Gathering Of Old Men Essay Research Paper free essay sample

Gathering Of Old Men Essay, Research Paper In A Gathering of Old Men, by Ernest J. Gaines, racism plays a immense portion of life in the South. When a white adult male is found dead ; his household and friends start to garner to happen the adult male who did this. After clip these work forces start to imbibe and do a program to kill the adult male ; who merely happened to be black. This merely shows how even though the Civil was brought freedom to inkinesss, there is still hate towards them because of their tegument colour. After clip the black work forces besides start to garner at Mathu? s house ( the adult male who murdered the white adult male ) and they all bring twelve gauge scattergun. The sheriff arrives and asks who killed that adult male, and all the black work forces say, ? it was me. ? The sheriff so threatens to take them all to prison, but he can non because he does non cognize who the slaying is. We will write a custom essay sample on Gathering Of Old Men Essay Research Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The sheriff cognizing the racism of the town ; has a deputy base on Mathus pavement to do certain nil happens. As clip goes by and the white work forces are get downing to acquire angry the adult male who? s boy was killed stairss in and says? this can non travel on any longer. ? This shows how afte R clip colour or race does non count to people, and how after clip a adult male is a adult male and a adult female is a adult female. This upsets the remainder of the work forces even more because this shows them how they are non superior to the black work forces any longer. As clip goes on the sheriff is get downing to worry even more ; because he knows the work forces have been imbibing overly. When dark falls the sheriff and his work forces go place, praying that nil will go on. By this clip the white work forces are really intoxicated and want retaliation. To the white work forces? s surprise when they arrive to Mathu? s house they are out numbered at least two to one. The white work forces realize that they are traveling to free one time once more. When the white work forces start to hit this shows how infantile people are when they are non on top of the universe. The white work forces all dice and prevarication dead in the street when the sheriff arrives the following forenoon. Even though six work forces were killed the sheriff does non make anything because he knows the whit work forces were the cause. When the colour of a individual? s tegument or their faith means adequate to people to kill them, it is infantile and this should be put to a halt.

