Enhancing Democracy in the United States of America Essay Example for Free

Enhancing Democracy in the United States of America Essay Democracy: â€Å"1 a: government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections 2: a political unit that has a democratic government† (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) With the 2008 elections fast approaching, and a highly fueled and hotly contested primary and general election campaign waning, the public is forced to consider the problems and opportunities in the American democratic system. Is there something wrong with the democratic system in the United States of America? If so, what? If there is a problem with democracy in America, what is it and how can it be fixed? The United States of America was born of an act of legislation designed to promote democracy. The United States has developed into a world superpower by enacting and enforcing legislation designed to enhance democracy. Today, legislation is passed by elected officials who then vote in national, state, and local legislative assemblies. In other words, voting and the electoral system, is the catalyst for maintaining democracy. The United States can improve democracy by improving the voting system that facilitates the democratic process. Federally mandated voter registration Today, many men are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving their mothers the right to vote. All ethnic minorities are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving African-Americans the right to vote. Voter registration is still optional, and considered a privilege. But now is the time to make voter registration a responsibility of all American citizens. Voter registration should be treated like Selective Service registration, a must for those who wish to receive any other benefits of citizenship including financial aid and government employment. It is not difficult to keep track of eligible voters, especially in this information age where all children are issued a social security number at birth. This process can be as simple as using the existing social security system to send registrations to those who have reached their 18th birthday and maintaining a national database similar to the social security and selective service rolls. Enforcement can be as simple as cross referencing social security numbers for registration upon application for jobs, financial aid, and public assistance. Compliance can be mandated by withholding benefits pending registration. This is a minimal effort and may not increase voter participation. But this registration plan could eliminate most existing barriers to voter registration. Federal authority over state and local elections This idea expands on the idea of the federal registration system. The Federal Elections Commission already exists. With electronic voting and reporting, federal authorities should require that all state and local elections comply with the same guidelines as national elections. This would work by applying residency requirements to both congressional elections and local elections. In other words, a person registered, residing, receiving benefits in Idaho cannot register to vote in local elections in Columbus, Georgia. This simply uses the wealth of electronic information captured on citizens to manage voting. This system would have to also account for citizens with multiple residences by requiring that everyone declare a primary residence which would be the location for their voting. If they know that they will be in a secondary residence at election time, the registration system should allow them to easily request absentee balloting which could be completed by mail or turned in at a local agency of the federal board of election. Citizen assemblies control re-districting activities Legislative assemblies and committees currently control political re-disctricting plans. In other words, elected officials decide when and how (and if) voters want, need, and get additional elected officials. Rapid economic development causes some districts to grow and change materially and demographically such that a single elected official cannot effectively serve the interests of the entire district. In that case citizens should have the right to send a message, at the voting booth, that they need additional representation. A citizen assembly should bring together elected and public officials, urban and economic planners, and affected citizens together to draw districting plans that represent the interests of all parties without compromising a sitting official’s position or ignoring a constituent’s special needs. A series of re-districting alternatives can be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. Voter responsibility education Schools should be required to include a course that teaches voting rights and responsibility as part of a social studies, American government, and civics curriculum. This course should be repeated at the university level to account for foreign students that will eventually become United States citizens. For older Americans who are beyond the educational system and for older immigrants, community based programs should be implemented that instill that voter registration is a responsibility of citzenship, not just an optional right or privilege. Tax deductible campaign donations Public financing for campaigns is generally not a tangible benefit for lower income voters. Many may see public financing as a way for candidates who do not have their interests in mind to advance their campaigns. Allowing federal and local tax deductions for small campaign donations can help to decrease feelings of disenfranchisement of lower income voters. They have the opportunity to directly support the candidate or issue of choice, and receive a ture public benefit (both the donation and the deduction). This could replace the current system and be managed at the federal level as well. Conclusion The United States can enhance democracy by modifying its election system. By placing activities such as deciding on political districts and adding value to campaign donations, voters are enfranchised in a greater way. Education makes citizens understand the benefits of voting. Consolidating the registration and polling makes the system as fair and not subject to less error. References democracy. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/democracy Gerkin, H. , et al. (2006). Six Ways to Reform Democracy. Boston Review, September/October 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://bostonreview. net/BR31. 5/gerken. php

Factors That Promote Human Trafficking

