Case Study of a Drug Addict

CED 322: Case Study In the case of the 46 year-old female client, I would begin my assessment of her by attempting to relieve her current state of anxiety. My first goal would be to allow her to feel safe and comfortable when she enters my office. I want her to know that my office is a safe haven from anything that causes her to relapse. In addition, by congratulating her decision to seek treatment I can make early strides in developing trust and rapport from the start.Once the client and I spend some time reviewing her life story, I would ask her to complete the SASSI-3 to give me a well balanced perspective of her overall struggle with cocaine and heroin abuse. Although I’ve been given some background information on the client’s previous history of abuse, I feel that the SASSI-3 can give me some insight to habits and traits she developed from her family and lifestyle growing up. Since I have some information about her early use of alcohol, I would also administer a MA ST which could give me some insight on her dependency with alcohol.I would be able to better understand how alcohol plays a role in her use of heroin and cocaine. Once I can determine how they correlate I can then accurately diagnose her and lead to a more successful treatment strategy. From the current information I would diagnose this client with Cocaine and Opioid- Induced Mood Disorder (292. 84). The client reports that she relapses when she has a desire to feel â€Å"numb† which tells us her emotions and feelings are primary factors that influence her addictive behavior.Also, her addiction is so severe that she claims that she uses at times for no reason at all. Since she is remorseful and fearful of her life, I feel that she is searching for the right treatment to rid herself of this life threatening addiction. She has the desire to change but is in need of the will to change. I would focus on her everyday routine, eliminating the parts of her day that involve thoughts or ideas that lead to using heroin and cocaine. I would recommend that she use the 12 step program and group therapy as new ways to guide her towards recovery.Since she using these substances in private, I feel she could possibly benefit from others who know and feel the same struggles as she does. This would allow her to not feel alone in her recovery and bring a sense of accountability to prevent from relapse. I would monitor her progress in the 12 step program and encourage her to patiently complete each step. I’m basing my treatment strategy on trust. In order to eliminate her fear and anxiety along with her addiction through these screens and methods, she must be willing to trust herself at all times.

Information Security Fundamentals Essay

Answer the following questions. Use complete sentences. 1. How does a false positive alarm differ from a false negative one? From a security perspective, which is least desirable? A false positive attack is where the system IDPS was alarmed but no attack ever occurred. The false negative is where an actual attack occurs and the IDPS isn’t alarmed at all. The least desirable would definitely be the false negative, if an attack does occur and the IDPS doesn’t even alarm well what’s the point in even having it if it isn’t going to alarm. 2. What is a honeypot? How is it different from a honeynet? A honeypot is a decoy system that will lure potential hackers away from the networks critical systems. A honeynet is where the system subnet is constantly changing and it lures attackers away by redirecting the the subsystems that are rich in information. 3. What capabilities should a wireless security toolkit include? Definitely should be able sniff incoming packets, scan the wireless hosts, and be able to view the level of privacy. Keeping an eye on vulnerability is a must because wireless networks can be a little easier to breach especially if the right security measures are not implemented. 4. A key feature of hybrid IDPS systems is event correlation. After researching event correlation online, define the following terms as they are used in this process: compression, suppression, and generalization. Compression is when it will take several occurrences and will examine it multiple duplicates. Suppression is where the IDPS will just alert you if something major has happened instead of it just triggering off something simple it will still let you know that something triggered it. Associates alarms with higher leveled events, can be useful when corresponding with multiple failed ports. 5. ZoneAlarm is a PC-based firewall and IDPS tool. Visit the product manufacturer at www.zonelabs.com, and find the product specification for the  IDPS features of ZoneAlarm. Which of the ZoneAlarm products offer these features? 6. Using the Internet, search for commercial IDPS systems. What classification systems and descriptions are used, and how can these be used to compare the features and components of each IDPS? Create a comparison spreadsheet identifying the classification systems you find. 7. Use the Internet to find vendors of thumbprint and iris scanning tools. Which of these tools is more economical? Which of these is least intrusive? 8. There are several online passphrase generators available. Locate at least two of them on the Internet, and try them out. What did you observe?

Is a Multi-Cultural Society a Blessing? Essay

â€Å"A multi-cultural society is a blessing†. This is an assertion alleged by many. But is it true? Does the old regulation â€Å"The more, the better† really count here? And what on earth is a multi-cultural society? A multi-cultural society is a society containing several representations of different cultures. To understand it better, we also will need to be aware of what both a society and a culture really is. According to Wikipedia, a society is: a population of humans characterized by patterns of relationships between individuals that share a distinctive culture and/or institutions. And then you have a culture, which is a way of life, including traditions, manners, eating habits, and not least beliefs and religion, which I am going to go further into. This list could go on forever, but for you sake, it will not, this time. So there you have the basics. Now, let us dive deeper into to whether this plea is true or not. From my point of view, or let us say from the article’s point of view, the whole world’s population together not only forms one, great society, but a multi-society. And in this society, there are Native Indians, Africans, Asians, poor people, rich people Christians and Buddhists, and so on. You will properly wonder how and where all these cultures originated. Well, the first points I guess you can imagine yourselves. But when we move on to religion, it all comes down to the East, thousands of years before Christ. This is also the origin of God or gods, as many of us still believe in. Polytheism, Pantheism and Monotheism are considered being the first beliefs with religious attributes as we know it today. These phenomenas have evolved, and also created new types of beliefs, and these beliefs, or religions, are the main differences between the global cultures. So now we can start discussing the phrase â€Å"A multi-society is a blessing†, with religion as a key word. All known religions promote peace, and tells us to avoid violence at all costs. Still, I will claim and blame religion for most of the wars and conflicts ever occurred on this planet. If you study deeply into the reasons of many of the greatest wars, you will discover that different perspectives on life, beliefs, will be involved in the cause of  the terrifying violence. When people have different beliefs, they also have different opinions of what is right and wrong. Therefore, there will be misunderstandings, resulting conflicts. Now how can we avoid these conflicts erupting? As Martin Luther King said; it is natural to fear the unknown, therefore, get to know the unknown, and each other’s standpoint. (Magnus Pettersen, last paragraph. Note: This is not an exact quote of Martin Luther King, only a pointer.) But of course, now I make religion sound like the root to all evil, and that it only destroys the society, which it is not right. Religion can be a good thing too, it only depends on what you make out of it. I myself am an atheist, a person who does not believe in any god or over natural power, and I got to admit, I long for the comfort of â€Å"knowing† that when I die, I will be reborn, or end up in heaven. So it is understandable that people search for this calmness in different religions. You too properly believe in something, even if you do not consider yourself as religious. So to the question, what good does religions do to our society? It adds several perspectives on why we humans are here, what the meaning of life is and what happens to us after death, questions that are healthy for us to wonder about. It also teaches us, as mentioned before, to live in peace, and avoid violence. After all, most religions have their core maxim â€Å"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you†. (Bible, Luke 6:31) I think we can conclude that a multi-culture both can be a blessing, and a living hell. It all depends on how literally you take your own, and other’s culture, if you are open for other’s points of views, and if you can live knowing that people around you always will have different ways to live their own life. Sources: http://www.allaboutreligion.org/origin-of-religion.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society http://www.daria.no/skole/?tekst=7031 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism

Knowledge Managment Initiative Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Knowledge Managment Initiative - Assignment Example The new system allowed all employees to constantly gain detailed information on products and helped them to adequately solve the problem of resigning sales people due to lack of information and resulting commission. The product pricing and availability reports incorporated by cubes to boost system functionality were only available to the retail managers who worked to set the market policy, thereby creating a knowledge barrier and hindering development. Although ample training was provided to all the managers to gain sufficient knowledge of the online repository system, the rest of the employees’ learning and development was limited to 10-minute sessions per employee and minimal encouragement to learn the rest on their own time. Despite the high traffic of customers coming to the stores, the repository system’s usage did not increase accordingly. So even though, values, accessibility, and goals were set for all employees, the circle the of learning and organization came to a gradual halt.

The economic and accounting concepts of Income Essay

The economic and accounting concepts of Income - Essay Example It is impossible to arrive at the accounting income without going through accounting equation. i.e. adding up what the accounting records say belongs to the business and deducting what they say the business owes. This gives us the accounting income which essentially shows what an individual or a business is worth according to those accounting records. The accounting income therefore takes into account the fact that that no business will be set up to start trading in the absence of recourses which in most cases are supplied by the owner of the business. Usually, it is not only then owner of the business supplying resources, but other people s well other than the owner. The amounts owing to these other people for their assets in the business is called liabilities Accounting income , therefore can be called the owner 's equity or net worth, since it comprises of the funds invested in the business by the owner plus any profits retained for use in the business less any share of profit paid out of the business to the owner. The following is an illustration of a balance sheet. Balance sheet as at ________________________________________________________________________ Fixed assets CapitalFree hold premises xx Furniture and fittings xx Long Term, Liabilities xx Motor Vans xx Loan for 5 Years xx Current Assets Trading Debtors xx Trading stock xx Cash at Bank xx Short term Liabilities Trading Debtors xxShort term Loans xx Institution of all kinds prepare income statements even governments of Government bodies

