Police Organizational Structures Essay

Organizations are entities of two or more people who cooperate to accomplish an objective. (Peak, Policing America, 2012). A police department structure must be parallel so that this way its structure can be effective in completing the overall goal of protecting and helping the public. Over the years police agencies have followed a traditional structure but by the passing of years the structure is starting to evolve. Traditional police structure Traditional structures are based upon principles such as â€Å"specialization, Hierarchy of offices, rules and regulations, technical competence, official activity demands the full working capacity of the official and the office management following exhaustive stable written rules. These principles allow the structure to work efficiently. With that said â€Å"most police organizations are based on a traditional pyramidal quasi-military structure† (Peak, Policing America, 2012).in where all those principles are present shows an inverse relationship between rank and the number of personnel allows the structure from anyone having too much of authority. this is called the hierarchy rank which allows an organization to have a chain of command. for example from the base of the pyramid up the base is supervisor then mid-level managers and the top is administrators the higher you are on the pyramid the more responsibility you have. So in the chain of command the supervisor would report to mid-level managers and the mid-level managers would report to the administrators. Basically this structure in the past a police officer would be hired and would be able to get promoted through political favoritism it didn’t matter if the person was qualified or not because they attained he job through political favoritism. Evolving organizational police structure Organizational police structure has changed over the years as technology is changing, some of the things that have changed or in other words evolved from the traditional police structure is that in efforts to prevent corruptions they have got rid of some rules and policies this also helps to prevent â€Å"red tape†. Now instead of having a centralized organization the evolved structure has been decentralized. This means â€Å"Cities were divided into precincts, and precinct-level managers often, in concert with the ward leaders, ran precincts as small-scale departments by decentralization combined with  primitive communications and transportation gave police officers substantial discretion in handling their individual beat† (Moore, 1988) basically in the evolved structure the hiring of all personnel was not left to change they look for qualified managers, supervisors and administrators and after they are chosen they recruit qualifying officers. What do these both structures have in common?

“Everyman” and “Doctor Faustus” Essay

Both Everyman and Doctor Faustus are plays. They are written within different time Periods, with Everyman written in the medieval era and Doctor Faustus written in the Renaissance. Everyman and Doctor Faustus are both Morality Plays, these are specifically plays that existed within the Medieval period. They were popular during this period as they were intended to instruct the audience in the Christian way and attitudes to life. The morality play is essentially an allegory written in dramatic form. In the fourteenth Century, morality plays were mainly based on the seven deadly sins as in Everyman with each character representing each sin. Everyman centers around allegory. It focuses on the allegorical representations of moral issues with the inclusion of figures that represent abstractions of the issues that are confronted. Doctor Faustus follows the general five-act structure of an Elizabethan Romantic Tragedy. However Christopher Marlowe used the structure of an older Medieval form of English Drama, the morality play as a model. Morality plays tended to show the moral struggle of mans soul and the conflict of good and evil. This is evident in the play of Doctor Faustus who is embroiled in a battle between the temptation of the devil and God. You could argue that Doctor Faustus is not classed as a morality play. Because in the tradition of a morality play God and the devil are external forces that affect the individual. However, in Doctor Faustus it is far more of an internal drama inside Faustus’ own mind. Both are entirely didactic in nature, they were made with the intent to educate their audience in one respect or another. There was a moral to each that conveyed similar messages. Therefore the term ‘morality play’ correctly defines each one. The medieval time period in which Everyman was written contained a society that revolved around religion (Ecclesiasticism) The fact that Everyman can get nowhere without turning to religion directly reflects on the attitudes of the middle ages. There is constant references to the beliefs and ideas of the Catholic Church such as confession, penitence and the Virgin Mary this suggests the catholic centered society in which the play existed. It concentrates on the qualities of the catholic religion that are important in the journey to heaven. Everyman is a symbol of the human condition and how it is understood by medieval Catholicism. Whereas in the sixteenth century in which Doctor Faustus was written, saw a shift of Christian ideals. No longer was there only the strict belief in God but also the equal belief in the existence of the devil and the â€Å"work of the devil.† The medieval world placed God at the centre of existence, leaving the individual and the natural world in second place. The emergence of the Renaissance is evident in Doctor Faustus by the clash between the church and the introduction of knowledge through science. The Reformation caused a dramatic change at that particular time, England had converted from predominantly catholic to a protestant country. This shift becomes apparent in Doctor Faustus in the scenes with the Pope. The Renaissance was also a time when the bubonic plague was at its peak of destruction. As a result the plague was a great concern of the theatre, audiences and writers. The plague was a large part of Marlowe’s life and work. Marlowe refers to the plague regularly in Doctor Faustus with examples such as â€Å"A Plague on her.† Here Marlowe is using speci fic language to reflect certain aspect of the precise period, being Reformation. When considering the audience of each play, this can again create disagreement concerning the meaning of the term ‘morality play.’ Morality plays, as I have mentioned like Everyman, primarily express aspects of moral doctrine to the audience. In the Play Everyman, the anonymous author may have been a priest or teacher who was explaining the Christian values to an uneducated society. It is written by and for people of catholic religion. This would fit accurately into the description as a ‘morality play.’ However, some may argue that Doctor Faustus is more comically delivered as opposed to morally. Elizabethan audiences often viewed great tragedies such as this in a slightly humorous manner. Scenes such as the one with the Pope’s food and drink being stolen highlights this point. Also Marlowe includes numerous comical characters such as Wagner and Faustus’ servant. Therefore can we still group this together with the other morality plays such as Doctor Faustus? Contrary to this, it is clear that the audience of the play Doctor Faustus are not simply an audience of ‘Commoners or clowns,’ they have to employ a certain level of intelligence and education to understand the symbolism and al legory present in the play. We can acknowledge the play of Doctor Faustus as one from the Elizabethan period as its verbs differ from modern day usage, with phrases such as â€Å"What see you?† and â€Å"You look not well.† Also Elizabethan playwrights wrote in blank verse or iambic pentameter, as its evident here. Marlowe uses various Christian phrases to summon the devil, who is providing the power. The most obvious reference to Christian language is shown through Faustus’ Latin Chant which is used to raise the devil. Marlowe’s technique of hyperbole is demonstrated by his regular usage of blasphemy in the play. By using exaggeration like this, Marlowe is affecting the audience’s perception of the character of Faustus. The language used gives the character heroic stature. Contrast to Doctor Faustus, The language in Everyman is solely based on religion. There is reference to the original sinner Adam and the seven deadly sins, this mainly focuses on the notions of Christianity. The language used in both Everyman and Doctor Faustus represents the conflict between power and Christianity. In conclusion, Marlowe borrows many of the conventions of a morality play especially with the inclusion of the good and bad angels. This symbolizes his divided will. This is mirrored in the play Everyman where there is an obvious spiritual crisis of an individual who must chose between good and evil. Both Everyman and Doctor Faustus effectively reflect the periods in which they were written. Faustus is the product of an era that was deeply torn, it stands in the threshold between two periods-The Renaissance and the Middle Ages. It includes the notions of Good and evil, sin and salvation, as did religious dramas of the medieval period such as Everyman. Although some may see this comparison as the rejection of the medieval due to further emphasis on the individual rather than God. After all, the opening scene of Doctor Faustus was praising science and magic in favour of God. So where do we draw the line? Everyman statically reflects the period of medieval whereas Doctor Faustus focuses on the actual change in that particular period of the Reformation. Therefore it is possible to see the alteration from one period to another. Bibliography ‘Doctor Faustus’-Christopher Marlowe ‘Norton Anthology of English Literature’ Oxford Dictionary Online ‘LION’- http://lion.chadwyck.co.uk http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Texts/faustus.html (3/12/03) http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/doctorfaustus/ (5/12/03) http://www.miracleplayers.org/everyman/play.htm (15/12/03) http://www.luminarium.org/medlit/intro.htm (17/12/03)

