buildings, and people. Bridges, railroads, machine shops, warehouses- anything of this nature that was in Shaman's path was burned and destroyed. As a result of this march eliminating a lot of the food to feed the Confederate army and its animals, the whole Confederate war effort would become weaker and weaker and weaker. Sherman went on toward the sea while the Confederacy could do nothing. Sherman's march to the sea was a demonstration that the Confederacy could not protect its own. Many agree that Sherman was too brutal and cruel during the march to the sea, but Sherman and his men were effectively demolishing the Confederate homeland, and that was all that mattered to Sherman. Because Sherman "waged an economic war against civilians", he has been called the first modern general. Sherman is remembered by some as one of the best generals of the U.S. Civil War, and by others(mainly whom live in the south) as a cruel, brutal, horrible, and evil man. William Tecumseh Sherman is believed to have coined the phrase, "War is hell." "There is many a boy here who looks

How to Avoid Scams and Choose Safe Online GED Classes

How to Avoid Scams and Choose Safe Online GED Classes The old adage that you get what you pay for doesn’t necessarily apply to online GED certificates and online high school equivalency diplomas. There are scads of websites out there just waiting to take hundreds or even thousands of your dollars for a piece of paper with a foil star on it that no college or university is going to recognize. You will have paid your hard-earned dollars for something that’s good only for hanging on your wall or throwing in a drawer. GED Online GED is a test you can take to earn a high school equivalency diploma if you didnt take four years of high school classes. There are plenty of GED-related websites out there, but how do you know which online GED websites are trustworthy? Its actually pretty simple. Just follow these guidelines: Check out your library and state education department website to find recommended online GED prep sites. There are  real GED sites with free courses  and  practice tests  that are absolutely worth your while.  Be aware that while you may legitimately choose to pay a little extra for personal online support but you should never have to pay a prep site more than $25 a month at the absolute most.Be aware that the cost of taking the actual GED test is never more than about $150.Know that no legitimate site will offer a chance to take the actual  GED test online. Yes, there are computer-based sections of the test, but the test is ONLY offered at in-person testing sites. High School Diplomas Online There are a great many legitimate high school courses and accredited online high schools. Some of them are available to state residents free of charge, and you can learn about your local options through your states education departments website. You can also pay some accredited online schools and earn your high school diploma.There are some interested virtual schools out there that use gamified teaching tools, and some are both fun and legitimate. Its worth taking a look at whats available, but be absolutely sure your school of choice is accredited. It is important to know that websites like Kahn Academy offer terrific academic resources but do not necessarily offer actual diplomas. This means that while you might use their sites to help you learn, you will probably need to go elsewhere to earn your actually high school degree. GetEducated.com There is a website designed to help you determine which online learning sites are legitimate. GetEducated.com was founded in 1989 by Vicky Phillips, a psychologist, and educator. Her site includes a Diploma Mill Police page that allows you to check on any online institution you’re thinking about attending. Phillips also has a school finder and a page on financial help. Phillips says, â€Å"Don’t get ripped off. Get educated!† The Most Important Guideline to Remember Its important to realize that while you can study online for your GED/HSE, and take practice tests online, you cannot take the test online. Dont be scammed here. In 2014, the test was updated to computer-based, but this should not be confused with online. You still need to go to a certified testing center and take your test there, on a computer.

Community Acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Article

Community Acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus - Article Example As the research stresses the etiology of CA-MRSA infections includes presentation of small series of soft tissue infections, pneumonia or bacteremia in both adult and pediatric patients. Strains of CA-MRSA produces symptoms that range from subtle to life threatening. The most common lesions were abscesses and cellulitis which presented as single lesions involving extremities. Patients with abscesses may have no fever or leukocytosis. Abscesses are mostly accompanied by central necrosis and surrounding cellulitis. Multiple boils are usually characteristics and occur in outbreaks but is a less frequent presentation of CA--MRSA. In addition, scalded skin syndrome and impendigo are usually uncommon. Myositis and pyositis are also rare infections that involve pelvis or lower extremities. Some patients may also have associated bacteremia and septic shock. According to the report there is an increasing rate of drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus that has led to study of potential medicinal herbs for treatment. Some plants extracts have antimicrobial activity and can be great significance in therapeutic treatment. Strains of Staphylococcus aureus were vulnerable to extracts of Punica granatum and Tabebuia avellanedae, which are Brazillian traditional medicinal herbs. Two naphthoquinones isolated from T. avellanedae and ellagitannins isolated from P. granatum were mixed and they exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