Factors That Promote Human Trafficking The trafficking of human is a growing epidemic. It is linked to money laundering, document forgery, drug trafficking and international terrorism. This is not an issue that is discussed at the dinner table, on television and in magazines. It is a direct threat to the national security of the United States because money made from human trafficking is directly linked to the funding of terrorist activities. Because freedom of choice and economic gain are at the heart of productivity, human trafficking impedes national and international economic growth. Within the next 10 years, crime experts expect human trafficking to surpass drug and arms trafficking in its incidence, cost to human well-being, and profitability to criminals (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). The emergence of world single market has provided many people around the world with increased prospects of improving their economic plight. Because of this organized crime groups have used this opportunity for personal gain by trafficking other humans. Although the crime of human trafficking is not a new phenomenon, a global single market has increased competition and has intensified the demand for cheaper goods and services worldwide. As a result the impact of globalization and with the possibility for increased profits, it is likely that human trafficking will continue to be a part of human existence. Therefore the United States must recognize any connections between human trafficking and terrorist groups, which are treat to the security of the nation. The issue of the trade or trafficking human beings is still not mainstream as one may think. Most of the publications on this subject have been found to be limited, and analysis of it has largely been based on research reports articles and some coverage by the media. Despite the scarcity and lack of substance of the scientific production in this area, I will try to identify the main parameters of this issue and suggest some areas in which future research is needed. To accomplish this, I am relying primarily on academic works (articles, peer-reviewed periodicals) and research reports and publications. Definition of Human Trafficking The United States is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subject to trafficking in persons. Human trafficking happens in the United States to both U.S. citizens (USCs) and noncitizens, and occurs in every state (Trends in Organized Crime 14, no. 2/3: 267-271). Human trafficking is one of the most pressing issues facing the United States Department of Justice today. It is the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud or coercion, and resulting in involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery; or commercial sex act, through the use of force, fraud or coercion; or if the person is under 18 years of age, any commercial sex act, whether or not force, fraud or coercion is involved (Wheaton et al). Literature Review In order to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature associated with human trafficking I performed multiple searches of the literature using Google and EBSCOhost search engines. Most of which was done using the EBSCOhost search engine. My initial searches featured a wide array of directly related terms, including: human trafficking, international trafficking, domestic trafficking, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, child prostitution, commercial sexual exploitation of children, forced labor, labor trafficking, labor exploitation, minor and modern day slavery. Most of the research, particularly research published in peer-reviewed journals, was limited to qualitative and quantitative studies. Information on the needs of trafficking victims and the services provided to this population was limited to information contained in Federal reports, non-peer reviewed journals, manuals and fact sheets. Firstly, I will begin by focusing on the role that organized crime seems to be playing in the development of this phenomenon and the extent of its involvement. After which I will provide a brief overview of the legislation that exists to combat the trade in human beings and some other options to be explored. We will conclude by proposing some avenues for further research. Trafficking is big business, but in many regions of the world, such as Southeast Asia, trafficking involves mostly disorganized crime: individuals or small groups linked on an hoc basis. There is no standard profile of traffickers (Feingold, David). This provided a starting point from which the author shows how traffickers come from different social and economic backgrounds. The author then transition into how trafficking kingpins are rare. However, the author fail to give any evidence to dispute whether or not human-trafficking is controlled by large criminal organizations. As the article progresses, the author transition from describing the groups of individuals that are most likely involved in human trafficking to describing how legalizing prostitution will increase trafficking and prosecution will not likely stop traffickers. Despite the political energies expended on human trafficking, there is little evidence that prosecutions have any significant impact on the aggregate levels of trafficking (Feingold, David). In 2010 an article by Tony Illia, and Tom Ichniowski claimed that Arizonas Immigration Law Troubles State Contractors. Arizonas newly enacted immigration law, which was meant to stem human trafficking and drug-related border violence, could have long-term consequences for the states flagging construction industry, in which employment is down 20% from a year ago (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). The author went on to discuss the impact border violence as on innocent lives and how the new immigration law could affect the availability of labor. Just a week after Brewer signed the bill into law, five AK-47-toting, undocumented drug runners shot 53-year-old Pinal County Deputy Sheriff Louie Puroll during his routine patrol south of Casa Grande (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). In an attempt to clarify the issue of trafficking, Senate Bill 1070 and the impact it as on the flagging construction industry in Arizona, the authors state that contractors are concerned about the availability of future labor. The potential fallout includes legal trouble (Illia, Tony, and Tom Ichniowski). Individuals who are targeted by traffickers are victims of a hideous crime. The supply in the market for human trafficking refers to labor provided by individuals trafficked for both labor and commercial exploitation (Wheaton et al). With this in mind, it seems entirely appropriate to consider the issue of human trafficking to be associated with worker migration. In order to put this into perspective, one should examine both the pressures exerted by social and economic policies in third world countries and the factors associated with the lure of wealthy countries and their demand for low skilled workers. Human traffickers participate in a monopolistically competitive market supplying a product in many forms. The price the trafficker will receive is based on availability of the desired product, characteristics of the product, the number of similar products available, and the negotiating acumen of the human trafficker (Wheaton et al). For many illegal immigrants the road to The American Dream usually leads form their home countries through Mexico and United States border. However, not all illegal immigrants are seeking a better life for themselves and their families. The act human trafficking also provides the opportunity for those wishing harm to the United States. Despite numerous international efforts to break up or stem the avenues used to traffic human, there are still a number of avenues available that potential terrorist can enter the United States undetected. Everyones talking about immigration and its not just Arizona. Although Arizonas Senate Bill 1070 drew attention this year for covering ground in how states tackle immigration, other states will take up the issue next year (Chavers, Mikel). Also of note, the author states that other states may seek to integrate measures that will help immigrants