colossus essays

colossus essays When most people think of the seven wonders of the ancient world, they usually think of pyramids. Some of them know that the Colossus of Rhodes is simply put, amazing. Some people believe that it was a small statuette to a Dorian King, but evidence proves that it was an enormous statue. Memoirs, journals, and diaries tell wonderful stories about the Colossus, and are pretty much all the same. Some exaggerations on its thick layers of gold were not true, but the Colossus was composed heavily of copper, steel, iron, and an outside coating of marble. Some say that it was as tall as the sky, but that was one of the many exaggerations. However, it was approximately 140 feet tall, which is equivalent to a modern day fourteen-story building. I dont know about you, but a statue that tall without the modern day technology that we have today blows my mind. Many also believe that it straddled the harbor the entrance of the Mediterranean island of Greece. That is a false statement. It was on one side of the harbor. (Thompson 98) The Colossus of Rhodes was built by the Dorians to praise their sun god. When a peace treaty was ordered between the Dorians and the Arabs, the statue began its long awaited construction. No one really knows how long it took to complete this statue, but they do know how and when the Colossus of Rhodes fell from its feet. (McGuire 82) When an earthquake rumbled all throughout the country the amazing statue broke in 226 B.C. on its weakest point, his knees. The statue stood high, according to record, for 26 years from the peace treaty up until the day of the earthquake. (Weimer 222) You might ask yourself why it wasnt reconstructed. For one, a lot of the pieces of marble, steel, and iron fell to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, so a lot of the pieces were missing. They also lost everyone who help build it because of the short human lifespan of the ancient times. ...

About Charles Garnier, the Designer of the Paris Opera

About Charles Garnier, the Designer of the Paris Opera Inspired by Roman pageantry, architect Charles Garnier (born November 6, 1825 in Paris, France) wanted his buildings to have drama and spectacle. His design for the magnificent Paris Opà ©ra on the Place de lOpà ©ra in Paris combined the classicism of Renaissance architecture with ornate Beaux Arts ideas. Jean Louis Charles Garnier was born into a working class family. He was expected to become a wheelwright like his father. However Garnier wasnt healthy and his mother didnt want him to work in a forge. So, the boy took mathematics courses at the École Gratuite de Dessin. His mother hoped he would get good, steady work as a surveyor, but Charles Garnier achieved much greater success. In 1842 Garnier began studies with Louis-Hippolyte Lebas at the École Royale des Beaux-Arts de Paris. In 1848 he won the Premier Grand Prix de Rome and was off to Italy to study at the Academy in Rome. Garnier spent five years in Rome, traveling throughout Greece and Turkey, and being inspired by Roman pageantry.   Still in his 20s, Garnier aspired to design buildings that had the drama of a pageant. The highlight Charles Garniers career was his commission to design the Opà ©ra in Paris. Built between  1857 and 1874,   the Paris Opera quickly became Garniers masterpiece. With its magnificent hall and grand staircase, the design combines opulence for its patrons with remarkable acoustics for the performers. The palatial Opera House has become known as Palais Garnier.   Garniers opulent style reflected the fashion that became popular during Napoleon IIIs Second Empire. Garniers other architecture includes the Casino at Monte Carlo in Monaco, another opulent complex for the wealthy elite, and the Italian villas Bischoffsheim and Garnier in Bordighera. Several other buildings in Paris, including the Panorama Marigny theatre and Hotel du Cercle de la Librairie, cannot compare with his grand masterpieces. The architect died in Paris on August 3, 1898. Why is Garnier Important? Many people might say that Garniers importance is his creation of a house for The Phantom of the Opera. Professor Talbot Hamlin suggests otherwise, pointing out that despite the oversumptuous detail of the Opà ©ra in Paris, the architectural style was imitated for decades because there is a magnificent clarity in the general appearance, both outside and in. Hamlin notes that Garnier conceived the Opà ©ra in Paris in three parts- the stage, the auditorium, and the vestibules. Each of these three units was then developed with the greatest richness possible, but always in such a way as to accent its relationship to the other two. It is this logic as the supreme quality that was being taught at École des Beaux-Arts and perfectly executed by Garnier. A buildings logic, the basic relationships in buildings, was founded on common sense, directness, emphasis of the most important elements, and expression of purpose. This insistence on open and logical planning and on the clarity of basic expression was vitally necessary to the solution of new architectural problems, writes Professor Hamlin. Architecture became a matter of disciplined study of plan relationships. Learn More: Charles Garniers Paris Opera: Architectural Empathy and the Renaissance of French Classicism by Christopher Mead, MIT Press, 1991Charles Garniers Opà ©ra: Architecture and Exterior Decor by Gà ©rard Fontaine, 2000Charles Garniers Opera: Architecture and Interior Decor by Gà ©rard Fontaine, 2004Paris Opera House: Scale Architectural Paper Model by Jean-William Hanoteau, 1987 Source: Architecture through the Ages by Talbot Hamlin, Putnam, Revised 1953, pp. 599-600