Brand management and research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Brand management and research - Essay Example This increased wave of competition in the business markets has forced firms to devise strategies that tend to enhance their competitive advantage in the market. The increased wave of competition in the market has enhanced the importance of branding and brand image towards generating competitive advantage. The aspect of branding assumes even more importance as customers largely use the brand to distinguish between products and services of different market players. Firms are therefore trying out different strategies that tend to increase their brand value so as to gain competitive advantage. The aspect of branding has assumed so much importance that well known brand like Apple are being valued in billions for their brand image and their image on the minds of the customers. Aspects like brand equity which involves the extra value addition in the product or service offering have also assumed large scale importance for business organizations (Stadtler, 2010, p.1). The present study would try to analyse the different dimensions of branding including elements like brand value, brand image and brand positioning. The organization selected for the study is Nintendo which is an organization that deals with the manufacture and sales of gaming consoles in many nations across the world. The study would highlight the relative strengths and weakness of the organizations with regards to the aspect of branding. Company Background Nintendo is a Japanese organization that deals in the manufacture of gaming consoles. The company started its business in the year 1985 as a manufacturer of games and gaming consoles. The initial operations of the firm were restricted to Japan. After initial success the company expanded into different nations like USA, UK and is presently operating in about 20 nations across the globe. The company’s initial products of Mario and Zelda became instant hit with the target audience and still continue to be largely popular among the members of the tar get audience. The company by virtue of its highly innovative products has established a strong brand image in the minds of the customers. The other products of the company include Nintendo Ds, Nintendo Game cube which have been huge hits with the customers across the world. In the year 2006 the company launched the Nintendo Wii that was a revolution in the world of gaming industry which had exiting and unmatched product features. The core competence of the firm includes its innovative product line and a continuous and uniform diffusion of innovation that helps it to establish itself as a unique brand in the minds of the customers (Nintendo, 2011). The subsequent sections would try to analyze the different aspects of branding including the elements of value, image and positioning towards generation of competitive advantage. Brand Position Brand position implies the image of the brand in the minds of the target market audience. Knox (2004) undertook a study on the aspect of brand posi tioning and stated that in order to stay competitive firms need to look beyond the realm of the product and service mix so as to generate greater value and image of the brand in the minds of the consumers. The author cites the example of Coca Cola by stating that most of its value comes from its brand image rather than its other existing assets (Knox, 2004, p. 105-106). Grad et.al

Controversial Images in Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Controversial Images in Art - Essay Example This art seems to have created a standoff between the Catholic League and "Piss Christ" artist Andres Serrano that may have come to impermanent and anticlimactic silence. This image should not be viewed by small children since they can grow up with some wrong information which is not as per their respective religion (Leppert, 2007). The image in terms of private versus public sector, it can be viewed freely by those in the private sector as it does not involve the large crowd of people who in turn may cause chaos as different people have a different perception. Based on religion the image tends to be more against the Catholics as they make more use of the crucifix though this affects Christians in general. Serrano protected his artwork by saying that it was a critique of the "billion-dollar Christ-for-profit industry" and "condemnation of those who abuse the teachings of Christ for their own ignoble ends." The artiste as far he has the freedom of expression he also has responsibility of coming up with art that controversy free. The artwork should not be complex to interpret especially to the young ones. The viewers too have the responsibility to interpret and enquire of any type of art before either opposing or proposing of the same. This will aid in a smooth relationship between the artistes and the whole community at large (Mazur, 2002). Gender relates to this image in that it seems to victimize the moral behavior of male gender. This is by having the image merged in urine. All in all, Jesus Christ portrayed in the crucifix was a man. The artiste Serrano did show the image of a man, not because he was male gender but because Jesus Christ was of the said gender (Mazur, 2002). I am willing to fully support Serrano’s artwork; this is because it has a positive message to the Christian fraternity. His message is directed to those