assimilate. Therefore, promote equal wages for all and prevent human trafficking. Although (Chavers, Mikel) address Arizonas new immigration bill, he failed to address what states like Missouri and Tennessee were going to with regards to immigration. Other scholarly articles reviewed concerning human-trafficking and the implications it as on national security focused relaxed laws but did not explain by these laws are not properly enforced. According to (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon) the United States is one of the top ten destinations for trafficked people annually but gave no explanation about what factors contributed to this fact. Conclusion Despite increased attention to the problem of human trafficking into, and most recently within, the United States, knowledge and understanding of the issue remains fairly limited. Very little is known about the prevalence of trafficking and the number of victims; characteristics of the victims and perpetrators; the long-term impacts of human trafficking on victims, their families, and communities; the effectiveness of anti-trafficking programs; and best practices in meeting the complex needs of victims. More specifically, there is little literature on effective programs and services designed specifically for victims of human trafficking. There is a vast amount of research to be done. However, I would like to suggest the following topics in order to gain a better understanding of the problem with respect to host countries. Firstly, there should be more research on other types of human trafficking other than in the sex trade. In addition to data on the types of trafficking, the research should cover existing measures to combat those abuses and to offer support to trafficked persons. Finally, there needs to be research on victims needs at the various stages of their experience, how does trafficking affect their moral judgment and behavior, as well as on the means for combating human trafficking. Methodology and Research Strategy Introduction Human is a growing epidemic. It has been linked to money laundering, document forgery, drug trafficking and international terrorism. The issue of human trafficking is not discussed at the dinner table, on television and in magazines. Human trafficking is used exploit victims for prostitution, sweatshop labor, domestic work, and agricultural work. It is a crime against men, women, and children, who are usually poor and uneducated. They are usually promised a better life and increased economic opportunities; traffickers normally lure their victims into exploitative agreements. Human trafficking is a direct threat to the national security of the United States because money made from human trafficking is directly linked to the funding of terrorist activities. There are several causes for human trafficking, but the fundamental causes are the social and economic forces that function within a society. This leads to the question. What social and economic factors promote human trafficking and the implications on human trafficking on national security? Hypothesis There are numerous policies are in place that address human trafficking. But how is the public made aware of these policies, and how they are used remains questionable. Developed countries such as the United States have a much older population than that of the developing countries; this can lead to a shortage of younger workers who would tend to take up low skill jobs. The shortage of workers for low skill jobs suggests a potential demand for immigrant workers willing to take low skill jobs. Data and descriptive statistics The available data on trafficking is limited and unsatisfactory in many ways and I strongly encourage efforts to collect better data. To overcome some of the problems I used a mixed approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The method used is content analysis. In order to answer the proposed question two articles were examined, they are Hidden in Plain Sight: Human Trafficking in the United States, and Economics of Human Trafficking. Both articles were examined with the following independent and dependent variables in mind: Dependent Variable: Opportunity. Opportunity is the fostering of social, economic and political stability, and the reduction both of migration caused by poverty. Also there should be policies that would promote both economic development and social inclusion. Independent Variable 1: Poverty. By improving childrens access to educational and vocational opportunities and increasing the level of school attendance, enhancing job opportunities by facilitating business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises would decrease poverty. Independent Variable 2: Conflict Social Unrest. By promoting good governance and transparency in economic transactions and adopting or strengthening legislative, educational, social, and penal legislation. These factors would discourage the demand that fosters all forms of exploitation of persons that leads to trafficking. Findings and Analysis Introduction A content analysis of these publications shows that the root causes of human trafficking are the greed of criminals, economic pressures, political instability and transition, and social and cultural factors. Some traffickers are involved in other transnational crimes. Criminal groups choose human trafficking because it is high-profit and often low risk, and because human trafficking does not require large capital investment. Trafficking victims fall prey to this practice because they seek a better life and or enhanced economic opportunities. They are vulnerable to false promises of good jobs and higher wages. There are other factors such as political instability, civil unrest, internal armed conflict, and natural disasters result in an increase in trafficking. The destabilization and displacement of populations increase their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse through trafficking and forced labor. War and civil strife may lead to massive displacements of populations, leaving orphans and street children extremely vulnerable to trafficking. In some countries, social or cultural practices contribute to trafficking an example of this is the devaluation of women and girls. Some parents accept payment for their children, with the hope that the children will be escaping a situation of poverty and move to a place where there will be a better life and more opportunities. Risk Factors We know that poverty and vulnerability are powerful predictors of whether a person will be trafficked. We know that governmental corruption plays an important role as well. The lack of employment opportunity pushes the vulnerable across borders and into the chance being controlled by traffickers. Decreasing the incidence of human trafficking requires collaboration across professional fields to discover and handle limited agency (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). In recognition of this problem the United Nations General Assembly has promulgated a Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (2000), which includes a specific protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. One of the key aims of the Convention and the Protocol is to standardize terminology, laws, and practices (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). Poverty, social unrest, government corruption, population pressure, and the perception of opportunity are determining