European Enlightenment and Modern Schooling Essay

European Enlightenment and Modern Schooling - Essay Example These philosophers also felt that if people were left free to use their powers of reason, they would act in ways that would improve their society, as they were inherently good. Accordingly, both human contentment and righteousness needed their liberty from unnecessary restraints, the majority of which were fostered on them by the church as well as the state. The advocates of the Enlightenment's categorical opposition to institutional monarchy and organised religion showed their contempt for the institutions that ruled the masses ruthlessly in the past, as well as a tendency to support utopian restructuring schemes. Most of these philosophers believed keenly in human development through education. They believed that the society would grow perfect if its citizens were free to make use of their powers of reason. The two primary characteristics of the beliefs of the Enlightenment were: Belief in human wisdom’s capacity to discard the conventional practices and the pre-established establishments Ideas the development of useful, functional information as the power to manage and preserve nature. Education in the Past In the past, education in Europe was always influenced by the competition and conflict between different religious denominations. The Catholic Counter-Reformation and the protestant reformation are cases that verify this reality in a better manner. Religious principles supported the education of a chosen few during the middle ages. During the Renaissance, however, additional reasons were included as a means of educating more citizens. For instance, the development of the economies of cities in Italy in the fifteenth century required that many children receive instruction regarding secular life. Previously, the... This essay approves that The characteristics of research studies are quite similar to those of the disputation. The reporting is conducted in public, and the laws governing the examinations state that the student has to have conducted the research or at least took part in it. The research standards for the delivery of the work are also objective as well as explicit. This report makes a conclusion that the principles of the Enlightenment came from belief in the abilities of human reason to resolve, by means of scientific advancement and education, the difficulties facing humanity and, thereby, change society. In the 18th century, the advocates of the Enlightenment fought against the established institutions in British society to get their ideas to be recognised. A large number were incarcerated, while others were hindered by government suppression activities, as well as by the attacks from the church. However, by the 1770s, second-generation ideals were getting government funds and taking control of recognised intellectual institutions of education. The massive increase in the production of books as well as newspapers ensured an extensive diffusion of the Enlightenment concepts. Philosophical dissertations and methodical experiments grew to be fashionable in all classes of society, including elements of the clergy and the nobility. A majority of European monarchs also began to tout definite ideas, or at least the expressions of the Enlightenment. They were not genuine, knowing that the Enlightenment would spell the beginning of the end for them.

Supramolecular polymer based on hydrogen bonding Essay

Supramolecular polymer based on hydrogen bonding - Essay Example This will lead to the development of inexpensive procedure affording urea based monomers acting the terminals of the chains. According to H1 NMR both 2-(4-(3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido) phenyl)acetic acid and 4-(4-(3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)phenyl)butanoic acid were impossible to purify using recrystallization. However, the same method of purification was successful in case of using 4-(3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)benzoic acid as a substrate for purificalion. This purified product was taken on to the next step where the transformation from benzoic acid derivative into two electron acceptor group was conducted introducing tetrabutylammonium hydroxide. Subsequent polymer formation was achieved through self-assembly process between two electron donating group of urea and two electron accepting group of the previously synthesized benzoic acid salt. 2) Conclusions The research provided an account on the supramolecular chemistry of a set of 1-(3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-phenylurea derivatives. It was motivated by the extraordinary chemistry manifested by supramolecular polymers based on hydrogen bonding. The work pointed out to the substantial differences between the obtained substrates. First of all, 2-(4-(3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)phenyl)acetic acid and 4-(4-(3-(3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)phenyl)butanoic acid contained impurities which were impossible to remove using recrystallization. In both cases two purification attempts were made, both unsuccessful. On the other hand the same technique was applicable in purifying 4-(3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)benzoic acid. This fact leads to the conclusion that purification method should be changed in case of the first two derivatives should the synthesis be repeated. For example, flash column chromatography would be an attractive alternative. To conclude, an inexpensive and efficient method that allowed the production of urea based monomers was developed. The reaction affords excellent yields and the process is easy to carry out. Because tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and inorganic bases can be compared in their basic properties, it was possible to obtain the salt of the required monomer in an excellent 70% yield. The work is partly successful and due to time limits it was not possible to repeat each step again. It raised important question which will form the bases of the future work. 3) Future work First of all, in future, it is important to find efficient methods of purification products achieved in experiment one and two. By doing that it will be possible, comparing the yield, draw conclusions about formation of the intermediates. The produced intermediates will be transformed into supramolecular polymer substrates chain-stopping properties of which will be investigated. As it is seen from the first three experiments the only difference between substrates is the number of carbon atoms in the chain next to the benzen e ring. For this reason it will be possible to draw conclusions between viscosity of the formed suprapolymer and the number of carbon atoms. Solutions of the mentioned polymers are known to have high viscosity and their rheological behaviour is different in case of different polymers. For example, it was established that polymers containing ureidopyrimidinone units are different from those

The Integration of European Union Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The Integration of European Union - Essay Example Also, the abolishment of conflicting laws and uniform rules and regulations will assist businesses to streamline and adopt uniform policies across the EU. This paper will discuss some of the benefits that businesses of the 21st century may acquire due to an integration of EU and will further discuss as to what are such benefits, how they may be of any help for the businesses. The focus of this paper will, therefore, be largely on examining the advantages and challenges of EU integration for businesses. European Union comprises of 27 member States and is serving as a Political as well as Economic Union of European Countries. The basic philosophy behind the integration of Europe is to allow the regional integration by creating a single market for the whole of Europe. The basic theme of EU is despite having differences in the values and cultural aspects of the individual member countries; however such differences shall not be the basis of competition between the Member States. Thus despite the creation of single currency and market, EU Member States have retained their individual characteristics thus creating a fine amalgamation of integration which is advocating the formation of collective identity for EU while at the same time allowing individual member States to keep their own individual characteristics intact. Established in 1993 as a result of Maastricht Treaty, EU is now a region comprising of 500 million people contributing almost 30% of the share in the World Gross Domestic Pr oduct. At the global level, EU is, therefore, operating as a system of super nationalism as well as inter-governmental allowing member States to dominate the world scene in the disguise of an integrated Regional Community. One of the most important aspects of this integration is the fact that establishment of EU has resulted into the creation of a single market which not only allowed the free movement of people but also goods and services thus creating a strong window of opportunity for businesses working within the Region to flourish and prosper at least at the Regional Level.

Youth Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Youth Case study - Essay Example This paper provides a comparative study about the proliferation of youth gangs in East Timor and the United States of America. It introduces the characteristics of the gangs in both countries by pointing out the differences and similarities. East Timor obtained its independence from Indonesia after a prolonged freedom struggle, in which tens of thousands of East Timorese were killed, captured or tortured. The political turmoil of April 2006 led to the disintegration of the security forces into multiple factions and large organized street gangs. Research has found out that large numbers of young and marginalized males have joined these organizations, factions and street gangs (Scambary, 2006). Youth gangs are not a new phenomenon since they were used as instruments of repression during the Portuguese and Indonesian rule. After gaining independence, East Timor has witnessed sporadic clashes in the western highlands and Dili. A riot in March 2001 between rival gangs destroyed several houses in villages like Olobia and Boramatan (Scambary, 2006). The current conflict and nature of the violence has been focused in the market areas around Comoro and Taibesse. Sintu Kulao and Gaya Anak are two of the western gangs arrayed against two big eastern gangs, Lito Rambo and Lafaek in Becora and Comoro respectively (Scambary, 2006). Ethnicity has also played a large role in the formation of these youth gangs as a struggle between West and East Timor. Revenge has been the motive for the random violence, which has taken place. Another reason for the huge proliferation of gangs in East Timor is the land disputes, which have arisen in the aftermath of independence. A strong campaign of house burnings and intimidation against easterners has revolved around individual property disputes. Some gangs are being led by former resistance figures like Lito Rambo and Sintu Kulao (Scambary, 2006). Many gang members have infiltrated the political parties and security forces.

Mergers and Acquisitons Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Mergers and Acquisitons - Case Study Example A merger actually refers to a business combination of two or more firms in which only one firm survives and the other firm or firms go out of existence. In a merger, the surviving firm acquires the assets and liabilities of the other firm(s). A relevant example here is the recent merger of HDFC Bank and Times Bank. After the merger, Times Bank will go out of existence and expanded HDFC Bank will continue to exist. A merger takes place when the firms involved in the combination are of unequal size. The larger or stronger firm continues to exist because of its stronger bargaining power and the smaller or weaker firms go out of existence. Four periods of economic history have witnessed very high levels of merger activity, which are called a merger waves. These periods are characterized by cyclical activity i.e. large number of mergers followed by relatively fewer mergers ((ICMR), 2003). The current period is called as the fifth wave. In the first three waves, merger activity was concentrated in the United States of America. The fourth and the fifth waves were global in nature though the impact of the wave is most pronounced in the United States of America. The current merger wave began in 1992. This wave is marked by a large number of mega-mergers and cross-border mergers. Prior to this, there had been four different waves of mergers and acquisitions happening each being predominantly different. A famous example of the acquisition in the fourth wave of merger and acquisition row is the acquisition of Safeway, Britain's fourth largest supermarket group (Sky News, 2003) by William Morrison Supermarkets which operates in Central London and England (Arla Foods, 2003). The major drivers for the current wave are deregulation, globalization and technology. The increasing levels of deregulation are enabling companies to enter or expand their operations in areas which had significant regulatory barriers. The sectors where the impact of the wave is most visible are telecommunications, entertainment and media, banking and financial services. Safeway PLC was going through a troubled phase of business and was also struggling to cope up with the competition from the other retail giants in UK. As part of this struggle to compete, Safeway has also started experiencing the decline in its brand equity. All these struggles of Safeway were despite its strong national portfolio of having almost more than 450 outlets all across the United Kingdom. Going ahead, though William Morrison is a regional retail player in the United Kingdom having its strength in Midlands and in Northern Europe. Though William Morrison PLC is a regional player, the main strength of the company is its brand image and reputation in the market. One of the fundamental motives that drive mergers and acquisitions is the growth impulse of firms. Firms that decide to expand have to choose between two generic growth strategies, one is the organic growth and the other being the acquisition driven growth. The former one is a slow,

Federal Reserve and the Great Recession Research Paper

Federal Reserve and the Great Recession - Research Paper Example One of the major causes of the Great Recession was the bursting of the housing bubble. Being a regulator of the monetary system, the Federal Reserve could have seen a crisis coming. The major cause of the housing bubble bursting was that the Fed opted to expand their monetary policy; though the regulation was effectively done, this policy was a contributor to the problem. The Federal Reserve might have bowed to the pressure from the government to have the implementation of the housing policy be implemented. It happened that the dot-com crash was followed by a substantial increase in the printing press that resulted in an increase in the monetary base. Additionally, there was a great cut in the federal funds by Greenspan (from 5.6% in 2001 to 1% in 2003). These factors contributed to an increase in the housing among other investments that utilize huge amounts of capital. The Fed could have intervened at this point and develop a regulatory mechanism to prevent the situation from escala ting to the financial crisis and ultimately the Great Recession. The Federal Reserve failed to develop adequate measures that would deal with the insolvency. Two institutions at the center of the Great Recession, Lehman Brothers, and Washington Mutual became insolvent resulting in their collapse. The Fed made a miscalculated attempt to go ahead and support these institutions instead of giving them a chance to fail, the outcome would have been an increase in the amount of savings as well as investments.