Japan the second largest market economy in the World Essays

Japan the second largest market economy in the World Essays Japan the second largest market economy in the World Essay Japan the second largest market economy in the World Essay Essay Topic: The Birth Mark Now the Japanese economy is the second large market economy in the world, Japan accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total GDP of Asia and therefore has played a major role in Asia economy. Japan is the biggest investor in Asia countries and a crucial financier of world financial markets. Its economic health is important to the overall global economy, especial in Asia Pacific Business Region. Since Japanese bubble economy collapsed in 1991s, Japan has grown poor economic performance for several years (1). Moreover Asian financial crisis in 1997 has affected Japanese economy recovery, but Japan still holds the key to successful economic recovery of the APBR. Multiple Explanation of Japans Economic Success Postwar Japans extraordinary economic achievements during the post-world war II period inspired awe throughout the world. In the course of three decades, Japan transformed itself from a war-devastated country, whose industrial recovery centered on the production of cheap gadget and light consumer goods, into an affluent and technologically sophisticated global industrial leader (refer to Appendix 1). In trade, Japanese export successes have contributed to expanding surpluses in the countrys international accounts since the 1970s. These huge surpluses have been invested abroad, creating a huge stock of foreign assets for Japan. By the mid-1980s, Japan had risen to prominence as the worlds largest net creditor nation. Japanese economic growth following the American occupation wars remarkable for its magnitude, speed and downright relentlessness. Between 1957 and 1984, Japans gross national product increased from $3.08 billion to $1.261 billion, a 42-fold jump. Moreover Japans economy grew at an annual rate of 9 percent per year during the high-growth years of the 1960s (2) (refer to Appendix 2). How was this economic miracle achieved? I can discuss these from following reasons. 2Government intervention in the economy and strong government-business relationships Japan has employed a version of developmental capitalism that allows for a much greater government role in promoting Japans international competitiveness than is typical in Anglo-American liberal capitalism (3). Japanese business and government leaders started to develop and implement policies aimed at promoting national economic growth following the end of the U.S occupation of Japan in 1952. The government has positively influenced economic growth through wise macroeconomic policies. Business in Japan has maintained very close relations with the bureaucracy and politician. Three sacred treasures of semi-life employment, seniority wage scales, and company union These contributed to employee loyalty and to a high degree of harmony between workers and management. Encouragement to private saving and investment Japans gross national savings at its zenith reached nearly 40 percent in the postwar period. Between 1960 and 1980, the Japanese saved around 20 percent of their disposable personal income (4). The high level of savings of households provided banks and other financial institution with ample funds for heavy investment in the private sector. To Make much of human resources and create an environment where human resources can display their capabilities Japan has invested heavily in developing an effective education and training system. Companies are responsible for providing technical training to the persons they hire. To absorb foreign culture and technology in a flexible manner and improve them to suit the Japanese condition Development of export markets through specialization The importance of the international context Japans economic success can be explained by largely the Cold War and the relationship between the United States and Japan that it produced. The cold war rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union led the United States to shelter Japan from the vagaries of international politics, permitting the Japanese to focus their attention and resource on achieving economic growth. Advocates of free rider in which the U.S-Japan relationship has supported Japanese economic growth. The United States provided cheap technology transfer to Japan following World War II and promoted the Japanese economic buildup through its international trade policy (5). Part III What Causes the Japanese Economic Recession in the 1990s and Measures for Economic Rebirth From an economic standpoint, the contrast between the 1990s and the cold war years can be seen by looking at Japans real economic growth rate (refer to Appendix 3). In 1992, Japans economy entered a period of stagnation with economic growth rates much below the previous average. In retrospect it is clear that the Japanese economy became dominated by a financial bubble in the 1980s and early 1990s. In May 1989, the government tightened its monetary policies to suppress the rise in value of assets such as land. By the end of 1990, the Tokyo stock market had fallen 38%, wiping out 300 trillion yen (US $ 2.07 trillion) in value, and land prices dropped steeply from their speculative peak. This plunge into recession is known as the bubble economy (6). The post-bubble recession continued through the second half of the 1990s. What causes the economic recession? And how to recovery them? We can discuss in more detail. What causes economic recession? Mismanagement of economic policy In spite of the clear tendency that the bubble ceased in 1991, the government hesitated to change the policy stance toward the financial and fiscal relaxation and consequently economy went down to early zero grow. Delay of economic reform In 1980s, US and European countries promoted vigorously the deregulation policy to stimulate competition and challenge for new frontiers. However, in Japan, industries enjoyed the asset inflation and neglected to tackle for competitive capabilities. The market with remaining regulation seemed to be less attractive for international business. Weak entrepreneurial spirit Japanese business leaders tend to have the sense of yokonarabi (herd instinct) and relatively lack the self-responsibility and self-support (7). When there had problem, business leaders have strongly asked for the governmental stimulus measures without taking any drastic measure for slimming down and challenging new frontier. The Japanese business leaders are less enthusiastic in applying information system in the 1990s. Financial instability The instability of finance system has accompanied the credit crunch. Japans bubble economy resulted from the delayed change of economic policy toward tight financial policy. Soon after the authorities took the tight money policy, unfortunately taken very lately, the prices of the land and stock prices dropped dramatically (8). The Asia-pacific region, the center of world growth, is experiencing dynamic economic development against a background of political stability as the level of interdependence in the region deepens. The region was being integrated through Japanese efforts in trade, aid, FDI, technology transfer, and as a model of economic development. Many Asian countries were trying to follow in Japans developmental footstep parts of what they view as the Japanese model. The rapid growth in Asian economies since the eighties has integrated the Japanese economy deeply into the region, as can been seen from the oversea activities of Japanese companies, the divisions of labor within the Asian region, and the strengthening of relationships in the financial area. Exports have for a long time been major contributors to growth in the region. Japan remains by far the largest export from the region, though its share in total Asian exports is flopping (refer to Appendix 4). Japan is an important market for the rest of East Asias exports as well -from a high of 27 percent from Indonesia to a low of 5 percent from Hong Kong. Totally, Japan absorbs a 15-10 percent share of the export from other East Asia country (10). Japan has contributed to Asia industrial growth by supplying not only capital, but also critically needed production and process technology. The Japanese economy influences trade volumes and prices in selected commodities in APBR. For example, Japanese rice purchase affect Indonesia and Thailand, and Japanese rubber demand affects Malaysia and Thailand. Japanese performance also influences financial market in APBR, even in world. Japans foreign direct investment (FDI) flow to the region was about US$11 billion in FY 1996, mainly to China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia (11). Japans multinationals, originally led by the general trading houses, are the largest foreign investors in Asia Pacific, supplying most manufactured imports and buying large quantities of good from the region. Japan and other Asian countries economic relation Since the mid-1980s, East Asia has been viewed at the growth center for the world economy. Japan has played an important role in Asia economy development. Since the appreciation of the Yen in the middle 1980s following the Plaza Agreement of 1985, Japanese enterprises have been very active in expanding trade and investment in Asian region. For example, the share of export to East Asia out of Japans total export increased from 23% in 1985 to 43% in 1996. Similarly, the import share from East Asia also increased from 25% in 1986 to 35% in 1996. Foreign direct investment by Japan in Asia increased two-fold between 1992 and 1997 to $12.26 billion. Japans government-business alliance is pursuing an Asia-wide version of developmentalism. That is, it is exporting to the region a set of pro-growth government policies and cooperative industry practices designed to help heading manufacturing firms achieve efficiencies and market power by adopting successively more advanced technology (12). Since the mid-1980s, Japanese multinational enterprises (MNEs) have been building vertically integrated production network that they dominate in and across Asian economies. Manufactures of such electrical products as TVs, VCRs, and refrigerators opened assembly plants in China, Thailand, Malaysia, and other countries in Asia where work quality are high and labor inexpensive. On the supply side, Japanese capital continues to follow into Asia in impressive amounts ($7.76 billion in manufacturing investment in 1995, a 57 percent increased over the volume in 1994). More and more Japanese manufactures are moving into the region. On the demand side, Asian countries continue to rely heavily on Japanese technology to fuel their increasingly export-oriented economies. In 1994, 52.3 percent of Malaysias technology was imported from Japan, compared with 22.7 percent from the United States (13). In 1995, when Japan undertook FDI, 24 percent of the Japanese affiliates in the Asian newly industrialized economies (NIEs), 33 percent of those in the ASEAN -4 (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines) and 21 percent of these in China. I can mainly talk about the relation about Japan and China, Japan and ASEAN nations. Japan Chinese economic relation Total trade between Japan and China amounted to around US$64 billion (1997), China is Japans second largest trading partner, which Japan is Chinas largest trading partner, and interdependence is deepening. Cumulative Japanese FDI in China, which had been only $3.5 billion in 1992, jumped to $8.7 billion in 1994 and then to $13.26 billion in 1995 (14). In addition, more and more Japanese manufacturers are beginning to produce not just for re-export, but for the rapidly growing China market. Japan-ASEAN economic relations In recent years, ASEAN nations have been moving toward export-oriented economic growth. Due to shortage of intermediate and capital goods necessary for product manufacturing, these nations are importing such goods from Japan for manufacturing and export. Japans trade with ASEAN region in 1997 and in 1995 shows that within than span of time exports grew approximately fivefold and imports increased by roughly 2.5 time. ASEAN accounted for 16.1% of Japans trade for 1995 (17.5% of its exports and 14.3% of imports) (refer to Appendix 5). Japans share in trade for the entire ASEAN region reached 18.6% (15.2% of exports and 21.4% of imports) (15). Japan is the top trading partner for ASEAN nations. Japans direct investments in ASEAN nations totaled US$5.13 billion in 1994. This is equivalent to 12.5% of Japans total business overseas investments and 54% of its direct investments in all of Asia (refer to Appendix 6). Headed by Indonesia that ranks at the top as destination for Japanese investment, ASEAN nations rank in the top echelon.

Philosophy - Ethical Subjectivism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Philosophy - Ethical Subjectivism - Essay Example The need of the hour is to redefine the emotional and rational aspects of decision taking with reference to the changing life situations. As Baby Theresa’s father, I had to consider both the emotional and rational aspects of decision making within a very short span of time. I had to take care that I was not overcome by my emotions in the process. It is difficult for anyone to see her/his newborn suffering every minute in their imminent journey to death. But what is unthinkable is to allow others to take her life for whatever reasons. What I needed to make sure that these emotional extremes were not the only factors that influenced my decision. Once the doctors explained to me what Anencephaly is, what struck me most was the meaninglessness of Baby Theresa’s extended hours on the face of the earth, since she had no hope at all to lead a conscious life. It was nothing different from a brain death. The only hope to see her ‘live’ meaningfully in some way was to let her organs donated. That way, at least a fragment of her existence could be of use to this world, and we could be content that she lives through the infants who received her organs. I strongly believe that every form of life in this world has some purpose to serve to the cosmic pattern, and I felt I should help the essence of life in baby Theresa should be allowed the same, instead of watching it perish meaninglessly. Even as we loved Theresa as she was, we knew that the presence of life and the healthy organs she had will never be of any use to her. We would have loved to see her grow up in her own way if there had been the slightest chance of conscious living for her. On the other hand, she was not destined to have a quality life other than a mere survival for a matter of days in biological terms. We needed to make sure that whatever is healthy in her body is made useful to the world, which is badly in need of what we were willing to provide. One has to face the reality and

Research Issues and questions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Research Issues and questions - Assignment Example The best way to make a student understand is the use of pictorial description. Students can easily learn by watching a movie or pictorial description on the subject. Written tests should be conducted regularly so that students can assess their performance. If they get a lower grade teachers should help them through counselling or any other possible way. Teaching staffs employ methods like pairing students and make them to work as a group. Another method that could be used is pair checking. In this method one student checks another student's work. This improves their capability of grasping the subject. Lectures by visiting professors help in great deal. Seminars should be conducted regularly. Students should be given an opportunity in giving seminars. Presentations play a vital role in seminars. This helps in assessing student's presentation and communication skills. Identifying and nurturing competent ideas in different subject areas, varied classes at different level. Integration of skills needed to life should be incorporated into curriculum, textbooks, instructional materials and teaching-learning and evaluation process. Identifying suitable grade/class for introduction of second language on the basis of analysis of linguistic situation in the state.