Sex In Our Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sex In Our Society - Essay Example 113). I agree with Joyce Garity that some of the adverts in teen fashion magazines are to blame for deteriorating morals in the society. The adverts are too suggestive that they end up brain washing the innocent children. An advertisement of Liz Claiborne fragrances showing a couple sprawled on their bed is a perfect example. After seeing this, the teenagers start fantasizing and would be tempted to think that their life is not complete if they are not practising the same. They end up trying this, and before they know it, the worst has happened and the consequences are with them. In addition, it is absurd to feature a naked girl in a teen magazine in the name of advertising cologne. Though the company sales will go up, it is not worth the harm it is causing the society. Above buying the cologne, the teenagers may be tempted to pose naked like the girl in the advert. In their minds, they are out to be famous among their peers. However, they may end up engaging in sexual activities that would ruin their young lives (Soble, 2008, P. 96). As Joyce Garity states, any teenager would be excited to see a young couple display affection publicly. In an advert, a young girl is laying on a luxurious bed in a dimly light room with her lover making her nails. If a suggestive picture like this has to appear in a magazine, it should not be a teenage magazine. Teenagers’ minds are easily washed away by anything they lay their eyes on. Within no time, they will go out experimenting on things that may ruin their lives. Teenagers’ world is full of sexual spontaneity and playfulness. They will take less or no time thinking about a responsible life. Instead, they admire musicians, actors, rock stars and other celebrities whose lives are full of sexual drama. These are their role models, and their talk is about which musician has slept with many women. The young adults rush to the

What is the Quran about according to Fazlur Rahmans book Major Themes Essay

What is the Quran about according to Fazlur Rahmans book Major Themes of the Quran - Essay Example This paper presents the major Qur’anic themes as Rahman presents theme as they are organized in chapter order. Rahman synthesizes the major themes logically rather than chronologically and the Quran has been allowed to speak for itself and interpretation has been used only as necessary for joining together ideas. In this classical work, Rahman unveils the Qur’an’s focuses on issues of God, society, revelation, and prophesy in such admirably logical manner (Rahman 6). In other words, Qur’an, which is referred to as the last, revealed Word of God the Book talks about God, His relationship with a man, man-to-man relationship and man relationship with nature. According to Rahman, the Qur’an must always be read with the spirit of wholeness and a sincere attempt to seek pure guidance (Rahman, 5). Additionally, the Holy Book is regarded as a complete code of life taking into account that Islam is but a complete way of human life and so Qur’an is its source of guidance on the mundane lives. Moreover, Rahman explains that the Qur’an’s teachings are no t restricted to a particular nation or a specific era but for the global community. The Book provides comprehensive piece of legalization in addition to the moral principles as a way of ensuring cordial human relationship with one another. It also explains the afterlife concept of Eschatology, Satan, and Evil. The Book is organized based primarily on the major themes. The theme of God opens the first chapter of Rahman’s book discussing the necessity of God, His Unity and its implications. According to him, the Qur’an is a document aimed at man and so it is no treatise about God and His nature. However, the elaboration about God’s existence is strictly functional, in the sense that God is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe (Rahman 1). Additionally, God judges man either individually or collectively and He metes out to him merciful

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation Essay Example for Free