Death penalty †capital punishment

  Death penalty has begun a long time ago, perhaps since Eighteenth Century B.C.   And a hundred or maybe even thousand numbers of murderers and criminals have been sentenced of it.   But the question still remains and is always debatable whether it is just right to have death penalty or not.I may not be directly affected by this capital punishment. But at the back of my mind, I also ask why there must be death penalty or not.   And as I balanced my views and ideas about this, the thought that there should no death penalty weighs more.Now, let’s take a look on the history of death penalty. This punishment has long been practiced since the times of King Hammurabi of Babylon for 25 different crimes. Death penalty was also made as the only punishment for all crimes according to Draconian Code of Athens, Hittite Code and Roman Law of Twelve Tablets.   The punishment of death is carried through drowning, hanging, burning alive, crucifixion, beating to death, and beheading .   And take note of the crimes they considered punishable by death penalty: not confessing to a crime, treason, cutting down and tree and stealing. (Death Penalty Information Center, 2007)America was then influenced by Britain during the colonial period.   And the offenses punishable of death includes stealing grapes, killing chickens, denying the â€Å"true God† or striking one’s parents.Seeing that these are only minor offenses if taken into considerations, abolitionist movements were formed. Some became successful of abolishing the death penalty like in Austria and Pennsylvania except for murder and treason. However, it progress again in Twentieth Century and five out of six abolitionist countries reinstated their death penalty as the America enters World War I.   The good thing is that the number of executions decreased as other nations agreed that the death penalty be limited if not abolished.So even at that time, there are movements of abolishing death pen alty.   Although at some point, others see it as a necessary social measure. Still, as many others do so, I don’t agree of this capital punishment. As I believe that no one has the right to take one’s life for whatever reason.Others argue that death penalty deters crime. But is practicing it not another crime where you also kill a human?   And as always, two wrongs will never make a right thing.For the past years, hundred numbers of prisoners were found to be innocent and released from the death row.   Imagine how they would face the society again.   They may perhaps be damaged inside, having to fear death, disbelieving the justice and all.   And then there were people who have received the death penalty and in the end were found not guilty.   The deathly penalty is really a cruel punishment and yet was not taken carefully by those in authority.   How can one accept it then?I also believe that one can still change.   One can still start a new life. One can have a new life with his family.   And death penalty deprived them this chance.The time they would spend inside the prison would at least let them think about their offenses and realized their mistakes. Sentencing them to death would just make their life easier.   But if they will stay in jail, they would suffer the consequences of their wrongdoings and realize how much prettier life is outside if they didn’t commit the crime.Now this is my opinion.   And this topic of death has always been debatable for the past centuries.   It is then up to you whether you would agree with me or not.   But maybe we should always look at the facts and not merely standing out with our immediate ideas not only about this capital punishment but with all other issues. Be critical.References: College Net Forum. (2007). Retrieved August 26, 2007, from College Net:http://www.collegenet.com/elect/app/app?service=external/Forum&sp=1882Death Penalty Information Center. (2007). Retrieved August 26, 2007, from Death PenaltyInformation Center: http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?scid=15&did=410#IntroductionoftheDeathPenalty

Case Study on Descriptive Statistical Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

On Descriptive Statistical - Case Study Example n various states of the US economy, it is important to find out how far the given observations are scattered around the mean observation for which the standard deviation is used as a reliable measure. For the same reason, this paper has also taken the support of a histogram. The purpose of a histogram is to find out the frequency density, i.e., how the observations are clustered within the different classes. The data for the number of students enrolled in US public elementary schools is obtained from the 2004 report published by the US National Center for Education. This data has been used to find out the spread of elementary education among various states in the US economy. But, before progressing it is important to define some useful statistics that will help to draw empirical conclusions. The degree of scatteredness is measured be the standard deviation; but before defining it, it is necessary to calculate the mean of the observations, because, the scatteredness of observations actually suggests how far they are dispersed about their mean value. Now, mean is defined as, Besides, the coefficient of variation for the concerned data is also being calculated since it will help in finding out the percentage of variations present in the data being collected. Coefficient of variation is defined as, The standard deviation statistic so obtained implies that the observations are rather too highly scattered about their mean value (670.2). This fact is prominent from the value of the coefficient of variation which indicates that the observations are scattered by a degree of 120% around their mean value. The histogram derived from the data show that most of the observations are scattered towards the leftmost position in the graph, thus yielding a positively skewed curve. From the curve, however, one obvious point is that very few states have a high number of students enrolled in public elementary schools. The purpose of this paper was to find out the spread of

Business Intelligence Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Intelligence Analysis - Assignment Example WEKA is the preferred software tool for the classification. This is because the software can mine useful information from the data by providing an algorithm for coming up with accurate prediction models. The objective of the business intelligence analysis is to equip learners with business skills that will help them in relating services, applications, and the technologies so that they can manage and analyse data so that the data is transformed into useful information that is critical to sound decision making. The Business intelligence processes are used to evaluate business processes and to optimise them so that they are in line with the objectives of the business. The objectives can be operational that impact the business on daily basis, or even tactical that will have impacts on short term basis like marketing or even strategic goals that will have long term effect like improving the revenues. Business intelligence is therefore a critical element in the decision making process. This is because the process analyses data that is, orders, inventory and points of sales. From these data the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) are calculated that is, the measure of the strategic performanc e of the business. KPI is important in the monitoring of the organisation’s performance and for decision making. The main objective is to extract business intelligence that is crucial in shaping the organisation’s operations to the strategic and tactical objectives of the business. This is only possible when the transactional data is integrated in the data warehouse to be analysed by the BI performance managers. The course seeks to equip learners with the ability to convert the integrated, but raw warehouse data into useful information that can be used to determine accurately how the business performed in contrast to its objectives and predictions. This application generates business knowledge that is very important for

Analysis Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Analysis Paper - Essay Example After graduating, he took a personal journey by roaming through the wilderness areas of Alaska. He abandoned his car in the Mojave Desert, destroyed the license plates, threw away his maps, and burned his money. He later named himself Alexander Supertramp. With that, he liberated himself to indulge in nature freely with unfiltered experiences (Krakauer 12). John Krauker reconstructs a clear prism through which he brings together the unsettling facts of Christopher McClandess’ life. He asserts that an inner obsession and youthful desires propelled McClandess to undertake that journey. By digging deeply, Krauker unravels the wider riddles that the life of McCandless depicts. He integrates the reflective pull of the American jungle on the reader’s imagination. He integrates the fascination of the high-risk activities in the wilderness performed by young people (Krakauer 14). McCandless had grown in the affluent neighbourhood of Washington, D. C. He had graduated with an honours degree from Emory University. His ultimate desire was to undertake an Alaskan odyssey in the wild for a whole summer. He was probably harrowing with the desire to make an extraordinary step in his life. McCandless surprised the world by leaving a nearly perfect life in search of a fantasy. Interestingly, he had left a full trail of travails documents, photos and diaries. In his diaries, he depicts a journey of a hunger experience driven by a kind of immortal grandeur. He mused in the emptiness of the material world. He had planned to attend law school in the future (Krakauer 19). He traversed the country using meagre means. In few times he sought employment and in few times refused help from strangers. He can be defined as an idealist whose life was cut down before he could realise its full benefits. He had made an impact on nearly all the people he had met along his journey. His journey was hastily prepared and ill informed. He

Transition to democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Transition to democracy - Essay Example The new political institutions such as the electorate and form of government set up must be voluntaristic, whereby the people contribute to their outcome. Centralization of these is essential in order to promote public policy, rather than personal interests (Lijphart 163-164). Democracies must have functioning political parties and electorate systems as these are the foundation of democratic rule. In this country, a multi-party system is the best approach for political parties. Choosing this ensures that citizens can determine whom they want to govern the country. Unlike a two-party system, a multi-party system gives full representation to the people, especially considering the ethnic diversity of this country (Lijphart 168-170). In this country therefore, multi-party will help in addressing the issue of multi-ethnicity. The most appropriate electorate system for this new democracy is the proportional representation. This allows for the political equality, minority participation, a participatory leadership, and the consideration of the preferences of voters in the polity. Proportional electorate therefore enhances equality and fairness. Unlike majority system, which focuses on the effectiveness of governance only, representation system focuses on effective governance as well as the representation of the minority in the polity. Proportional representation leads to the satisfaction of citizens in their country governance. This system is in alignment with democracy as it allows for personal choice, which is an individual’s right, and allows voting for personalities, and not manifestos. It is also a simple system, which is easy to understand. In addition, this formula has an integrating and concentrating effect for electors and society. The electioneering process must be conducted carefully by th e legislature, which

Equine Rescue Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Equine Rescue - Essay Example animals with the intent of giving them good care are now floundering as their original plans prove too expensive and they are unsure how and where to cut the expenses. Neglect becomes a consequence of not knowing how to formulate an alternative plan for the care of their horses. In order to understand the issue, it is important to understand the responsibilities of an owner in caring for a horse. Every animal has a designed physical system that must be fed in a specific way. For the horse, the digestive system developed so that it could accommodate a nomadic lifestyle that provided a constant source of grazing (Prince & Collier, 1989, p. 81). Proper dental care for the horse is central to maintaining healthy eating habits as the horse must be able to liquefy his food through chewing before it is swallowed. The best way to feed a horse is to let them graze in a pasture. This sort of food provision is in line with nature and will provide most of his or her needs, except perhaps for an addition of salt if this is lacking in the area. If this is not feasible, then a cereal grain hay such as oat, barley or wheat would be the next A horse will need an area in which to exercise, and an area that will protect them from inclement weather and the elements. Ideally, anyone who has purchased a horse has a stable and land adequate for exercise available. According to Prince and Collier (1989), â€Å"A good stable site will allow for dry foundations, free drainage, good lighting, adequate water supply, and pure air† (p. 28). Loafing sheds are a place where horses can get out of the weather, yet still have access to the outside areas. These are usually built with three walls and are shared with several horses who have free access to them. Barbed wire, while used throughout a good deal of the West, is not ideal as fencing material because the horses end up with a great deal of injuries that can ultimately become infected or cause other health risks. Regular assessments of the

Weather and climate Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Weather and climate - Assignment Example The second model shows that the station had a dew point temperature of 60oF and a maximum temperature of 63oF,a barometric pressure of 998mb and a sky cloud coverage 50%. From the second model again I can be noted that the place had a thunderstorm of accompanied by intermittent rainfall (Roger 2010). In the models that answers these questions, it can be observed that in the first model, the station experienced a barometric pressure of 117mb, maximum temperature of 43oF and a minimum temperature of 20oF, the sky was clear, the wind blew from the South west with a speed of 25knots. The pressure change was higher in the last three hours at a +17 with a rising pressure tendency (Roger 2010). In the second model, it can be clearly seen that the station had a barometric pressure of 997mb, the wind blew from the North West, the temperature was 27oF and the dew point temperature was 20oF, there was continuous snow flakes. The amount of precipitation in the last 6 hours was .31, there was also a falling pressure tendency with a falling pressure change of -11 in the last 3hours (Roger