Tammy Hall Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tammy Hall Society - Essay Example President Franklin Roosevelt also withdrew federal support for Tammany. All of these actions weakened Tammany Hall. After a brief comeback in the 1950’s, Tammany Hall was destroyed by the Democrat Party’s resistance led by Eleanor Roosevelt. Tammany Hall no longer exists today. Many well recognized historical figures from New York were associated with Tammany Hall, such as Aaron Burr. In the beginning, Tammany Hall wanted to involve themselves in politics in order to run their agendas. However as the society progressed, the more and more corrupt in became. Most New York elections were controlled by Tammany Hall after 1829 (Myers, 2005: 61). As opposition groups like the Loco-Focos became stronger, Tammany Hall started focusing on support from immigrants (Myers, 2005: 102). Immigration in New York has always been high. Thus an every changing group backed Tammany Hall. Immigrants came to America dirt poor, so Tammany Hall provided basic needs in return for their vote (Myers, 2005: 128-129). For example, a faster naturalization process was put in place by William M. Tweed by creating committees to pay fees, fill out forms, or get witnesses. The Judges had to grant citizenship because the Tammany Hall provided the immigrant with everything (Connable and Silber farb, 1967:154). This started the political corruption and favors for votes. There are many instances of grafting and political corruption within the time Tammany Hall had influenced, two instances will be examined; the Harlem gangs in the 1920’s and Judge Joseph Crater. The Harlem gangs were controlled by Dutch Schultz (Bell, 2009). What history has forgotten was James J. Hines, the Democratic Party boss located in Manhattan (Bell, 2009). In the 1920’s the Democratic Party bosses were affiliated with Tammany Hall, so James Hines must have been part of Tammany Hall. James Hines gave Schultz a tip on Harlem’s â€Å"number