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation Essay Martin Luther is credited for starting the Protestant Reformation by declaring the corruption he saw in the Roman Catholic Church. By standing firm in his faith and openly going against the church, hes able to get the people thinking for themselves and discovering the truth of their leaders and religion. Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eislenben, Germany, to copper miner Hans and peasant Margaretha Luder. Living in poverty, his father is set on Luther becoming a lawyer for higher income and family honor. In 1501, he enrolled at Master of Arts in Erford, and received his Bachelors degree in 1502 and Masters in 1505. He then enrolled to the law school. In 1505, hes caught in a thunderstorm and asks God for deliverance. Since he lived through the fright, he then devotes himself to God, dropping out of law school and joining the monastery, although against his fathers orders. While searching for personal salvation, Luther took his spiritual growth very seriously and often times punished himself. He spent most hours praying and confessing. Through this, he began to notice his frequent and awful sins. He was told to follow after academics which he then taught theology at the University of Wittenberg. On October 18, 1512, he is given a Doctorate in Theology. In 1513, he studied Psalm 22 and gained enlightenment. He realized, as Paul said, The just will live by faith, and that salvation comes with solely faith and not religious works or practices. Luthers knowledge of the Scriptures and his analytical mind caused him to see the power-hungry church leaders corruption. A major issue Luther saw was the selling of indulgences which were ways to get people of the church to pay for prayers and salvation. The Roman Catholic Church used these indulgences to put fear into their followers and money into their own pockets. Along with that complaint and others, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517. Within two weeks, the news of his rebellion spread through Germany and throughout Europe in two months. The Johannes Gutenberg Printing Press played a vital role in this expansion. Within days, many copies of the news was made and sent out. This gave the people of the church and of the nations concrete evidence of their leaders  corruption. Soon, the fear of the people faded and so did the churchs power. In 1520, Luther is threatened with excommunication from the church. In January of 1520 he is excommunicated and named as a heretic. In April of 1521, the Diet of Worms met and Luther is questioned about his act. He is told to recant but he refuses to do so unless the Scriptures would have him do otherwise. In 1522, Luther translates the New Testament to German where again, the printing press made it available to society. He also formed his own church, Lutheranism, and teaches his practices and gains followers. On June 13, 1525, he married former nun Katharina von Bora and went on to have six children together. As time goes on, he gains many health problems and dies at the age of 62 on February 18, 1546. Through personal enlightenment and rebellion, Martin Luther started the transformation of the Christian church and many of its practices today. By refusing the deception of the church, he leads a revolt against the church and sets the example of strong, unshakable faith. Luthers impact on religion didnt stop in the 1500s, and is still standing firm and modeling the religion of society now.

John Calhoun :: essays research papers

A boy of Scotch-Irish descent, whose ancestors had settled in Pennsylvania before travelling through mountains to resettle in southern territory, he was born in 1782 in the Abbeville district of South Carolina on March 18. His family was not rich, nor were they poor; they owned slaves and were regarded not as a part of the ostentation associated with slave-holding at the time but rather as a simple, farm family. His father had an interest in politics and participated locally, something that ultimately catapulted this boy into his future profession. Sent at the age of 12 to live with a Presbyterian minister for a basic education, he was eventually trained at Yale beginning his junior year and graduated with "distinction," a prerequisite to the next few years in which he would study law in Charlestown. In 1807 he became a certified lawyer and began practice in his home district of Abbeville. Thereafter, he entered politics: 1808, 1809 he was a member of the S.C. legislature; 1811 to 1817 he was a House Representative of his state. In 1811, the year he began in Congress, he married a rich cousin whose assets included vast plantations and large populations of black slaves. This marriage marked his entrance into the Charlestown southern elite, a position that would act to catalyst his pro-slavery sentiments for which he is now renown. Amicable relations developed between this person, and Clay when he entered Congress; Clay placed him on his foreign affairs committee because, like Clay, he advocated war with England. The two are considered the most powerful members of Congress who pushed these measures toward war at this time; the House eventually accepted their arguments. As a politician, he advocated protection of American markets when European competition was at its best, internal improvements, though he strongly opposed nationalism and would later champion both the rise of sectionalism and slavery. In 1817, he was appointed Secretary of War to Monroe; in 1824 and again in 1828, he was the vice-president of the U.S, but in 1832 resigned over a controversy concerning nullification. He switched gears, and gained a seat in the Senate where he was a constant advocate of "State’s Rights" to slave-holding southern states that banked on the perpetuation of their tradition. He attempted to gain the presidency at least three times, each ending in defeat and a mysterious "Slavery is, instead of an evil, a good, a positive good," he said.