Relationship Between Visibility and Invisibility

Relationship Between Visibility and Invisibility Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we cant see. It is with these understated, wise words from the conductor in the recent childrens movie The Polar Express that this exploration into social exclusion begins. How is sight related to social exclusion? Quite simply, if a person, population or space is not or cannot be perceived it cannot be engaged with. In many instances it ceases to exist as part of functioning mainstream society, to stretch the sight metaphor, it disappears in societys blind spot. What causes the location of same in this blind spot of society is to be examined elsewhere, but as a process it certainly exists. This essay attempts to outline the relational nature of the societal seen and unseen through some specific ethnographies pertaining to social exclusion. To give a structural grounding, this essay examines firstly the nature of visibility and invisibility, both theoretically and in practice which allows this work to be contextualised. The notion of how this visibility or invisibility feeds into social exclusion is outlined and finally specific references to particular ethnographic texts are made, with secondary literature being called on where necessary. The core ethnographies are Bourgois (2002), In Search of Respect and two works of Saris (2002a, 2002b) on the Cherry Orchard community; State and Culture, and The meaning of art. Concrete examples will be drawn to make reference to both the visibility and invisibility of persons, populations, causal connections and social forces in no particular order. The interplay between same will be loosely traced throughout and is dealt with in depth before the closing remarks. The construction of the notion of visibility and invisibility is a ubiquitous yet largely un-theorised dimension of contemporary anthropology. Much like its sister subject or indeed even mother subject of social exclusion which is yet to be clearly defined in modern anthropology due to its fluid nature. For the sake of this essay I propose that social exclusion be understood as that process through which people or groups are prevented from participating. As to the relationship between social exclusion and visibility, if one is invisible either as an individual or group how is one to participate? So too if a social force is invisible it cannot be dealt with or controlled. This essay asks the question of how is visibility formed? What does it take to be constructed as a visible subject, citizen or consumer in societys eyes, the market or local and global power structures? Which persons, populations and groups are forced to lead invisible lives or to make their existences seen through d rastic behaviour and so-viewed misconduct? What illegal activities and lives are constructed and maintained in the shadow of public attention? The anthropological theoretical construct of visibility and invisibility, that is to say the manner in which anthropologists highlight the existence of these phenomena permeate numerous aspects of the discipline, society and culture. Numerous forms of visibility and invisibility can be constructed whether that is a rendering of human subjects, groups or events visible or invisible based on local moral, societal or hierarchical views. Take for example the employment of social norms and national law in addition to the varying forms of challenging these. Take the enforcement of tough laws of the Irish State against horse owners in Cherry Orchard, whereby the government constructed the view that horses in suburban communities, in this instance Cherry Orchard, were undesirable and had the Gardai (police) take possession of same (Saris: 2002b). Even the preparation, writing and presentation of ethnographies can be made invisible by the mainstream academic community, often due to the issues dealt with which some would rather remain neglected and silenced. Take for example the nature of how these ethnographies are received into modern anthropological thought. Bourgois (2002) has been criticised, just like many other ethnographers in the past, for their representation of a particular reality, for Bourgois life in El Barrio. Its rawness and uncensored violence challenge and disgust many that would prefer it remain hidden or rather invisible in academic writing and thought. Bourgois examines how the inner-city street culture developed in reaction to inequalities suffered by people when they interact with the mainstream society of New York. Bourgois proposes that street culture offers an alternative forum for autonomous personal dignity (2002: 8). Respect, he goes on to say, is integral to this subculture. The construction of this respect as a social manner of placing oneself in a hierarchy within the community of drug ridden El Barrio is important in terms of its making visible a social force, that of respect, and how that articulates itself in terms of actions within the community. Even within the community which is viewed as invisible the dynamics of visibility and invisibility exist. Although the street economy is based on the sale of crack cocaine, it is important to note that, substance abuse in the inner city is merely a symptom and a vivid symbol of deeper dynamics of social marginalization and alienation (Bourgois 2002: 2). Crack, then, is not an end in itself or the aim of the subculture, but rather a centre it operates around. As Bourgois observes, The crack economy, in fact, sprang from the search for respect; people needed an alternative to undesirable minimum-wage jobs, to fit with the street-defined dignity of refusing to work honestly for low wages (Bourgois 2002: 130). The residents of El Barrio could not earn respect or feel respected in the inferior positions they would be working in: Obedience to the norms of high-rise, office-corridor culture is in direct contradiction to street cultures definitions of personal dignity (Bourgois 2002: 115). Dealing crack provides a different visual representation for dignity and respect. Although the majority o f East Harlem residents are not involved with drugs in any way, the minority who are have managed to set the tone for public life (Bourgois 2002: 10). Hence, the crack economy, serves as an important structural force in the culture of East Harlem. The ways of earning respect in East Harlem inner-city street culture vary drastically, even defiantly, from those in mainstream American society. One method of achieving respect is through violence, whereby regular displays of outward violence are essential for protecting against rip-offs by colleagues, customers, and professional holdup artists. Bourgois explains that upward mobility in the underground economy of the street-dealing world requires a systematic and effective use of violence against ones colleagues, ones neighbours, and, to a certain extent, against oneself. Behaviour that appears irrationally violent, barbaric', and ultimately self-destructive to the outsider, can be reinterpreted according to the logic of the underground economy as judicious public relations and long-term investment in ones human capital development (2002: 24). Hence within the context of inner-city street culture violence is a part of the order of society and a legitimate way to earn respect, even t hough to an outsider violence may seem like a symptom of chaos. The highly visible nature of violence when expressed acts as a key point of socialisation in El Barrio. In El Barrio Bourgois highlights one aspect of the invisible becoming visible. Violence and violent activity among the invisible community of El Barrios drug underworld makes a very distinct, and ugly, presence felt when gang members quarrel. The public display of violence or fighting is visually noticed by the members of the visible community and is highly problematic. Deaths register on the polices radar and the media, which only manage to reinforce mainstreams societies need to repress or hide the region of El Barrio. Violent incidents, even when they do not physically threaten bystanders, are highly visible and traumatic. For example, during my first thirteen months of residence in El Barrio I witnessed a slew of violent incidents: .a deadly shotgun shooting a bombing and a machine-gunning. a shoot-out and a police car chase .fire-bombing of a heroin house.. a half-dozen screaming, clothes-ripping fights. (Bourgois: 2002: 34) Saris (2002b), brings an Irish context to this visibility/invisibility argument through his example of Cherry Orchard, Dublin 12. Described as an unfashionable Dublin suburb that most people in the capital have never been to (and that many people would never want to visit) (Saris: 2002b: 14). Saris goes on to say that Irish public policy towards poverty has been spatialised, looking to address the social exclusion of areas and populations in line with continental, especially French, models. (Saris: 2002b: 14) When Cherry Orchard intrudes on the Irish national consciousness at all, it is generally through the reporting of severe problems to be found therein. Perhaps the most spectacular demonstration of this tendency in recent years is the media coverage of the serious troubles in the area around Halloween 1995. At that time, the Gallanstown Housing Estate in Cherry Orchard erupted into a major civil disturbance which was described by the Gardaà ­ at the time as an organized riot. On Halloween night, several units of the Gardaà ­ were lured into the area in hot pursuit of joyriders in stolen cars. They were then surrounded and driven off the street by crowds bearing rocks and petrol bombs. The Gardai came back in force and were driven off the streets again. Over the course of several hours, tens of people were injured, two children very seriously, and dozens of arrests were made. Indeed, the Halloween Riots are still viewed by the authorities as one of the most disturbing incidents of public unrest in the Republic of Ireland within living memory (Saris: 2002b: 15). Interestingly the Cherry Orchard community, as a population, have expressed themselves through art, in specific wall murals. A number of local activist groups joined together and began to cast around for a way to put the riots behind them (Saris: 2002b: 15). It was eventually decided that, to symbolize the new birth of the area, the dreary walls in and around the