factors of human trafficking. Many of these factors are related. If a country has a young population profile, there can be intense competition for employment and a concomitant lack of perceived opportunity. An individual or household can determine how much labor to provide based on compensation offered for the hours of labor (Schauer and Wheaton, 2006:164-165). Figure1. Framework for human trafficking Combating Human Trafficking Human trafficking prevention initiatives often involve poverty alleviation programs and awareness. This often times accomplished by establishing what the key drivers of human trafficking are. They may include household income or lack of understanding about trafficking and migration. Research also links poverty, lack of education, and limited understanding about the risk associated with human trafficking .The impact of programs aiming at preventing and or reducing human trafficking has been low and challenging to measure. Despite the attempts to educate those at risk, still, thousands are trafficked every year. It is more complicated in many than simply poverty and lack of knowledge. There is a clear need for the effective of poverty alleviation, awareness, and alternative livelihoods. While it is critical for the US to increase anti-trafficking efforts in regards to trafficking for the purpose of forced labor, trafficking for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation still remain s a concern (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). Despite the political efforts on human trafficking, there is little that prosecutions have any significant impact on the levels of human trafficking in the United States. Even with a well-trained law enforcement and judicial system few individuals were given T visa (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). There needs to be policies in place that support limiting immigration without increasing trafficking by forcing many desperate people to smugglers. If people can cross borders to pursue opportunity relatively freely, I would suggest that it is difficult for traffickers to trick or coerce people into being trafficked. It is important to remember that criminals are inventive and opportunistic. They operate in a context of extreme and violent competition. Their conditions of work are dynamic and liable to dramatic and abrupt change. For all these reasons criminals are good at adapting to new situations and new technologies. As new forms of communication, new methods of transportation and new ways of controlling and exploiting people emerge; traffickers will rapidly take them up and subvert them to criminal uses. The challenge to all who would address trafficking in persons is to be prepared for such adaptations, both through applicable law and creative enforcement, and through well-grounded, rigorous research. Many United States citizens are removed from the issue of human trafficking because they view it as an underground industry whose victims are primarily immigrants (Hepburn, Stephanie, and Rita Simon). Conclusion Human trafficking affects more the individual been trafficked. Resources such as jobs for legal migrant workers and public facilities may be used by the illegals, thus displacing resources for legal residents. Poverty is shown to be significant factor that contributes to human trafficking. Some of the most obvious strategies for slowing human trafficking are the following factors: Reduce governmental corruption. Population control measures, especially poverty reduction Increasing educational opportunities Tackling inequalities in wealth Promote subsistence and social guarantees. Conclusion The challenges associated with combating human trafficking and protecting victims are overwhelming. It requires multidimensional approach to address the issue of human trafficking. It should include not only legislative initiatives and crime prevention, but also job training, rights protection, and development initiatives. Effective strategies should be comprehensive and provide for collaboration among governments, and affected communities. Services provided through partnerships, and ongoing outreach and education will produce an effective response to the needs of victims. Working with different groups of trafficking victims represent an untapped wealth of practical knowledge and expertise on how to develop appropriate assistance and treatment programs that victims of human trafficking need.

Television as We Know it Today Essay -- Essays Papers

Television as We Know it Today The Power Rangers, RoadRunner, Bugs Bunny and Yo Sammity Sam. What do all of these have in common? They are all shows upon which we build our child’s playtime. You sit your child in front of the television for hours at a time. They stair at the screen with glossy eyes and total amazement. Yet what is it that they are learning from these shows? It is the hidden message of violence and dysfunction, which keeps children entertained. If you look at all of the shows, which I have mentioned above, they seem to have a common theme. Violence. Whether this message is intended or not is another issue, however, the violence is there. The Power Rangers for example, their mission is to save the planet from evil space monsters. How do they achieve this? By killing the monsters, thus becoming heroes. The RoadRunner, every week he tries to kill Wielly Coyote. He instead gets killed each time, but it is only temporary. Finally we come to Bugs Bunny and Yo Sammity Sam. Each time, Yo Sammity Sam, tries to kill Bugs Bunny, chasing after him with a shotgun. What type of message is this sending to our youth? Children see violence as their entertainment. As adults we know the difference between what is real and what isn’t. Do children know this difference as well? When a character dies but only for a second, do children know this is not how it really is? In one study by a scientist named Linne (Condry p.89) it was found that television these cartoons do effect how children think. Cartoons how the person with power to come out on top as the triumphant winner-of - all. After exposure to violent cartoons children were less likely to share with one another and more likely to use aggression as a means to... ...following that pattern out of belief that we too posses these characteristics. By constantly viewing violent shows we have learned to believe that we live in a violent culture. It allows us to view our own acts of violence as well as others as being normal and acceptable. When we turn on the television we turn on more than just entertainment. We turn on a part of ourselves that is almost subliminally derived. We allow ourselves be impressed upon by the notions of violence being common and acceptable. This notion is something that we keep with us. You may push a button on your television set and watch the screen go dim. However the ideas in your head will long remain once the show is done. Works Cited Condry, John C., The Psychology of Television. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc., New Jersey. 1989. www.geocities.com/dreampackers, April 20, 2000

The Similarities and Differences in My Last Duchess and Porphyrias Lov