Civil Rights and Responsibilities Essay Example for Free

Civil Rights and Responsibilities Essay The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution shortly after its ratification. These amendments guarantee certain political, procedural, and property rights against infringement by the national government (Patterson, 2009). â€Å"A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on influence (Thomas Jefferson). The First Amendment provides the foundation for freedom of expression which is the right of individual Americans to hold and communicate views of their choosing (Patterson, 2009). The motivation of the Bill of Rights was to guarantee individual rights and freedoms. The First Amendment reflects this tradition, providing for freedom of religion along with freedom of speech, press, assembly, and petition. The three provisions of the First Amendment are the freedom of speech, assembly and religion. The freedom of speech states that you are free to say almost anything except that which is obscene, slanders another person, or has a high probability of inciting others to take imminent lawless action. The freedom of assembly states that you are free to assemble, although government may regulate the time and place for reasons of public convenience safety, provided such regulations are applied evenhandedly to all groups. The freedom of religion states that you are protected from having the religious beliefs of others imposed on you, and you are free to believe what you like. Freedom of religion simply means citizens have freedom to attend a church, synagogue, temple or mosque of their choice, or not to attend at all. The First Amendment allows us to practice our religion the way we want to. When talking about freedom of religion and the First Amendment I think about religion in the schools. Every since the Supreme Court held school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional in the early 1960s, there has ben a concerted and well-funded campaign to reintroduce religion in public schools. Public schools themselves should not be in the business of promoting particular religious beliefs or religious activities and they should protect children from being coerced by others to accept religious (or anti-religious beliefs. A Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission inquiry ruled in July that the Saskatoon Board of Education must end a practice of giving teachers the option of conducting prayers in public school classrooms and assemblies. In practice, the choice has been primarily the Lords Prayer. The ruling will not change practices in separate schools. The inquiry followed a complaint six years ago by nine parents, including Muslims, Jews, Unitarians and atheists. About 20% of the 550 public school classrooms in Saskatoon begin the day with prayer. The decision may be appealed in court (Globe and Mail, 1999). The relationship between religion and government in the United States when it comes to the United States Constitution is governed by the First Amendment to the Constitution, which both prevents the government from establishing religion and protects privately initiated religious expression and activities from government interference and discrimination. The First Amendment thus establishes certain limits on the conduct of public school officials as it relates to religious activity, including prayer. Prayer should not have been taken out of schools. Parents should be sent home a letter opting out of religious activities and employees should be given the same option, but taken it out of schools was ridiculous. The case of Engel v. Vitale (1962) went to the Supreme Court and the case was about a time in 1951 the New York State Board of Regents (the State board of education) approved a 22-word â€Å"nondenominational prayer â€Å"for recitation each morning in the public schools of New York. It read: â€Å"Almighty God, we acknowledge our dependence upon Thee, and we beg Thy blessings upon us, our parents, our teachers and our Country.† The Regents believed that the prayer could be a useful tool for the development of character and good citizenship among the students of the State of New York. The prayer was offered to the school boards in the State for their use, and participation in the â€Å"prayer-exercise† was voluntary. In New Hyde Park, New York, the Union Free School District No. 9 directed the local principal to have the prayer â€Å"said aloud by each class in the presence of a teacher at the beginning of the school day.† The parents of ten pupils in the New Hyde Park schools objected to the prayer. They filed suit in a New York State court seeking a ban on the prayer, insisting that the use of this official prayer in the public schools was contrary to their own and their childrens beliefs, religions, or religious practices. The State appeals court upheld the use of the prayer, â€Å"so long as the schools did not compel any pupil to join in the prayer over his or his parents objection† (infoplease.com). The Freedom to Assemble gives people the right to assemble peacefully without causing any harm to others. As much as I do not agree with the KKK views and opinions they should be able to assemble if they do it in a peaceful manner. The First Amendment prohibits government from abridging the right of the people peaceably to assemble. This basic freedom ensures that the spirit of the First Amendment survives and thrives even when the majority of citizens would rather suppress expression it finds offensive. Over the course of our history, freedom of assembly has protected individuals espousing myriad viewpoints. Striking workers, civil rights advocates, anti-war demonstrators and Ku Klux Klan marchers have all taken to the streets and sidewalks in protest or in support of their causes. Sometimes these efforts have galvanized public support or changed public perceptions. Imagine a civil rights movement without the March on Washington or the womens suffrage movement without ranks of long-skirted, placard-carrying suffragists filling city streets. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized the importance of this freedom in the 1937 case De Jonge v. State of Oregon, writing that the right to peaceable assembly is a right cognate to those of free speech and free press and is equally fundamental. â€Å"According to the Court, † the right to assemble is one that cannot be denied without violating those fundamental principles which lie at the base of all civil and political institutions† (archive.firstamendmentcenter.org). The KKKs right to assemble peaceably was secured by the famous 1977 case of National Socialist Party v. Skokie, in which the American Civil Liberties Union successfully argued that the First Amendment prohibited officials of Skokie, Ill., from banning a march by the National Socialist Party. Skokie is a Chicago suburb that is home to many Holocaust survivors. One federal judge reasoned that â€Å"it is better to allow those who preach racial hatred to expend their venom in rhetoric rather than to be panicked into embarking on the dangerous course of permitting the government to decide what its citizens may say and hear† (archive.firstamendmentcenter.org). In conclusion, the First Amendment of the United States protects the rights to freedom of religion and freedom of expression as well as freedom of assembly from government interference. Freedom of expression consists of the rights to freedom of speech, press, assembly and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, and the implied rights of association and belief. The Supreme Court interprets the extent of the protection afforded to these rights. The First Amendment has been interpreted by the Court as applying to the entire federal government even though it is only expressly applicable to Congress. Two clauses in the First Amendment guarantee freedom of religion. The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause are two clauses in the First Amendment that guarantee freedom of religion. The Establishment Clause prohibits the government from passing legislation to establish an official religion or preferring one religion over another. It enforces the separation of church and state. The Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government, in most instances, from interfering with a persons practice of their religion. The right to assemble allows people to gather for peaceful and lawful purposes. Implicit within this right is the right to association and belief. With that being said, all people should be having some kind of freedom. They should be able to boycott and assemble peacefully without causing any harm to anyone. People should be free to have their different views and opinions of religion, be it that they religious or anti-religious. To sum it all up I would love for everyone to feel that they are free. References http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1961/1961_468 http://www.aclu.org/religion-belief/program-freedom-religion-and-belief-government-funded-religion Religion in schools (teachers in Saskatchewan will no longer have the option of conducting prayer services in class). Humanist in Canada 130 (1999): 4, 39. General OneFile. Web. 25 June 2012. http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html