housing estates of Cherry Orchard, which had hitherto been little more than convenient graffiti canvases, were to be repainted by the youth of the area. These walls allow a space for public expression of the community identity. They are also spaces of conflict in that they are used by rival gangs to pass messages, for example, let the games begin (Saris: 2002b: 14). This is a coded statement which visualises an otherwise unseen threatening reality. This lends another dimension of how groups of people, in this case gangs, make themselves visible. That is to say they articulate their warfare to the outside world, and indeed ma ke a statement within their own community. A specific gang is now visible in the community. The community can also now by identified by this gang. Hence a small group or gang can control external perception of the entire community as they have expressed themselves and choose to be visible. They have gone from being hidden and hiding behind the wall to making their presence felt by using the wall as a canvas. Interestingly in response to this invisible community making a visual stance the authorities, in this case Dublin Corporation, repaints the wall rendering these expressions invisible again. This particular example also begs the question as to who exactly controls what is and is not visible. On these same walls a statement Mark Hall was killed by the Gardai (Saris: 2002b: 16) was placed expressing a perception of a particular gang and using this to incite further violence. Marks mother defaced the wall herself removing the slogan saying that enough is simply enough. Individual ac tors in the society or community can have influence over their visibility or invisibility. All the poorer suburbs of the Dublin fringe, Fettercairn, North Clondalkin and Cherry Orchard, including high-rise urban areas like Ballymun, have recently completed, or are currently building Equestrian Centres, under the auspices of community development. (Saris: 2002: 171) These horse based projects are undertaken to aid those communities who are perceived as being socially excluded. It is through this representation of these neighbourhoods as visibly poor that they have gained such financial assistance for this project. The importance of horse ownership in these communities historically is quite significant in that they used horses for the transportation of goods, for general transport and for work. The tradition of maintain horses continued, unnoticed by most of the sprawling suburban Dublin. The fact of horse ownership in Dublin was invisible, and would have remained so had that invisible world overlapped with the mainstream visibility of middle class Dublin. Saris details an e vent whereby a number of horses strayed onto the M50, a busy motorway which is a ring road for Dublin. The issue of horse ownership in a city travelled from the invisible quarters to the visible and this transition was problematic for the society at large. The relationship between the visible and invisible is a tentative one. When the two overlap both become visible in their sharing. This forces the visible community to deal with the issues presented and for the most part his means returning the invisible to their invisibility. Legislative and police enforcement means were chosen by the middle classes to exercise this control and boxing back into community. These law focused deeds were socially exclusive means to deal with the problem whereby those in these poorer areas lacked the social credit to engage with such policies and drawing up of same. Hence the Dail passed legislation which made it all but impossible to have a horse in the city. Thus legislating horses from visible to in visibility. The final work which I wish to examine in terms of visibility is that of Lemanski Spaces of Exclusivity or Connection? Linkages between a Gated Community and its Poorer Neighbour in a Cape Town Master Plan Development. Even from this articles title the relational nature of the article is apparent. I propose that the gated community in question is constructed visibly whereas the poorer neighbours are constructed into invisibility. The article deals with an analysis of the relationships between residents of a gated community, Silvertree Estate, and their poorer neighbouring, non-gated, area called Westlake Village. The attitudes and perceptions that exist amongst residents of each both communities towards the other neighbourhood are addressed, as well as the nature of any direct contact between residents. The case study for this paper is located in a master plan private development, constructed in 1999 in the heart of Cape Towns wealthy (and predominantly White) southern suburbs. The d evelopment hosts two vastly different residential areas that despite spatial proximity are socially and functionally isolated. (Lemanski: 2006: 397) The development comprises two housing areas: Westlake village, a state-assisted low-income housing area providing home-ownership for Black African and Coloured community and also Silvertree Estate, a luxurious security Village with 24-hour surveillance. The development also includes non-residential land use with an exclusive private school (thus attracting high-income families to Silvertree), a business park, office park, retail centre and the US Consulate office. In terms of visibility of persons Westlake village is a prime example Westlake respondents were relatively easy to locate by walking the streets, knocking on doors and gaining referrals by befriending residents (Lemanski: 2002: 399). This again echoes the earlier examples of notions visibility depending on perspective. Whereas the Westlake village community is considered by those outside to be unworthy of recognition and hence written into invisibility, within the community itself individual actors are as real as the residents of Silvertree Estate. To refer back to the opening remarks of this essay the most real things in the world are the things we cant see. In contrast the residents of Silvertree are more were less willing to pass on their neighbours contact details and security measures ensured that all interviews required a pre-arranged (usually by telephone) appointment; thus it was harder to access Silvertree residents (Lemanski: 2002: 399). The residents of Silvertree are some what invisible to each other to within the highly visible community of Silvertree Estate, the walls within walls in which they live are an exterior expression of this interrelation-ally distant outlook. The nature of what brings about this difference is striking. Silvertree residents wish to remain independent, up in their ivory towers, and do not interact easily or frequently with their neighbours. The etiquette is one of polite distance, not wishing to pry on the other and a desire to maintain security as a priority. They choose to remain invisible. The notion of access is raised, in that Silvertree residents are difficult to access. This reflects the nature of invisibility itself, it is hard to access that which is hard to perceive. As to the enforced invisibility of the Westlake Village, the structural factor of planning has planned them into physical invisibility thanks to specifically designing the two communities in such a manner that the sight-line from Silvertree Estate does not intersect with any house of the invisible Westlake Village community. In the words of one Westlake resident due to the design of the compound the sight line of residents of Silvertree is such that they cannot directly see Westlake village. They build high walls like Jericho. They dont want to see us (E.T., 11 March 2004).(Lemanski: 2006: 408) To give an opposing perspective, that of a Silvertree Estate resident speaking about Westlake people As far as were concerned theyre not even there (A.K., 28 April 2004), (Lemanski: 2006: 409). The social factor of being undesirable, that is to say in this context poor and coloured, has resulted in their being built into invisibility. The relationship between visibility and invisibility is one which functions for the betterment of the visible community. A desire to repress or hide the other is satisfied by this process, its success is evident in the Westlake and Silvertree housing project. While Silvertree has become a sought-after address, with property values far exceeding original hopes, Westlake village has become the forgotten part of the development and is barely visible even from within the development, let alone from the surrounding roads and neighbourhoods. (Lemanski: 2006: 406) Lemanski even goes on to say that this invisibility was intended by the original master-plan design, hence hinting that such an apartheid-esque approach is still considered acceptable by both developers and the city town planners. Hence invisibility can be used as a tool to socially construct and control communities. Hence it is evident that finding the truth is a matter of representation, into visibility or invisibility. Social constructs are related by their ways of making visible, or their pointing out ways of obscuring, a fundamental reality, perhaps the defining quality, of our historical moment that of gross inequalities and their systematic reproduction. Whether that be the apartheid which still exists in South Africa through particular planning and the rewarding of same with success. That is when undesirables are written into invisibility in a particular estate and the whites can exist independently in their visible world they are rewarded by increased property prices. That violence in El Barrio is rewarded with respect. It can therefore be derived that the relationship between visibility and invisibility is complex and centred on power relationships. The nature that if a person, population or space is not or cannot be perceived it cannot be engaged with is key to the usefulness of invisibility for visible communities. So to the desire for invisible communities to stay invisible is demonstrated by Saris (2002) in Cherry Orchard where once their horses ventured into a visible sphere that which the community valued was challenged. The construction of the notion of visibility and invisibility and their relationship is an ever-present dimension in societal action, which feeds directly into or is part therein of social exclusion, in that the aid they process through which people or groups are prevented from participating.