Press Freedom in Malaysia

Press Freedom in Malaysia Introduction and Context of Press Freedom According to the World Press Freedom Index 2014, our country, Malaysia ranks 147 among 180 countries. The World Press Freedom Index measures the degree of freedom of the journalists and news publication in each country, how much efforts that the public respect to the freedom and ensure it, and also the negative connection between information and conflicts. There are some general criteria that the World Press Freedom Index used to score the country which are pluralism, media independence, environment and self-censorship, legislative framework, transparency and infrastructure (Reporters without Borders, 2014). Since our country ranks in 147, it means that Malaysia’s press freedom is totally in a difficult situation. The violations and discrimination of the journalists and also the daily news which publish about violence and negative issues will affect the World Press Freedom ranking. The news media in Malaysia are mostly monopolized by laws and regulation. It covers a huge area in the media industry and restrict them in many ways. Government may reinforce the industry by adopting and implementing a self-regulation code and even watch or guide them to impose those regulations (Alsogoff Hamzah 2007). This results in the restriction of press freedom. Press freedom protects the privilege to obtain and publish materials without the government censorship or the law enforcement. It applies to all types of printed and broadcast material such as books, newspapers, journals, magazines, brochures, films and radio and even the television programs. The press are not given too much power or credibility to perform on certain things. According to Alsagoff, Abdullah Hassan (2011), they stated that there are three ways to restrict the press freedom in Malaysia which are through restrictive laws, ownership from political parties and connected business individuals and also the self-censorship which are exercised by the editors and journalists. Because of the laws and regulations towards the press freedom, the press and the public cannot express their feelings and thoughts freely. This has already restricted them to think creatively and critically. Importance of Press Freedom As we know, although the press freedom has been partially restricted in Malaysia, either the online news or news publication, the journalists still consider the freedom of press important for some reasons and play their role as the responsibility to transmit the information to the public, as follows: Since the information and the news has been published without being biased or prejudiced, the public are able to make decision or think critically about the related issue; Press functions not only as the indicator of an issue but also the as the media’s predictor of the change in the nations over the world; Press can be known as a part of the media to help to maintain the balance and the democracy of the country. Media acts as the â€Å"watchdog of the people† and also the â€Å"Fourth Estate† other than the three traditional estate of the Parliament. Nowadays, there are strong inseparable relationship between the status of democracy and the role of the press and media. It means that one cannot function without another where the rapid growth of the technology and the rise of the social media is challenging the restrictions from the government to the press media. (Dr.Sankaran, n.d.) Technology, Social Media and Reformasi The media crisis issues which were happened in Malaysia has contributed to the idea of press freedom. Most of the press freedom had their printing licenses revoked because of the restriction of the government and the laws. After facing much obstacles from publishing materials such as May 1969 Riots, Operation Lalang and the Reformasi issue, the attention shifted to the Internet. In the early September 1998, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad fired his deputy Anwar Ibrahim. Many Malaysians were craving to search for the truth of why Anwar had been fired as the government concealed the truth from the mainstream media. Thus, the alternative media such as online website were sprang up to find out the truth and to maintain the principles as journalists which are â€Å"transparency† and â€Å"accountability†. For example, Malaysia’s most popular email discussion, The Sangkancil mailing list, the independent web-based daily newspaper, Malaysiakini,com, website for a community to cultivate a public sphere, Freemedia, and the web radio which under the Centre of Investigative Journalism’s operation, RadiqRadio.com (Anil, 2002). It also claims that Anwar Ibrahim is the one who bro ught out the trend of using alternative media to find out the truth. In this new era, due to the development of the technology, newspaper are slowly not recognized by the people as they are able to search the information that they want through the alternative media. The Internet appeared to transform the ways that the news media work used to be in technological-developing countries as well as how the society groups try to change the society (Robie, n.d.). Thus, it makes a large extent to the alternative or independent media in the world. It provides alternative viewpoint, opinion and information to the public (Atton, 2002). Although blogs and social networking website were not essentially used to share information, they are widely used to spread the news better than the mainstream media which automatically transform into the most potential information source (Sajad, n.d.). However, there are still some people who use the alternative and the social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other sources to spread misinformation and rumors. Alternative media differs with the mainstream media from some dimensions which are their contents, aesthetic, production method, distribution method, and the relations between audiences. Every alternative media created with certain aims and purpose. For example, Malaysiakini was established for the journalists who dissatisfied with the biased news content and their objective is to push the boundaries and test the press freedom (Wang, 2001). It shows that although the mainstream media has been restricted by the government, there are still some alternative media with different purposes for public to voice out their opinion. Therefore, the technology advancement and the rising of social media give a perspective that there is press freedom in the society. The May 1969 Riots – The Idea of Press Freedom In the 1969 general election, the ruling Alliance Party which includes UMNO, MCA and MIC almost failed to gain a two-thirds majority seats in the Dewan Rakyat for the first time (Zaharom Wang, n.d.). On the other hand, the opposition parties managed to get the majority seats and the supports from public. The opposition parties involving DAP, Gerakan, PAS and formed a joint double-prong commission for two purposes which to prevent vote splitting and to campaign for each other by asking their supporters to vote for anyone other than the Alliance Party (Lim, 2012). Therefore, it created a multi-ethnic society and received most of the votes and grant welcome from Malays. However, the government seemed to not have an agreement with the situation. According to them, it was caused by the â€Å"inflammatory speeches made by the political parties during the election campaign and made the oppositions parties staged the victory processions† (Lee, 1995). This is why the government felt that their position and status had been threatened. To solve this situation, the King, advised by the government, declared an emergency state in Malaysia. At the same time, all press publication were requested to shut down for two days starting from 16 May 1969 to inhibit the spread of propaganda (Zaharom Wang, n.d.). By the way, there are still some major newspapers were allowed to publish items but the news contents had to be censored by the government first. The press has completely controlled by the government and been restricted for two days although some of press were owned by private sector. Because of that, the journalists decided to revoke and fight for the press freedom. They noticed that the press freedom is important for the public to understand what is happening in our country. Public has the rights to know the truth behind the government. This is how does the press freedom idea come from. Control towards Press Freedom Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA) The first law and regulation which controls the freedom of the press is the Printing Presses and Publications Act (PPPA). This legislative impinges on the media effectiveness in playing its role as disseminator of information and watchdog over the government of the day (Wang, 2001). Cardinally, British colonial government introduced the Printing Presses and Publications Act as the Printing Ordinance 1948 at the beginning of the emergency state, in order to resist Communist activities which seems as a threat to the establishment. This act again revised in 1971 because of the 13 May 1969 to provide powers and to revoke the publication’s license who aggravated the national sensitivities and the development. Section 3 requires all publication to apply for an annual publishing licence. It makes the printers and the publishers cannot retain their licenses by eliminating the renewal process. If not, they could have to face the prison term for 3 years jail sentence. It also added some curbs in the act. For example, Section 8(A) (2) states that the published material to be malicious if the writer cannot prove that he/she had taken reasonable measures to verify the truth of the news. Because of this amended act, the government always use this act to straighten the media law and control the publication either directly or