Proposal to De-criminalise Recreational Cannabis Use in Australia

Proposal to De-criminalise Recreational Cannabis Use in Australia In Australia there is a metaphorical ‘war on drugs’ that has failed comprehensively and as a result there is an ever-increasing level of support for the movement for drug reform.[1] There are a plethora of drug offences that relate to cannabis and a variety of statutory doctrines covered by both Commonwealth and State Law which assist in the prosecution of drug offences. The following report includes an overview of drug offences in NSW with a focus on cannabis. As well as an examination of policy issues associated with the criminalisation of recreational cannabis and potential risks and benefits related with alternative legal frameworks, in addition to a recommendation relating to the decriminalisation of cannabis. Drug Offences: The drug offences covered under the Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1966 (NSW) (DMTA) include use, possession, supply, trafficking, cultivation and manufacturing of prohibited plants and drugs as well as aiding and abetting and taking part in offences involving prohibited drugs and/or plants. These laws apply to cannabis as the substance is a prohibited drug as specified in Schedule 1 of the DMTA and is a prohibited plant as outlined in s 3. Additionally, cannabis is a poisons and can be found under s 8 of the Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW), cannabis is a Schedule Nine substance and therefore is a substance which may be misused or abused and the manufacture, possession, sale and/or use is prohibited by law’[2] Under s 40 of the DMTA the ‘deemed drug’ provision, makes it an offence to attempt to supply or misrepresent a legal substance as an illicit drug e.g. representing parsley as cannabis. The definition of supply in s 3 makes the offence complete upon making the offer contrary to whether supply eventuates or whether there was an intention to supply is irrelevant. Under s 29 of the DMTA where a person is found to be in possession of a certain amount of a prohibited drug it is assumed that they are a drug trafficker, for cannabis leaf this weight is 300grams and the onus falls on the accused to prove otherwise. Traffickable offences also include possession of prohibited plants (s 23) and supply of prohibited drugs (s 25) as outlined in the DMTA and carry fines of 2,000 penalty units and/or 10 years imprisonment. DMTA prohibits the manufacture, supply, possession and/or use of prohibited drugs including cannabis. There are a variety of drug offences in NSW. As outlined in Pt 2 Div 1 of the DMTA including possession (s 10) and self-administration (s 12) which are summary offences and mean that an individual is liable for a fine of 20 penalty units and/or 2 years imprisonment (s 21).[3] Under s 11 of the DMTA it is an offence to be in possession of equipment for administration of prohibited drugs. The Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1996 (NSW) also assists in the prosecution of drug offences as it regulates, controls and prohibits the supply and use of different categories of drugs of which cannabis is classified as a drug of addiction thus a prohibited substance under Schedule 9 of the Poisons Act. The above-mentioned statutory doctrines must also coincide with the elements of criminal offences mens rea and actus reus before a person is found guilty. Major policy issues Statutory doctrines and court decisions created to assist in the prosecution of drug offences have contributed to the over criminalisation of drug-related behaviours. Drug policy in NSW is increasingly concerned with promoting approaches to minimise health risks and other harms caused by the use of cannabis and other legal and prohibited drugs.[4] There are a number of practical and ethical policy issues that are associated with the criminalisation of cannabis. Many policy issues arise regarding harm minimisation through ‘therapeutic’ criminalisation and harm minimisation. This includes the Cannabis Cautioning Scheme (CCS) which was introduced in 2000 and is a formal cautioning of adult offenders detected for minor offences relating to cannabis. As well as the Medicinal Cannabis Compassionate Use Scheme (MCCUS) which allows police to use their discretion as whether or not to caution terminally ill patients.[5] Other policy issues that arise as a result of criminalisation include a lack of medical supervision inevitably leading to the spread to preventable disease, overdose deaths, adulterated substances, drug related violence, distraction of police resources. ‘Prohibition is counterproductive — it causes significant harms additional to those resulting from drug use’ instead of funding for health and social services funding is diverted to law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration.’[6]   There are concerns as to criminalisation over targeting many low risk offenders such as those dealt with under the CCS.[7] This encroaches on users feelings of personal and financial security as it is often low level offences that are being dealt with pushing users further into poverty.[8] There is a slow movement in Australia to decriminalise cannabis however the CCS is a ‘punishment so disproportionate, because even if you end up having no real penalty you have a charge, the impact on employment opportunities and family can be lifelong.’[9] The purpose of criminalisation is often questioned and policy is concerned as whether there are benefits to criminalisation or whether criminalisation is implemented as it is a highly visible â€Å"solution† to real and perceived harms and risks associated with the recreational use of cannabis.[10] The framework is increasingly utilised as it can be enacted quickly, is visible and is often correlated with a strong government. It is a common opinion that the NSW Government are contradicting their actions and intentions between attempting to criminalise cannabis while minimising the harms associated with drug use which is supported by Tadeh Karapetian’s statement ‘the Government’s objective of minimising harm has been undermined by the criminalisation policy, through the stigmatisation of cannabis users, the preservation of the black market, the limitations of diversion schemes and the restriction of medicinal use.’ [11] Recently, the Court of Criminal Appeal in NSW, extended criminal liability for drug offences, fortunately, the High Court prevented on over reaching prosecution attempts to extend criminal liability in drug offences. In the case of Burns v The Queen the High Court found that unlawfully supplying a drug to someone does not ‘by itself, form the basis for unlawful and dangerous act manslaughter’.[12]   However, if supplying a drug did amount to manslaughter, over criminalisation would occur. As a result, users and suppliers would be more reluctant to call authorities for assistance for fear of being penalised and the criminal justice system would be over-exhausted and burdened as a result.[13]   It is estimated that Australians spend over $7 billion on cannabis annually, this is a concern for the Government as they are losing out on a potential revenue stream by criminalising cannabis use.[14] The National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2013 found that the recent use of cannabis in NSW dropped from 16.7% in 1998 to 9.5% in 2013, this is a concern for policy makers as it cannot be concluded that the ‘data does not support the notion that a criminalisation policy is more effective in preventing cannabis use.’[15] While the current policy criminalises the use of cannabis, policy is gradually de-criminalising cannabis and central to the policy debate is the belief that cannabis is a ‘gateway drug’ that raises concerns as to what other drugs users may be exposed to if cannabis is de-criminalised.[16] Alternative Legal Frameworks A national drug policy has been implemented in Australia since 1985 and accepts that the eradication of illegal drug use is not achievable. Instead it aims to minimise harm by reducing demand and supply.[17]There are multiple different legal frameworks the govern the use and supply of drugs: Depenalisation means drug use and possession carry lighter criminal penalties, whilst drug supply remains a criminal offence.[18] A benefit of this framework is that drug supply is still illegal which may assist in reducing the amount of cannabis that is supplied to users. Another benefit is that users are able to use the drug with a lesser penalty which may deter some users. Conversely, due to the lesser penalty, users may use cannabis rather than a drug that has harsher penalties. This will be detrimental to the government as they will be spending money in order to assist in imposing lighter penalties such as offering drug education and treatment services.[19] Decriminalisation results in drug use and possession no longer carrying criminal penalties but are replaced with civil penalties. Those who use or possess drugs may still be charged especially if fines are not paid or attending assessments are not complied with.[20] The supply of drugs is still a criminal offence. Many politicians are concerned that the decriminalisation of cannabis would ‘send the wrong message.’[21] Additionally, researches have supported this argument, arguing that ‘removing criminal penalties would lead to increased drug use, with harms falling hardest on the deprived communities that are already the most damaged by drug-related problems.’[22] Conversely, research undertaken in Sweden has shown that ‘as a result of decriminalisation, drug use does not increase among existing or new users, but reduces demand on, and the cost of the criminal justice system.[23] There may be reductions in problematic drug use, drug-related HIV and AIDS, deaths and reduced social costs of responding to drugs.[24] However, the way decriminalisation is implemented may affect the extent of net-widening which is an increase in the number of people arrested or charged.[25] Legalisation: the use and supply of cannabis is legal.[26] Approximately one in four Australians (26%) believe that the recreational use of cannabis should be legal.[27] The biggest risk is that supplying the drug is legalised. This makes it difficult to control the risks and harms associated with cannabis. Many people may abuse the legalisation of cannabis and treat it as a â€Å"gateway drug† to harsher and riskier drugs. It may result in reducing black market and criminal networks associated with cannabis drug trading, shift in responses and funding from the police and the criminal justice system towards heath, treatment and education programs. The taxes raised from the legalisation of cannabis could be used for the benefit of the community. By legalising cannabis there may be a significant increase in drug use, based on the harms and costs associated with legal drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. Recommendation It is essential that Governments recognises that they cannot strictly control the behaviour of citizens.[28] In response to the War on Drugs, the government needs to consider ending ‘the criminalization, marginalization and stigmatization of people who use drugs but who do no harm to others’ and ‘Encourage experimentation by governments with models of legal regulation of drugs to undermine the power of organized crime and safeguard the health and security of their citizens.’[29] The civil penalty applicable to minor cannabis offences creates fairness and justice as it is a more proportionate response. As a result, criminal justice resources will be freed up and civil penalties will generate a revenue for the NSW Government. ‘The only way to achieve goals of rational drug policy is to replace black market for drugs with form of legal availability under highly regulated system’, this means that the NSW government should adopt the non-commercial model which is popular in Uruguay, and allows the government to retain control over the production and sale of cannabis.[30] There should be a minimum age purchase such as 21 in the case of Colorado or 18 in Uruguay.[31] The drug should be purchased through pharmacies, with there being a limit on how much can be purchased per month as well as the purity, what forms it can be sold, the training and responsibilities of suppliers, education about the drug and much more.[32] Conclusion As a result of the ineffective ‘war on drugs’, there has been a global movement for drug law reform.[33] Former Victorian police commissioner Ken Lay, has explained that ‘you can’t arrest your way out of this problem’, showing the need for the NSW Government to reconsider the drug policy in regards to the recreational use of cannabis.[34] The key drug offences and major policy issues associated with the recreational use of cannabis is over criminalising and as a result placing strain on law enforcement and users. The government needs to be more concerned with harm minimisation rather than prohibition because ‘drug law enforcement has had little impact on the Australian drug market.’[35] In conclusion, with the application of sensible and reasonably strict criteria the decriminalisation of cannabis for recreational cannabis would benefit the NSW justice system, users and the community. Bibliography A Articles/Books/Reports Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Government, Alcohol & other drug treatment services (2018) Caitlin Hughes and Alison Ritter, A Summary of Diversion Programs for Drug and Drug-Related Offenders in Australia (2008) National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre Cannabis legalisation: what model for regulation? (7 December 2017) Alcohol and Drug Foundation Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation, Review of the Medicinal Cannabis Compassionate Use Scheme (2016) NSW Government Conrad, Chris, Hemp for Health: The Medicinal and Nutritional Uses of Cannabis Sativa (Healing Arts Press, Rochester, 1997) Drug Programs and Initiatives (2018) NSW Government Featherston, James, Simon Lenton, Effects of the Western Australian Cannabis Infringement Notice Scheme on Public Attitudes, Knowledge and Use: Comparison of Pre- and Post-Change Data (2007) National Drug Research Institute Curtin and Curtin University of Technology Hari, Johann, About Drug Policy Australia (2018) Drug Policy Australia Hall, Wayne, Pacula Liccardo, Rosalie, Cannabis Use and Dependence: Public Health and Public Policy (The Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 2003) Hughes, Caitlyn, Alex Stevens, ‘What Can We Learn From The Portuguese Decriminalization of Illicit Drugs?’ (21 July 2010) The British Journal of Criminology Gettman, Jon, Top 10 Marijuana Policy Issues For 2018 (2 January 2018) High Times Gotsis, Tom, Chris Angus and Lenny Roth, Illegal Drug Use and Possession: Current Policy and Debates (Briefing Paper No 4, NSW Parliamentary Research Services, 2016) Featherston, James, Simon Lenton, Effects of the Western Australian Cannabis Infringement Notice Scheme on Public Attitudes, Knowledge and Use: Comparison of Pre- and Post-Change Data (2007) National Drug Research Institute Curtin and Curtin University of Technology Lee, Nicole, Alison Ritter, Australia’s Recreational Drug Policies Aren’t Working, so What are the Options for Reform? (2 March 2016) The Conversation Mostyn, Ben, Helen Gibbon and Nicholas Cowdery, The Criminalisation of Drugs and the Search for Alternative Approaches   ‘24(2)’ Criminal Justice State Library New South Wales, Drug Laws in NSW (29 October 2015) http://legalanswers.sl.nsw.gov.au/drugs-and-law-hot-topics/drug-laws-nsw State Library New South Wales, Drug Offences (1 October 2016) Stephen Odgers, Editorial: Drug Law Reform (2014) 38(6) Criminal Law Journal Karapetian, Tadeh, Criminalisation of Cannabis in New South Wales: Is Harm Minimisation Going Up in Smoke? (2017) University of New South Wales Law Journal Student Series 17 B Cases Burns v The Queen [2012] HCA 35 C Legislation Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW) [1] Ben Mostyn, Helen Gibbon and Nicholas Cowdery, The Criminalisation of Drugs and the Search for Alternative Approaches ‘24(2)’ Criminal Justice, 265. [2] Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1966 (NSW) [3] Drug Misuse and Trafficking Act 1985 (NSW) [4] Johann Hari, About Drug Policy Australia (2018) Drug Policy Australia [5] Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research and Innovation, Review of the Medicinal Cannabis Compassionate Use Scheme (2016) NSW Government [6] Mostyn, above n 1, 265. [7] Tadeh Karapetian, Criminalisation of Cannabis in New South Wales: Is Harm Minimisation Going Up in Smoke? (2017) University of New South Wales Law Journal Student Series 17. [8] Ibid. [9]Caitlin Hughes and Alison Ritter, A Summary of Diversion Programs for Drug and Drug-Related Offenders in Australia (2008) National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre [10] Tom Gotsis, Chris Angus and Lenny Roth, Illegal Drug Use and Possession: Current Policy and Debates (Briefing Paper No 4, NSW Parliamentary Research Services, 2016) 19. [11] Karapetian, above n 9. [12] Burns v The Queen [2012] HCA 35. [13] Mostyn, above n 7,264 [14] Ibid. [15] Ibid. [16] Wayne Hall, Rosalie Liccardo Pacula, Cannabis Use and Dependence: Public Health and Public Policy (The Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, 2003) 4. [17]Gotsis, above n 12. [18] Ibid. [19] Ibid. [20] Lee, above n 18, 26. [21] Caitlin Hughes, Alex Stevens, ‘What Can We Learn From The Portuguese Decriminalization of Illicit Drugs?’ (21 July 2010) The British Journal of Criminology ‘50(6)’ [22] Ibid. [23] James Featherston, Simon Lenton, Effects of the Western Australian Cannabis Infringement Notice Scheme on Public Attitudes, Knowledge and Use: Comparison of Pre- and Post-Change Data (2007) National Drug Research Institute Curtin and Curtin University of Technology 50-62. [24] Lee, above n 18, 26. [25] Ibid. [26] Ibid. [27] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australian Government, Alcohol & other drug treatment services (2018) [28] Karapetian, above n, 9. [29] Mostyn, above n 1, 262. [30] Stephen Odgers, Editorial: Drug Law Reform (2014) 38(6) Criminal Law Journal, 335. [31] Ibid. [32] Ibid. [33] Mostyn, above n 1, 269. [34] Lee, above n 18, 26 [35] Ibid.