Legalization of Marijuana :: Argumentative Persuasive Drugs Essays

The question of whether to legalize drugs or not is very controversial. Drugs affect so many areas of society. For several decades drugs have been one of the major problems of society. There are two views on the legalization of drugs: some people think that they should be legalized, the other group of people think that they must not be legalized. I support those who refuse legalization of hard drugs. Well, and what about marijuana? Whether you call it hemp, Mary Jane, hash, pot, juane, giggle-smoke, kef, weed, grass, ganja, shit, marijuana, it is still Cannabis Sativa, or Cannabis for a short form (www.encyclopedia.com). It is classified as a soft drug and it is still illegal in our country. Marijuana has been used throughout the world for centuries by almost every culture. The active ingredient in marijuana is called THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. It is smoked in a pipe or rolled in a cigarette or it is eaten (www.nida.nih.gov). I don ´t have a straight opinion whether marijuana should be legalized or not. However, although legalization of this drug has many disadvantages, I think that marijuana should be legalized for several reasons: it would cause the fall of the black market, the government might control it and the most important reason to legalize marijuana is because of its medical effects. Some people feel that legalizing of marijuana would increase the number of users due to its availability. Marijuana would become cheaper and more available to people who previously had not tried it because of the legal risk. Some of them also assert, that the temptation to use marijuana would increase when advertisments for it would displayed on television. I disagree with these opinions, because I think that people, who want to smoke marijuana, smoke it - if it is legal or illegal. I know plenty of people who have never smoked cigarettes, although smoking tobacco is legal and there exist plenty of advertisments for many kinds of cigarettes. By a large, these people don ´t want to smoke and I think that anything would not persuade them. I think that it would be great to sell marijuana at apothecary ´s, because the black market would disappear and thousands of dealers would be put out of business. Another argument for legalization of marijuana and selling it at apothecary ´s is, that the government could regulate its use and could receive the profits of the drug business.