The Similarities and Differences in My Last Duchess and Porphyria's Lover 'My Last Duchess' and 'Porphyria's Lover' are poems written by Robert Browning in the form of a dramatic monologue. They both contain themes of love, jealousy, contempt and obsession. In the beginning of 'My Last Duchess' the Duke is speaking about his wife's portrait to an envoy. In 'Porphyria's Lover' the Lover is speaking directly to the reader, conveying his thoughts, personifying the weather perhaps emphasizing his unhappiness ('the sullen wind soon awake') seeing as he had a 'heart fit to break'. Both the Duke and the Lover are watching the women whilst they speak. The Duke hints at her having affairs; 'Fr. Pandolf's hands worked busily', 'busily' implies that he did more than just paint her picture. The Lover in 'Porphyria's Lover' shows a similarity, as he too was suspicious of her love, believing she would not give herself fully to him as she was 'from pride and vainer ties', from a higher rank. Both Porphyria and the duchess are of high ranking. The difference here is that the Duke believed his wife did not give herself fully to him, but was as equally impressed with everyone and everything, and the Duke was too proud to give her the same attention. In 'Porphyria's Lover' the Lover believed Porphyria was too proud to give him her undivided attention. The Duke felt that the duchess treated every trivial object with the same affection she had for him, 'too easily impressed, she liked whate'er she looked on'. Although both the Duke and the Lover felt unloved in the beginning neither made any attempt to convey this to their lovers. The Lover pretended to be asleep when Porphyria entered the home ('When no voice replied'... ... a sculpture created for him; showing the pompous aspect of his character. In the beginning of the poem, the Lovers' tone is cold, hostile and annoyed portrayed through words like 'sullen', 'spite' and 'vex'. When Porphyria appears, his attitude becomes obsessive and appreciative, as he watches her every movement as she 'glides' around the house, observing her 'yellow hair'. There is still a bitter quality to his words as he contemplates her love for him ('Too weak, for all her heart's endeavor To set its struggling passion free'). When the Lover realized Porphyria did genuinely love him his tone is ecstatic and rapturous. 'Porphyria worshipp'd me; surprise Made my heart swell While I debated what to do. That moment she was mine, mine fair,' The line exposes his arrogance after he has murdered his Lover, 'And yet God has not said a word'. The Similarities and Differences in My Last Duchess and Porphyria's Lov The Similarities and Differences in My Last Duchess and Porphyria's Lover 'My Last Duchess' and 'Porphyria's Lover' are poems written by Robert Browning in the form of a dramatic monologue. They both contain themes of love, jealousy, contempt and obsession. In the beginning of 'My Last Duchess' the Duke is speaking about his wife's portrait to an envoy. In 'Porphyria's Lover' the Lover is speaking directly to the reader, conveying his thoughts, personifying the weather perhaps emphasizing his unhappiness ('the sullen wind soon awake') seeing as he had a 'heart fit to break'. Both the Duke and the Lover are watching the women whilst they speak. The Duke hints at her having affairs; 'Fr. Pandolf's hands worked busily', 'busily' implies that he did more than just paint her picture. The Lover in 'Porphyria's Lover' shows a similarity, as he too was suspicious of her love, believing she would not give herself fully to him as she was 'from pride and vainer ties', from a higher rank. Both Porphyria and the duchess are of high ranking. The difference here is that the Duke believed his wife did not give herself fully to him, but was as equally impressed with everyone and everything, and the Duke was too proud to give her the same attention. In 'Porphyria's Lover' the Lover believed Porphyria was too proud to give him her undivided attention. The Duke felt that the duchess treated every trivial object with the same affection she had for him, 'too easily impressed, she liked whate'er she looked on'. Although both the Duke and the Lover felt unloved in the beginning neither made any attempt to convey this to their lovers. The Lover pretended to be asleep when Porphyria entered the home ('When no voice replied'... ... a sculpture created for him; showing the pompous aspect of his character. In the beginning of the poem, the Lovers' tone is cold, hostile and annoyed portrayed through words like 'sullen', 'spite' and 'vex'. When Porphyria appears, his attitude becomes obsessive and appreciative, as he watches her every movement as she 'glides' around the house, observing her 'yellow hair'. There is still a bitter quality to his words as he contemplates her love for him ('Too weak, for all her heart's endeavor To set its struggling passion free'). When the Lover realized Porphyria did genuinely love him his tone is ecstatic and rapturous. 'Porphyria worshipp'd me; surprise Made my heart swell While I debated what to do. That moment she was mine, mine fair,' The line exposes his arrogance after he has murdered his Lover, 'And yet God has not said a word'.

The Igbo People †Origins and History :: Essays papers

The Igbo People – Origins and History Igboland is the home of the Igbo people and it covers most of Southeast Nigeria. This area is divided by the Niger River into two unequal sections – the eastern region (which is the largest) and the midwestern region. The river, however, has not acted as a barrier to cultural unity; rather it has provided an easy means of communication in an area where many settlements claim different origins. The Igbos are also surrounded on all sides by other tribes (the Bini, Warri, Ijaw, Ogoni, Igala, Tiv, Yako and Ibibio). The origins of the Igbo people has been the subject of much speculation, and it is only in the last fifty years that any real work has been carried out in this subject: ...like any group of people, they are anxious to discover their origin and reconstruct how they came to be how they are. ...their experiences under colonialsim and since Nigeria’s Independence have emphasized for them the reality of their group identity which they want to anchor into authenticated history. (Afigbo, A.E.. ‘Prolegomena to the study of the culture history of the Igbo-Speaking Peoples of Nigeria’, Igbo Language and Culture, Oxford University Press, 1975. 28.) Analysis of the sources that are available (fragmentary oral traditions and correlation of cultural traits) have led to the belief that there exists a core area of Igboland, and that waves of immigrant communities from the north and west planted themselves on the border of this core area as early as the ninth century. This core area – Owerri, Orlu and Okigwi – forms a belt, and the people in this area have no tradition of coming from anywhere else. Migration from this area in the recent past tended to be in all directions, and in this way the Igbo culture gradually became homogenized. In addition to this pattern of migration from this core area, other people also entered the Igbo territory in about the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries. Many of these people still exhibit different characteristics from that of the traditional Igbos – for example geographical marginality, the institution of kingship, a hierarchical title system and the amosu tradition (witchcraft). For some time some Igbo-speaking peoples claimed that they were not Igbo – the word was used as a term of abuse for â€Å"less cultured† neighbours. The word is now used in three senses, to describe Igbo territory, domestic speakers of the language and the language spoken by them.