Millennials Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Millennials - Essay Example ew up making decisions with others and using tools that provide instant gratification for support and other needs and desires, Millenials are different from other generations in how they form and develop their workplace and close relationships because constant technology usage and communication has affected how they think and express what they think about. Millenials grow up always connected through technology because parents are working harder than ever, therefore conditioning their kids to get used to helicopter parenting from childhood to adolescence through technology. Their parents already gave them their cellphones at a young age. Some Millennial kids had their first cellphones at age 8 (Tyler para.8), while others, much earlier. Parents do this generally because they want to ensure continuous communication. After all, many households nowadays have parents working full-time. Even mothers who stay at home work through having their businesses or Internet-based jobs or are busy with community affairs. One of the ways they can ensure that their children are safe and that they can influence their decisions is through helicopter parenting (Tyler para.5). Jeanne Achille, CEO of Shrewsbury, a public relations firm, notes that she receives constant information streaming from her daughters, telling her what they are doing and even what th ey plan to do (Tyler para.1). She admits that she would never have given her own parents this level and frequency of information before (Tyler para.3), which underscores that, as a parent, she is one of the drivers of her children’s frequent usage of and dependence on technology for communication and relationship-building purposes. Families are significant motivators for using technology with such pervasiveness among Millenials. Parents also affect school and workplace practices, as they extend their helicopter parenting to their children’s schools and careers. Kathryn Tyler reports about parents who meddle in academic courses,

Water pollution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Water pollution - Research Paper Example Water pollution has turned out to be a global threat that significantly affects the existence of humans,animals and plant.Water pollution is contamination of water ecosystems such as rivers,ground waters,oceans and lakes.It occurs through direct or indirect discharge of pollutants into water bodies without proper treatment. Polluted water is the main causes of human infections and deaths through waterborne diseases such as diarrhea and typhoid fever. This portfolio report seeks to give detailed investigations on leading causes of water pollution and efforts being made to control water pollution. There are various factors that contribute to the problems of water pollution namely, Industrial waste, sewage, acid rain and surface runoff. There are not many techniques of controlling this pollution and currently many researches are being carried out with the aim of finding helpful solution to these problems. The first major causes of water pollution include industrial waste and sewage that are discarded into water bodies. Most of these industrial and sewage waste contains chemicals some of which reacts with water forming toxic substances. These toxic substances are very harmful for both aquatic organisms and human beings when consumed. As the wastes, decay it uses up oxygen and this can affect most of aquatic organisms since they depend on the oxygen in water to survive. Large accumulation of these wastes into the river blocks of waterways other clogs on the vital organs such as fish gills making it impossible for them to breathe thus causing death. Chemicals from these wastes also find their ways in the bodies of a human being when the water is used for irrigation and it contaminate plants and transmit infection to farm employees and consumers (Agarwal, 2005). A solution to this kind of water pollution would be frequent cleaning of affected rivers and carrying out water quality testing to determine the level of oxygen and different chemicals present in water. This c an be done through analyses of water samples in the laboratory for both physical and chemical properties. Industries should also refrain from discharging their waste into rivers. Currently, many industries are using ion exchange technology to remove magnesium and calcium that causes water hardness. Ion exchange can process a wide range of chemicals and provide selective recovery. It consists of columns filled with resin beads that provide a large surface are for anion and cation sites. During the exchange, anionic resins exchange hydroxyl ions for negatively charged chlorides, chromates and sulfates. Cationic resins exchange hydrogen ions (H+) for positively charged ions such as cadmium, nickel, sodium and copper. This technology has helped in removing most toxic chemicals from water thus reducing water pollution (Rao, 2006). Another cause of water pollution is acid rain. It results from burning of fossil fuels having a high level of sulfur. Burning oil and petrol from industries an d heavy commercial vehicles releases carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. After combining with water droplets in the atmosphere they results to formation of weak solutions of nitric and sulfuric acids. When this solution undergoes precipitation they fall as acid rain. As this acidic rain falls into water bodies, it is weakened but as time goes, it increases and eventually lowers the Ph of water. This increases the acidity levels of water bodies and destroys aquatic life. It also increases the acidity levels of soils, which can kill plants because it interferes with soil nutrients. Introduction of low sulfur diesels has helped in reducing the level of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide released during combustion. Invention of selective catalytic reduction technology which uses ad blue solution has also helped in reducing emissions from heavy vehicles. Ad blue is a solution of urea in water and is mostly used in diesel engines of heavy trucks. The ad blu e solution helps

Importance of Education Essay Example for Free

Importance of Education Essay The history of humankind is a history of progress; generations of our ancestors collected their experience, passed it to the next generation and as such were able to pass their knowledge to us. Education is the engine that moves mankind ahead, we enjoy the fruits of progress not only because the previous generations studied well but also because they passed their knowledge to us. In today’s world, driven by technology and forces to turn it into a global village, getting education is the best way to improve oneself. Studying is the best way to receive knowledge. Human knowledge collected over the generation is passed to us by teachers. Our school curriculum is structured to give us a wide breadth of information, some of this information appears to be useless but contrary to this view, this knowledge broadens our mind. An educated person critically thinks make decision and conclusions. Higher education, for instance, getting a degree helps one develop a character. In studying, we in addition to getting education are able to improve our characters. University is a social set up where we socialize, improve our communication skills and even learn how to speak in public. School set up teaches us to be responsible, persistent and assiduous. In the modern world, no career is possible without education. Not matter the devotion, desire and passion, without proper education there is no job for you. We need documented proof of our abilities to fit in the current job market. Education gives the back ground of the previous innovations without which one can hardly bring in a new idea in the world. To conclude, it is in getting education that we are able to improve our characters and state of our mind. We too become confident and more prepared to face the future. Khan sees education as knowledge of putting one’s potential to maximum use, which I totally agree with (2007).