Chinese vs American Culture

Sarah Gonzalez Chinese Culture VS American Culture It doesn’t matter what kind of ethnicity you are, or how you were brought up. Everyone is deeply rooted in their own culture. â€Å"Culture† has a different meaning to everyone. Comparing American culture to Chinese culture we will find many different meanings to the word â€Å"culture†. For example, we Americans are always looking for something bigger and better for our future, and the Chinese are content with a small reserved lifestyle with no intentions of changing it for something bigger.A culture is a way of life of a group of people-the behaviors, beliefs, values, and symbols that they accept, generally without thinking about them, and are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. Growing up in America we are taught to never settle for less, that we can do anything that we set our minds too, and when we grow up we can be anyone we want to be. After all we are the â€Å"ho me of the brave and the land of the free†, right? The Chinese are more set on if you are a girl you are too be the homemaker, and the men are too make the money doing physical labor.The story â€Å"I Answer to Elaine† concluded it all perfectly to me. â€Å"She continued to sign Father’s name. I threatened legal action: â€Å"That’s forgery! It’s not your name†. [Example from I Answer to Elaine] This shows that the Chinese believe that the men are dominate, head of the household, the only say so. In the American home mom and dad have a shared liability for the children and both set of parents go out into the work force. â€Å"A deep frustration set in. I was sickened by her statement’s implication for my future.I hated helplessness, believing it unique to her alone† [Example from I Answer to Elaine]. I feel like Elaine is frustrated with her mom because she knows because of her gender her mom doesn’t expect mush out of h er other than to be a care giver. This has to be confusing to Elaine when she sees all over her American friends dreaming about their big futures and what they will do. Elaine should be able to grow bigger than just a housewife. Believe it or not, but American and Chinese culture do have something’s in common. They see eye-to-eye on some aspects.Like providing for their children â€Å"Parents work together for the well-being of their children† [Example from Article]. It is true that parents do the best they can to work towards a better financial life for their kids. That’s why many Chinese parents come over to the states, so that they can provide a better life, and a better education. They would also go to great lengths for their children no matter what the cause â€Å"Parents will risk their life for their children† [Example from Article]. Any parent would risk their life for their children no matter what ethnicity, or cultural aspect!There is no bond li ke a parent and their child. Chinese and American culture has a lot more differences than similarities. To the Chinese reputation of the individual is very important. If an action will humiliate someone or ruin a reputation, it is avoided. When shame occurs, the person sacrifices their job or whatever it is that will heal the shame. In America, reputations come and go overnight and in the end usually does not matter. â€Å"Go to an American home in exurbia, and almost the first thing you do is drift towards the picture window† [Example from American space, Chinese Place].It is true that we American’s always want something more than what we have in front of us. We are always looking forward to the big picture of our future. â€Å"Consider the traditional Chinese home. Blank walls enclose it† [Example from American Space, Chinese Place]. The Chinese are very content with what they have, and have no intensions of a â€Å"bigger picture†. They keep what they have close to them. All in all, I think we can see the difference and the similarities between the two cultures. The Chinese are set on their morals.One is to respect all others, the men is the runner of the household, and keep your opinion to yourself. Americans don’t always follow the rules. When we don’t agree with something we are going to speak out about it, and give them out opinion. In the households sometimes there is a man of the house, and sometimes it’s a single mother running the house. I think the Chinese have a better wrap around the meaning of â€Å"culture† they stick to what they believe, and it stays that way for years. Rather than American’s missing the meaning of â€Å"culture† and worrying about what the future has to hold for them.