the machine that one the war Essay examples -- essays research papers

In the next couple of paragraph’s, I am going to be explaining the themes of irony and conflict in the short story, The Machine That Won the War, by Isaac Asimov. The setting of The Machine That Won the War is the future of the earth, and a great war had just been won against the enemy race. Two men, Swift and Henderson, are the main characters, and are debating over who really won the war for earth. They are discussing whether or not it was the giant strategy computer known as Multivac, or the men in charge of making the maneuvers and programming the computer. The author Isaac Asimov is using description and argument as his modes of discourse for the story. In the story, Henderson who is an excitable man, explained that the fact that Multivac was nothing more than a large machine, only capable of doing what it was programmed of doing. Henderson explained that some of Multivac’s data might have been unreliable. The great computer was capable of creating a direct battle which earth forces could be used to attack their enemies. However, with Henderson imputing faulty data, this caused some of the battle plans to be unreliable. Henderson’s internal conflict between himself losing his job and wanting to keep it made him jingle with the programming until it seemed right. Quote from The Machine That Won the War, on page 201. â€Å"Since the war is won, I’ll tell you what I did. I corrected the data.† â€Å"How?† asked Swift. â€Å"Intuition, I presume, I juggled them till they looked righ...

Constantine the Great and His Influence on the Spread of Christianity :: essays research papers fc

Flavius Valerius Constantinus, also known as Constantine the Great, is believed to have been born sometime between the years 274 and 288. He was born in Naissus, which is now known as Nisch Serbia, to the Roman officer Constantius Chlorus. Constantius belonged to one of the Leading families of Moesia and his mother was a niece of the capable and soldierly Claudius, the conqueror of the Goths. Constantine’s mother Helena is said to have been the daughter of an innkeeper o Drepanum, and later became known as St. Helena the Christian Empress. There is, however, nothing to support the assertion sometimes made that she was already baptized before Constantine’s birth and her early influence ultimately brought him to Christianity. Such facts about her life as are known would suggest the contrary- Eusebius of Caecarea declares that Constantine in fact converted his mother. There are, however, other indications that Helena was not a Christian during her son’s early years. At what date Helena did embrace Christianity remains a mystery. Nor can anyone say wither certainty what gods she worshipped during her son’s childhood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of Constantine’s early years we know almost nothing, though we may suppose that they were spent in the eastern half of the Empire. In 293 Constantine was betrothed to Fausta the daughter of Madimian, and in this year his father Constantius was made Caesar. Constantine chose to join his father in the west at Boulogne on the expedition against the Picts and before his father’s death he was proclaimed to be his successor. After Constantius’ death Constantine’s troops immediately proclaimed him Caesar in acceptance to his father’s wishes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the beginning of Constantine’s reign there were great political complications having to do with multiples of emperors ruling over different territories, which lead to the political movement of many wars between different leading parties. Constantine during this time was known to have the most efficient army, but was busy defending his own frontier and had not taken part in any of the quarrels amongst the different Caesars, until 311.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In 311 Caesar Maxentius claimed Constantine to be a tyrant and threatened Constantine's land with his overwhelmingly large and powerful army. On Constantine's march into war against Maxentius to save his land and his self-respect he received a vision. This vision assured him that he would conquer in the sign of the Christ, and his warriors were to carry Christ's Monogram on their shields.

Themes of Love and Obsession in Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights Essay

Themes of Love and Obsession in Wuthering Heights      Ã‚   "My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff" (81)" These words, uttered by Catherine, in the novel Wuthering Heights are for me the starting point in my investigation into the themes of love and obsession in the novel. Catherine has just told her housekeeper that she has made up her mind to marry Edgar Linton, although she is well aware that her love for him is bound to change as time passes. That she is obsessed by her love for Heathcliff she confirms in the above quotation and by saying that she will never, ever be separated from him. Why does she not marry him then? Well, she has another obsession too: she does not want to degrade herself by marrying him. Instead she thinks that by wedding Linton she can aid Heathcliff to rise.    Heathcliff, who has been ill-treated by his foster brother Hindley, is obsessed by his thoughts of revenge: "I'm trying to settle how I shall pay Hindley back. I don't care how long I wait, if I can only do it at last. I hope he will not die before I do!" (64).He comes back after three years, during which time nobody at Wuthering Heights or The Grange have known his whereabouts, and the first person he is eager to meet is Catherine. She reacts with a mixture of fright and passion, and accuses Heathcliff of being cruel as he has not been heard of for such a long time. His joy to see her again is unmistakable: "A little more than you have thought of me," he murmured "I heard of your marriage, Cathy, not long since; and, while waiting in the yard below, I meditated this plan: - just to have one glimpse of your face, a stare of surprise, perhaps, ... ...s dream and calls her a minx, Heathcliff cannot control his vehement emotions. When he realizes that his life is coming to an end he carries through his will to be buried in the same grave as the woman he loved so fervently.    My conclusion is that in this novel the themes of love and obsession are interconnected. The love between Catherine and Heathcliff runs all through the story, and that love is the reason for Heathcliff's obsession to have his revenge. He never got over being rejected by her. And he never stopped loving Catherine as long as he lived: "Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! it is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!" (148).    Work Cited: Brontà «, Emily. Wuthering Heights. Penguin Popular Classics, 1994.   