Effect of The Human Rights Act 1998

Effect of The Human Rights Act 1998 Section 3(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998 provides that: â€Å"So far as it is possible to do so, primary legislation and subordinate legislation must be read and given effect in a way which is compatible with the Convention rights.† Whilst this does not â€Å"affect the validity, continuing operation or enforcement of any incompatible primary legislation,† or â€Å"affect the validity, continuing operation or enforcement of any incompatible subordinate legislation,† national legislation must be completely incapable of being compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights for the Courts in the UK to deliver a ‘declaration of incompatibility, rather than to construe the legislation in favour of the party relying upon a Convention right. Regarding the interpretation of the Convention rights, section 2(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998 states: â€Å"A court or tribunal determining a question which has arisen in connection with a Convention right must take into account any (a) judgment, decision, declaration or advisory opinion of the European Court of Human Rights, (b) opinion of the Commission given in a report adopted under Article 31 of the Convention, (c) decision of the Commission in connection with Article 26 or 27(2) of the Convention, or (d) decision of the Committee of Ministers taken under Article 46 of the Convention, whenever made or given, so far as, in the opinion of the court or tribunal, it is relevant to the proceedings in which that question has arisen.† The Court has held that, when scrutinizing executive decisions and determining their complience with the Human Rights Act, section 2 of this Act compels them to take into account the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights. However, it has been made clear that â€Å"The [courts] are not bound by the decisions of the European Court.† This was confirmed in the case of Boyd v The Army Prosecuting Authority. However, in the case of R v Secretary of the State for the Home Department, a case concerning an alledged breach of Article 8 of the ECHR; it was held, in reliance on the cases of Campbell v United Kingdom and R. v Secretary of the State for the Home Department (Ex p. Leech), that when assessing the validity of an executive action, the court must rule on the proportionality of the executive decision in question. Article 8(2) of the ECHR states: â€Å"There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as is in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.† The Queens Bench held that where an executive decision sought to infringe Article 8(1) of the ECHR, that an investigation into the proportionality of that decision is required by virtue of Article 8(2) of that Convention. From these recent case decisions it is immediately clear that the Human Rights Act 1998 has had a major impact on the pre-existing public law framework of the United Kingdom. The Courts are bound to interpret national legislation in accordance with the rights contained in the ECHR, even where this means that national legislation has to be interpreted beyond its literal or purposive scope, and the Courts have show increasing willingness to be influenced by European jurisprudence when interpreting the Convention. On top of this, it seems that the case of R v Secretary of the State for the Home Department has introduced ‘proportionality as a new grounds for commencing a judicial review of an exectuive decision. To this extent, the Human Rights Act 1998 must be considered a tenet of the constitution of the United Kingdom, at least to the extent that it impacts upon the scope of the legitimate powers of the executive. However, that being said, section 3(2) of the Human Rights Act and the interpretation of this section by the House of Lords in the case of R v A (No.2) does suggest that where the legislative enact legislation which purports to expressly limit the scope of a Convention right, the Courts are not entitled to rules in favour of a claimant, by reinterpreting that provision. Let us now ask ourselves an important question: For an Act to be constitutional surely it must be the case that the legislature cannot bypass its provisions, while it remains in force, simply by indicating its intent to do so, or acknowledging that it does so? Let us therefore turn to examine how the Courts deal with cases where legislation is completely incompatible with the rights conferred under the ECHR, or where the government have acknowledged that a new Bill is incompatible with the ECHR: In regards to incompatible legislation, section 4(2) of the Human Rights Act 1998 states: â€Å"If the court is satisfied that [a] provision is incompatible with a Convention right, it may make a declaration of that incompatibility.† Section 4(4) of the Act goes on to provide that: â€Å"If the court is satisfied- (a) that the provision is incompatible with a Convention right, and (b) that (disregarding any possibility of revocation) the primary legislation concerned prevents removal of the incompatibility, it may make a declaration of that incompatibility.† The effect of such a declaration, however, is neither to render that legislation invalid and ineffective, nor to provide the parties in the case with a form of redress, but rather to alert the executive that the legislation in question is incompatibe. Despite the fact that the Courts have made it clear that a declaration of incompatibility is a â€Å"last resort†, in order to argue that the Human Rights Act 1998 is a constitutional enactment, it must be shown that where the legislative have introduced legislation which is incompatible with its provisions, that they have acted beyond their constitutional powers. In regards to ‘statements of compatibility, it is clear that the legislature are legally entitled to enact a Bill without such a statement, as per s19(1)(b) of the 1998 Act. An example of such an Act is the Sexual Offences Act 2005. This must be deemed to undermine the UKs commitment to abiding by the rights enshrined in the ECHR. Earlier in this essay we have asked the question: For an Act to be constitutional surely it must be the case that the legislature cannot bypass its provisions, while it remains in force, simply by indicating its intent to do so, or acknowledging that it does so? In light of the fact that the Act does not impose any duty of action on the executive to amend incompatible legislation, nor to make sure legislation is compatible before it is enacted, it cannot be said to undermine the constitutional nature of this Act because the legislature are not acting outside of the scope of their powers in the legislation. If this argument is correct, then we must ask ourselves what characteristics of the Human Rights Act 1998 suggests that it ‘has found a place at the heart of the constitution of the United Kingdom? In the case of Thoburn v Sunderland City Council, Lord Justice Laws defined a ‘constitutional statute in the following terms: â€Å"In my opinion a constitutional statute is one which (a) conditions the legal relationship between citizen and State in some general, overarching manner, or (b) enlarges or diminishes the scope of what we would now regard as fundamental constitutional rights. (a) and (b) are of necessity closely related: it is difficult to think of an instance of (a) that is not also an instance of (b).† We have already seen how the Courts have used the Act to give significant force to the ECHR, interpreting legislation widely to give effect to the Convention rights, allowing decisions by public bodies to be challenged for being a disproportionate breach of Convention rights and only issuing declarations of incompatibility as a ‘last resort. These features of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the way it has been applied by the Courts certainly satisfies Lord Justice Laws definition. This supports the contention that the Human Rights Act 1998 is part of the constitution of the UK, but does not confirm whether it has truly found a place at the heart of the constitution. Let us now look at recent political developments that serve to undermine this assertion: In England there is currently much talk about the possibility of repealing the Human Rights Act. For example, in 2006 David Cameron made a public statement that the Conservatives would scrap, reform or replace the Human Rights Act unless the government [could] reach a memorandum of understanding to enable foreign criminals to be deported to their countries of origin†. [Guardian, May 12 2006]. Likewise, a recent Review of the Implementation of the Human Rights Act, stated: â€Å"it is worth considering briefly an option which has been subject to recent comment. This would be the option of repealing the Human Rights Act and enacting a separate set of fundamental rights which would not, in law, be connected to the European Convention on Human Rights. The suggestion is that these rights could be given some sort of entrenched or superior status in our constitution.† [DCA, 2006, p5]. These sources strongly imply that the Human Rights Act 1998 has not found a place in the heart of our constitution, despite there being little doubt about its constitutional nature. In the final section of this paper, let us turn our attention to the place of the Human Rights Act 1998 in the constitution of Scotland, and its prospects for the future in this devolved jurisdiction: In Scotland, the purposes of the Human Rights Act 1998 were given greater force by the introduction of the Scotland Act 1998. Section 29 of this Act states: â€Å"(1) An Act of the Scottish Parliament is not law so far as any provision of the Act is outside the legislative competence of the Parliament. (2) A provision is outside that competence so far as any of the following paragraphs apply (d) it is incompatible with any of the Convention rights or with Community law.† This goes much further than the Human Rights Act 1998 which allows UK Parliament to enact incompatible provisions as long as an assessment has been made in accordence with s19(1)(b) of the Act. Coupled with the recent enactment of the Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006, which established the Scottish Commission for Human Rights, it seems clear that the ECHR has found a central place in the constitution of the devolved jurisdiction of Scotland. However, in response to the statement at the top of this paper, we can hardly say that these developments put the Human Rights Act at the heart of the constitution of the United Kingdom; after all, these developments do not pertain to the Human Rights Act 1998, except in so far as this Act is used to define the Convention rights which are to be adhered to by the Scottish executive. Conclusion In conclusion, whilst the Human Risghts Act 1998 can certainly be described as a constitution enactment, recent political developments in the UK which suggest that this Act might soon be repealed undermine the contention that the 1998 is ‘at the heart of the constitution of the United Kingdom. In Scotland, the Human Rights Act 1998 can only be said to be at the heart of the constitution to the extent that this Act is referred to by the Scotland Act 1998, an Act which goes much further in granting legal protection to scotish citizens for breaches of Convention rights than the 1998 Act.