American Government Assignment

The United States, once chauvinist in its beliefs may see the dawn of a new era on 2008 – two female presidential candidates battling it out for the position of Commander in Chief.   Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton are considered two likely candidates for the 2008 Presidential Election.The country calls for total equality between men and women, however this equal treatment has never crossed over into such a position of power.Besides the biological differences between men and women, it is said that the style of leadership displays some differences as well.   According to Maryann Kimoto, reporter for the USCD Guardian, â€Å"One study of the religious leadership style of female pastors noted that women were more likely to base decisions on the aggregated advice of a group, while men tended to see themselves or their higher-ups as the authoritative voice.†(Kimoto, 2005, p. 1)   Based upon this data, it would seem that a female president would be more likely to t ake into account the opinions of others, rather than making decisions based upon selfish judgment.In a poll commissioned by Hearst Newspaper, the overall results state that the United States is ready for a female to assume the office of President – 64% of the people polled supported this belief.   (Fulcher, 2006, n.a.)   According to this poll 53% of people polled in 2005 believed that Senator Hillary Clinton should run for President in 2008 and when asked again in 2006 the percentage supporting Clinton held strong, only dropping 2%.The poll also stated that there is a growing support for Condoleezza Rice; therefore, proving that yet another female candidate could become a contender. (Fulcher, 2006, n.a.)  Ã‚   Over all, the poll suggested that 64% of those polled believed that the United States is ready for a female Commander in Chief.Personally, I feel that the United States is ready for drastic change and when taking into account the results of the recent elections t he voting public proved such, as the Democrats regained control of the House.Polls are suggesting that the chauvinistic attitude once rampant in the United Stats has softened, approximately 64% of those polled, as stated above.   Though I believe the country is ready for the female leader the candidates will face the remaining 36% against such a change.Our society is changing drastically.   For example, a society once dead against allowing gays to legally wed, is softening in the more liberal states.  Ã‚   The public opinion has changed and the country is ready for drastic change; therefore, I believe that the United States can handle a female President.   