Neoliberalism vs. Ordoliberalism essays

Neoliberalism vs. Ordoliberalism essays My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest.- Mahatma Gandhi. In this paper, I will show the differences between two types of liberal thought, Neoliberalism and Ordoliberalism, that have attempted to achieve Gandhis notion. Merriam-Webster defines Neo-liberalism as a liberal who de-emphasizes traditional liberal doctrines in order to seek progress by more pragmatic methods. Liberalism can refer to any social, economic, or even religious idea, whereas neo refers to a new form of an idea. The first type of liberalism gained recognition in Europe in 1776 by Adam Smith when he published his classic novel, The Wealth of Nations. Smith, along with others, advocated for the abolition of government intervention in economic matters. These included no restrictions on manufacturing, no barriers to commerce, no tariffs, but instead free trade and open competition. These economic ideas were considered liberal since no controls and individualism was encouraged. This however, only led to capitalists making huge profits. Until the Great Depression in 1929, economic liberalism prevailed in the United States. Using the Great Depression as his stepping-stone, John Maynard Keynes challenged liberalism as the best policy for capitalism. He stated that for capitalism to grow, full employment must be achieved. The only way to attain that is for governments and central banks to intervene. The belief that government should intercede became widely accepted as Presidents Roosevelts New Deal improved the quality of life for many. In the past 25 years, economic liberalism has been revived by the corporate elite. This neo-liberalism is a set of new economic policies that have become widespread with the globalization of the capitalist economy. In January of 1997, Elizabeth Martinez and Arnoldo Garcia of the National Network for Immigrant...

Leila Ahmed A Border Passage

Leila Ahmed A Border Passage Introduction The text ‘A Border Passage’ is one of the most recent works by Leila Ahmed. The central themes include Islam religion, women and the west. Ahmed uses a personal narrative to bring out these themes into the center of discussion. Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leila Ahmed A Border Passage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The themes are illustrated when Ahmed explains her previous life, especially as she struggles against issues of identity because of her extensive interaction with numerous cultures. Ahmed intertwines her personal experiences with social and political issues, which surrounded her as an individual and her entire family during the emergence of the Egyptian revolution and Nasser’s ascent on power. This paper provides the discussion and analysis of the Ahmed’s point of view on revolution. It shall also bring the attention to personal factors that will help us unders tand her interpretation of the political upheavals of the Nasser period. Additionally, how, if at all, her opinions shift over time and in relation to the main transitions in her life will be discussed. All these issues will be discussed in relation to the core issue in the book, which is, ‘the process by which our identities are constructed’. Personal factors that help us understand Leila’s interpretation of the political upheavals of the Nasser period Leila’s interpretation of the political upheavals of the Nasser period is depicted mostly through her father. Her father works as the chairman of Hydro-Electric Power Corporation because his expertise as a civil engineer. However, his misfortunes in life start when he decides to oppose Nasser, who is the prime minister. Nasser has planned to construct the Aswan High Dam. According to Nasser, it is important for this dam to be constructed on ecologically clear ground. Construction of this dam is also someth ing that will earn the Nasser regime fame and recognition. Therefore, anyone who opposes the project is seen as an enemy of the regime and has to suffer the consequences of their opposition. The building of the dam is also believed to be very beneficial to the country because it will enable Egypt to undertake many modernization projects as well as help Egypt break ties with countries such as France and England. Ahmed’s father is one person who suffers a lot in the hand’s of Nasser’s regime for choosing to oppose the building of the Aswan High Dam. He sticks so firm to his decision that he even publishes a book with the same message of opposition against this project. Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The books are destroyed by the government. The government takes further stern measures against him for rebelling against the project. His finances and other personal affairs, including his family life, are interfered with and things become very difficult for him and his family. Ahmed’s education is also another factor that helps one understand her interpretation of the political upheavals during the Nasser regime. This is because her desire to pursue education overseas is almost cut short by this regime due to her father’s opposition to the Aswan High Dam project. She is also reads a lot of western literature as she is young. Therefore, she develops an intrinsic desire to study in Cambridge. When pursuing her doctorate, Ahmed chooses to write her dissertation on a person that is not liked by Arab nationalists. The dissertation is on a British figure known as Edward William. This shows how her early life, which involved reading a lot of material from the west, influenced her even to the point of writing a dissertation on someone she was aware was disliked by the Arab nationalists. Leila’s personal view on the revolution There was a revolution that took place in Egypt in 1952. Consequently, Gamal Abdel Nasser came into power and his presence in the government as the prime minister brought about some major changes in Egypt. The changes included introduction of a new era of Arab nationalism. This was not a good thing for Ahmed and her family because it marked the beginning of upheaval for the entire family. After her father vehemently opposed the construction of the proposed Aswan high dam, he was laid off by the Nasser regime. Ahmed’s father failed to support the project because he saw it as an act that was politically motivated. He also saw the proponents as being inconsiderate of the long-term implications it would have on the nation. His decision to oppose Nasser regime’s project was seen as the highest form of treason because of the existence of a severe nationalism system and he suffered because of it. To Ahmed, her father’s position to oppose this project nearly cost her the opportunity to study abroad. As a result of the revolution that was ongoing within the government, Ahmed felt obliged to evaluate her identity once again. She was concerned about her friends, who came from different nationalities and who were then considered as, ‘the other’ due to the nationalism practice by the Egyptian government. Because of her father’s opposition against the Nasser regime, Ahmed’s family was also placed in the category of the ‘other’ because of their perceived interest in the west, especially in terms of the culture and education. The revolution had disrupted the peaceful co-existence among people of various religious and racial backgrounds.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Leila Ahmed A Border Passage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Ahmed is critical of the revolution and Nasser’s rule. This is mainly because of the current uph eaval in her country as a result of the revolution and her father’s refusal to support some of the proposed projects (Ahmed 164). Ahmed does not support Nasser’s revolution. She is of the opinion that the revolution has put a veil on people’s eyes by giving them high hopes that are impossible to be realized. Moreover, questioning what Nasser and his regime were doing was forbidden. Ahmed (172) observes that this gave Nasser room to do whatever he wanted without any restriction. How Leila’s opinions shift over time and in relation to the main transitions in her life Ahmed discusses two themes, which are dominant in her book. They are Arab nationalism and misconception of the Islam religion by the west. It is these themes that she dwells in throughout the discussion. The same themes cause her to shift her opinion on some things, while she holds on others due to her past belief. Ahmed remains a vocal critic of nationalism in Egypt. To show her seriousness a bout the issues of Arab nationalism, Ahmed writes her views on a whole chapter in her recent text. She dedicates this chapter to express her dissatisfaction with the concept of Arab nationalism because it fails to foster harmonious coexistence among people from different racial or religious backgrounds. Concerning misconception of the Islam religion by the west, especially regarding the religion’s application to women, Ahmed clarifies that the Islam religion is not oppressive as perceived by the western people. She addresses these questions as she takes readers through the process of the reconstruction of her identity, in spite of the social and political challenges she goes through. As she takes the reader through the journey of the revolution taking place in Egypt as well as the journey of trying to demystify the Islam religion to the west, Ahmed describes the journey that she takes to the self in a bid to come up with her own identity. Growing up as a young Muslim woman, Ahmed did not have the chance to attend religious classes because of her father’s past nasty experience in the hands of the teachers in these classes. Therefore, she discovers on her own that there is what she calls ‘lived’ Islam and the other more oppressive form of Islam practiced by most of the Islamic states. She decides to take upon herself the duty of enlightening the west on the positive side of the Islam religion, especially regarding its application to the women.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conclusion In building her own identity, Ahmed uses the vast experience she has accumulated through her travel abroad and interaction with people of different social and racial backgrounds. This experience has helped her to write the book. Ahmed has had a taste of the cultures practiced by the Arabs and the people in the west. She is aware of what she calls ‘lived’ Islam and the other form she terms as ‘oppressive Islam’. She has gone through the Egyptian and the western education systems. She has been racially discriminated by teachers and fellow students while she was studying in western countries. This vast experience has helped her balance her views in this text. She does not write in a straightforward manner about what she thinks is right or wrong, but she maintains a balanced view. Ahmed, Leila. A Border Passage: From Cairo to America A Womans Journey. New York: Penguin Putnam Inc, 1999. Print.