A Place That Gets Worst From Time To Time

There is a country in South East Asia known as the Philippines. It is composed of 7.100 islands and has its roots dating back to Spanish occupation. The country has a long history of being an occupied nation.Spanish slavery by the Americans only to be occupied by the Japanese during World War II. The Americans once again liberated it and eventually gave the country independence.The country has never stood a chance to develop and become a player in the emerging economies of the world due to poor political leadership. It was under a dictatorship spanning twenty years begging in the 70's.The dictator president, Ferdinand Marcos was ousted in a bloodless revolution known as People power only to have the new leaders hounded by countless military uprisings that continue into the present leadership of the country.It is this political turmoil that has caused regression in the country. It has been getting worse since the Americans left because the people do not know how to govern themselves. They could be the Asian equivalent of Nigeria in the future most specially with their national elections, known for its violence, being underway with the opening of the campaign season this January.In the end, it seems like bad leadership and selfishness is causing an already bad situation to get worse in a country that seems to be getting into even worse situations with each passing day. In this situation that seems to have no solution, only the ordinary citizens of the country come out at the losers because they do not have the voice to be heard and the conviction to fight for what is due to them. Â  

An Energy Conservation Mitigation Plan Environmental Sciences Essay

As we move into a new epoch of engineering and the turning human population of the planet, the demand to conserve energy has ne'er been greater and the hunt for alternate energy resources is a must. The rate at which we are presently utilizing non-renewable resources such as oil and coal will surely vouch that we will run out of these resources finally, and the issue of pollution goes manus in manus with our usage of these fossil fuels. Pollution threatens human wellness and amendss the environment and is the major cause of planetary heating. Global heating has the possible to badly impact conditions forms, addition planetary temperatures and harm harvests, and this potentially threatens the universe ‘s nutrient supply. We as worlds need to re-evaluate the manner we use natural resources and how we treat the environment. We have an copiousness of engineering at our disposal, and even today we are happening clean, alternate energy resources such as air current and solar power ev ery bit good as hydroelectricity generated from hydro dikes. One thing is clear, we need a program, and as with any program it needs construction and engagement by communities and persons all doing an attempt together to conserve the energy we do hold, and happen and use alternate energy in the hereafter. Energy preservation is portion of everyone ‘s lives and the manner we use our energy can either be responsible or irresponsible, and for likely excessively many old ages we have been irresponsible in the manner we use non-renewable energy, and the manner we dispose of our waste. We can no longer afford to be irresponsible about our usage of natural resources nor can we utilize these resources everlastingly without effect. While alternate energy shows great promise, we need to alter the manner we use our current energy resources now, stuffs such as oil, coal, natural gas and other resources such as wood from trees for edifice stuffs and paper merchandises need to be reduced, r egulated, and whenever possible avoided wholly to guarantee the long-run sustainability of our energy resources and life as we know it. Lending Factors to Environmental Problems There are many issues that affect our environment, and some are caused by natural phenomenon that has non-living and life subscribers to the environmental jobs we see today. Inanimate factors are influences such as wildfires that destroy big countries of forest, volcanic eruptions which spew dozenss of ash and gases into the air, and drought which can earnestly cut down and/or harm harvest outputs and damage the dirt as good. These sorts of environmental events are considered inanimate factors that contribute to environmental jobs such as resource handiness, pollution, and nutrient supply. Populating factors are influences from populating biological beings that affect the environment straight normally as a consequence of the demand for endurance. The endurance of any living thing depends on available resources in the environment such as the type of flora that is present will find what animate beings can last at that place, and sometimes animate beings can consume an country of flora so that other animate beings can non last at that place, and another illustration is when animate beings eat each other, and one becomes scarce while the other thrives, ( marauder & A ; prey ) . Worlds are no exclusion, and history for most of the harm caused to the environment due to the demand for stuffs for energy and nutrient and H2O. We use trees to fabricate edifice stuffs and paper. We use fossil fuels to supply electricity for our places and gasolene for our autos, all of which pollute and deplete Earth ‘s natural resources. We build metropoliss and suburban communities, all of which requires the glade of land and the usage of energy resources and in making so the ecosystem ‘s natural balance becomes affected. When we inhabit an country and construct metropoliss, it pollutes the environment and destroys the natural home ground of workss and animate beings doing the depletion of valuable resources for these living things, and perchance the extinction of works and carnal species to the point of losing them everlastingly. Worlds and the Natural Environment Human existences likely use more natural energy resources than any other living thing on Earth. We have modernized our universe, and in making so hold created a demand for natural resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. The human population is turning and the demand for these resources has become even greater, and non-renewable energy is what powers our places and fuels our autos and consequences in air and H2O pollution in add-on to consuming the Earth of valuable minerals and fossil fuels. When we manufacture rough oil, we have to bore the Earth, destroy landscapes, and foul the air to polish it into other fuels. When we combust these fuels in our autos, CO2 pollutes the ambiance and contributes to planetary heating. When we harvest trees for edifice stuffs we strip 1000000s of estates of land from O bring forthing leaf which no uncertainty contributes to the lifting CO2 degrees in the Earth ‘s ambiance when combined with other semisynthetic beginnings of CO2 emanations . Other environmental developments include logging and excavation, and environmental incidents such as oil spills and improper disposal of risky waste and toxic stuffs merely add