Male Identity and Greek Mythology’s Hercules in Films Essay

Famed for his mighty muscles, Hercules was the son of the mortal woman Alcmene and the god Zeus. Hercules performed many legendary feats of strength, the first of which came as an infant: when Zeus’s wife Hera placed two serpents in his crib, Hercules quickly strangled them. After he had grown to manhood Hera got revenge by driving Hercules briefly mad, causing him to slay his own wife and children. As penance Hercules performed his famous 12 labors (or tasks), which included killing the Hydra, capturing Cerberus the dog, and cleaning the stables of Augeas. Hercules appears in many ancient Greek stories and is one of mythology’s best-known heroes. Mythologies are fantasies that have the power to endure in people’s minds and culture through time. For this, mythological stories and characters have been part of substantial themes of films in the history of filmmaking. They have a significant place in the world of filmmaking because mythological stories and characters have the ample amount of mystery and magic that has the ability to capture the audience’s attention and imagination. Storylines may differ or be similar to the myths itself but the essence of the mythological character exudes. One such masculine and mythological character is the half-man half-god Greek hero, Hercules. This mythological character with extraordinary physical strength has been featured and appeared in numerous films in the big screen and television. With the different depictions of Hercules, this paper then is an assessment on how he was portrayed and presented in films. The materials considered for this study were Disney’s animated film â€Å"Hercules† released on 1997 and Roger Young’s miniseries entitled â€Å"Hercules. Half Man. Half God. All Power. † released on 2004 by the Hallmark Channel. Hercules on Disney’s Animated Film According to the Big Cartoon Database (n. d. ) â€Å"Hercules† was a â€Å"Disney update on classic mythology†, an animated film about his journey towards finding a place where he belonged. Here, Hercules, the son of Greek gods Zeus and Hera was born god-like strength in Olympus, the home of the gods. When Hades, the God of the Underworld, learns that his plan of domination in the future will be affected because of Hercules’ existence, he summons his two followers, Pain and Panic, de-immortalize the child Hercules and kill him in the mortal world. Pain and Panic, failed in their mission and only succeeds in making Hercules mortal. No mortal beings are allowed to dwell in Olympus, which leaves Hercules in the care of Alcmene and Amphitryon, the childless mortal couple who found him on the bushes. Hercules later grows into a misfit adolescent because of his extraordinary strength that always gets him in the center of chaos. His adoptive parents later tells him of his past and a medal found with him that is a link to Zeus, his father. Hercules then journeys to the temple of the gods. Zeus appears and confirms Hercules thoughts. Zeus tells him that the only way that Hercules can enter Olympus again is that if he becomes an earthly hero to gain his godliness. The adolescent Hercules then goes on a pursuit of a hero status with the help and instructions from the satyr, Philoctetes. He achieves the hero status later in adulthood but is perplexed because he still is not a god. When Hades learns that Hercules still lives, he orders his soul-bound follower Megara to deceive Hercules. Hades tries to block his path to being a God with calamities and creatures like the multi-headed, Hydra. Hercules becomes a God when he sacrifices himself for Megara. The animated film ends with Hercules choosing to stay in the mortal world to be with Megara. The most obvious difference of the animated film from the original Greek myth of Hercules is that the dreadful factors of his origins were revised and some components of modern day popular culture were utilized. According to Royalty. nu (n. d. ), Hercules was born to Alcmene, wife of Amphityron, but fathered by the Greek God Zeus. Zeus deceived Alcmene into thinking that he was Amphitryon on a night when the real Amphitryon was away. Hera, Zeus’ wife loathed Hercules and tried several times to try and kill Hercules, much unlike in the animated film, where Hera as Hercules’ mother doted on him. The animated film focused on Hercules’ early life; the famous ten labors of Hercules and the other half of his life was not included. The circumstances of the Greek myth characters like Megara, Zeus, Hera, Aphitryon, Alcmene and the rest included in the film were greatly modified to fit the storyline of the animated film. Apart from that Hercules’ twin brother, Iphicles was excluded in the storyline. Greek mythology portrays Hercules as a character with â€Å"low intelligence and terrible temper†(Royalty. nu, n. d. ). Although there was much difference from the original Greek myth, Hercules’ character as half-man half-god hero with weaknesses was still portrayed. Hercules’ character in the animated film was a bit naive but he was not quick to loose his temper. Audiences were also given a taste of Hercules’ famous battles with calamities and creatures. Hercules on Roger Young’s Miniseries According to FilmAffinity (n. d. ), this Hercules miniseries is about â€Å"the gifted child born of a blood greater than mortal who would become the most powerful of all gods†. Roger Young’s