indirectly. According to Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani (2005), the reasons that the government wants to restrict the press freedom and introduces the PPPA in Malaysia are to ensure the orders and to limit the ability of foreign presses to influence people’s attitudes and minds towards the government and country as a whole. In 1987, two national dailies, The Star and Sin Chew Jit Poh and a Malay bi-weekly, Watan had their licenses revoked because the press were taking sides in their coverage of the Chinese education and also supported the opposition parties by continuously provide transparent news coverage. In 1988, they resumed the publication again after some changes in editorial staff and a climate of self-censorship among the journalists which continued through the 1990s. Official Security Act (OSA) Moreover, the Official Secrets Act (OSA) is also yet another piece of legislation that has restricted the right freedom of the expression. It replaced the Malay States Official Secret Ordinance 1950 and was based on the British OSA 1911 and 1920. It can be known a statute inMalaysiaprohibiting the dissemination of information classified as an official secret. This act is related to the communication of sensitive information to non-authorized persons or foreign agents. Raja Aziz Addruse (1990), former chairman of the Malayan Bar Council, describes the Act as the antithesis of the freedom of speech and of citizen’s right to comment on and discuss the government misconduct and incompetence. To exemplify, Section 2 in OSA defines official secret as any official letter, information, or material which is classified by the Minister and the Chief Minister of state or an appointed public officer as â€Å"Top Secret†, â€Å"Secret†, â€Å"Confidential†, and â€Å"Restricted†. Subsequent amendments to this Act have had the effect of making almost all official documents to be classified as official secret (Mustafa, 2002). The public does not have the right to speak out the voice as they are afraid they may be sued or even sentenced to jail. The journalists are also having the same situation too. They are not allowed to report or do any further investigation since the document has been labelled as secret by the Executive. Thus, many government officers use this as an excuse to cover things that cannot be exposed to the public such as bribery, relationship and power misusing and even the promiscuity. After that, they threatened the press to whitewash the truth so that the people will think that the government is really practicing â€Å"transparency† and â€Å"accountability†. However, till then, this issue cannot be denied as it has been shown clearly through the daily newspaper and the related officers have gotten the punishment that they deserved. On 13 July 2007, Tan, a webmaster who works for the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat, was arrested under Section 8 of OSA. He was suspected on possessing â€Å"official secrets† on his blog by connecting a link (http://jelas.info) which accused Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum suspecting in a bribery allegations in exchange for the release of people detained under Malaysia Emergency Ordinance. It is a law that deals with the internal security which allows for detention without trial. Because of this, Johari had been called for an official investigation while Tan may face one to seven years’ imprisonment if he found guilty of violating the OSA. Internal Security Act (ISA) Furthermore, another law and regulation which restrict the press freedom is the Internal Security Act (ISA). ISA can be known as a preventive detention law force in Malaysia which provides for without-trial detention and arbitrary arrest for a period (Mustafa, 2002). This act is originally enacted in the early 1960s during a national state of emergency which play its role as a temporary measure to fight for a communist rebellion. It is based on barely suspicion that one â€Å"may be† commit an act which may bring dangerous and threat to the national security. By the way, this act has be shown clearly that how did it function during Operation Lalang. The issue development of Operation Lalang also brought the second largest Internal Security Act (ISA) alight in Malaysian History since the 13 May riots. Other than the three mainstream newspapers’ licenses were revoked, a number of 106 people were also detained under ISA declaring for participating in activities â€Å"prejudicial to the security of Malaysia†. The detainees include the leader of the Opposition, Lim Kit Siang, ALIRAN president Dr Chandra Muzaffar, DAP Deputy ChairmanKarpal Singh and so forth as well as university lecturers, environmentalists, businessman and some members of UMNO (Operasi Lalang, n.d.). It brought the major breakdown in the Malaysia political history during that time. There is some other examples of ISA cases which happened in Malaysia. On 2010, thirteen journalists, including two Malaysians, were arrested under ISA because of participating in hunger strikes in May and June due to lack of news over their release. Raja Petra Kamaruddin, a blogger of the Malaysia Today website who was well known for publishing a series of commentary articles on Malaysian politics on the website, was alleged by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid Albar to be â€Å"a threat to national security†. On 11 April 2001, he was suspected for allegedly plotting to subvert the former Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohammad and was arrested under ISA. Then he was released after 52 days and again arrested for second time due to further investigation. Sedition Act In 1948, the British colonial government enacted Sedition Act to fight with the Communists. The amendments were made through an Emergency Ordinance 1971 after the riots of 1969. The aim is to illegalize any questioning on Part III (citizenship), Article 152 (national language), Article 153 (Malays’ privilege and the rights of other races) and Article 181 (Rulers’ sovereignty of the Federal Constitution) (Freedom of Expression, 2010). This act empowers the ministers or police to detain everyone who has been found guilty for spreading seditious meanings or information which harm individuals, interest groups, societies and countries. Therefore, it limits the press freedom from publishing anything which seems like harming or threating the government officers. In history, the Sedition Act has been appealed against those critical of the government and the parliament members. Under this Act, if they found guilty, the parliament members can have their suspended parliamentary immunity. Over the years, many of them have been charged and found guilty under the Act. In 2009, the law has been played its role to arrest those who opposed to the Barisan National takeover of the Perak state government (Des Iskandar, 2014). To exemplify, University of Malaya law lecturer and columnist, Prof Dr. Azmi Sharom was charged under Sedition Act for his comments on the 2009 Perak constitutional crisis in an online news portal Malay Mail. He was arrested under Section 4(1) (b) which states officers who utters any seditious word will be fined for not exceeding RM5, 000 or imprisonment for not exceeding five years. Other than that, Malaysiakini online news portal journalist, Susan Loone also arrested under same act for publishing her phone interview with Penang executive councilor, Phee Boon Poh on the mass arrests of the states Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) on Merdeka Day since Phee is the EXCO who in charge of PPS. For the press, after the general election in 1999, PAS’s twice weekly party newspaper, Harakah editor Zulkifli Sulong and the printer Chea Lin Thye, owner of printing firm Syarikat Prema was arrested under Sediction Act for purposely publishing seditious material. Anwar’s lawyer, Karpal Singhwar also detained under the act because of allegedly seditious words in court. Conclusion Although our Malaysia is moving on to the developed-technology era with the rise of social media, most of the press still controlled and owned by the political parties or private sectors from different channels, either directly or indirectly. With the help of the social media, journalists still do not have the freedom to express what they really inform to tell the public. Therefore, the public seems like the frogs under the well who do not know what has happened to our government. Are they still practicing â€Å"transparency† and â€Å"accountability†? Do the government officers still doing something that we public do not know? Who can give us the answer? It is the journalists and the reporters! If the government still restrict the press freedom, what is the value of publishing newspaper daily? There are some suggestions to enhance the press freedom in our country. Cardinally, it is necessary to reduce the concentration of media ownership towards the publication and social media (Zaharom Wang, n.d.). Less media ownership’s attention help the news media to publish materials without concerning on the importance and the image of the private sector or political party but still need to obey the law enforcement as the responsibility of journalists. Furthermore, It is encouraged to invite new media actors enter the industry. It is crucial for new actors to provide alternative channels to express their opinions in an economically and socially-diverse society (Anil, 2002). Therefore, it able the public to think and comment on related issue with relevant examples and information critically. In a nutshell, promoting press freedom through the social media and mainstream media in our country is the most important and critical issue that the journalists should consider at the moment. Thus, we can develop an equal information flow and opinion between the government administration and the public.