to the harm that humans cause to the environment in the chase of energy. Though human existences account for most of the negative effects on the environment every bit good as being the largest consumer of energy resources, we are wising up and recognizing that we need to alter the manner we treat our environment and utilize our current energy resources and happen alternate energy resources at the same clip. Some of the positive things that worlds are making to cut down energy usage and its impact on the environment is by modulating the usage of land for energy resource intents, protected land and animate being home grounds, required replanting of trees in logging countries, and the development of clean signifiers of energy like air current power every bit good as inventing programs to conserve energy and ke rb ingestion of these resources on a community degree that encourage people to utilize energy resources responsibly. Current Sustainability Strategies â€Å" In the 1970 ‘s, a figure of provinces began to necessitate local authoritiess to follow comprehensive programs that incorporated province ends, including the protection of air, H2O, seashore, and other natural resources † . ( Daniels, 2003 ) . While this event was over 30 old ages ago, many province and local authoritiess have since adopted specific programs to conserve energy, started recycling plans, and encouraged citizens to utilize energy sagely by turning off visible radiations, and utilizing contraptions merely as needed through community consciousness plans and treatments in community forums. Current energy resource sustainability methods presently in usage include the big graduated table usage of recycling in industry so that less new stuffs are needed to mass green goods goods. â€Å" In many instances, re-using a stuff requires less energy than bring forthing it from natural stuffs † . ( Newton, 2003 ) . Recycling is good on all degrees, but to i ntegrate it on a industrial degree has a major positive impact on the usage of energy to bring forth goods because the sums of energy and natural stuffs being saved at this degree is so big, and this besides reduces pollution by necessitating less refinement of natural stuffs every bit good. Another manner that authorities is acquiring involved with energy preservation is with inducements to promote householders to do place betterments that save energy and cut down waste. â€Å" Those who insulate their places might, for illustration, be given hard currency fillips by the local public-service corporation or a revenue enhancement tax write-off by province or federal authorities † . ( Newton, 2003 ) . Energy preservation is something that most people are cognizant of now, and with good ground. Global heating, pollution, menaces to human wellness and environmental harm are all good grounds to be painstaking of our environment and it is obvious that cut downing our energy usage w ill besides cut down pollution. By following sound patterns, and planning and developing new schemes to control energy waste, we become responsible users of natural energy resources for many old ages to come, and that is what sustainability is all about. Reaching Sustainability The manner we use energy resources must be considered within the manner we live on an mundane footing. When we use land for development, create new merchandises, and populate our mundane lives we have to be aware of what we use and how frequently it needs to be used. Homes and concerns use a assortment of energy resources from electricity and fuel oil, to natural gas and even wood. In topographic points that have cold and long winters these resources are in usage even more and ways to cut usage and cost have ne'er been more of import than they are right now. Significant economic addition can be achieved through the preservation and direction of energy, and every dollar saved by conserving energy can be spent on other things such as local investment by authorities and county functionaries, to the householder who can salvage money and profit the environment every bit good. Reducing the usage of energy resources besides reduces inauspicious effects on the environment such as H2O and air pollution. Cities and towns can take their ain steps to control energy usage in their ain communities by ordaining ordinances that require occupants to recycle, and by supplying inducements to insulate their places, cut down on uneconomical usage of electricity by turning off unnecessary contraptions, and turning the thermoregulator down a few grades to conserve electricity and natural gas. The designing of new edifices can be regulated so that they meet specific design criterions for insularity and energy usage such as warming and chilling systems. Renewable energy resources have many long term advantages over non renewable energy beginnings, and should be pursued whenever possible, and perchance even do it a demand that any edifice construction over 30,000 square pess in size must be supplemented with solar panels to provide at least 30 % of the electricity that powers the construction, this would drastically cut down energy ingestion and cost on a big graduated table when implem ented statewide, and the initial investing for solar panels and installing would pay for itself in nest eggs in a few old ages. Cities functionaries can back up these attempts to research and develop clean and renewable energy resources that will assist us to travel off from our entire dependance on non renewable energy resources. To accomplish this in a realistic manner, a program must be in topographic point to supply guidelines and aims as to the expected result of an energy resource plan. The program I am suggesting involves community engagement and the meeting of demands by concerns, contractors, local and province functionaries, and the single citizen. The program contains the undermentioned points: Plan Actions and Recommendations 1. Building patterns must conform to energy demands that all new constructions are insulated with the highest rated value insularity commercially available. 2. Promote the development of renewable energy resources in residential and commercial countries such as solar panels for places and concerns. 3. Raise energy preservation consciousness in the community by providing information to the populace about energy salvaging tips and stairss they can take to cut down their energy ingestion and cost by utilizing the least sum of energy from the most damaging of resources, such as electricity for illustration. 4. The community takes full engagement in local recycling plans and will be penalized for neglecting to make so, such as expiration of waste remotion services and a mulct of one-hundred dollars for each month they are non in conformity with the new regulation. 5. Land use will be regulated, and any new land that has been allocated for development must run into local guidelines for edifice construction and insularity evaluation and the usage of non-toxic edifice stuffs merely for building, no methanal incorporating stuffs will be permitted for usage in freshly constructed commercial edifices and places. 