miniseries starts with how Hercules was conceived. Similar to the Greek myth, the dissolute God Zeus deludes the Princess of Thebes, Alcmene, into thinking that he is the princess’ husband, Amphitryon, and then forces himself on Alcmene on a night where the princess was awaiting her husband’s return. When Alcmene gives birth to twin boys, Hercules and Iphicles, Alcmene and Amphitryon are perplexed on which baby is fathered by Zeus and whose is Amphitryon. They later realize that Hercules is Zeus’ son when he kills the snakes with his bare hands an infant. Hercules develops into a lumbering young man, â€Å"rejected by his mother, envied by his brother Iphicles and loathed by Zeus’ wife Hera† (FilmAffinity). Similar to the Greek myth while Alcmene reserves no love for Hercules, he grows up with Amphitryon doting on him and teaching him. Hercules then falls for Megara but was rejected. Their brief connection results to a child. When he lost his temper and accidentally hurt his teacher Linus during a class, Amphitryon sends far away to be taught under the care and instruction of a centaur, Kiron. Hercules becomes an agile adult and more capable to handle his great strength. He then was married to Megara after he helps the king from the creature Hydra. Megara and her sons, turn out to be â€Å"tools of the vengeful Hera, plotting against him and initiating events that lead to his banishment from his people† (FilmAffinity). To atone the punishment that he deserved in killing his own children, Hercules agrees when he was given difficult challenges which were set out to destroy him. With his ally Linus, he travels the Stymphalian Swams to the River styx of the underworld, faced with challenges and monstrous creatures that was arranged to kill him. Hercules willingly continues on this journey that afterward made him a â€Å"legend on Earth and achieve immortality in the heavens† (FilmAffinity). With the storyline of the miniseries, it was clear that the filmmakers focused on the raging politics between the noble mortals and their want of power and control. It is important to note that this miniseries was one of the few productions that embarked on Hercules true conception with regards to the original Greek myth. Hercules’ character of recklessness and short temper was portrayed true to the original Greek myth during his younger adult days. There were slight alterations unto how certain events happened to the characters but the miniseries was in a way loyal to the Hercules’ myth. For example, Hercules develops a more profound thinking later on the miniseries but there was no hint of that according to the Greek Myth. The Gods Hera and Zeus were not given much attention during the miniseries and only appeared briefly. The supposed raging battle between Hera and Zeus was implied but not shown comprehensively. Conclusion In conclusion, both films were individual depictions of Hercules’ character as the legendary Greek hero. He is a paragon of action and masculinity, and thus embodies characteristics such as great strength, great courage, and great appetites, including erotic adventures with both women and boys or young men. These qualities did not prevent him from being regarded as a playful figure that used games to relax from his labors and played a great deal with children. Aelian, while he was a champion and a great warrior, he was not above cheating and using any unfair trick to his advantage. However, he was renowned as having â€Å"made the world safe for mankind† by destroying many dangerous monsters, and he was also held up as an example for never having attacked first, but for having conquered all merely by defending himself when attacked, and protecting the helpless and distraught. His self-sacrifice obtained him the ascent to the Olympian realms and he was welcomed by the gods. He represents a balanced, complete energetic principle of the masculine, partaking of both light and dark influences. Historically, the strong American presence in post-war Italy is evident in the very physical presence of Steve Reeves as Hercules. Moreover, the film’s masculinization of revenge also seems to reflect the ideals of post-war society. Instead, as the character of Hercules suggests, it is more important for the wandering male, and also the foreign influence, to be incorporated into the domestic sphere. Hercules preserves the morality at the centre of the family. Paradoxically, however the interference of Hercules also ensures continued dependence on foreign influence and protection. Each film represented the filmmakers approach on representing a storyline associated with Hercules’ myth. Disney may have chosen to emphasize more on Hercules’ journey to his fate in a more conducive way that was appealing since their audiences are young people. Roger Young’s miniseries took more of a similar likeness to the original myth although alterations were made on how events were played because the storyline demanded that it be so. Works Cited FilmAffinity. Hercules (TV). FilmAffinity – MovieAffinity. Retrieved November 2, 2006 from http://www. filmaffinity. com/en/film260353. html The Big Cartoon Database. Hercules Story Details. The Big Cartoon Database. Retrieved November 2, 2006 from http://www. bcdb. com/cartoon_synopsis/6-Hercules. html Royalty. nu. Hercules, Young Hercules. The Gordon Knot Webring. Retrieved November 2, 2006 from http://www. royalty. nu/legends/Hercules. html