Mysticism In Wordsworths Poetry English Literature Essay

Mysticism In Wordsworths Poetry English Literature Essay William Wordsworth and Coleridge are the two pioneers of the English Romantic Movement who changed the dry, sterile rationalism in English poetry in a new era by establishing the primacy and sovereignty of insight and imaginative vision in literature and in life. William Wordsworth has an amazing capacity for expressing personal beliefs and thoughts. According to the Romantics, imagination is the only way of perceiving and realizing the one in the many, the abiding behind the flux, the infinite behind the finite, the eternal behind ephemeral, and the transcendent behind the immanent. Romantic vision is on the basis of the ultimate priority and superiority of imagination over the logical and speculative reason of the human mind while it does not deny or belittle the limited values and utility of the latter in human life. It appreciates the view that the realms of experience are so high that cannot be explored and comprehended by finite human reason. And it is only the imagination which can offer fleeting flashes of profound and penetrating insight into the heart of the reality. Imagination based on direct intuitive insight or flashes of immediate awareness is a faculty that transcends but does not reject the reason and intellect of man (Barker 5). Wordsworth emphasizes the great importance and power of imagination when he very per ceptibly says: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..Imagination, which, in truth, Is but another name for absolute power And clearest insight, amplitude of mind, And reason in her most exalted mood. (Prelude, Book IV) While reason divides, disrupts and dissociates things, imagination links, unifies and binds them together. Thus in sharp contrast to the Cartesian metaphysics of Descartes which maintains a dichotomy between matter and spirit, microcosm (man) and macrocosm (universe), the Romantic imagination finds in the entire universe between the sentient living beings as well as inanimate objects, a bond of all-embracing unity, solidarity and fellowship. Another distinctive feature of the Romantic imagination is the experience of owe, wonder, ecstasy or rapture and reverence aroused in the perceivers mind when it contemplates and communes with the things of the universe. Such awe ­ inspiring or rapturous supernatural (or numinous) experience is a vital factor in Romantic experience and the prime source of its vitality and intensity. William Wordsworth is one of the greatest imaginative Romantic poets whose style and poems are always distinguished from other Romantic poets because of his illumined spiritual vision as a mystic. Romantic imagination reached to its climax, its crowning revelation and consummation in the Wordsworths mysticism. Mysticism could be considered as the quintessence of Wordsworths poetry and the supreme source of its inspiration (Mackay 110). Mysticism, broadly defined, is a state of sublime imaginative and spiritual experience in which one has direct, immediate and intuitive perception of an all-embracing infinite and eternal reality the immanent-transcendent Absolute Being underlying and pervading but also transcending the sensible material universe. It is the sense of God in all and all in God. It is this sense of one ultimate Divine principle permeating all things and all life of the universe as well as guiding, cherishing and sustaining them that inspires the mystic to conceive the vision of the ultimate divine unity of the universe, of all life. Mystic imagination sees a living relationship between the soul of man and the soul of the universe a vision of cosmic unity, fraternity and fellowship.   The mysticism of Wordsworth is something unique in its kind, though there are some characteristics that can be seen in all modes of mysticism. It is a type of Nature-mysticism. Wordsworth mystical experiences are mainly depicted in the context of his treatment of nature. He had never limited his poems within the confined boundaries of the sights, sounds, odors, and movements of various elements of nature. His aim was to attain something ultra-earthly and divine and leaving the traces of his mystical experiences in nature and human life in his poetry. So his poetry is not simply just talking about the lovely and tranquil aspects of nature but it also covers his mystical experiences. Though it is consist of a certain degree of affinity to Spinozistic pantheism, it is not absolutely the same thing because it does not consider Nature as the be-all and end-all of the universe or equate and identify it with the Supreme Divine Spirit. Wordsworths mysticism also differs from the Neoplatonic mysticism of Plotinus or the Christian mysticism of St. John of the Cross and St. Augustine. But it has something of the sublime beatific vision of Blake or the glowing paradisal vision of Dante. Like all true mystics Wordsworth believes that human life has a divine origin and divine destiny (Wyman 517). As he said in his Ode on Intimations of Immortality: Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The soul that rises with us, our lifes star Hath had elsewhere its setting And cometh from afar; But trailing clouds of glory do we come From Gold, who is our home Man is introduced as an essentially divine and immortal spirit in wordsworth poems as we repeatedly see such phrases like the Pilgrim of Eternity or the Child of Immortality which proves his fervent and glowing faith as the most genuine mystic poet of all ages. It is evident that he believes so deeply in infinity as he says: Our destiny, our beings heart and home, I Is with infinitude, and only there; and that the great thought by which we live is infinity and God. Wordsworths love of Nature and the way Nature is glorified, worshiped and divinized is apparent in his verse. Wordswoths attitude towards Nature is somehow different from other Romantic poets of his age. For instance, although Shelley shares some common characteristics with Wordsworths viewpoint on Nature but he also attempts to intellectualize and conceptualize Nature transforming the object of Nature into some dogmatic socio-political doctrine, ideology or an abstract idea, as in Ode to the West Wind, while Wordsworths vision of Nature is constantly and consistently spiritual.   For Wordsworth, the vision of Nature always represents the vision of the Divine spirit, the vision of that Cosmic Being. So Shelley on the basis of a Wordsworthian spirit describs in his illuminating and soul-stirring lines: That Light whose smile kindles the Universe, That Beauty in which all things work and move, That Benediction which the eclipsing curse Of birth can quench not, that sustaining Love Which through the web of being blindly move By man and beast and earth and air and sea, Burns bright or dim, as each are mirrors of The fire for which all thirst: .. (Lament for Adonais) Wordsworths worship and adoration of Nature was never inspired by passion for aesthetic beauty, elegance and splendor. All forms and objects, aspects and appearances of Nature  ­whether graceful, lovely and magnificent or somber, awe inspiring and forbidding alike stirred and stimulated his visionary imagination, for they all of them were to him equally the living emblems and images of the Divine spirit, the hieroglyphics of divinity. How even the dreary, appalling and awesome spectacles of Nature could bring intimations of the Divine Reality and profoundly impress on his mind its sublimity, majesty and grandeur is vividly revealed in one of the celebrated passages of Prelude in the description of a scene on the Alps: Black drizzling crags that spake by the wayside As if a voice were in them, the sick sight And giddy prospect of the raving stream, The unfettered clouds and region of the Heavens, Tumult and peace, the darkness and the light-  ­Were all like workings of one mind, the features Of the same face, blossoms upon one tree; Characters of the great Apocalypse, The types and symbols of Eternity, Of first, and last, and midst, and without end. (prelude, Book VI) This passage is a representative of a profoundly moving and glowing description of one of the most memorable mystic experiences of Wordsworth. The essential features of Wordsworths mystic vision is also greatly depicted in those impressive lines of his, where he says: One interior life In which all beings live with God, themselves Are God, existing in the mighty whole, As indistinguishable as the cloudless east Is from the cloudless West, when all The hemisphere is one cerulean blue.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From a fragment found in a Ms. notebook containing Peter Bell or when he refers to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦..the sentiment of Being spread Oer all that moves and all that seemeth still; Oer all that, lost beyond the reach of thought And human knowledge, to the human eye Invisible, yet liveth to the heart; Oer all that leaps and runs; and shouts and sings, Or beats the gladsome air; Oer all that glides Beneath the wave, yea, in the wave itself, And mighty depth of waters. (Prelude, Book II) All objects, high or low, sentient or insentient are to him mixed with the presence of the Divine and instinct with life and feeling and even with consciousness and their own will. This is interestingly expressed in the following me ­morable lines: To every natural form, rock, fruit or flower, Even the loose stones that cover the highway, I gave a moral life: I saw them feel, Or linked them to some feeling: the great mass Lay bedded in a quickening soul, and all That I beheld respired with inward meaning. (Prelude, Book III) Wordsworths perception of One interior life in all leads to evoking his vision and fill him with lofty and elevated thoughts which is derived from ordinary and apparently trivial things of Nature. Trances of thought and mountings of the mind kindling him to the sublimely reverent and profoundly mystic contemplation of the Divine immanent in all creation. To me the meanest flower that blows can give Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears. (Ode on Intimations of Immortality) And he says that even the tiniest things of Nature seemed provoked and illuminated with a heavenly splendor and sublimity. The earth, and every common sight To me did seem Apparelld in celestial light. (Ibid) Since Nature brought a profound vision of the Deity or the Wisdom and Spirit of the universe in Wordsworths mind as he calls it in his Prelude, he regarded it as the source of his poetic inspiration and of moral and spiritual enlightenment and vision. He appreciates Nature as he says: Well pleased to recognize In nature and the language of the sense The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse, The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul Of all my moral being. (Tintern Abbey Re-visited) All objects and units of Nature had for him some sublime and enigmatic moral and spiritual message to convey: One impulse from a vernal wood May teach you more of man, Of moral evil and of good. Than all the sages can. (The Tables Turned) It is the crucial faith of a mystic that the heart of light is the silence. In the true spirit of a mystic, Wordsworth arranged a supreme value on silence and contemplative stillness or, as he called it, wise passiveness and meditative peace and was aware of its deep and huge spiritual potentialities for bringing him divine revelation and for enabling him to penetrate into the ultimate cosmic mysteries. Among his visions of Nature, there came moments of such profound and hallowed stillness of transcendent peace and silence as Wordsworth called it that through his imagination Wordsworth attained the highest peak of his mystic vision gaining insight into the heart of reality (Jarvis 4). It was in moments of that peace which passeth understanding that Wordsworth says: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Gently did my soul Put off her veil, and self-transmuted, stood Naked, as in the presence of her Got (Prelude, Book IV) In moments of such holy tranquil and peace, his mind was transport ­ed to a state of sublime ecstasy, a trance-like consciousness. Oft in these moments such a holy calm Would overspread my soul, that bodily eyes Were utterly forgotten, and what I saw Appeared like something in myself, a dream: A prospect in the mind (Prelude, Book V) Emphasizing those moments of sublime stillness and serenity and their inestimable value and significance, Wordsworth in an illuminating passage in Tintern Abbey Re-visited says: that serene and blessed mood, In which the affections gently lead us on, Until, the breath of this corporeal frame And even the motion of our human blood Almost suspended, we are laid asleep In body, and become a living soul: While with an eye made quiet by the power Of harmony, and the deep power of joy, We see into the life of things. and also in Ode on Intimations of Immortality he states: Hence, in a season of calm weather Though inland far we be, Our souls have sight of that immortal sea Which brought us hither. Wordsworths mysticism is different and remarkable for its contemplative mood and pantheistic conception of nature. It is structured based on the belief that nature is a living being and the dwelling place of god. Nature is the means through which a man comes into contact with god. Wordsworth claims that a divine spirit can be seen through all the objects of nature. As a true pantheist he also says that all is God and God is all. This notion is particularly depicted in Tintern Abbey. He also finds the existence of god in the mind of man. Wordsworth claims that there is a pre-arranged harmony between the mind of man and the spirit of nature, which enables man to relate or communice with nature. The relationship is materialized when the mind of man forms a kinship with the thoughts of nature. And it is this cordial and intellectual junction between man and nature that helped to shape his belief that nature has the power to teach and educate human beings. Man reaches perfection and practical knowledge through the education he obtains from nature. He believes that the person who doesnt receive education from nature is worthless and his life is not successful. The poet believes that nature is the nurse and the protector of the mankind (Gill 163). In Wordsworths viewpoint, nature has the ability to alleviate the damaged mind of man. The beautiful and frolicsome aspects of nature are an infinite source for healing power. The material life sometimes becomes so painful that human beings loose the aspiration for living. When life becomes such unbearable then the sweet and affectionate contact with nature can easily drive away the cloud of cynicism from the mind of the viewer of nature. The noise and disturbance of the town or city life may make human life intolerable but even the recollections of nature in some lonely room can eliminate the burden of desolation, anxiety and suffocation. Wordsworth honors even the simplest and the most ordinary objects of nature and human life.   For him nothing is mean or low, since everything that is present in the universe is touched by divine life. To conclude we ought to say that Wordsworth never looked at nature like the way we do. With great devotion and enthusiasm, he sought to read the profoundest meaning of human life in nature. In the way of doing so he forged himself as a great poet of nature with a true mystical vision.