Mrs. Macteer and Mrs. Breedlove Essay

Parental guidance and support are key components of the foundation of a child’s growth and development. Without either, a child cannot grow and develop properly. In her novel The Bluest Eye, Toni Morrison examines the effect of different mothers on their respective children through the characters of Mrs. MacTeer and Mrs. Breedlove. Throughout the novel, both characters express their thoughts and feelings through words, with Mrs. MacTeer having a few fussy soliloquies and Mrs. Breedlove having a few interior monologues to get their points across. Although Mrs. MacTeer and Mrs. Breedlove are two entirely different individuals, their respective fussy soliloquies and interior monologues greatly reflect one another. Giving to charity doesn’t always equate to getting something in return. In The Bluest Eye, Mrs. MacTeer takes in Pecola Breedlove for a bit. While Pecola is staying with the MacTeer family, she grows fixated with a Shirley Temple glass, using it every chance that she can. Subsequently, she ends up drinking a lot of the milk that Mrs. MacTeer has for the entire family. Mrs. MacTeer is not thrilled with this, as she rants, â€Å"Three quarts of milk. That’s what was in that icebox yesterday. Three whole quarts. Now they ain’t none. Not a drop. I don’t mind folks coming in and getting what they want, but three quarts of milk! What the devil does anybody need with three quarts of milk? † (Morrison 23). Initially, Mrs. MacTeer’s soliloquy seems reasonable. It seems as though she is simple a mother frustrated with the fact that her milk has been drank up and potentially wasted. However, there are hidden connotations in her speech. By rationalizing her own life situations through her fussing soliloquies and then singing, Mrs. MacTeer manages to isolate her children. They, particularly Claudia, view her singing as a demonstration of the pleasure Mrs. MacTeer takes in insulting others through her soliloquy. As Christine Spies writes in Vernacular Traditions: The Use of Music in the Novels of Toni Morrison, â€Å"the way in which the singing is described, the cathartic quality of the music becomes obvious, as for Mrs. MacTeer singing constitutes a cleansing ritual and establishes a validation of her self† (Spies 13). It is suggested that Mrs. MacTeer is unhappy with her everyday life, as well as with herself. She utilizes the soliloquies to rip apart others, a concept that is detrimental to those she fusses about, yet therapeutic to herself. Once she is satisfied with the degree in which she has ranted and raved, she begins to sing. Her songs are representative of the cleansing of herself through her rants and rambles, as well as a demonstration of her satisfaction and happiness with putting down others. Pauline Breedlove, Pecola’s mother, is fond of reflecting on the better days of her life. Oftentimes throughout The Bluest Eye, Mrs. Breedlove is found reminiscing on the days of her past, when she was a younger woman. In particular, at one point in the novel, Mrs. Breedlove reflects upon a time in which she was pregnant with her oldest child, Sammy. During this time in her life, she enjoyed going to the cinema by herself during the day. She would look at magazines and style her hair like the movie stars. To her, going to the cinema and admiring the glorious movie stars was an escape from her marriage and life with Cholly. For the length of the film, she could disappear into the movie and be amongst the stars. At one point, Mrs. Breedlove attended a film and her fantasies of blending in with the stars unraveled in front of her very eyes. She took a bite of a piece of candy, and one of her front teeth was pulled out by it, instantly altering her appearance forever. She reflected, â€Å"There I was, five months pregnant, trying to look like Jean Harlow, and a front tooth gone. Everything went then. Look like I just didn’t care no more after that. I let my hair go back, plaited it up, and settled down to just being ugly† (Morrison 123). Mrs. Breedlove tried to escape from the unhappiness of her own life by going to the cinema, and instead, the cinema caused her even more unhappiness. She simply gave up on ever feeling glamorous or happy, something that is only fueled by the growing unhappiness of her marriage. As she stated, â€Å"Cholly poked fun at me, and we started fighting again†¦He begin to make me madder than anything I knowed† (Morrison 123). As much as she tried, Mrs. Breedlove could no longer escape her unhappiness. It was simply escalated by the cinema. From the very beginning of Pecola’s life, her mother ingrains in her the idea that she is ugly—a concept that Mrs. Breedlove herself is viewed as due to her missing front tooth and her skin color. After her birth, she refers to Pecola as being â€Å"a right smart baby† but â€Å"a cross between a puppy and a dying man. But I knowed she was ugly. Head full of pretty hair, but Lord she was ugly† (Morrison 126). Mrs. Breedlove acknowledges that Pecola is a smart girl, but doesn’t view it as an impressive quality. Instead, she focuses on the fact that her daughter is unattractive. As Spies mentions, â€Å"even by her own mother, Pecola has been denied the slightest notion of being valuable or worthy of love† (Spies 15). By denying value and love to her daughter, Mrs. Breedlove is instilling in Pecola the same self-hatred that Cholly and society has instilled in herself. Mrs. Breedlove’s unhappiness is unquestionably the reason for Pecola’s own dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Although Mrs. MacTeer and Mrs. Breedlove are two entirely different individuals, their thoughts are eerily reminiscent of each other. Both complain about others, specifically complaining about Pecola. Mrs. MacTeer is frustrated with Pecola drinking up the milk, whereas Mrs. Breedlove is frustrated by her lack of beauty. Both women try to come off as â€Å"better† individuals than they actually are. Mrs. MacTeer rambles about Pecola and suggests that she is of a lower, varmint-like class. Mrs. Breedlove goes on about Pecola’s ugliness, when, in fact, she is not only perceived as but admittedly ugly herself. Both women are unsatisfied with their lives and places in society. They both wish to be glorious and of higher class, yet they cannot achieve these respect places due to outside factors—Mrs. MacTeer is a middle class woman, and Mrs. Breedlove is â€Å"ugly† and black. Both women enjoy prattling about their misfortunes and the misfortunes of others, yet they do so in entirely different ways. Contrarily, Mrs. Breedlove expresses herself silently through inner monologue. She is a soundless voice in society. Not only is she a black female, but she is poor and ugly as well. She could voice her opinions out loud, but she feels it is not worth it. Society rarely recognizes her presence, and when it does, it is quickly forgotten. When Mrs. Breedlove reflected on the birth of Pecola, she recalled being the only black woman in the maternity ward of the hospital. A doctor walked by to check on her with a team of residents who were learning how to be doctors, and he said that black women deliver babies like horses, quickly with no pain. Mrs. Breedlove recalls, â€Å"They never said nothing to me. Only one looked at me. Looked at my face, I mean. I looked right back at him. He dropped his eyes and turned red† (Morrison 125). The resident who looked at her is embarrassed to have acknowledged her, and he immediately tries to erase this moment of connection from existence. She is an isolated, lower class of her own in society due to not only the oppression of her individuality as a poor, ugly black woman and the reaction of society to her identities, but because she is also oppressed by her husband, Cholly. Although it is clear throughout the novel that Mrs. Breedlove fights back when it comes to arguments with her husband, she is not given a voice to do so. As Gibson states, â€Å"whatever authority Cholly possesses accrues not because it comes to him by nature, or because he is male, but because Morrison chooses to give it to him. She grants this black male a voice† (Gibson 169). Morrison does not allow Mrs. Breedlove to have a voice; rather, she allows Cholly to have one to further exploit the weaknesses and state of despair of his wife. She cannot voice her opinions out loud because she is not given the means to do so. Like Mrs. MacTeer, Mrs. Breedlove has an invisible audience. However, her audience is literally invisible—nobody listens to her thoughts but herself. She is not given a voice in society, so she feels she cannot do anything. To her, it is not worth it to try to express her thoughts to anyone but herself. By keeping to herself, she is only trapped in her unhappiness further. Undoubtedly, the thoughts and opinions of Mrs. MacTeer and Mrs. Breedlove in Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye are essential to demonstrating the messages of societal oppression within the novel. Both women exhibit the concept of members of society being oppressed due to factors they cannot change, such as gender, level of wealth, race, beauty, or even lost dreams. Mrs. MacTeer’s fussing soliloquies reach out to an invisible audience of her children and Pecola, explicitly discussing her unhappiness with her own role in society, as well as the hierarchical roles in society and her daily life. Additionally, Mrs. Breedlove’s silent interior monologues allow readers to see the result of silence within society. Her monologues also allow readers to see the effect of giving up on one’s own happiness and dreams in life. Together, the voices of Mrs. MacTeer and Mrs. Breedlove inevitably come together to convey the effect of societal oppression within the novel. Without their respective fussing soliloquies and interior monologues, the meaning of the novel would be lost within the pages. The thoughts and opinions of Mrs. MacTeer and Mrs.