Healthcare Policy Essays

Healthcare Policy Essays Healthcare Policy Paper Healthcare Policy Paper Essay Topic: The Healers Social justice is a concept of fairness, whose aim it is to expose and bring to end social inequalities. The argument is that all social primary goods should be distributed equally, if there is unequal distribution then it should favor those who are least advantaged. The utilitarian view supports the principle of the greatest good for the greatest number. Classic utilitarianism was a social reform movement whose goal was to improve the living conditions of the less privileged in the hope of creating a civilized society where both concern for oneself and the common good could occur (Almgren, 2006). According to utilitarianism, utility is an intrinsic good and actions are judged as right or wrong depending on how much happiness or pleasure they can produce. In his book, Rawls shifts the utilitarian focus from a concern for good to a concern for right. In affirming that ‘right’ had a great priority than ‘good’, Rawls then asked, ‘what is the most basic civil right?’ the principles of justice that we put across were the liberty principle and social and economic principles. Examples of basic liberties include political liberty, freedom of thought, liberty of conscience, right to own personal property among others (Almgren, 2006). The second principle of social and economic equalities states that these equalities should be arranged to ensure that all offices and opportunity. Fair equality does not mean merely that positions should be open on merit; rather that everyone is presented with the opportunity to acquire the skills of the position. The US healthcare policy presently does not have a prevailing basic for social justice; instead many principles of distributive justice are used: for people over 65 and younger people with certain medical conditions, healthcare is a right of citizenship. For the young working class American, healthcare is a right of employment, of having private insurance and in some cases both. Middle-class Americans find themselves in a situation where they have to pay for the care of the elderly and also for their own care and that of their children. In social justice principle justified norms can be established in various ways and these are the principle of distributive justice. Among these are egalitarianism where every person receives equal benefits and burdens, merit-seniority where persons are rewarded according to the length of time they have held a job. Socialist where people are given burden according to abilities and benefits based on needs. The libertarian’s principle states that benefits are obtained as others give them voluntarily and as the individual creates them for themselves, through labor with material that they own rightfully. Socialist healthcare would be provided in a social government where being a citizen, entitles the individual to basic coessential services like education, income and healthcare. If the United States had a national coverage in effect it would be socialist healthcare. The current system only has features of this in those over 65 years. The basic principle in the social justice, theory is impartiality that is that every one’s life is important and equally so. The has been applied to healthcare so that basic treatment includes treating conditions which hinder ones functioning, affect one’s well-being and cause suffering. Awarding young working classing Americans insurance cover based on distribution principle of merit-effort or merit-output where persons are rewarded according to their work effort and quantity and quality of work. Evolution of healthcare policy During the preindustrial times medicine was more domestic than professional, medical practitioners were more of traders, there was no health insurance, private or public. Medical training was inexistent and most hospital offered services for free, the quality of services was poor so most people hardly went to hospitals. People relied on faith healers, medicines sales people and a few physicians. As the 19th century began most Americans began to view healthcare as a science and physicians became more dominant. Before World War I government involvement in healthcare was kept at a minimum and was limited to public health and health issues in time of war and treaties. The federal government began to get involved in healthcare for two reasons, one was to meet healthcare policy goals and the other more important at the time was to enable framing and reframing of political philosophy that would outline the roles and boundaries of federal role. Among the first acts of involvement was the legislation that taxed wages of seamen to aid establishment of the US Marine Hospital Service. Other Acts followed namely the National Quarantine Act, War Risk Insurance Act that availed medical benefits to war veterans and the Vocational Rehabilitation Act and the World War Veteran Act. (Almgren, 2006). At this time government involvement was aimed more at promoting industry and productivity than at the welfare of workers The major policy goals after World War II involved investment in healthcare infrastructure by granting hospitals tax exemption, training health professionals with government grants and financing medical research among others. Between 1965 and 1975 healthcare was expanded to increase accessibility by the poor, disabled and elderly through Medicare and Medicaid. This shows inclusion of the concept of social justice. From 1975 the focus has been on cost containment of healthcare. The inflation of healthcare currently makes it difficult even for the middle class to access healthcare. Then increasing cost of healthcare has been contributed to by advances in medical technology. This have increased knowledge and led to specialization causing people to live longer and a need for staff training, requirement of new facilities the cost of which have to be shouldered by the consumer. This leads to disparities in the provision of health. Due to the finite nature of resources in the health sector it has been difficult to apply an egalitarian system in meeting the needs of the public hence as indicated by the history of US healthcare most of the policies have been for the greater good rather than to meet needs of individual citizens equally. This is likely to be the trend and it should be so.