The Palestine-Israel Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Palestine-Israel Conflict - Essay Example This can be attributed that the Israeli have been on top of the conflict due to huge support from the Americans. This is true and can also be attested by the number of adults killed in the course of the conflict. Palestinians have had the greater loss in this conflict. In terms of the injuries during the war, Palestine has the highest figures of victims. Israel has a lower number since they own the conflict. These comparisons are nothing to be proud of by the Americans. This is because the American involvement has led to more deaths and devastation for the Palestinians. The number of political prisoners is higher to the Palestinians than the Israeli. Even the destruction of homes, Palestinians have had the greater loss. The difference in these figures is surprising. The Christian-Americans continue to support the non-Christian Israelis and not Muslims since they share Christianity (Caplan 27). In a morally right perspective, Americans should support the Palestinians since the Israel has caused utter inhumanity to the Palestinians. Conclusively, Christian values dictate that these kinds of activities should be

The influence of media (such as video games, violent television, etc.) Term Paper

The influence of media (such as video games, violent television, etc.) on children - Term Paper Example Our children are being raised in an increasingly media dependent world. From the day they are born we use the silencing melodies from the radio to hush them to sleep. As toddlers and preschoolers we rely on television to help us teach them their basic counting and reading skills. Once they hit grade school, television is one way by which we hope to keep them occupied long enough for us to get other work done around the house before helping them with their studies and assignments. We get them on the internet in order to do research that is necessary for the completion of their homework. They stay in touch with their group study and class project team mates via twitter and Facebook. Obviously mass media has become a very important tool in the mental and social development of our children. The question is, how much of this influence that we allow them to be exposed to is positive? And when does it cross the line towards the negative? We have to admit that media is something that we can no longer do without in our lives. It is the greatest mover, shaker, and shaper of our cultural values and social identities. The impact of media over our lifestyle can easily be seen in the way our attitudes and beliefs change over time. This is also a change that is reflected in the way our children are growing up. (Oak, â€Å"Positive Effects of Media†). Experts have coined the term â€Å"Viewtrition† in order to describe the method by which parents should oversee the quality of the television that their children are watching ( Durrani, â€Å"TV Is Positive Influence On Child Development†). When questioned as to whether television delivered any positive impact on their childs lives, parents responded that: â€Å"Despite the negativity often associated with children watching TV, eight out of 10 parents questioned believed it has a positive effect on their childs development, including