Global Perspective on Health Policy Essay

The controversial issue of healthcare coverage for all individuals is an ethical and moral issue that Americans struggle with and as socially proactive as they are on there are many issues arising of it. Healthcare is not only about health and coverage but the major issue is about funding, what can be funded and what cannot be funded and how is going to be funded. Universal healthcare in other countries offers insight into some of the biggest issues and best alternatives for providing healthcare to all and to resolve the health care rising cost. The ethical issue of health care has led to the Accountable Care Act or Obama Care policy development and legislation. More time, data and research has to be done before the definite results of this legislation can be proven. A controversial issue Considering the opposing views about Accountable Care Act legislation, it’s reasonable to understand why universal health care has elicit such a heated political controversy among political parties as well as throughout American people. Unlike other Western industrialized nations, the U.S. has not established a universal health care system. Since health care is a fundamental defining policy of the modern state, and since Obama’s health care reform can be seen as an expansion of the role of government, it can be analyzed in a global context (Ha, 2012). The issue of health care reform brings important ethical issues of justice to the forefront, as individuals, communities, and the legislature struggle with how to provide quality health care for the many without sacrificing the basic rights of even the few (Sorrel, 2012). Policy’s creation The divide on health care coverage, cost and sustainability for all Americans and the increased cost of health care in United States led to legislations being brought to seek out a solution to the issue. The American Recovery and  Reinvestment Act was the first of these laws, this act signed into law in 2009 by President Obama. The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act was also signed into law. Also enacted and accompanied by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act. Another legislation that became a law in 2010 is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Patel, 2013). Provisions in the act are designed to expand insurance coverage, control costs, and target prevention (Gable, 2011). One of the primary targets is adults aged 19-64, since their access to health care and use of health services deteriorated between 2000 and 2010, particularly among those who were uninsured (Kenney, McMorrow, Zuckerman, & Goin, 2012). The PPACA includes reforms such as prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, expanding Medicaid eligibility, subsidizing insurance premiums, and providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits. Insurance companies will no longer be able to drop clients when they become ill. The act has the potential to improve health outcomes across all income and age groups at a reduced cost (Sorrel, 2012). Steps in the state and federal policy development process. The steps of the development process focus in the four â€Å"pillars† of health reform: improving the quality of care, making health insurance affordable, supporting personal responsibility, and developing a sustainable approach to health care financing. This platform will help focus the initiative to tackle the growing costs of health care while preserving the highest quality of care for all Americans and avoiding cost-shifting wherever possible (Bipartisan Policy Center, 2013). Many ACA provisions went into effect immediately or soon after the health reform law was enacted in 2010; others are being phased in over time. Several major reforms, including the Medicaid expansion, insurance exchanges, and minimum coverage provision (â€Å"individual mandate†) will go into effect in 2014, and still others will go into effect later. APHA recommends several great resources for tracking state progress on creating health insurance exchanges, funding states have received through various ACA provisions, and states’ intentions regarding the Medicaid expansion, and other topics (APHA, 2010). Policy development vs implementation. Policy development starts with knowing what the problem is and how the policy will improve the issue. So the importance of analyzing the data about the problem needing fixed. When writing the policy provide the opportunity for the input of the policy makers to suggest changes which provides different viewpoints. To present the policy to the committees for approval or changes as needed. Policy Implementation is ready to start with a timetable of how the implementing of the policy and briefing the States. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act is an enormous administrative challenge, and many details of its implementation are still developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (Wann, 2013). Policy development starts from the moment the public, the legislature think there is an issue and a solution is needed. The ACA development started many years ago back in the 90s when the Clinton administration specifically Hillary Clinton supported the creation of a Universal Health C are system, that laid the foundation on which ACA started to gather the issues and started to research possible solutions. The issues was brought by the public to the press, to the meetings and hearings during the elections campaign and started to gather strength and support on President Obama challenge not only the American people, but the entire Congress to bring out to the negotiations idea on how to increase access to care while reducing cost. The ACA legislation development follows several tenets as the building block in which the legislation was written and develop on, Quality affordable health care for all Americans, the role of public programs, Improving the quality and efficiency of health care, prevention of chronic disease and improving public health, Health care workforce, Transparency and program integrity, Improving access to innovative medical therapies, Community living assistance services and supports and Revenue provisions (Democrat Senate, 2004). The implementation process of the legislation follows the same tenet but there is not planning and changing is the plan drafted and written how each steps will be attained and when and lastly the evaluation of the development and the implementation and sitting back in the drafting table to fix any encountered issues. The development and implementation phases of the legislation cannot be seen as two different path but rather as a process of two collaboration between the two parts using the same foundation to build.  To summarize the differences between development and implementation would be that the developments of the policy consist of the idea to the final written policy. The implementation of the policy is the start of putting the policy in action. Stakeholder’s involvement The stakeholders became involved with the affordable care act because even though this was controversial many believed that the needs were far greater than the issue and some changes were needed. Stakeholders for this legislation is the entire country of United States as the affected party, the health care providers, the legislators, the President of United States. In health care, the overarching goal for providers, as well as for every other stakeholder, must be improving value for patients, where value is defined as the health outcomes achieved that matter to patients relative to the cost of achieving those outcomes. Improving value requires either improving one or more outcomes without raising costs or lowering costs without compromising outcomes, or both. Failure to improve value means, well, failure (Porter, Lee, 2013). Stakeholders are heard during the elections periods where the issues to be discussed should and have to be of interest to the public to be added to the political platform. The press plays an important role on serving as the echo or the microphone to put the issues that are important for the American people. The Health care providers were a major force on the legislation development as their input from a business standpoint played major role on discussing areas that were part of the problem as well as area that needed to stay the same and it also serve as another voice of the public on such a controversial issue. Congress as a stake holder not only play a vital role on policy development and drafting but was the starting point of bringing the issue to the front and placed it in the agenda to be discussed and heard and last the President and its executive branch as the approval seal to the developed policy. In summary the Affordable Care Act has pique the interest not only as a national issue but a global one. Like any policy development the issues have to discuss by the stakeholders representing health care and each and every one has a specific interest in the issue to be solve. References American Public Health Association, (2014), ACA Implementation. Retrieved August 4, 2014 from http://www.apha.org/advocacy/Health+Reform/implementation/ Bipartisan Policy Center, (2013). Managing Costs, Preserving Care: Health Care Cost Containment Report Release. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http://bipartisanpolicy.org/projects/health-care-cost-containment-initiative Patel, K. Parker, R. Villaruel, A.Wong,W (2013). Amplifying the Voice of the Underserved in the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http://www.iom.edu/Global/Perspectives/2013/AmplifyingTheVoice Ha, J. (2012). Health Care Reform vs ObamaCare: Partisan framing of FOX, MSNBC, NYT snd WSJ. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http://gnovisjournal.org/2012/11/30/health-care-reform-vs-obamacare-partisan-framing-of-fox-msnbc-yt-and-wsj/ Porter, M. E. (2013), The Strategy that will fix health care. Harvard Business Review, Retrieved On August 4th, 2014 from http://hbr.org/2013/10/the-strategy-that-will-fix-health-care Sorell, M. J. (2012), Patient Protec tion and Affordable Care Act: Ethical Perspectives. Retrieved on August 4th, 2014 from http://www.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/Columns/Ethics/Patient-Protection-and-Affordable-Care-Act-Ethical-Perspectives.html

Immanual Kant Ethical Contribution Essay

Born in Konigsberg, East Prussia in 1724, Immanuel Kant began school at the early age of eight years. He studied at the Collegium Fridiricianum, a Latin school that focused on classicism. Later he attended the University of Konigsberg and his major studies were physics, mathematics and philosophy. After receiving his doctorate, Kant became a teacher at the University and focused on philosophy. He was well known for his unorthodox approaches to religion and religious text that many students admired. However his radical teachings caught the eye of King Frederich William II, who barred him from any further writings. Kant obeyed the king until after the king’s death, Kant continued to write and publish his views on religion. He is famous for his deontic philosophical approach which believed actions were morally right or wrong, without the regard to consequences. Kant argued being moral was also being rational. Kant wrote the book Critique of Pure Reason in 1781 in which he investigated the limits of human knowledge and the ability to reason. Kant argued that we act morally because that is what reason demands and he analyzed the nature of reason and what it means to be rational. In 1797 Kant furthered his writings in the Metaphysics of Ethics, where he writes that reason is the fundamental authority for morality. The European Graduate School dictates â€Å"Metaphysics describes a science concerned with this inquiry, a solution to unsolvable problems set by pure reason itself, namely the concepts of God, freedom and Immortality. † Kant believed that our sense of duty, approved by reason and rationality, is considered moral. Kant believed that consequences were not important, but the processes in which people think when they make their choices. Kant argued only one thing was inherently good, and that was good will. Good will is also doing the right thing, doing one’s duty and respecting moral law. (LaFave 2006) This good will is found only in humans, not material, gives us human’s dignity and is our power of rational moral choice. (Garrett 2006) According to Kant, when we respect moral law we are doing something because it makes us feel good and we are doing it out of duty, not inclinations. Kant argues we know what the moral law is by using Categorical Imperative. The Categorical Imperative states â€Å"Act only on those maxims (or rules of action) that you could, at the same time, will to be universal law. † (Garrett 2006) Three tests must pass to for an act to be considered moral, 1) it must be amenable to being made consistently universal, 2) it must respect rational beings as ends in themselves; and 3) it must stem from and respect the autonomy of rational beings. (DeGeorge p. 64) Immanuel Kant unknowingly created what is now called Kantian philosophy with his works and studies. Not only did he have a major impact on literature and the fine arts, his biggest contribution was to modern philosophy. Kant died in 1804. Works Cited DeGeorge, Richard. Business Ethics. 7th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2010. Print. Garret, Jan. â€Å"Kant’s Duty Ethics. † Wku. edu. Western Kentucky University, 2 October 2006. Web. 12 June 2012. â€Å"Immanuel Kant – Biography. † Eds. edu, European Graduate School, n. d. Web. 12 June 2012. LaFave, Sandra, â€Å"Kant’s Ethics. † Instruct. westvalley. edu. West Valley College, 16 August 2006. Web. 12 June 2012.