Hucks Inescapable Moral Dilemma :: essays papers

Huck's Inescapable Moral Dilemma In the novel, Huck is faced with the dilemma of whether or not to return Jim, the runaway slave, back to Jim’s owner. He, at an early age, is faced with the decision that has plagued man for ages: choosing what is morally right, even though it is forbidden in society and popular culture. He goes against the fold and goes with what his heart tells him. Huck's predicament is Twain’s â€Å"inescapable dilemma.† In an essay by Roger Rosenblatt, entitled â€Å"The Bill of Rights," Rosenblatt ends his essay with a single line: â€Å"Downriver we ride together, as ever, free to go to hell.† Rosenblatt’s final line in his essay makes an important point. It is not just Huck who is faced with decisions. Huckleberry Finn represents every person who has ever had to make a decision between what they feel is morally correct and what society perceives as right. Today Huck's dilemma with whether or not it is right to help free his eventual friend Jim can be c ompared with a doctors decision on whether or not to perform an abortion. The tough decision a doctor has to make about abortion is an example of an inescapable dilemma that plagues modern man. In abortion, the doctor is faced with a difficult decision. Should he take the life of an unborn child? What if the child was deformed, or was otherwise going to be born into a possibly unhealthy environment? Is taking away the opportunity to live life morally wrong or not? There are many more questions that face the doctor as well as the mother of the fetus. As the mother and the doctor are faced with this dilemma, sometimes what they feel is morally correct is not legal- as abortion is illegal in certain states. Huck would definitely be breaking the law if he freed Jim. Jim is just a slave to most of the people. He is just property that can be sold or used until "it" wears out. Huck sees more than just the slave qualities in Jim. Huck sees life. Similarly many people see life in an unborn fetus and have real qualms with killing a developing child. Another example of an inescapable dilemma is guns. Should it be legal for man to have the power to purchase such an item whose sole purpose is to drain life in general and human life? Huck's Inescapable Moral Dilemma :: essays papers Huck's Inescapable Moral Dilemma In the novel, Huck is faced with the dilemma of whether or not to return Jim, the runaway slave, back to Jim’s owner. He, at an early age, is faced with the decision that has plagued man for ages: choosing what is morally right, even though it is forbidden in society and popular culture. He goes against the fold and goes with what his heart tells him. Huck's predicament is Twain’s â€Å"inescapable dilemma.† In an essay by Roger Rosenblatt, entitled â€Å"The Bill of Rights," Rosenblatt ends his essay with a single line: â€Å"Downriver we ride together, as ever, free to go to hell.† Rosenblatt’s final line in his essay makes an important point. It is not just Huck who is faced with decisions. Huckleberry Finn represents every person who has ever had to make a decision between what they feel is morally correct and what society perceives as right. Today Huck's dilemma with whether or not it is right to help free his eventual friend Jim can be c ompared with a doctors decision on whether or not to perform an abortion. The tough decision a doctor has to make about abortion is an example of an inescapable dilemma that plagues modern man. In abortion, the doctor is faced with a difficult decision. Should he take the life of an unborn child? What if the child was deformed, or was otherwise going to be born into a possibly unhealthy environment? Is taking away the opportunity to live life morally wrong or not? There are many more questions that face the doctor as well as the mother of the fetus. As the mother and the doctor are faced with this dilemma, sometimes what they feel is morally correct is not legal- as abortion is illegal in certain states. Huck would definitely be breaking the law if he freed Jim. Jim is just a slave to most of the people. He is just property that can be sold or used until "it" wears out. Huck sees more than just the slave qualities in Jim. Huck sees life. Similarly many people see life in an unborn fetus and have real qualms with killing a developing child. Another example of an inescapable dilemma is guns. Should it be legal for man to have the power to purchase such an item whose sole purpose is to drain life in general and human life?

The Lord of the Rings Essay -- essays research papers

The One Ring to rule them all   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thought-paper on J. R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings By Francis Byron P. Abao 97-06526 English 146 Inst. Emil Flores Department of English and Comparative Literature University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City. Submitted on October 14, 2002. The One Ring to rule them all   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Lord of the Rings is a three part epic fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkien about the struggle to destroy the One Ring of Power. Published in 1954, the work remains as relevant today as ever, when the question of power and its consequences is concerned. In fact, the work reached the height of its influence in the antiwar protests of the 1960s, where it was a main source of inspiration for activists. Part of the reason for its enduring appeal may be that it resists any one to one correspondence of symbolism and meaning. And so, people are drawn into endless debate and speculation as to what Tolkien ‘really’ meant by his story. If Tolkien had cast his work into a form that was more easily interpreted, if he had been more dogmatic and called it ‘The Use and Misuse of Power,’ for example, he would perhaps have been less effective and influential. This is because dogmas easily attract fanatics and people who want ready made answers, but disenchant th ose who are inclined to a more liberal, questioning approach toward life. Tolkien’s work, fortunately, was not designed to be anything as overtly political as Marx’s ‘Communist Manifesto.’ It is a work of fantasy-literature, a combination which makes it hard for conservatives of the literary or political sphere to consider it seriously as purely a work of literature or political dogma. Nonetheless, it undoubtedly has something to say about the connection between politics, morality, and it says this in an imaginative medium: fantasy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Despite the fact that we may never know what Tolkien meant, we can always ask(and answer, to an extent) what Tolkien means for me---as a reader, as an individual. If the work endures to this day, it must be because it concerns questions that many people have found to be relevant and enduring.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One such question for me is the question of the use of power and it... ...or as long and as well as we can, to preserve and care for our place in the world and our relationships to others in it. And even if we fail, we do not if our attempt has been in vain, or, if it is part of some greater plan of some Higher Power who has our best interests at heart. The attempt itself is heroic.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  But I think that Tolkien defined the best of what it means to be human in his work: that is, when faced with a crisis which seems beyond our means of coping, we choose hope over despair; trust over doubt; and faith over cynicism. â€Å"I don’t suppose we shall see them again, do you Sam? Frodo asks at the breaking of the Fellowship. â€Å"Yet we may, Mr. Frodo. We may.†Sam replies. (Tolkien 526). References: 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tolkien, J(ohn) R(onald) R(euel). The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. U.S.: Ballantine Books, 1965. 87,93,526. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Asimov, Isaac. â€Å"The Ring of Evil† The QPB Companion to the Lord of the Rings New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2001. 94. 3. Day, David. Tolkien’s Ring.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   London: Harper Collins Publishers, 1994. 51.

Indian Financial Market Challenges Essay

The financial services sector is emerging from the worst financial crisis for 80 years. Tighter regulation, an overhang of debt in the west and the immense growth in the power of banks in emerging economies will transform the landscape of banking. The global financial system suffered a profound and traumatic shock in September 2008 when US investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed. As market players withdrew from the financial system, credit dried up and world trade collapsed, there was a real and immediate fear that the world was heading for a repeat of the Great Depression of the 1930s. Two years on and there is growing optimism that both the world economy and the banking industry are recovering from the impact of the financial crisis. But it is equally clear that the financial world has changed permanently, both in terms of who holds the balance of power within global industry and how banks will be allowed to operate in future. Issues faced by Indian Financial / banking sector: Issue 1-Issue of consolidation – It is the current buzzword in the banking industry worldwide. The largest bank in China with an asset base of over US $400 billion. In contrast, the total asset of the largest two banks in India, one in public sector and another a private entity, are US $105 billion and US $38 billion. These figures are extremely illuminating and the onus is on Indian banks to take cognizance of this fact. The Government has raised the cap on FDI in private banks. The Reserve Bank has, on its part, suggested certain changes in the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2003 that seek to address some of the legal impediments arising in the consolidation process. Issue 2-The second issue of import is that of management of costs. Cost containment is a key to sustainability of bank profits as well as their long-term viability. In 2003, operating costs of banks, expressed as per cent of total average asset, was lower than 2 per cent in major European economies like Sweden, Austria, Germany and France. In contrast, in 2004, operating costs of commercial banks in India were 2. 2 per cent of total assets. The downward stickiness continued in 2005 as operating costs have remained well above 2 per cent, as percentage of total assets. Issue 3- Issue is the management of sticky assets. This is a key to the stability and continued viability of the banking sector. Although the ratio of non performing loans to total assets are higher in comparison to international standards, the Indian banks have done a marvelous job in containment of non performing loans (NPL) in recent times. Non-performing loans to total loans of banks were 1. 2 per cent in the US, 1. 4 per cent in Canada and in the range of 2-5 per cent in major European economies. In contrast, the same for Indian banks was 7. 2 per cent in 2004-05. Gross NPL ratio for Indian scheduled commercial banks declined to 5. per cent in 2005 bearing testimony to the serious efforts by our banking system to converge towards global benchmarks. Global Issues and my recommendations: The core challenge for banks / financial sector, as for all organizations, is to create long-term sustainable success. Banks need to understand their business models and have the confidence that these will deliver sustainable value – with appropriate risk mitigations as necessary. They also need to understand the role of performance indicators and executive incentives in driving the right, or wrong, behaviors – as well as how good governance can make a difference. The financial crisis showed that some banks did not grasp these issues adequately. This is where the management person can play a key role. By providing high quality management information, the management person supports business success by enabling evidence based decision making as well as effective allocation of resources and robust risk management. For example, the tools and techniques used by management persons, such as activity based costing help banks to achieve cost leadership. They can also provide information to enhance understanding of customer, product and delivery channel profitability– key issues for retail banks