6. When edifice licenses are issued to new appliers, provide information on how to construct energy efficient constructions, and the usage of non-toxic edifice stuffs for building. 7. All new edifice license appliers will be required to subject a edifice program and certification of any energy salvaging stuffs to be used in the building of all new edifices, such as the installing of solar panels, type of and evaluation of insularity to be used, window glazing, methods to cut down land use and harm such as the glade of trees and disposal of fresh landscape gardening stuffs, and type of warming and chilling system to be utilized within the construction. 8. Promote local Bankss and loaners to supply hard currency inducements and loans for the building of energy efficient and compliant places and commercial constructions. 9. Encourage contractors to plan edifices to suit solar panels, even if they are non installed at the clip of building so easy application of solar panels at a ulterior clip can be attained. 10. Use financess from recycling mulcts and edifice codification misdemeanors to advance the research and development of renewable energy resources such as, but non limited to, solar power to increase the commercial usage and handiness of renewable energy resources. 11. Promote the usage of public transit, carpooling, and bike siting when executable. 12. All attempts to keep and continue the environment and minimise the usage of non-renewable energy resources by citizens and environmentally sound patterns by contractors in the building of energy efficient edifices shall be sought at all times. 13. Energy preservation and instruction should be made portion of all public school course of studies. 14. Residents will be encouraged to utilize energy efficient lighting and contraptions throughout their places, including high efficiency warming and chilling systems. Estimated Plan Timeline All new metropolis regulations and edifice codification guidelines shall be obtained within 12 months, and the publicity of energy efficient patterns in place and commercial environments coupled with the research and development of renewable energy every bit good as its execution that is environmentally sound will be on-going and argus-eyed in attempt and executing of the above stated actions. Sustenance Plan Benefits and Challenges The route to a cleansing agent and environmentally friendly energy beginning has its challenges and obstructions to get the better of. First, people must be co-operative and act as active participants in the attempt to conserve our natural resources, right down to their energy wonts in their mundane lives every bit good as obtaining the attempts of authorities and local functionaries to name for action and ordinances sing the current usage of unrenewable energy resources, and to the publicity and development of new alternate beginnings of energy that are cleaner and safer for the environment. Such attempts are non without benefits nevertheless, and the environment is one of the most of import long term issues we face today and it is of import that we do what we need to make now to continue the environment and the resources that are still left so that we can prolong ourselves in the hereafter. Reducing energy ingestion will cut down pollution and conserve the resources from which it comes like oil, coal, and natural gas, and most significantly taking these steps now ensures a sustainable hereafter for non merely us, but those who will inherit the Earth from us long after we are gone. Conserving our resources now benefits the environment and all people who will populate here after us and will doubtless go on to happen ways to deduce energy from clean and renewable beginnings that will someday be independent of fossil fuels wholly. Support for Energy Conservation To make the research necessary to convey renewable energy into mainstream position is traveling to necessitate support from federal and local authoritiess such as support for and publicity of these resources. Society will necessitate to step up and lead by illustration by using renewable energy resources while forcing their chap citizens to make the same, while controling their current usage of energy by exerting patterns and doing lifestyle alterations that cut down energy ingestion and reduces pollution as a consequence. Global support could include but is non limited to fiscal aid for energy research, sharing proven techniques with other states that work, learning others how to construct energy efficient constructions and develop renewable energy engineering such as solar panels and big turbines for air current farms. Action and the formation of organisations that monitor and promote energy preservation in their ain communities will be necessary to guarantee that energy programs a nd ordinances are followed decently, and to raise public consciousness of environmental issues so that everyone can be involved in conserving energy and support for developing schemes for renewable energy across the board, both financially through contributions from the populace for renewable energy research, and through illustrations set by persons using responsible energy ingestion patterns in their ain metropoliss and towns. In visible radiation of modern environmental issues it merely makes sense to conserve unrenewable energy resources such as oil, coal, and natural gas today and hunt for and develop renewable energy resources such as air current and solar power for a cleaner and more efficient tomorrow. It will take single and community attempt, and support from authoritiess worldwide to accomplish the ultimate end, to someday hold an infinite copiousness of renewable energy, and be free of our dependance on fossil fuels everlastingly. Energy Conservation Tips & A ; Facts Quick Tips aˆ? The mean house uses 38 per centum of its entire one-year energy usage on warming. aˆ? When a house is occupied, the thermoregulator should be set at 68 F for maximal energy efficiency. aˆ? Install a cardinal air conditioning system merely when whole house air conditioning is needed. aˆ? A Sun tempered super insulated place utilizations inactive solar design constructs with ace insularity building techniques. aˆ? Replace aging contraptions with newer energy efficient ENERGY STAR theoretical accounts. Beginning: ( Tremblay, K, 2010 ) . Facts about energy preservation, planetary heating and clime alteration Harmonizing to Nasa 2005 was the hottest twelvemonth of all time recorded There has been a steady addition in both the strength and continuance of hurricanes and tropical storms since the 1970 ‘s Over the past century, mean planetary temperatures have risen by 0.74A °C The 10 warmest old ages on record have all been since 1990. Six of the 10 warmest old ages on record in the UK were between 1995 and 2004 The rise in planetary temperatures besides causes implosion therapy. The figure of people affected by inundations worldwide has already risen from around 7 million in the 1960 ‘s to 150 million today. Beginning: ( Energy Conservation, 2008 ) .