Soapbox on Chavs

Don’t even get me started on chavs! CHAV: Council House Anti-social and Violent. We’ve heard about them all before, and we see them on the streets all the time. We all hate them and I’m here to explain why they should all be banned †¦ and preferably incarcerated. They are well known for their advanced linguistics and decent attire. The first thing we notice when seeing a chav are their tracky bottoms – or should I say their underwear, because their trousers usually hung down in the ankle region. They are usually aged about 16-22, and their stereotypical dress code would probably be wearing the famous snapback facing in a 90 degree angle, of course, wearing baggy fake adidas tracksuits with tonnes of fake gold jewellery which they can barely carry. These people are in gangs acting as if they’re 8 foot tall and built up like a rugby player, in the corner of the McDonald’s car park. I once unfortunately came into contact with one of these ‘gangsters’ on my way walking back home from my friend’s house. I was half way there when I just looked to my left and saw some filthy unwashed scum in a hoodie. I was trying my best to avoid when he shouted at me ‘Yo fam, ya got a cig on ya mate’. ‘Fam’ is an urban abbreviation for family; I was thinking to myself that how could this pathetic, low-life imbecile even think that I am his family or related to him in any possible way, whilst I didn’t even bother turning his way. If you haven’t already seen one, they are easy to spot, just look for people with a gangster limp. Don’t get me wrong, I mean I’m not a judge a book by its cover kind of guy, I have reasons for why I despise these people. Anyway it’s their own faults for why they are in that situation because they’ve all dropped out of high-school, and ran away from home living off on government benefits. Why should we constantly pay our unnecessarily high taxes for a bunch of self-homeless townies? And I’m not being sexist about this either because there are also female chavs or better known as ‘chavettes’, which quite frankly aren’t any better. These anti-social group of ugly teenage girls, black and white, who usually hang around near shopping centres, waiting for someone to p*** them off. There are the stupid teenage girls who hang out in groups of threes on their phones, chewing gum obnoxiously loud, with 1 earphone in acting as if they are 10 men shouting at a little kid two or three years younger than them. Then there are the 14 year old pregnant girls who will ram their pushchair right into the back of your foot, and give you a menacing glare, like wat u gna complain. They try to make a name out of themselves by starting fights and causing riots to get in the news to frighten the innocent people at home. Most people are afraid of getting out of their houses after sunset due to these ‘bad men’ as they like to address themselves. Isn’t it funny how the majority is scared by the minority? I suppose it adds to their gangster factor though, and also assists in making them look hard. I mean, come on, if we saw their un-matured, baby face walking down an alley, we wouldn’t exactly be scared would we? Even though they might be carrying a knife in their pocket waiting to shank you, more than half of them I bet won’t even know how to use it. It is quite obvious where these people get the idea from, it is all these disgusting celebrities; the teenage girls obviously follow celebs like Nicki Minaj and the boys attempt to imitate 50 cent and lil’ wayne. With all this in mind, I hope you will come to an agreement that they are a waste of space and this contagious disease should be dealt with before more of the youth in today’s society catches it. So please, friends join me in my rebellion and together we can make chavs history.

Was Chivalry in Decline During the 14th and 15th Centuries

Far from disappearing, chivalry during the 14 and 15th centuries it was actually going through somewhat of a revival, some historians even go as far to say it was experiencing a â€Å"renascence† in the late middle ages albeit an imperfect one. Even though it appears in this period of medieval history that chivalry was becoming all the more popular, fashionable even, the meaning and spirit behind chivalry that were so important during the first crusades were dilapidated, therefore one can see why it can be viewed that chivalry was in decline in the 14th 15th century. This is especially apparent seeing as Chivalry became a tool to be wielded by those privileged enough to have the money and influence to use it. Furthermore despite the large amount of bravado surrounding chivalry in the later medieval period, this just underlines the fact that chivalry in the 14th and 15th centuries was a hollow shell of what it had been in the time of the crusades. Kilgour indentifies chivalry in the early medieval period as the â€Å"First heroic age† where a â€Å"fusion of military glory and religion† was achieved for the first time. In his description of the glory of chivalry in its early days Kilgour only stresses the devaluation of chivalry in its time of decline in the 14th and 15th century. The writings of J Huizinga in which he describes the return of chivalry as †a rather artificial revival of things long dead, a sort of deliberate and insincere renascence of ideas drained of any real value† offer a clear analysis of chivalry and its decline as an ideal with any real meaning during the 14th and 15th century. Even though to a large extent he is certainly right to view chivalry as a hollow shell of what it was, his statement is slightly implausible because by no means were there no chivalric deeds performed that would not have seemed out of place some 200 years earlier during the crusades, for example: â€Å"A knight of the nation of Hainault named Sir Loys de Robessart. One day it happened that his enemies found him in a village with few of his people with him. There they attacked him and staged a fine skirmish. And although his enemies where great in numbers and much stronger he drove them out of he village. Thereupon a great force of his enemies renewed the attack, and although he sighted them at a distance, all the same he disdained to flee or to show any signs of fear. But with very steady, noble and virtuous courage sallied forth and in order to uphold the honour of this order of chivalry and of himself he determined to hold his ground, and there he died gloriously, for before he di ed when he saw he could not hold he made his men withdraw to the castle, for which act he was greatly praised both by his enemies and his own men. † From this example it is apparent that there were cases in which chivalric actions were not completely selfless, suggesting to one that chivalry was not in decline. Never the less mindful of Maurice Keens remark that the value of chivalry signified by the heroic ideals of the earlier romances has been lost to sight in a quest for imitative decoration, it is thus easy to see that perhaps even the most selfless cases of chivalry recorded by historians like the tale of Roberssart just suit to underpin the inherent flaws in late medieval chivalry with their â€Å"quest for imitative decoration. There is however one issue in the early medieval period that is conceivably the defining factor in best determining if there was a decline in chivalry in the 14th and 15th century, one that is not explored by Huizinga or Kilgour. It is whether the state of chivalry in its â€Å"first heroic age† was any different in its ideals and value before it had collapsed into a â€Å"mad, exaggerated display. One aspect that might prove this conclusion to be correct is raised by Maurice Keen who observes that some of the evidence describing chivalry, although being less plentiful in the 12th century is remarkably similar to what is being said two or three hundred years later. This example is enough to convince one that there was little difference in the spirit of chivalry at its beginning in the 12th and 13th centuries, suggesting that there was not a decline in chivalry due to it losing its meaning because that meaning was unchanged in some two hundred years. Despite her argument there is some evidence which disproves Maurice Keen’s notion of a chivalric spirit unchanged over two hundred years, which apart from being implausible, is proved to be inaccurate due to the evolution of chivalry as a tool to be used for selfish ends further undermining the ideals for which chivalry stands. The best illustration of chivalry being used as a tool is when it started to be harnessed for means of propaganda. This can be seen most prominently at the Vow of the Pheasant and the banquet held at Lille in 1445, in which the banquet was used to lavishly display a sense of chivalry with the intention of trying to gain the adequate support to initiate a crusade along the Mediterranean. However this was no excessive imitation of the past but was a calculated move by King Philip the Good, a move which perfectly illustrates the decline of chivalry in the late Middle Ages. What one also needs to understand is that this was not an isolated case. Chivalry was used as a tool in other ways as well. For example many Dukes’ Counts and court officials hoped that by exploiting the genuine respect for chivalrous values and conduct they could â€Å"solidify† respect for their rather â€Å"shaky† ducal authority. This point is interestingly supported by Maurice Keen who despite her previous argument explains that â€Å"chivalry was something secular princes could exploit† mainly because it was taken so seriously by â€Å"a very important sector of people. What makes her statement even more plausible is that it is reinforced by Raymond Kilgour, whose view is that an event such as these pageants evolved without a â€Å"deeper value to society† such was the extent to the dilapidation of chivalry, and its decline in the 14th and 15th centuries Despite much evidence to prove that chivalry was in decline in the late medieval period of the 14th and 15th centuries, some events just do not lend themselves to be interpreted it in this way. Especially when taken into account that a definition of the word decline is â€Å"the period when something reaches its end† this is particularly interesting as there are some documents which raise the question whether chivalry actually ever reached a period of definite decline at all in the 15th and 14th centuries, despite its withering spirit. One such piece of evidence that supports this view is a table listing all books printed in Venice in reference to military affairs. This specific document is useful because of all the works devoted to military affairs or dealing with them, the most prevalent category of book published was that of the laws of war and chivalry. The fact that this table lists books on chivalric warfare as being so popular this late on in the 1400’s must denote that chivalry was not in decline, for if it was going through a tangible Decline it would surely not have been such a popular subject for publishing. However if we are to take Huizinga’s view that chivalry was nothing more than â€Å"a rather artificial revival of things long dead† this would explain why even though chivalry exercised a â€Å"disastrous† affect on wars in this period of late medieval period it was still so wrote about. Another interpretation which supports Huizinga’s view is that litterateurs of the time where probably trying to capitalize on chivalry as a popular subject, similar to the way that secular princes used chivalry as a tool as Maurice Keen pointed out. Chivalry in practise was obviously not in decline in the late medieval period however in spirit it was, a perfect exhibition of this is shown through the disastrous effect chivalry had on the outcome of wars and on France itself. This was mainly the doing of King John the Good whose reign was â€Å"disastrous† to France because of his â€Å"chivalric prejudice†, as is pointed out by J Huizinga who rightly claims that it was King Johns â€Å"chivalric stubbornness† and carelessness which cost him the battle of Poitiers in 1356, as well as one of his most celebrated chivalric knights Geroffroi De Charny. This use of chivalry almost seems as though it’s being used to keep up appearances with what was fashionable at the time no matter the cost, and as a result underlines the decline in the spirit of chivalry and therefore the decline of chivalry itself. In conclusion the â€Å"cult† of chivalry as it is sometimes called in the later middle ages is generally considered by the majority of historians who deal with it indirectly or directly as meaningless, and therefore it has to be perceived as being in decline. Karl Brandi labelled the elaborate protocol at play in chivalric court as an â€Å"impressive, sumptuous yet wholly meaningless shell. † Similarly J Huizinga described chivalry as â€Å"naive† and â€Å"imperfect. † Raymond Kilgour on the other hand stated that chivalry was an â€Å"extravagant† illusion to try and maintain a feeling of â€Å"significance. † All these statements overwhelmingly point at a chivalry in a dire state of decline in the late medieval period, however in reality it was going through a revival. Despite this revival, chivalry was weak in spirit and had disastrous effects on society, the outcomes of war and on France itself. From this assumption it’s hard not to see that although chivalry in practise was not in decline in practise its meanings and ideals were, hence why one can see that chivalry was in decline in the 14 and 15th century.