Chilean Copper Mine Collapse Essay

This paper will discuss in how important it’s to know your audience. When having to communicate a disaster like the Chilean copper mine that occur in South America it’s one example of where knowing your audience was a very important issue. This disaster in the Chilean copper mine, a disastrous downfall in one of the shafts of the mine has left 33 miners trapped 310 meters below the ground. The outcomes of the company and their reaction to the disaster would eventually define how the world, their audience, would see them. It turns out to be very crucial that the spokesperson of the company who issues updates and information to the public is careful and sensitive to the families. The audience the company would be reporting to would be made up of the news correspondence, the victim’s families, and the media. Not only would the company spokesperson have to keep the reputation and point of view of the mining company in one piece, they would have to issue specific and straightforward information that would not always be in the greatest interest of the company’s position. All though in the beginning the company may not have a great extent of information, it’s necessary for them to inform the families with as much information as soon as possible. This would consist of any information as to what is taking place in the mine while the miners are still trapped. When communicating we need to have some emotion and sympathy than just  the facts of what is going on inside the mine. With all the families wanting to be inform that everything is okay and everyone is doing his or her best to get the situation under control. When speaking to any type of media they are concerned only about the facts. They do not care about emotions or sympathy of the friends or families. If there are no facts to give to the media than nothing should be assumed to those until there are facts to share. The collapse would not only have emotional impact on the 33 miners trapped underground, the family members of those miners would be distressed as well. The family members of those 33 men would have to wait in suffering before they would receive word of their family member’s fate. When a disaster of this extent occurs, the company has the obligation to keep the family members well-informed every step of the rescue progression, above the news bulletin and media. Furthermore informing the families right away in regards to what’s being done to rescue the miners is very important. For instance the families should be inform that while the miners remain in the trapped mines the government is taking steps from getting doses of anti-depressants for the men. Also they’re sending down fresh clothes and games to help keep them physically and mentally fit. In addition the families need to know that the government and rescue team is guiding the miners to a secure area. The secure area is where they can establish various places one for resting and sleeping. The families of the miners need to be informed that the rescue team is doing everything possible to keep the miners in good spirits. Also asking the families to get involve by writing positive encouraging letters for their love ones it’s encouraged. When communicating to the families that the government has contacted NASA to help with the rescue it will give them a little piece of mind. Let them know the rescue team will be able to utilize all the new technology of NASA‘s and their resources to rescue the miners. NASA who has sent people to the moon and outer space has many tools and resources for a situation like this. Therefore the most appropriate channel to communicate with the media, families in a situation like this one of the trapped miners is face to face. The reason to announce the incident face to face is because it shows your compassion, truthfulness and braveness. I would say for the employees of the company I would use email and face to face. The email would be sent out first to the employees followed up with a face to face is case they had any questions or concerns. In conclusion it’s important to remember that timeliness is of the utmost importance when dealing with situations of this magnitude. When taking families into consideration, the company must deliver the information of the mine collapse with an extreme level of discretion, clarity, and encouragement and compassion. References http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibray.com http://www.msnbc.com.world_news-americas/t/trapped-chilean-mines

The Impact on Americanization Process

The impact on Americanization process involves enormous movements of people across oceans and continents bringing different cultures into contact and sometimes into conflict (DuBois & Dumenil, 2009 p. 391). They all searched for better lives and more freedom. Native Americans and poor immigrants were pushed aside by continuing the westward expansion (DuBois & Dumenil, 2009 p. 391). Parents and tribal leaders protested the brutality of this coercive Americanization but they were no way to stop it (DuBois & Dumenil, 2009 p. 394). Some Native American women earned English and other skills in the boarding school programs they had. Some got jobs and worked for reservation agencies and became teachers. For example, Susan la Flesche became the first white trained Native woman physician. She was also the first person to receive federal aid for education. Sussette la Flesche was a writer and speaker on behalf of Indian causes (DuBoise & Dumenil, 2009 p. 395). Americanization program became harsher especially during WWI. I believe this is why some women resisted and other supported. Immigrant mothers and daughters confronted America very differently (DuBois & Dumenil, 2009 p. 408). Young immigrant women did domestic labor and factory work. Mexicans, Germans, Polish met the demand for servants. Most of these young workers lived with parents or relatives and had to give the earnings to them. Immigrant mothers had responsibility to preserve the way to become Americanize themselves and their families. They cooked traditional foods and followed religious beliefs while the husbands made a family living (DuBois & Dumenil, 2009 p. 410). The immigrant’s journey women had many obstacles during their journey. It took ten to twenty days to cross and it was in unhealthy conditions as well. I could imagine women that were pregnant or with little ones and how hard it was. I am Hispanic I have seen many immigrants’ women trying to cross and some don’t even survive now days. It is hard and some get abused on the way in crossing. I guess many things haven’t changed but it is better than before. In conclusion Native American women had it hard. I believe African American women had it the worse. Boarding schools helped many along the way.

History 20th Century Essay

The historical past of a particular country is essential in understanding its present situation as well as in planning the future. Past events served as a basis as to why particular situations happen in the present. In relation to this, lesson learned in the past also becomes a guide in order to avoid previous mistakes. Being the case, analyzing a country’s history is indeed important. These ideas also holds true in the case of the 20th century African American leadership. The era of slavery in the United States of America holds a very important part in their history. It was during the time wherein the southern region of the country capitalizes in the exportation of cotton that this slavery of African American took place. As such, maltreatment of these people happened that is characterized by the discrimination and segregation of the African Americans from the whites. This is also the reason why many African American leaders started to go against this inhumane treatment and asked for changes. Their efforts might have taken a long time before it made a difference but it was worth it. It is also essential that primary resources are use in studying and analyzing the history of African American leadership because it should be taken into consideration that majority of the people who are in power during those times as well as at the present are whites. As such, some of them are capable of manipulating the information about the African American history. Studying the leadership of these African Americans is important because they epitomize how people struggle in order to fight for their rights. They also embody a turning point in the United States history because it was due to their leadership that the country reassesses their idea of freedom and democracy. Furthermore, it plays an important role for the country to understand the present state of African Americans as well as the development and areas for improvement of the situation of these people. Moreover, the lesson learned from this experience would aid the people to make things better so that the mistakes done in the past would not happen again.

Development of Greek Architecture

Same for Doric Style Visual Comparison -List the differences, similarities -Were the circumstances vastly different during the time periods of each (war, peace, etc. )? Conclusion Development of Greek Architecture: The Doric and Ionic Orders Undoubtedly, most eople have had the experience of driving around neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights with their family. We have all seen those humongous, beautiful houses or churches with the winding driveway, tall windows, or columns framing the face of the house.However, very few people may stop to actually examine the homes and wonder about why they were made the way that they were. People may not know of the architectural structures from hundreds of thousands of years ago that are influencing those modern buildings. Columns, for example, are remnants of an era that changed the way that many cultures build structures; the height of Ancient Greece. The Doric and Ionic orders arose during that time and remain a staple in structural design . I will explain the two orders as well as compare them using two different, specific temples.I will also give background information on the architects of each temple, on new ideas that sprung up during this time, and on events that could have influenced the development of structure in Greece and surrounding areas. During the Orientalizing Period in the seventh century, the Greeks built a temple at Prinias that resembled the Mycenaean megaron which travelers may have seen uring a Journey for trade. However, in sixth century BCE, known as the Archaic Period, Greek architects began to look to Egyptian structures such as the columnar halls in Karnak.With these in mind, they began to build the stone columnar temples that have become the iconic Greek style and have influenced architecture throughout the Western world. The basic Greek peristyle temple was put under the intense study of architects and philosophers who were trying the find a way to construct the ‘perfect temple'. Vitr uvius, a Greek writer, documented that both doric and ionic types eveloped while architects were trying to translate the styles of temples that were made of wood, mud bricks, and other less durable materials into stone and marble temples.These would undoubtedly last longer and if they could discover the optimal proportions, they could potentially build their ideal or ‘perfect' temple. People started searching for a mathematical formula that could be used to calculate the correct balance for all parts of the temple, which reflected the thinking of philosopher Pythagoras of Samos. He believed that that beauty resided in the harmony of ratios, so a Greek architect named Iktinos came up with a set roportional scheme that resulted in a formula for the best balanced temple.Within the bounds of this formulaic approach, there developed two systems, or orders of designing the three parts of ‘elevation' in a Greek temple. The three parts are the platform (stylobate), the colonnade , and the superstructure (entablature). The Doric order and the Ionic order differ in the detail and proportions of these parts. Their names are derived from the cultures and areas from which they supposedly originated (Dorians in central and southern Greece and Ionians in Athens and ‘Ionia', the west coast and Asia Minor).Both systems had the basic elements of a Greek temple (elevation from a platform, columns with a fluted shaft and a capital, entablatures with a frieze, a pediment, so on and so forth). The striking differences occurred in the designs ot these elements The Doric order was the tirst to develop during the 6th century. It had a much sturdier, squat look than the later ionic styles. The columns were thick, immense stone cuts that sat atop the stylobate. The fluted shafts were topped with a pancake-looking, simple capital that had a rectangular slab (abacus) between it and the bottom of the entablature.Resting on the columns is the entablature which includes an a rchitrave (closest to the columns), a frieze, a cornice, a pediment, and a raking cornice. (All of these describe the order of the temple from bottom to top). A distinctive feature of the doric order is that the frieze is broken up vertically by triglyphs and metopes. The plain, flat capital also marks a difference between the doric system and other styles. An example of a classic Doric order temple would be the Temple of Hera I which is located in Paestum, Italy (see Image #1).It was constructed around 550 BCE and is 80 feet tall and 170 feet wide. Also referred to as the ‘Basilica', its thick columns (nine across the front and back and eighteen down both sides) are closely spaced and resemble the shape of a cigar because they taper in slightly at the top. They are topped with the flat, circular capitals. Although almost the entire collection of columns remains, the majority of the entablature is no longer there. The Ionic order developed a little after the Doric Order, in th e a different area.The system began with the same basic structure of temple, including a platform or stylobate, columns (which occasionally had a base hat stood out from the shaft), a capital, and an entablature with an architrave, frieze, cornice, and pediment. However, the columns are slightly farther apart from each other and they are also more slender than the doric style. A good way to imagine an ionic temple is of it having ‘lost weight'. They are not significantly taller, but may appear so because thinner columns and spacing. The capital is made of two volutes and resembles the curling ends of a scroll.Some other distinct aspects of the Ionic system are that the frieze is left open and undivided, and also that the architrave is generally subdivided into three bands. As I previously mentioned, ionic temples also had columns with a base that was distinguishable from the fluted shaft. The Temple of Athena Sounias, located at Cape Sounia, still stands with a full entablatur e (see Image #3). You can see the volutes on the capitals of the slender columns. However, the frieze is divided up by triglyphs and metopes, and you can also see the smooth architrave.Both of these reflect the elements of the original doric craftsmanship, so this piece of architecture cannot be considered exclusively ionic, as it has some doric influence. This temple was built in the middle of the 5th century, which would xplain the dualism in the style of attributes on the temple. A more modern, but basically accurate example of the Ionic style would be the University of Oslo in Norway (see image #4). The frontal steps lead up to a colonnaded porch, with columns reaching from their bases to their scroll-like capitals. The architrave is banded, but the frieze is completely smooth and open.The pediment is also filled with figures all positioned so that they fit into triangle shape but still maintain proper proportions, which was used in previous eras. The temples themselves had vari ous internal structures which varied depending n the architect, the region, or the purpose of the building. Some temples had columns that only went across the front (prostyle) while some had them across the front and back (amphiprostyle). Temples like the Temple of Athena Sounias and the Temple ot Hera I are reterred to as ‘peristyle' because they nave columns all the way around the cella (inner sacred room) and the porch area.However, all of the distinctive qualities of both the Doric order and Ionic order are mainly centered in features at the front of the temples, as well as their columns. The Greek architects' insistence on proportional harmony was the driving force ehind many styles between the sixth and fourth centuries. The closest that they ever came to achieving a ‘perfect temple' was the Parthenon, built on the Acropolis of Athens in the mid-flfth century BCE (see Image #5).

Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Personal Statement - Essay Example I also became aware of their impact on environment as well as the need for regeneration process in my country. Thus, I became motivated to involve myself with this mission that would be crucial to my nation’s long term sustainable growth and development by acquiring appropriate academic and professional knowledge. I pursued B. Sc Economics in LSE, which allowed me to build up strong quantitative and policy analytical skills that would qualify me to pursue an M. Phil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration. The diverse modules that this course offers have evoked a keen interest in me and I am confident that these will help me attain my aspirations both in professional and academic contexts. Besides, The mentoring from University of Cambridge, will allow me to further hone my skills and train me for a career in housing and urban development in future. I specifically want to exploit the potentials learning that this esteemed university offers in urban planning, spatial policies applied in different countries, and real estate development. Studies in Urban and Environmental Planning will also help me understand the intricacies of relationships between economic growth and environmental sustainability. I desire to specialize in Quantitative Research Methods based on my knowledge in econometrics and sta tistics to learn research techniques for evaluating development opportunities in urban and rural areas. Besides, I have keen interests in environmental issues, real estate as well as regulation and ownership control in vogue in different countries. 2. You may write here your non-academic activities or any special circumstances not evident from other answers in this application that you wish to draw to the attention of the assessors of your application (Max 140 words). I have worked as an intern in Housing and Urban Rural Development Bureau in my city, where I received an opportunity to understand how housing policies and economics have a symbiotic relationship that

Film analysis with historical theme Research Paper

Film analysis with historical theme - Research Paper Example ty in the United States in comparison to the poverty of South America and the resulting desperation, the film does open up the discussion and provide a beginning toward the hope of a solution to the problems of labor abuses and poverty. Maria’s journey is an example of the hard choices that must be made when economic pressure leaves one vulnerable to exploitation. The story of Maria Full of Grace follows the journey of a young, teenage woman who is pregnant and chooses to act as a mule for drug runners after losing her job due to unfair treatment by her boss, in order to provide an income for herself, her coming child, and the rest of her family in Columbia. After a brush with authorities at the airport, she and the other mules who came with her are taken to a motel room where one of the women experiences a rupture of one of the drug balloons and dies. The drug runners cut open her body to retrieve the drugs, and in fear Maria and another mule escape from the room, taking with them the drugs. Ultimately, Maria decides to stay within the United States in order to give her child and herself a chance through the opportunities that she perceives that do not exist in her own country. The film portrays the economic climate of Columbia where drug cartels rule the nation. The drug trade is the core of the nature of economic stability in Columbia and once in the United States, the characters find themselves facing the hope of opportunity that they did not have in their home country. According to Boyd, the director was attempting to â€Å"perceive as the link between history and biography and the relationship between the two in society, our personal troubles, and the social structures† (140). A criticism that Boyd discusses, however, is that no connection between the complicity of the United States to the drug trade in Columbia, as well as fully explore the state of exploited women within the dynamic of that atmosphere. Boyd states that â€Å"Poor and racialized women are

RF Integrated Circuits-electrical engineering Thesis Proposal

RF Integrated Circuits-electrical engineering - Thesis Proposal Example The metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET or MOS) is a four terminal device that can operate in three different regions – cut-off, linear and saturation regions – that states the current it can supply depending on the voltages applied to those terminals (Rabaey 57). Static Complementary MOS (static CMOS) is the most widely used logic style, because it presents some important characteristics: low sensitivity to noise (robustness), good performance, low power consumption, availability in standard cell libraries, among others. Also, the BiCMOS technology has become a viable option for RF applications. The main challenge in the design of RF circuits for products is due to the little operation margins given by the constraints on power consumption and noise (ENZ 189). It is not simple to do the IC design in an environment that is mostly used for digital electronics by involving a RF part. It can be said that the RF parts of an IC do not interact properly w ith the digital parts, since there is a tendency of noise from one part getting into the other. One possible solution is to isolate the RF circuit by shielding it. The modeling of the MOS transistors for operating at RF should be able to accurately predict the performance of the circuits.

Essay 3 and Module 8 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

3 and Module 8 - Essay Example ccording to Aristotle, "Tragedy, then, is an imitation of a noble and complete action, having the proper magnitude; it employs language that has been artistically enhanced . . . ; it is presented in dramatic, not narrative form, and achieves, through the representation of pitiable and fearful incidents, the catharsis of such incidents" (Aristotle 11). With this definition, Aristotle in none of the way implies an unfortunate or a deadly conclusion to a certain drama. I think it is the perspective with which the audience looks at it, rather than the end itself. Taking the example of Oedipus the King, the king, hero himself faces a death, but this is viewed positively as an end to a suffered life; A happy ending to an unhappy life. One characteristic common to the times of the tragedies of Aristotle was its depiction to the lives of the highly placed kings and queens, or the kingly of that time. But Arthur Miller believed that tragedy and drama is apt for the common man too; since a common man is similarly involved in emotional situations as these royals. A commoner traverses through the same mental and developmental process as these richly. According to Arthur Miller, tragedy is all the drama an individual engages in for securing his personal dignity, which might require lying down in life. But, for his position as an individual should be rightly accepted by the society. This is not so simple; all this unrolls from a sequence of events, which are entwined in wounds caused by indignation. This tragedy in unfolded from the individual, who is characterized as a hero. This hero in his way of living is not a flawless and neither a perfect character, nor he is designed to portray pure weakness. This weakness is depicted to build around a story, where the hero plays a passive character to maintain his image and safeguard his dignity. For Aristotle, the rank and the nobility of the tragic character was of utmost importance, for him tragedy represented actions of person

The Women's Kingdom - Mosuo Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

The Women's Kingdom - Mosuo - Essay Example tradition are highly controversial, including the ‘walking marriage’ or Axia marriage, the matriarchal family structure, the religion, and the interaction of the minority group with the outside world (PR China). This article seeks to address the controversial issues concerning the minority group, with verification of the facts from five interviewees from the community (appendix 1). A typical Mosuo family consists of ten family members, though the size varies and some may consist of between 20 and 30 members. Nonetheless, a female leads each family. In essence, the family head is the most proficient female in the house and all other members of the family respect her. She has important responsibilities and honorary status because all other members of the family depend on her decisions on family matters. Lugu Lake is the home for the Mosou community, which has about 35,000 to 50,000 members. The community enjoys plenty of space and building material for building, thus each family poses its own courtyard, with the number of rooms in each courtyard dependent on the size of the family. However, one room stands out: the grandmother’s quarters. The Mosuo family uses this room to offer sacrifices to ancestors, receptions, dining, and discuss family matters. However, the room has a dark atmosphere and low ceiling, creating a sense of intimacy with the only source of light coming from the flames in the coal-stove chambers. Here rests a stone representing the entire ancestry of the family (Vogt). Mosuo tradition holds that the stone carries the souls of the past generations, and thus the fire must remain lit throughout the year to keep the ancestor warm. In some families, the grandmother’s room may contain a big chink of meat that symbolizes the wealth of the family. The Mosou preserve the meat of slaughtered animals using salt and ash, then stitch up the skin and keep it dry in a shady and clean place. Such preserved meat usually lasts for over three years before