Academic Definition and History of Emotional Intelligence

In 1985 Wayne Leon Payne, so a alumnus pupil at an alternate broad humanistic disciplines college in the USA, wrote a doctorial thesis which included the term â€Å" emotional intelligence † in the rubric. This seems to be the first academic usage of the term â€Å" emotional intelligence. † In following five old ages, no 1 else seems to hold used the term â€Å" emotional intelligence † in any academic documents. Then in 1990 the work of two American university professors, John Mayer and Peter Salovey, was published in two academic diary articles. Mayer, ( U. of New Hampshire ) , and Salovey ( Yale ) , were seeking to develop a manner of scientifically mensurating the difference between people ‘s ability in the country of emotions. They found that some people were better than others at things like placing their ain feelings, placing the feelings of others, and work outing jobs affecting emotional issues. The rubric of one of these documents was titled â€Å" Emotional Intelligence † . Since 1990 these professors have developed two trials to try to mensurate what they are naming our â€Å" emotional intelligence. † Because about all of their authorship has been done in the academic community, their names and their existent research findings are non widely known. Alternatively, the individual most normally associated with the term emotional intelligence is really a New York author and adviser named Daniel Goleman. In 1995 Goleman ‘s book came out under the rubric â€Å" Emotional Intelligence. † The book made it to the screen of Time Magazine in the USA and Goleman began looking on American telecasting shows such as Oprah Winfrey and Phil Donahue. He besides began a talking circuit to advance the book and the book became an international best marketer. It remained on the New York Times best-seller list for about one twelvemonth. In the book he collected, and frequently dramatized, a batch of information on the encephalon, emotions, and behaviour. On the Daniel Goleman page you can see notes and unfavorable judgments of the book. One thing Goleman has been criticized for is beliing what Salovey and Mayer meant by the term â€Å" emotional intelligence † . Annie Paul says Goleman â€Å" distorted their theoretical account in upseting ways. † John Mayer has been quoted as stating â€Å" Goleman has broadened the definition of emotional intelligence to such an extent that it no longer has any scientific significance or public-service corporation and is no longer a clear forecaster of result.Features of Emotional IntelligenceDaniel Goleman, an American psychologist, developed a model of five elements that define emotional intelligence: Self-Awareness: Peoples with high emotional intelligence are normally really self-conscious. They understand their emotions, and because of this, they do n't allow their feelings govern them. They ‘re confident – because they trust their intuition and do n't allow their emotions get out of control. They ‘re besides willing to take an honest expression at themselves. They know their strengths and failings, and they work on these countries so they can execute better. Many people believe that this self-awareness is the most of import portion of emotional intelligence. Self-Regulation: This is the ability to command emotions and urges. Peoples who self-regulate typically do n't let themselves to go excessively angry or covetous, and they do n't do unprompted, careless determinations. They think before they act. Features of self-regulation are thoughtfulness, comfort with alteration, unity, and the ability to state no. Motivation: Peoples with a high grade of emotional intelligence are normally motivated. They ‘re willing to postpone immediate consequences for long-run success. They ‘re extremely productive, love a challenge, and are really effectual in whatever they do. Empathy: This is possibly the second-most of import component of emotional intelligence. Empathy is the ability to place with and understand the wants, demands, and point of views of those around you. Peoples with empathy are good at acknowledging the feelings of others, even when those feelings may non be obvious. As a consequence, empathic people are normally first-class at pull offing relationships, hearing, and associating to others. They avoid pigeonholing and judging excessively rapidly, and they live their lives in a really unfastened, honorable manner. Social Skills: It ‘s normally easy to speak to and like people with good societal accomplishments, another mark of high emotional intelligence. Those with strong societal accomplishments are typically team participants. Rather than concentrate on their ain success foremost, they help others develop and reflect. They can pull off differences, are first-class communicators, and are Masterss at edifice and keeping relationships.Need of emotional intelligenceIt suggests that the footing for emotional intelligence is self awareness. This deals with how people perceive, appraise and show their ain emotions. And how they use emotions to ease and prioritize thought, using the emotions to help in opinion ( utilizing the information that emotions provide ) . In the workshop, we looked at labelling and apportioning their emotions to different parts of their organic structures, for illustration person said they got ‘butterflies in their tummy ‘ before they did a presentation. Other common emotions which have become associated with parts of the organic structure include a weightiness in the thorax, a ball in the pharynx and a weight on the shoulders. Bing able to separate between these many different emotions and feelings is a requirement for the other countries of EI. The 2nd demand is self direction which is about how people control their emotions instead than being at their caprice – utilizing feelings as a ‘resource ‘ . And we did a short exercising utilizing NLP ‘s resource anchoring to demo how participants could utilize an emotional province they had experience in one context and use it in another where it would be more utile than the province they usually experienced here. I think I managed to convert them that this is a ‘tool ‘ non a ‘trick ‘ , and like any other tools is n't per se good or bad but can be utile. The 3rd is societal consciousness – being tuned into others ‘ emotions, and the organizational clime. They key here is about being able to read other people and acquiring some external proof of this ability to be able to ticket melody it. We used a twosome of great trials which are freely available in the cyberspace: Simon Baron Cohen ‘s Reading the Mind in the Eyes quiz, and Paul Ekman ‘s Subtle Expression Training Tool and Micro Expression Training Tool. Fourth comes societal accomplishments, things like ‘visionary leading, influence, developing others, communicating, alteration contact action, struggle direction, constructing bonds, teamwork and coaction. But really unless people have good ego consciousness, self direction and societal consciousness, these societal accomplishments are improbable to hold much impact. Possibly the ground CEOs price reduction societal accomplishments is that they do n't see them bettering – and possibly the ground for this is that administrations have put excessively much focal point on societal accomplishments themselves, and non plenty on the other underpinning abilities.Equivalent at workForemans and leaders, in peculiar, need high EQ because they represent the organisation to the populace, they interact with the highest figure of people within and outside the organisation and they set the tone for employee morale, says Goleman. Leaderships with empathy are able to understand their employees? demands and supply them with constructive feedback, he says. Different occupations besides call for different types of emotional intelligence, Goleman says. For illustration, success in gross revenues requires the empathetic ability to estimate a client? s temper and the interpersonal accomplishment to make up one's mind when to flip a merchandise and when to maintain quiet. By comparing, success in painting or professional tennis requires a more single signifier of self-discipline and motive. And there are gender differences in emotional intelligence every bit good, says Stein. After administrating EQ appraisals to 4,500 work forces and 3,200 adult females, his organisation found that adult females score higher than work forces on steps of empathy and societal duty, but work forces outperform adult females on emphasis tolerance and assurance steps. In other words, says Stein, adult females and work forces are every bit as intelligent emotionally, but they? re strong in different countries.Importance of Emotional IntelligenceWhether we like it or non, our emotions are portion of what makes us human and they follow and influence us wherever we go – and that means they follow us to work. Effective direction of emotional intelligence is a strong forecaster of success in both our personal life and in the office. Research shows that the step of one ‘s emotional intelligence, frequently referred to as emotional quotient ( EQ ) , is twice every bit of import as tradi tional leading accomplishments for occupation public presentation in direction places. Those with high emotional intelligence are much more likely to present superior public presentation as compared to the norm participants, irrespective of industry. It is, possibly, slightly intuitive to understand that competences in EI affair for sales representative who depend on their ability to associate with and successfully connect and influence with others, but interestingly the informations for scientists and similar proficient professions besides points to EI as necessary for first-class public presentation – even more so than analytical thought. Goleman points out that the more complex the occupation, the more EI affairs. In complex functions, holding a high degree of analytical and proficient accomplishments are merely the threshold demand for people to execute aptly, intending these accomplishments are merely the entry point. A lack of EI hinders the usage of whatever threshold skills a individual may hold. Goleman adds, â€Å" In short, out-of-control emotions ca n do smart people stupid. † Emotional intelligence impacts many countries under the umbrella of organisational effectivity, such as in the countries of keeping and leading. Employee turnover rates can be really dearly-won to organisations and can deeply impact the bottom line. The top is that employees are more likely to remain with foremans who manage emotional intelligence. In other words, people do n't go forth occupations – they leave directors. Peoples with good foremans are four times less likely to go forth than are those with hapless foremans. EI is really of import in leading functions, as leaders need everyone to make their occupations every bit efficaciously as possible and this requires a high grade of interpersonal effectivity. Studies show that high EQ differentiates average from superior performing artists, which can be critical for leading places. The good intelligence is, unlike IQ, research surveies prove that emotional intelligence accomplishments can be taught and developed over clip. â€Å" Alternatively of being stuck with the manus they ‘d been cover, people can take stairss to heighten their emotional intelligence and do themselves more effectual in their work and personal lives. † More good intelligence is that most people ‘s EI increases with age and adulthood. For anyone who wants to further understand their emotional intelligence, EQ can be measured by a assortment of appraisals and development programs can be created to efficaciously assist better emotional intelligence and consequences.How to Better Your Emotional IntelligenceThe good intelligence is that emotional intelligence CAN be taught and developed. Many books and trials are available to assist you find your current EI, and place where you may necessitate to make some work. You can besides utilize these tips: Detect how you react to people. Do you hotfoot to judgment before you know all of the facts? Do you pigeonhole? Look candidly at how you think and interact with other people. Try to set yourself in their topographic point, and be more unfastened and accepting of their positions and demands. Look at your work environment. Make you seek attending for your achievements? Humility can be a fantastic quality, and it does n't intend that you ‘re diffident or lack assurance. When you pattern humbleness, you say that you know what you did, and you can be softly confident about it. Give others a opportunity to reflect – set the focal point on them, and do n't worry excessively much about acquiring congratulations for yourself. Make a self-evaluation. What are your failings? Are you willing to accept that you ‘re non perfect and that you could work on some countries to do yourself a better individual? Have the bravery to look at yourself candidly – it can alter your life. Analyze how you react to nerve-racking state of affairss. Do you go disquieted every clip there ‘s a hold or something does n't go on the manner you want? Do you fault others or go angry at them, even when it ‘s non their mistake? The ability to remain unagitated and in control in hard state of affairss is extremely valued – in the concern universe and outside it. Keep your emotions under control when things go incorrect. Take duty for your actions. If you hurt person ‘s feelings, apologise straight – do n't disregard what you did or avoid the individual. Peoples are normally more willing to forgive and bury if you make an honest effort to do things right. Examine how your actions will impact others – before you take those actions. If your determination will impact others, put yourself in their topographic point. How will they experience if you do this? Would you desire that experience? If you must take the action, how can you assist others cover with the effectsDecisionThe common denominator that all concerns portion is people, and assisting people work together better is an intuitively easy construct to understand. Since organisations are complex systems, emotional intelligence is non traveling to be the individual intercession to work out all jobs. That being said, those companies that make emotional intelligence a precedence and cascade this down to the group and single degree will hold a strategic advantage over those companies who ignore the human factor. A good first measure for a company interested in researching emotional intelligence further may be to perpetrate to making and prolonging an ambiance that values emotional intelligence, and to larn more about specifying an emotionally healthy organisation. Another positive measure is to further truth stating by explicitly and implicitly honoring reliable communicating, and conversely by doing it inappropriate for others who are non reliable and blunt. Further, you may see increasing your group ‘s self-awareness by a assortment of appraisal options. These could include a current province appraisal affecting leading, stakeholder and squad members, a measuring of morale utilizing the Organization Culture Surveya„? , or an appraisal of single emotional intelligence