The South China Sea A Historical Overview

The South China Sea A Historical Overview The sea is dotted with hundreds of small islands, atolls, and reefs, only a few of which are actually inhabitable and all of which lie outside the internationally-recognized 12 nautical miles territorial limit of the squabbling nations. Geopolitical disputes over the ownership of the South China Sea were a frequent topic of international news in 2012, and indications are that they will continue to be so for some time to come. Here is a brief primer on why this part of the world has become such a diplomatic hotspot. Where is the South China Sea? The South China Sea is a broad body of water lying between the coast of the Southeast Asian mainland and the island nations of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It is bordered on the north by Taiwan and the southern coast of China, on the west by Viet Nam, on the south by the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, and on the east by the Philippines. DOKDO ISLANDS ARE KOREAN PROPERTY As shown by this map, China claims virtually all of the South China Sea, which is the source of the sharp disputes it has had with other countries, primarily Viet Nam and the Philippines. The sea is dotted with hundreds of small islands, atolls, and reefs, only a few of which are actually inhabitable and all of which lie outside the internationally-recognized 12 nautical miles territorial limit of the squabbling nations. The claims of the Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam to parts of the South China Sea are based on geographical proximity, historical claims, and the 200 nautical mile limit to â€Å"Exclusive Economic Zones† provided for in the 1982 UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS), which is not recognized by China. Do Any of the Countries Have a Legitimate Claim? Because there is very little physical land that can be occupied in the South China Sea, none of the countries involved has established a clear, indisputable sovereign claim. In 1947, shortly after the Communists came to power in China, the Chinese government published maps purportedly dating back to the 16th century showing the sea as part of Chinese territory and claimed the area had been used by Chinese fishermen and traders for more than 2,000 years. Viet Nam in particular disputed this, producing documents of their own showing the Paracel and Spratly Island groups as part of their territory as early as the 17th century. The claims of the Philippines to the Spratlys and the Scarborough Shoal, which lies about 150 kilometers west of the Philippines, are based on those areas lying closer to the Philippines than any of the other countries. Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei base their claims on the provisions of the UNCLOS accord. Why is the South China Sea Such â€Å"Hot Property†? The most important reason is natural gas and lots of it. Although the continuing disputes have prevented much exploration in the South China Sea, indications from the few surveys that have been done indicate it may contain reserves of up to 25 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, which if true would make the area the third- or fourth-largest concentration of gas in the world. In addition, the South China Sea is believed to hold oil reserves of up to 28 billion barrels, according to estimates by the US Energy Information Administration. The South China Sea is also a strategically important shipping region linking Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Indian Ocean with China, Japan, and the rest of the Pacific Ocean; about a third of the world’s sea traffic is said to cross the South China Sea. The sea is also a rich fishing ground and supports most of the commercial fishing done by the Philippines, Viet Nam, China, and Malaysia. Key Events in the South China Sea The most serious clashes have occurred between China and Viet Nam, who have had naval battles over the Paracels and the Spratlys. In 1974, China launched an amphibious assault on the Paracel Islands then occupied by Viet Nam, seizing the island group after a short, violent fight that killed about 70 Vietnamese soldiers. In 1988, a naval engagement between Viet Nam and China in the Spratlys ended with several Vietnamese gunboats being destroyed, with a loss of about 60 sailors. More recently, an attempt by Philippine Coast Guard forces to arrest Chinese poachers in the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 led to a tense naval standoff that saw both nations send dozens of vessels to the area, and created a diplomatic crisis that has since settled down but has not been resolved. China also angered both Viet Nam and the Philippines in 2012 by redesigning its passports with an illustration of a map showing the South China Sea as part of its territory; as a result, both countries briefly refused to issue visa stamps to Chinese travelers carrying the new, offensive passports. Other small provocations are frequent occurrences. An unconfirmed report of Chinese interference with Vietnamese oil exploration vessels in 2011 led to massive anti-China demonstrations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; the Vietnamese for their part routinely conduct live-fire naval exercises in the South China Sea, drawing protests from the Chinese government. And in 2012, the Philippine government issued a directive renaming the South China Sea to the â€Å"West Philippine Sea,† further irritating China. Will the Disputes Be Ever Resolved? The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes all the claimants to the South China Sea except China and Taiwan, has on several occasions attempted to develop a binding â€Å"code of conduct† for nations in the South China Sea, with little success. China for its part has consistently resisted moves to â€Å"internationalize† the dispute, preferring to negotiate on a bilateral basis with individual countries. Although some discussions have taken place, most recently between the Philippines and China over the Scarborough Shoal incident, none of the countries have been willing to relax their claims, suggesting the issue will be a source of tension for some time to come.

'the effects job satisfaction has on an organisation in regards to Essay

'the effects job satisfaction has on an organisation in regards to performance & productivity, turnover and absenteeism - Essay Example The satisfaction and dissatisfaction of employees affects the rate of turnover and absenteeism in an organisation. If an employee is not satisfied with the working environment, then he/she can quit the job, which increases the turnover rate. This affects operations of the organisation to a great extent that can even lead to suspension of the work. This study highlights job satisfaction on the turnover rate and absenteeism in an organisation It is observed, from the survey undertaken by CIPD, there is a positive correlation between job satisfaction and pay, promotion and rewards. Thus, it can be portrayed that performance management plays an important role in fulfilling the expectation of the employees. Pay and promotion is identified to be most significant aspects of job satisfaction since it motivates employees to work harder for the organisation. The aim and objective are very important for projects since these direct the whole content. After determination of project aim, objectives are set. The project frames few objectives that are examined in order to justify validity of initial project topic. Psychology plays an important role in various phases of human life. Higher importance is given to mental condition of individuals (employees) in organisations so as to enhance productivity. The human resource management of any organisation takes into consideration the mental well-being of their employees so that their productivity is not harmed. Arnold, et al. (1998 cited in Markos and Sridevi, 2010) has pointed out the two main reasons why job satisfaction has gained importance in the recent years. The first and foremost significant reason is that job satisfaction acts as an indicator of mental condition of a human. Thus, it helps in identifying whether a particular employee is happy or not in his/her workplace. Secondly, it is assumed that if employees are content with their work, then they are motivated to put in their full effort, thereby