Sap Ag and Brady Corporation Redesign

Case Study – Can Brady Corporation Redesign Its Systems for Success? Executive Summary: The Brady Corporation is branded as the oldest & the most successful companies in Milwaukee, Wisconsin founded in 1915; and a leader in high performance labels, signs and related industrial safety products. They have 44 business units that produce and distribute its labels from 47 locations in 20 countries on five continents around the world. Despite its growing success, the company found it was running into trouble in the mid 1990’s that fear of falling behind with its competitors in the use of Internet to save costs on already –low profit margins. In 1997, Brandy launched a major Web project; the new digital system was called Web-to-Workbench; which enable customers to be able to design and order their own signs online and the website would automatically forward the new order to its production facility. However problems were encountered; Brady relied heavily on information systems (IS) to support most of its business process, but were antiquated (out of date), & could not communicate with each other. In February 1999 Hudson’s assess the company could not continue growing because it was â€Å"Stymied by an infrastructure that had reached well beyond practical limits† She concluded that the company must overhaul its business process totally to move fully into the digital age. Brady needed to revamp al its system. The goal â€Å"business-led Project for the whole company† and not just a software or information technology project was made clear by CFO David Schroeder Brady. I. Viewpoint From the Brady’s CEO KATHERINE HUDSON II. Time Context In year 2000 III. Statement of the Problem SAP enterprise software was not a good foundation for Brady’s new systems creating problems in various areas of the company. IV. Statement of the Objectives 1. In year 2000, SAP will tie-up with other systems projects 2. In year 2003 upon installation and testing of all systems and then if it fails, it’s time for Brady to redesign its system 3. Hire people for maintenance of the new information system for the company simultaneously with the installation of the system. V. Areas of Consideration TOWS MATRIX |Strengths |Weaknesses | | | |Business units act independently from each | | |The pioneer in high performance label and |other. | | |signs. |Information systems are not in synch with each | | |Has 44 business unit for the manufacture of its|other. | |products |Information systems are out of date. | | |Has a unique system that lets customers | | | |customize their own design in the product they | | | |intend to purchase. | |Opportunities |S O |WO | | | | | | | | | | |â€Å"Maxi-Maxi† Strategy |â€Å"Mini-Maxi† Strategy | | | | | | |Use a firm’s internal strengths to take |This are strategies aimed at improving internal| | |advantage of external opportunities |weaknesses by taking advantage of external | | | |opportunities | |Threats |ST |WT | | | | | |1. Brady is falling behind with its competitors|â€Å"Maxi-Mini† Strategy |â€Å"Mini-Mini† Strategy | |in the use of Internet to save costs on already| | | |–low profit margins. Use a firm’s strengths to avoid or reduce the |This are defensive tactics directed at reducing| | |impact of external threats |internal weaknesses and avoiding external | | | |threats | | | | | | | | | | | | | VI. Assumption Computers and Information Systems: Year In Review 2001 The recession year 2001 hit the computers and information systems sector hard. Already reeling from the collapse of dot-com companies a year earlier, the industry had to de al with reduced demand for its products and services. That in turn produced a steady stream of corporate cutbacks and layoffs. The terrorist attacks in the U. S. on September 11, which stunned the world and sent the U. S. Source: Encyclop? dia Britannica. om, retrieved from Analysis: The information age had run a wall in its technological advances. After the millennium bug the news about the dot. com collapse and the terrorist attacks, people begun to question the reliability of computers and the system. Companies began searching for a cheaper and more reliable system to place. SAP Needs More than Tech Help to Fix Problems SAP has made a lot of bad headlines. An SAP rollout at Levi Strauss went awry, leading to delayed product shipments for a whole week during the second quarter, which in turn caused a bad earnings quarter. News of price hikes and a forced transition to the new SAP Enterprise support. Silicon. om best summed up the problem that this SAP is claiming this as an enhanc ed offering, it is difficult to see how it will be able to justify this level of fees for customers whose deployments are complete or which do not wish to upgrade. Source: ITBusinessEdge, Lorraine Lawson, July 2008 Analysis: Systems had become unreliable that companies in the US had become hesitant in installing new and improved information system in their production. Another bad scenario that had come up is the burst of the dot. com bubble leaving most Americans awry about computers and the system that runs them. VII. Alternative Courses of Action ACA 1: Change for Oracle System ACA 2: Hire technicians to troubleshoot and upgrade the system ACA 3: Extensive use of the internet for the unification of transaction of all units of Brady corp. VIII. ANALYSIS ACA 1: ACA 2: Hire technicians to troubleshoot and upgrade the system Advantages: By hiring technicians, they can do preventive maintenance of Brady’s system and at the same time can upgrade the system. The can install programs that can help Brady in its information system problems. Disadvantages: More costly because of the human factor that is attached upon the ACA ACA 3: Extensive use of the internet for the unification of transaction of all units of Brady corp. Advantages: Internet usage had been proven less costly and the vastness of its reach is unlimited. Disadvantages: Brady might just replicate the problem that it already has. IX. Conclusion Decision Matrix Criteria |ACA 1 |ACA 2 |ACA 3 | |Cost-driven | |1 |3 | |Effectiveness | |4 |4 | |Easy to implement | |3 |4 | |Total | | | | Rating: 1-4 (1 is the lowest and 4 is the highest) X. Plan of Action Activities |Person in-charge |Costs |Timeframe | | | | | | |ACA 1 | | | | | |HRD |The minimum wage it has to pay |2001 | |ACA 2 | | for the technicians that will | | | | |handle the information system | | | | |(44Business Units/One person | | | | |per unit) | | | |I. T. /Engineering Dept. |Internet usage is said to be |2001 | |ACA 3 | |free of charge but the system | | | | |that a company has shell out to| | | | |have a decent internet | | | | |connection varies | |

Compare and Contrast the Cultures of Indian and China essays

Compare and Contrast the Cultures of Indian and China essays Patriarchy is something that China and India have in common because they both follow it. Patriarchy is when the men in the house have dominance over the women. This means that the women have to ask the men for permission to go out and do things. Part of the power of men, means that they can beat their wives as long as the wounds are smaller than their thumbs. Buddhism started in India, with the story of a young prince running away from his home to find the meaning of life. One day he was sitting under a tree in the forest. He finally found the answers he had been looking for, for most of his life; he called them the Four Noble Truths. All of life is suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, the end of desire leads to the end of suffering, and the means to end desire, is a path of discipline and meditation. After that he became known as the Buddha or enlightened one. He spent the rest of his life in India converting disciples. Then around eighty years old he died, but his work was still continued from his committed followers. By the third century Buddhism was being spread around in South Asia, East Asia and Southeast Asia. It was one of the biggest religions in the world. After many centuries Buddhism was still being maintained by royal leaders in India. Therefore Buddhism in India was pretty big, similar to Buddhism in China. In Chin a it was even bigger though; as they thought that Buddhism had many attractive features like the text and the approach to follow the text and apply it to their everyday lives. The only difference in Chinas and Indias belief system is that China also has Confucianism and Taoism. Confucianism was considered more a philosophy or way of life. This showed the people how life should be, and how things should be in the household and with families. Confucianism is still around today, and is most likely going to stay around forever. Another way of life that the Chinese fo...

Islamic life essays

Islamic life essays Islamic life, what you didnt know. In the beginning of Islam civilization, the Islamic people were open-minded, but cautious on what people had to say. The Muslims adopted elements of Christianity, Judaism, and polytheistic beliefs and practices. In the early civilization, Islam advanced rapidly and dramatically, due to the knowledge on literature, art, and philosophy. While the Europeans were suffering the Dark Ages, Muslims felt they suffered abuse for their faith. Bloom and Blair discuss why this is one of the fastest growing religions worldwide and how they have successfully flourished. Clearly, the most unifying aspect to the Islamic civilization was Muhammad, prophet of Islam. He was born in 570 to the clan of the Quraysh in Mecca. (Bloom,27). His father died before he was born and his mother died at the age of six. With little guidance from his grandfather and uncle, Muhammad was raised independently and self assertively. Mecca however, was still governed by the tribal societies of the desert and membership in the tribe was determined by blood descent. Although each tribe worshipped its own Gods, all Arabs worshipped the Kabba, located in Mecca. Muhammad grew up working as a merchants assistant and at the age of 25 he married Khadija, a wealthy widow with high social status. (Bloom,28). After the confusion and doubt on what to do with his life, Muhammad left the Meccan society and lived in isolation on Mount Hira, where he received his first revelation at the age of 40, and began to spread the faith of God or Allah. (Bloom, 29). Muhammad believed these revelations were from God given to him by the Angel Gabriel. These visions attracted followers from all over and what is now called the Quran. The message he tried to convey was that there is only one God and you must submit to Gods will. He became kind of a social activist, who was critical of polytheism, materialism and the unjust treatment of the po...

The United States and the floundering war on terror Essay

The United States and the floundering war on terror - Essay Example The War on Terror which was initiated as a response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States initially showed great promise in ridding the world and the United States of the risks associated with terrorism. As the war on terror wore on without any definite progress being gained in fighting terrorism and in bringing the terrorists to justice, it became more apparent that the war was becoming an ineffectual means to resolve the terrorist issue. The war against terror appeared to be floundering. This chapter shall discuss the US and the floundering war on terror. This chapter shall also discuss the challenges being confronted by the Obama Administration and the way forward which can be gained from the years of war. Discussion The September 11 attacks resulted in the launching of the War on Terror and a support for President George W. Bush’s war against terror. Prior to the attacks, Bush’s administration was criticized for its international military policies. In the wake of the attacks however, a worldwide condemnation for terrorism was seen. And the war on terror raged over Afghanistan and over Iraq for years. It claimed many lives and caused the destruction of many communities and structures in Afghanistan and Iraq. As the war went on for years without much progress being gained in managing the terrorist issue, debates and rumblings on the war were slowly being expressed from various interest groups, countries, and organizations. And like another Vietnam War, the war on terror started to flounder and lose popular support. The terrorist attack in 2005 in London which was reportedly initiated by the Al Qaeda group was just one of the indications which pointed to the glaring truth that the War on Terrorism was not working. In 2004, the Bush Administration cancelled its publication of the yearly â€Å"Patterns of Global Terrorism† report which would have manifested that the terrorist attacks increased significantly from 17 5 in 2003 to 625 in 2004 (Gregory, 2005). Throughout the years, the War Party has been claiming that the War on Terrorism has successfully minimized the number of terrorist attacks throughout the globe; however, all other data seem to oppose this claim (Gregory, 2005). Other groups supporting the war on terror were also firm in their support for the war, even when Rumsfeld’s leaked report indicated the limitations of the US in fighting the war on terror. Rumsfeld’s report indicated that â€Å"the US is putting relatively little effort into a long-range plan, but we are putting a great deal of effort into trying to stop terrorists. The cost-benefit ratio is against us! Our cost is billions against the terrorists’ costs of millions† (Gregory, 2005). Analysts pounced on the implications of this leaked report and they effectively pointed out that the war on terror could only be a failure because even with the necessary precautions taken against the war on ter ror, these terrorist attacks cannot really be stopped altogether. These analysts also point out that only by evaluating the US and Western policies in the Middle East which triggered violence, could any progress in the fight against terrorism be gained (Gregory, 2005). Critics of the war on terror also condemned Bush’s policy of preeminent strike or â€Å"strike first before anyone strikes us.† This attitude has been criticized for giving rise to policies which have been wholly ineffectual. â€Å"Behind the hype, there’s a long list of failures to tackle key issues, and not much prospect of improvement† (Plesch, 2002). For one, the government of Saudi Arabia expressed that it did not support the war on terror. Some Saudi citizens are actually members of the Al-Qaeda group or are supporting their efforts financially; and yet Bush is not aggressively dealing with Saudi Arabia (Plesch, 2002). US Special

Major Theories of Legal Reasoning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Major Theories of Legal Reasoning - Essay Example The difference between the approaches is exactly which standards are balanced. Though fundamentally different, the two approaches do have some similarities. â€Å"The fundamental value in judicial ethics is impartiality.† This positivist reasoning holds the view that judges must decide cases purely on their merits, with an open approach and thus not be influenced by bias or prejudice. The standards here are only to be found in the material posited law; entirely segregated from moral considerations or personal ethical opinions. Ultimately, the judge has the slight, or no discretion when ruling in cases; he is to simply refer to case law and legislation and may not refer to his own opinions of what he conceives justice to be. Thus, theoretically, no person can be guilty of an offense that did not exist at the time of his act; a judge cannot change the law depending on the current case, as his personal opinion denotes. Indeed, it is argued in this area that the central aim of jurisprudence is to draw a line between ideology and law, the latter being the only ground for decision making. Suffice it to say that the judge must simply app ly the case law and/or legislation without referring to non-legal considerations. Positivists consider these non-legal considerations to open the law up to arbitrary decisions, entirely at the mercy of the judge’s moral outlook. This distinction between legal and non-legal considerations is exactly what the positivist approach stipulates. In comparison to legal considerations based on legislation and case law, non-legal considerations are those based on political, moral and ideological factors. It is this particular feature of positivism; that in which it breaks away from any moral considerations and values.